The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[darkharbour]

I’m still trying to wrap my head around that whole project. It was announced a little while ago, but it’s all quite vague or light on details. It sounds as if there are some bigger investments in the works, but none of them are concrete so there is not much transparency about who would be the primary drivers of this hiring. I hope it’s all true and comes to fruition, it just feels so preliminary at this point based on what has been published.

[MonctonRad]

It's probably all conceptual, with nothing concrete planned. There are several such projects around Moncton where there are fancy plans, but no site activity.

[DyAm00394]

I also hope it comes to fruition. They recently did a meeting this past Wednesday, (Sept.14th), with their stakeholders discussing and sharing the visioning. So at least it’s still an active project. Hopefully more concrete things happen soon.

Source: https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbi...075743655749&m_entstream_source=timeline

[bridgeoftea]

It definitely seems like the team behind published the site and video after asking UNB/Hospital if they want this infrastructure upgrade, which obviously both would be. Even the concept art doesn't really have any exact placements for buildings, height, road work changes etc.

If this was approved and implemented (quite skeptical though) I wonder if we'd see an increase of a few restaurants and a gas station popup in the area of the University Ave / Tucker Park intersections.

I also wonder would we see an increase in housing / 5-7 story apartments along Sandy Point / University Ave and Samuel Davis (where it isn't steep inclined). They could also maybe try to work with the topography from Sandy Point to Kennebecasis road? Not been on Kennebecasis for while so can't remember how steep that cliff gets. Definitely raises some surrounding infrastructure ideas for sure.

But still skeptical lol.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

I’m still trying to wrap my head around that whole project. It was announced a little while ago, but it’s all quite vague or light on details. It sounds as if there are some bigger investments in the works, but none of them are concrete so there is not much transparency about who would be the primary drivers of this hiring. I hope it’s all true and comes to fruition, it just feels so preliminary at this point based on what has been published.

Crews are currently working to remove “hazardous” material from the interior.

https://tj.news/greater-saint-john/101822806

So atleast they’ve made that first step. I too agree thus far the whole thing is extremely vague. I would take this opportunity to explain why in its current form UNBSJ is set to fail based on its location and how much it can better serve the city were it in a better location but I have to get back to work!

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

Crews are currently working to remove “hazardous” material from the interior.

https://tj.news/greater-saint-john/101822806

So at least they’ve made that first step. I too agree thus far the whole thing is extremely vague. I would take this opportunity to explain why in its current form UNBSJ is set to fail based on its location and how much it can better serve the city were it in a better location but I have to get back to work!

Absolutely the University should be Uptown on the peninsula. It's a shame it was originally placed towards the south end near the old Sugar Refinery.

For me, to really maximize the area where it's located and will undoubtedly stay is to increase housing, infrastructure around it. Allow students who are not local to be able to walk to a pharmacy, grocery store, liquour store etc.

Also improving transit would be beneficial as well, but I think Saint John is stuck in that awkward middle ground of public transit. Don't want to invest heavily into a transit system that gets minimal usage which means the transit is underused which adds to the hesitancy of investment. If you could air drop 75k-100k people into Saint John and surrounding areas at once, you could see a huge push for transit upgrades.

[adamuptownsj]

I don't know why they dn't just gut Ward Chipman and use it for part of this project. Cheaper than building new. The 'hazardous material' is just asbestos, to the best of my knowledge.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

the 'hazardous material' is just asbestos, to the best of my knowledge.

Asbestos is one of the most hazardous materials out there. It is a potent carcinogen (mesothelioma, bronchogenic carcinoma, gastric cancer), and the risk is non stochastic, meaning not dose dependent. Even one exposure to asbestos particles increases your lifetime risk. HAZMAT suits and strict protocols are mandatory for removal.

[adamuptownsj]

Well yeah, but if you're taking the building down to the brick, there's established protocols for removing asbestos safely. It's not filled with PCBs or something.

