[Saint John] Uptown Thread

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

TJ is reporting Brideau wants to begin construction on the Queen Square development within 12 months and do it all in one phase.

That is a better timeline than a 10 year plan lol

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

That is a better timeline than a 10 year plan lol

Yes. Assume because it’s primarily residential and will likely fill extremely quickly.

[ColSJ]

Drove around the south end and counted about ~10 properties with scaffolding on them. The Mecklenburg and Queen Street areas seem to be the hottest areas at the moment. The city is doing street reconstruction on Mecklenburg and I see a for sale sign on the vacant lot at the corner of Pitt and Mecklenburg. Should be an attractive property for any investor out there.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

Drove around the south end and counted about ~10 properties with scaffolding on them. The Mecklenburg and Queen Street areas seem to be the hottest areas at the moment. The city is doing street reconstruction on Mecklenburg and I see a fire sale on the vacant lot at the corner of Pitt and Mecklenburg. Should be an attractive property for any investor out there.

Owner won't return my calls!

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Owner won't return my calls!

Would the city be able to assist you in getting in contact?

[ColSJ]

City manager says it is a reasonable expectation for the province to release the site selection of the new central peninsula school by the end of August. We’ve received indicators that it will be on St. James on the rainbow park block.

[ColSJ]

$42,000 from the feds for upgrades to Jardine Alley that’ll include new lighting and art displays.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

$42,000 from the feds for upgrades to Jardine Alley that’ll include new lighting and art displays.

It's four feet wide and a quarter block long. Art displays? Lighting? Saint John isn't bothering to fix the General Store but we're putting $40K into art for an alley? Woof.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

It's four feet wide and a quarter block long. Art displays? Lighting? Saint John isn't bothering to fix the General Store but we're putting $40K into art for an alley? Woof.

It’s my understanding the General Store is privately owned. However between the two I would rather the money be directed to the General Store for the sake of getting it cleaned up. Surprised no one has been making a fuss because it’s ridiculous that it’s just sitting the way it is.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

It's four feet wide and a quarter block long. Art displays? Lighting? Saint John isn't bothering to fix the General Store but we're putting $40K into art for an alley? Woof.

I think I’d actually rather have the alley fixed up than general store
It’s a unique feature uptown and will be an awesome feature
Would like to see general store property revert back to a brick building - send store to Gagetown. Last time I was in 2/3 artifacts removed and replaced with boxes of tea and I think palomine bars.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

I think I’d actually rather have the alley fixed up than general store
It’s a unique feature uptown and will be an awesome feature
Would like to see general store property revert back to a brick building - send store to Gagetown

Honestly I think it's a cool idea for the alley.
I also agree on the general store property. Either make use of the space ei: little park or add in another brick building with room for shops/restaurant and maybe a few residents on top.

[adamuptownsj]

This isn't Grannan Lane, it's a four foot wide shortcut. No businesses, not even any windows at ground level. The city can't be bothered to sweep the streets outside of the Uptown or mow medians in the South End this year, and it's putting a light show over a 44m long alley with zero businesses? That's $955 a meter.

Whether the General Store moves or not, or whether it should, is less my concern than the fact that it's boarded up and inviting more damage. Weather intrusion could also be an issue if they continue to sleep on it into winter.

Besides, I think the guy who bought the office building and parking garage south of it has an option on the site. IIRC he mentioned wanting to build a second structure replacing both the corner lot and the garage if the first one worked out.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I believe. Historica is repointing 265-277 Charlotte.

Looks like they were too late to do this. Section of the front facade collapsed onto the street.

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

Looks like they were too late to do this. Section of the front facade collapsed onto the street.

It is a shame that many of the brick buildings uptown are in serious need of repair/restoration - decades of neglect and shoddy repair work have left a number in a similar situation. There have been a few collapses in recent years and it's just a matter of time before someone is injured or killed. I know that when we had the front of our building repointed the cornice was not tied into the structural brick behind it (we had it done properly). Our mason told us that the house next door didn't have their cornice done properly either - essentially it was just "free standing" and if it fell it would take ours with it. We made a decision to make ours "independent" of our neighbours and I hate to think how many others are in a similar state.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

It is a shame that many of the brick buildings uptown are in serious need of repair/restoration - decades of neglect and shoddy repair work have left a number in a similar situation. There have been a few collapses in recent years and it's just a matter of time before someone is injured or killed. I know that when we had the front of our building repointed the cornice was not tied into the structural brick behind it (we had it done properly). Our mason told us that the house next door didn't have their cornice done properly either - essentially it was just "free standing" and if it fell it would take ours with it. We made a decision to make ours "independent" of our neighbours and I hate to think how many others are in a similar state.

I spoke to the mason brought in to do repairs. He says this isn't the fault of Historica or any owner in the last 100 years. There were precisely 4 ties in the whole broken section and there should have been dozens. I presume the engineer brought in will come up with a plan to save it.

Also, the almost identical structure up hill that shares a wall with this, was NOT evacuated, so no issues there. Good sign.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I spoke to the mason brought in to do repairs. He says this isn't the fault of Historica or any owner in the last 100 years. There were precisely 4 ties in the whole broken section and there should have been dozens. I presume the engineer brought in will come up with a plan to save it.

Also, the almost identical structure up hill that shares a wall with this, was NOT evacuated, so no issues there. Good sign.

I see repointing on some properties - honestly looks like a preschooler did it and I question whether they have the proper expertise. Years ago Chipman Hill properties had a job ad for a repointer offering minimum wage. Scary. There are some buildings I will not walk under, including Historica corner Canterbury and Duke (shaving of brick fell right in front of me walking by) and rooming house at 134-140 Carmarthen where it bows out.

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I spoke to the mason brought in to do repairs. He says this isn't the fault of Historica or any owner in the last 100 years. There were precisely 4 ties in the whole broken section and there should have been dozens. I presume the engineer brought in will come up with a plan to save it.

Also, the almost identical structure up hill that shares a wall with this, was NOT evacuated, so no issues there. Good sign.

Interesting that shoddy workmanship isn't solely a recent issue! Regardless, there are a number of masons in this city who don't know what they are doing - I could name a couple! Glad to hear that it appears the other properties in the row are fine. I know a mason that Historica has used in the past and don't know if he is still doing their work but he is exceptionally talented and knowledgeable. He is the only person I would ever recommend.

[ColSJ]

Huge chunk of land next to Agar Place that extends from Waterloo to City Road was just bought. Adam is this the location of the project you mentioned?

[cdnguys]

[IMG] image upload[/IMG]

[darkharbour]

This building is going to end up looking fantastic, not to mention its credentials as a passive building, non-profit housing, and street front retail. Phenomenal local architectural talent on display, and local builders. What a great development - now we just need another half dozen similar ones spread across our urban core to really make a difference in housing and streetscape quality.