[Saint John] Uptown Thread

[OliverD]

To me variety is definitely much more important than focusing on any one cuisine.

[OUIR@random]

Sorry post in wrong thread.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by OUIR@random

Re: KFC, another one bites the dust. I'm surprised by this, it looked usually fairly busy, without naming other tenants I did not think this one was the weaker link. Was the lease due-expired? The KFC at Regent closed at well within the last year, correct? Perhaps KFC doesn't do it for many nowadays. What will replace it?

I assume you meant to post this in the Moncton Retail Thread.

[bridgeoftea]

I've seen on some other threads, for the bigger cities they have a "future skyline" rendering over what looks like a google earth view. Is there one for Saint John to include Fundy Quay, 99 King etc?

[homebody]

Third an final readings tonight at Common Council for Fundy Quay and the Crown Street developments. Just a technicality.

[RaginRonic]

A sad sight this morning from the foot of King St.

Photos courtesy Julia Wright, from CBC Saint John, on Twitter.





For those who know how to resize pics, please help me here. If I attempt that, I'll do it wrong. =S

And a sad day for the Port City too.

o.o

[MonctonRad]

This is a real shame.

Given this building's status, I imagine they will pull out all the stops in order to try and save the structure.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by homebody

Third an final readings tonight at Common Council for Fundy Quay and the Crown Street developments. Just a technicality.

Anyone have the final rendering images? I'm guessing not much, or anything has changed.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

This is a real shame.

Given this building's status, I imagine they will pull out all the stops in order to try and save the structure.

I’m sure it’ll get fixed up, the store itself was moved a decade ago to hid an electrical substation which is underneath it in the basement, so it’s in the city/SJ Energy’s interest to maintain it.

[adamuptownsj]

Not to touch the third rail of this forum, but the city had been tolerating a homeless guy camping under the awning for literally months. I made a couple calls earlier this winter and they would do nothing.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Not to touch the third rail of this forum, but the city had been tolerating a homeless guy camping under the awning for literally months. I made a couple calls earlier this winter and they would do nothing.

Not too long ago, there was a fire in the parking garage under the Moncton Peace Centre in downtown Moncton. It is a four storey office building containing many social agencies built adjacent to and connecting to a church.

There was a homeless encampment in the parking garage, and the occupants thought it would be a good idea to make a bonfire out of some available wooden pallets in order to keep warm. They came within a whisker of burning down both the Peace Centre and the church, The fire department got there just in the nick of time.

No matter what way you cut it, these encampments are a menace and should not be tolerated. Compassion should be shown to the homeless, and alternate accommodations found, but the encampments themselves are a curse......

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Not too long ago, there was a fire in the parking garage under the Moncton Peace Centre in downtown Moncton. It is a four storey office building containing many social agencies built adjacent to and connecting to a church.

There was a homeless encampment in the parking garage, and the occupants thought it would be a good idea to make a bonfire out of some available wooden pallets in order to keep warm. They came within a whisker of burning down both the Peace Centre and the church, The fire department got there just in the nick of time.

No matter what way you cut it, these encampments are a menace and should not be tolerated. Compassion should be shown to the homeless, and alternate accommodations found, but the encampments themselves are a curse......

People do not have a right to camp downtown any way you slice it. This could have killed people if things worked out differently. 'I don't like shelters' is not a valid excuse to let cities turn into slums.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

People do not have a right to camp downtown any way you slice it. This could have killed people if things worked out differently. 'I don't like shelters' is not a valid excuse to let cities turn into slums.

It is hard to predict the future. But I know from living out west, a lot of the homeless had moved there because the milder winters. Where in January it's maybe 0 Celsius and raining instead of -11 and snowing. Depending on population growth I think the cities in New Brunswick won't have as bad of a encampment near their downtown cores.
I could be complete off base with that prediction though. Just a thought.

[thefishingnut]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Not to touch the third rail of this forum, but the city had been tolerating a homeless guy camping under the awning for literally months. I made a couple calls earlier this winter and they would do nothing.

I thought the CBC comment that investigators are looking at whether the fire was intentionally or accidently set an odd one, but this explains it...

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by thefishingnut

I thought the CBC comment that investigators are looking at whether the fire was intentionally or accidently set an odd one, but this explains it...

I think the clear implication is that it is an accidental fire, and the homeless encampment would be an obvious source.

[cdnguys]

As of this evening The Wentworth is 63% leased out. About a 15% increase in one week. Finally you can see some of the lights on!

[cdnguys]

I too am saddened by the general store burning, but wasn’t the city seeking proposals years ago to remove it? This lot is huge and historically was a brick building before being torn down. I can picture a Telegraph Square type building there. In would be dead centre all of the activity - across from Fundy Quay. I guarantee there would be a lot of folks that would love a view overlooking all that hub bub of Market Square and having bus right at door step, restaurants and services nearby.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Pugsley]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

I too am saddened by the general store burning, but wasn’t the city seeking proposals years ago to remove it? This lot is huge and historically was a brick building before being torn down. I can picture a Telegraph Square type building there.]

I believe that I read somewhere that there is a sub-station or some technical facility underneath it for Saint John Hydro. Part of creating the plaza and moving it there was part of hiding it. I may be wrong but I think that is why it was placed their originally. If that is the case, it might be hard to redevelop.

I do hope they can fix it. it is a landmark in the city.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by Pugsley

I believe that I read somewhere that there is a sub-station or some technical facility underneath it for Saint John Hydro. Part of creating the plaza and moving it there was part of hiding it. I may be wrong but I think that is why it was placed their originally. If that is the case, it might be hard to redevelop.

I do hope they can fix it. it is a landmark in the city.

Sub stations can be moved - maybe there can be a reconfig when they move the Smythe St substation to Paradise Row

[adamuptownsj]

Small project update:

177 King E, a 3 to 5 unit by the looks of it, is being gutted. Not sure if it was inhabited before, but the basement unit certainly wasn't.

83 Mecklenburg, a beautiful flat over flat three-unit I briefly owned, is progressing. It should be premium housing.

The 4 townhouse development at Queen S and Charlotte is reportedly starting in the summer.

Reportedly there is a 6+ unit project planned for 252-254 Carmarthen (corner of St James and Carmarthen) that should materialize by spring.