But regarding this project... IDK. A lot of talk and some flashy powerpoints. Their website says construction was supposed to kick off this year, but nothing in front of PAC, no press, nothing. For something that's supposed to be 'transformative' they're taking their sweet time.

[JHikka]

Construction is supposed to occur between 2022 and 2024.

There's no need to rush these sorts of things. It's clear they're waiting on commitment for funding, partners, etc.

[ColSJ]

I’ve seen the plans for UNBSJ and it terms of both buildings and student population they are looking to more than double the entire campus. If we are to ever move UNBSJ the time is now. With the exception of the commons none of the buildings on campus have much of any architectural value.

If UNBSJ were to move uptown the campus could be spread out throughout the uptown including places like Brunswick Square, Kings Square and other vacant spaces or properties. This would increase ridership in transit and be more accessible to walkers. UNBSJ today is purely car dependent and there is no question about that. At 8am to 830 the line of cars to campus stretches down University Avenue up the hill, up to the campus and down into the parking lot.

Having UNBSJ uptown will bring thousand of students and hundreds of faculty to the uptown 5 days a week who would be supporting the local businesses in the area. Britts, Tims and Wendy’s are the closest businesses to our current campus.

The housing market on top of the momentum we already see would exploded and finding a dilapidated building on the peninsula would become scarce to find. Developers would be flying in to fill the housing needs for the 300+ current residence students which has been a growing number for the past several years. All residence buildings including the new 100+ bedroom is at full capacity and they want to build another one. The social life would dramatically increase which is very minimal at the current campus.

This would be such a massive boost to the city it would be incredible. Is it realistic? No probably not because I don’t see why after neglecting UNBSJ for so long that admin would just turn around and put their full eyes on us. But If I had the power I’d do it in a heart beat. There would be lots of growing pains but I’m sure it would be worth it in the end.

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

I’ve seen the plans for UNBSJ and it terms of both buildings and student population they are looking to more than double the entire campus. If we are to ever move UNBSJ the time is now. With the exception of the commons none of the buildings on campus have much of any architectural value.

If UNBSJ were to move uptown the campus could be spread out throughout the uptown including places like Brunswick Square, Kings Square and other vacant spaces or properties. This would increase ridership in transit and be more accessible to walkers. UNBSJ today is purely car dependent and there is no question about that. At 8am to 830 the line of cars to campus stretches down University Avenue up the hill, up to the campus and down into the parking lot.

Having UNBSJ uptown will bring thousand of students and hundreds of faculty to the uptown 5 days a week who would be supporting the local businesses in the area. Britts, Tims and Wendy’s are the closest businesses to our current campus.

The housing market on top of the momentum we already see would exploded and finding a dilapidated building on the peninsula would become scarce to find. Developers would be flying in to fill the housing needs for the 300+ current residence students which has been a growing number for the past several years. All residence buildings including the new 100+ bedroom is at full capacity and they want to build another one. The social life would dramatically increase which is very minimal at the current campus.

This would be such a massive boost to the city it would be incredible. Is it realistic? No probably not because I don’t see why after neglecting UNBSJ for so long that admin would just turn around and put their full eyes on us. But If I had the power I’d do it in a heart beat. There would be lots of growing pains but I’m sure it would be worth it in the end.

Would love to see this. Many citys made this mistake back in the 60s/70s - I'm from Thunder Bay, Ontario and they also built their university and regional hospital in the middle of nowhere.

[JHikka]

You know, with this idea of UNBSJ relocating Uptown it's worth mentioning that there's a big building in the middle of Uptown that's mostly empty...

I'm a big supporter of moving sections of UNBSJ Uptown but i'm not sure of the feasibility of moving all of it. There's a lot of room required for lecture halls, offices, libraries...I think what's more reasonable is having specific programs or sections of the school moved Uptown - I know the BA/MBA program is always mentioned - utilizing new space at King Square North or elsewhere.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by JHikka

You know, with this idea of UNBSJ relocating Uptown it's worth mentioning that there's a big building in the middle of Uptown that's mostly empty...

