The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[homebody]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

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The only planned major project in the city I'm completely bearish on is the TCB mega apartment building. It's called the Landmark for reference. I don't think it will happen. Mostly gut feeling. Timeline very long in a hot market. It just feels like a classic SJ failure to launch.

I agree totally. I don't have good vibes about this one either, there is no hype. There is no talk, no mentions in articles anywhere unlike 99 King, and the Fundy Quay site. I also feel that the location for such a big build is also not ideal. It's kinda out there on its own. Time will tell.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by homebody

I agree totally. I don't have good vibes about this one either, there is no hype. There is no talk, no mentions in articles anywhere unlike 99 King, and the Fundy Quay site. I also feel that the location for such a big build is also not ideal. It's kinda out there on its own. Time will tell.

At least it's spurring the city to complete phase 2 of this, uh, almost five year old plan. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...t-john-walkway-to-crown-street-1.4124415

While I'd like to see Harbour Passage continue past TCB, for now it will do as an eastern terminus.

Where SJ needs to focus Passage improvement efforts is the western terminus. Someone should beg/bully Ocean Steel into extending the waterfront portion of it another 700' southwest to Merritt St behind their parking lot and HQ. From Merritt to the bridge it's much tougher to go near water, but there's at minimum 15' between the Ocean Steel plant and Chesley. Rip out the sidewalk and grass and pretty much duplicate the Lower Cove Loop portion. I presume there is no chance of a 2000' elevated boardwalk directly behind the plant along the river a la Lily Lake.

It's been kind of frustrating seeing the city talk big about 'active transportation' without pouring any new red concrete, laying the groundwork for future extension, etc. I get there's the rerouting along Fundy Quay coming up, but that's precisely 0' of new Passage.

[bridgeoftea]

A bit off topic to the AIM rumour but everyday I seem to have an idea or question about the city. As I find city planning really interesting.

There must be some sort of future plan for the strip from the Irving to that old Bingo center along City Road/Rothesay Ave? It just feels extremely barren and sort of a waste when driving along there. Doesn't really seem to be beneficial as a retail option maybe more apartment style options.

[bridgeoftea]

New images of the build on the corner of Union and Wellington. Haven't seen it for a few weeks. Good progress being made I would say.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

New images of the build on the corner of Union and Wellington. Haven't seen it for a few weeks. Good progress being made I would say.

Walked past on my way Uptown yesterday, it really is looking good, in particular the street presence and its lack of setback. Once it hits 6 floors I think the positive visual impact on Union will be phenomenal for the area.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

Walked past on my way Uptown yesterday, it really is looking good, in particular the street presence and its lack of setback. Once it hits 6 floors I think the positive visual impact on Union will be phenomenal for the area.

I agree on the impact to Union street as a whole. I'm wondering if this will increase any activity. And any, lack of a better word "clean up", around the Max pub areas. For such a central street in Uptown it's a shame to see it not as clean as it could be.

Anyone who is driving from Fredericton/USA area to Saint John for the first time and takes the Somerset exit instead of the Main street is greeted with lesser view of the city on first arrival. The main street exit that goes under the pedway and to the market square area is much nicer than the T intersection on union.

[cdnguys]

It will go fast now that they are on the modular part. Like I mentioned before, so happy some thought was out in design and will separate us from other cities. Can’t wait to see final product. Especially love it was designed by home grown firm Acre

[OliverD]

Surprised to see it's already on Google Street View https://www.google.com/maps/@45.2746958,...i6A!2e0!5s20211001T000000!7i16384!8i8192

[bridgeoftea]

Progress being made on the Milledgeville project.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

Progress being made on the Milledgeville project.

Got to be the slowest build ever lol

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Got to be the slowest build ever lol

My guess is they are waiting on lumber shipments. The entire foundation has been poured but it seems progress has practically come to halt since then. I haven’t seen the crane move at all recently too so.

[cdnguys]

[IMG][/IMG]

[ColSJ]

I would love to break down that magic 18 number and see what we can come up with.

[adamuptownsj]

I presume this high number includes the Millidgeville development Pappas got approved and is currently selling, Technology Drive, and Fundy Quay.

[adamuptownsj]

Telegraph Journal has a plan for the former Cherry Brook Zoo site working through approvals and permission. Not residential.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Telegraph Journal has a plan for the former Cherry Brook Zoo site working through approvals and permission. Not residential.

The newspaper company might look to move their base out there?

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

The newspaper company might look to move their base out there?

No, it's definitely not getting a business like that. The city wants something at least peripherally park-related and there's no businesses for miles.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

The newspaper company might look to move their base out there?

I think he means the TJ is reporting it, not themselves involved.

[cdnguys]

I’ve always been interested in demographics. Wondering if anyone on this forum can shed some light on this:

In 1971, Saint John had 89,000 residents (roughly same as current day Moncton).
Starting in the 80’s there was an outflow to the suburban communities and we dropped to around 67,000 in the mid 2000’s. Nowadays the latest estimate I saw was approximately 72,500. The latest StanCan quarterly labour report suggests the city is growing by 200 per month.

From 1971 to today we lost a lot of housing stock, but overall we gained a lot more as new neighborhoods were built. Yet with more housing units we are still down almost 20,000 from our all time high. Despite this, housing vacancy rates is hovering around 1% and MLS listings traditionally had over 1700 listings now hover in the 300 range. So clearly we have a lot of new residents, but I’m curious why we aren’t in the 80,000 range.

The only thing I can think of is back in the 1970’s and before, Saint John had the typical families with 4, 5, or upwards of 8 kids. Our Forest Hills bungalow was a family of 8 and all the other bungalows I recall had large families. Nowadays most families are 1, maybe 2 kids (why half the schools in city closed).

I think there are 2 current trends happening that will increase the density again:
First, there is a lot of immigration to the city, and from what I’m seeing when I go to Walmart and Costco is they have very large families. I see countless families with 5 or 6 kids in tow. Secondly, with skyrocketing rent and housing costs, I hear of antidotal evidence that folks are pooling their resources and taking on a roommate situation. So apartments of 1 are now apartments of 2 or more occupants. The vacated apartments are quickly rented out due to demand from folks moving from out of province. So theoretically we could be on the trend to quickly juice up our population numbers again.

Any thoughts / theories on this? I’m curious what others think or predict.

[OliverD]

Lots of people not having kids at all, people staying single longer living alone, etc. More households, fewer people.