[Saint John] Uptown Thread

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Then hopefully this year we have The Wellington start, the mystery announcement Adam spoke of, Percy’s March reveal for old Woolworth and opening of Wentworth, telegraph and Atlantic - shaping up to be a decent year

Replacing the old Woolworth building with something new will be a major facelift for the neighbourhood. I really hope it's a substantial building with some height to it. The recent CMHC numbers indicate that the vacancy rate or residential uptown is only 2.3% (down from 2.9% in 2019). So residential with ground floor commercial/retail would seem logical.

[cdnguys]

pic of renovated city market

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[Franco401]

Is The Wellington under construction or just proposed? I'm trying to make a map of developments in SJ similar to the one I posted in the Downtown Fredericton thread.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by Franco401

Is The Wellington under construction or just proposed? I'm trying to make a map of developments in SJ similar to the one I posted in the Downtown Fredericton thread.

It's proposed, they got a work permit in the fall of last year so it should be constructed soon.

[Franco401]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

It's proposed, they got a work permit in the fall of last year so it should be constructed soon.

Orange it is, then. I'll be posting my map when I'm done, it should be helpful to this forum if there's a consistently updated map of these things.

[cdnguys]

working on a Saturday attaching curtain wall

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[NewIreland]

Does anyone know when the waterfront substation is going to be dismantled?

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by NewIreland

Does anyone know when the waterfront substation is going to be dismantled?

Saint John energy RFP for new equipment specifies onsite delivery to Paradise Row substation on April 30, 2022. So probably looking at dismantling Q3 or Q4 2022

[ColSJ]

I caught this little snippet in a Huddle article.

Several years ago, I appeared at a local planning and advisory committee to voice my opposition to zoning rules that would allow a parking lot to remain across the street from my house. I felt like it was a prime piece of land for development that fit the city’s plans to create density in the urban core. My plea was dismissed with several committee members saying there was no demand for more residential development in my end of the neighborhood.

I’m happy to report they were wrong. Since then, the developer proceeded with the 49-unit urban loft development that has blocked our view of the water. Someone else built a nice single-family home. Another couple has plans to build another one in front of our house.

I believe the house will be built at 16 Pagan Place as the property sold mid to late last year. It is nice to see this little corner of the South End really sprucing up with new residential buildings.

SOURCE: https://huddle.today/the-saturday-huddle-a-room-without-a-view/

[DyAm00394]

Bubble Tea House Opens In Uptown Saint John

https://huddle.today/bubble-tea-house-opens-in-uptown-saint-john/

"Ami Tea has opened in Uptown Saint John, specializing in bubble milk tea and authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Opening plans were delayed due to Covid-19, which will open at 73 King Street this week after a soft opening last week.


“The tea house is a gathering place for family and friends,” said owner Phuong Thu Le. “We bring a cultural closeness to the city, and we will make the city more special with the different cultures here.” The idea for opening a bubble tea shop in Canada came together a year ago after Thu met up with her high school classmate in Canada just two months after arriving in the country.


“I wanted to open a business and introduce Asian foods to Saint Johners and we desired to create a good place with good drinks for everybody to enjoy a happy time together,” she said. “My husband and I opened the store with so much excitement – we both love this beautiful, historical city and especially its friendly and kind residents.”
Thu has a background in business, having been part of a management team with two other companies in Vietnam, including a tropical fruit processing factory. Ami Tea is her first business in Saint John, with other Ami Tea franchisees located in Alberta and Quebec.


“I believe that the faster I understand the culture here, the more opportunities I could find to be successful,” Thu explained, adding she received support from the Business Immigrant Essentials program (Economic Development Greater Saint John), the Enterprising Women Online program (Saint John Community Loan Fund), and the Newcomer Connections YMCA of Greater Saint John’s Sales and Customer Service Employment program.
Ami Tea also offers more than 50 bubble tea options along with seasonal drinks. The bubble tea is prepared with ingredients from Taiwan and North America, along with local ingredients.


“It is a challenge as well as an opportunity,” explained Thu. “The pandemic might limit the store’s operations, but Ami Tea Saint John is a comfortable place for people to enjoy.”

[Fischbob]

I recently noticed that the Saint John Community Loan Fund's 2020 Annual Report has some info about what's next for the nonprofit's social purpose real estate efforts. The concept shows new 3-storey buildings to be constructed on either side of their most recent reno at 40 Exmouth Street, expected to total 10-12 new affordable units.



I'm very happy to see the Loan Fund emerge as a new player in the NGO/nonprofit housing space in the city, alongside the more established Housing Alternatives/Co-ops and SJ Non-Profit Housing organizations. The more the merrier!

[adamuptownsj]

A little bird tells me the Ritchie Building, home of O'Leary's, has been sold, and O'Leary's will reportedly continue operating in it. Upper floor redevelopment apparently- I've heard the space is incredible.

From eyeballing it, you could fit like 16 units in there from the second floor up.

Next up, hopefully: One or both of the parking lots uphill from it.

[RR Drummer]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

A little bird tells me the Ritchie Building, home of O'Leary's, has been sold, and O'Leary's will reportedly continue operating in it. Upper floor redevelopment apparently- I've heard the space is incredible.

From eyeballing it, you could fit like 16 units in there from the second floor up.

Next up, hopefully: One or both of the parking lots uphill from it.

Good to hear this. Hoping this develops into a project.

[ColSJ]

Since Fundy Quay is uptown I figured I'd repost this in here:

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Also, here is a Huddle Today article about this announcement:


Governments Commit $24-Million To Prepare Waterfront Site For Development
https://huddle.today/governments-commit-24-million-to-prepare-waterfront-site-for-development/

[cdnguys]

Developer says first building will be $50 million. If I extrapolate that from the new Moncton apartment announced at $35m for 12 floors - $50m would be about 17 floors
Still long time off - developer hoping foundation will start within 2 years

[cdnguys]

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[adamuptownsj]

City road/infra replacement plans for 2021 are out. The area around The Wentworth gets an overdue refresh, remainder of Waterloo gets completed, some odd choices in the deep south, and that ugly gap between King Square South and Princess is getting new sidewalks... and those three telephone poles are getting buried.

Map: https://imgur.com/a/BHlH4H7

[cdnguys]

sliders installed for balconies on west side of Telegraph Square

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[RaginRonic]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

City road/infra replacement plans for 2021 are out. The area around The Wentworth gets an overdue refresh, remainder of Waterloo gets completed, some odd choices in the deep south, and that ugly gap between King Square South and Princess is getting new sidewalks... and those three telephone poles are getting buried.

Map: https://imgur.com/a/BHlH4H7

I sent a tweet to Mayor Darling, and told him that Peters St. could use some TLC with a full street rebuild....I hope that can happen, because it should join both Paddock and Cliff as gem thoroughfares too. =P

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

I sent a tweet to Mayor Darling, and told him that Peters St. could use some TLC with a full street rebuild....I hope that can happen, because it should join both Paddock and Cliff as gem thoroughfares too. =P

It's not a terrible selection of streets (two blocks of Rodney are getting full rebuilds over west too). Waterloo is vital, Wentworth is kind of owed to the Wentworth, which probably benefits from the new infrastructure. St. James and Germain will hopefully involve opening Germain up to LCL. Not sure what's up with Broadview- I work in the area and the lower blocks of Sydney need it far more. That would let Harbour Passage extend to a good temporary starting point.

It would be nice to see some of the asphalt filled medians uptown get replaced with at least sod for now. Paving companies will come take it for free.