I'm a big supporter of moving sections of UNBSJ Uptown but i'm not sure of the feasibility of moving all of it. There's a lot of room required for lecture halls, offices, libraries...I think what's more reasonable is having specific programs or sections of the school moved Uptown - I know the BA/MBA program is always mentioned - utilizing new space at King Square North or elsewhere.

Hence my mention of Brunswick Square.

[adamuptownsj]

With the UNB/SJRH discussion above, I was surprised to learn the vacant land between Sandy Popint and Craig/Arlington off University is part of Rockwood Park. I'd be partial to seeing the park extend north into the woods around Ashburn Lake in exchange for developing this area, especially the parts east of Samuel Davis. It's basically scrubland, high voltage lines, and access roads- not exactly 'parkland'. Perfect place for suburban infill.

[JHikka]

The cleared area on the west side of Samuel Davis used to be a landfill IIRC. Don't think that will be developed any time soon.

The pipeline running through much of the area between Sandy Point and Samuel Davis (North of Hazen White) probably dissuades any development of this property, as well.

I know most of the land to the west of UNBSJ is hill but to the north I think there's plenty more land to develop. I'd like to see more integration of the UNBSJ campus with the Regional, mostly removing the North or Northwest hospital parking lots and replacing them either with residences or institutional buildings. Think that makes a bit more sense than pushing UNBSJ further and further north.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by JHikka

I'd like to see more integration of the UNBSJ campus with the Regional, mostly removing the North or Northwest hospital parking lots and replacing them either with residences or institutional buildings.

An honourable idea, but, sadly, impractical. Many hospital workers work irregular hours or overnight shifts when city transit is unavailable. If you get called back to the hospital after hours on-call, often the only way to get there is by private vehicle. Parking is a necessity for hospitals, both for staff and for visitors (who are frequently from out of town).

If you removed the parking from here, you would have to create it elsewhere. I am all for enclosed parking structures, but the provincial government seems allergic to this concept. They have been talking about a parking garage at the Moncton Hospital ever since I arrived there in 1989. I am now at the twilight of my career, and nothing (and I mean nothing) has been done.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

If you removed the parking from here, you would have to create it elsewhere. I am all for enclosed parking structures, but the provincial government seems allergic to this concept. They have been talking about a parking garage at the Moncton Hospital ever since I arrived there in 1989. I am now at the twilight of my career, and nothing (and I mean nothing) has been done.

The entire Regional site is lined with surface parking. I don't think it would be a big loss to remove 100-250 parking spots for more institutional buildings. A parking structure on the southside should be feasible to downsize the footprint of surface parking.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Haven't heard of this before: looks like someone's finally trying to subdivide land on Colonel Nase in Grand Bay.

https://www.remax.ca/nb/saint-john-real-...lse&Transportation=false&Warehouse=false

Seems to be the land between Nase and the highway, and south of Nase, for now.

Update from the always interesting AllAtlantic: a good chunk of this land may be acquired for '200-300 garden and town homes' as GBW finally realizes a commercial development may be a little absurd out here. A second development nearby, which I believe is an extension of the Valley View subdivision, is also in the works. Apparently Irving Oil bought the northwesternmost lot, between Nase and the northbound offramp, a while back, but has done nothing with it to date.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Update from the always interesting AllAtlantic: a good chunk of this land may be acquired for '200-300 garden and town homes' as GBW finally realizes a commercial development may be a little absurd out here. A second development nearby, which I believe is an extension of the Valley View subdivision, is also in the works. Apparently Irving Oil bought the northwesternmost lot, between Nase and the northbound offramp, a while back, but has done nothing with it to date.

Construction has picked up considerably in the town in the past 2-3 years compared to the past decade. The June Avenue neighbourhood has numerous new homes going up, Emma Avenue used to have a couple homes on it but last time I took a peak it was full with construction.

I’m happy to see Colonel Nase finally get some attention. There was always a sense of humility driving the road with absolutely nothing on it.