The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[ColSJ]

Is anyone familiar with a potential addition to the Saint John Regional Hospital or maybe some major maintenance to the parking lots? They've been excavating south of the Helipad for a few months now. I've never heard of any expansions coming down the pipeline so I doubt it's that but I didn't think the parking lots were at full capacity.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

Is anyone familiar with a potential addition to the Saint John Regional Hospital or maybe some major maintenance to the parking lots? They've been excavating south of the Helipad for a few months now. I've never heard of any expansions coming down the pipeline so I doubt it's that but I didn't think the parking lots were at full capacity.

Good observation - I think we’d probably know if something were being built. I miss that city website where you can check building permits on map - but no longer works since IT hack

[DyAm00394]

I drove by East Point Shopping Center earlier today and there was an excavator digging in the area of where one of the proposed apartment buildings is going to be. (It was in the area of the one that will be at the very back of the property). Hopefully this is an indication that they will be finally starting work on this proposed mixed-use development.

Edit: Added a photo someone posted on Retail Talk & Share NB Facebook group.

[cdnguys]

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[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

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The info for anyone wondering:

Link to the PAC report: https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=13377

Link to the appendix, (the images): https://pub-saintjohn.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=13378

661 Dever Road:

"The applicant is proposing to covert the lower lever of the existing commercial building located in the eastern portion of the site from a day care centre to a pharmacy. Approval is also being sought to construct a residential development consisting of 54 dwelling units in the western potion of the site.

The residential development would consist of four buildings each housing between twelve and fourteen dwelling units. Although designed to look like townhouses, the proposed buildings are multiple unit dwellings as they incorporate separate units on the lower and upper stories, similar to the design of the buildings located at the southeast corner of Waterloo Street and Golding Street. The residential development would provide 27 one-bedroom units, 19 two-bedroom units, and 8 three-bedroom units. Construction of the residential component of the development is anticipated to commence later in 2023 with the construction of two of the residential buildings.

Target markets for the development include single seniors, young professionals, young families, new immigrant families, and working professionals. The proponent has submitted an application to the Province for 12 units of affordable housing with the final number of affordable units to be included in the project subject to the Provincial and CMHC approval processes. Staff note the owners of the proposed development are local and include the current property owner and the operators of the proposed pharmacy".

[bridgeoftea]

Does anyone know who owns 80 Wellesley Ave? The empty Shell gas station lot. It would be great for a smaller apartment unit. Shame to see it just sitting empty on a corner lot.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

Does anyone know who owns 80 Wellesley Ave? The empty Shell gas station lot. It would be great for a smaller apartment unit. Shame to see it just sitting empty on a corner lot.

If I remember correctly the site is contaminated and would require expensive remediation.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

Does anyone know who owns 80 Wellesley Ave? The empty Shell gas station lot. It would be great for a smaller apartment unit. Shame to see it just sitting empty on a corner lot.

I don’t live too far from there in Mount Pleasant and I would love to see that corner become a real neighbourhood hub with proper amenities and street frontages, I think it has a ton of potential being in the middle of the route between Uptown and the growing areas of Millidgeville and the developments off Somerset, and just a few minutes walk from Landsdown. The Stantec building is a great start, if we could get a large residential building on that Shell lot with ground floor retail, it would really kickstart adding density to the area.

[cdnguys]

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[cdnguys]

International French school going into Market January 16, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAINT JOHN: Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency is pleased to announce that Saint John has been selected as home to the Lycée International Français des Provinces Atlantiques, an education institute part of the Don Bosco international campus. The international school will be located in Market Square and is set to open its doors to students in September 2024 and is open for registration immediately.

The Lycée International is a global francophone not-for-profit private school model that facilitates international exchanges for students from Europe, Africa and around the globe to study abroad. The Lycée International Français des Provinces Atlantiques will serve international and local students from kindergarten to grade 12 and will be part of a large network of schools around the world.

“The Lycée International Français des Provinces Atlantiques perfectly aligns with our region’s 10-year outcomes,” explains Paulette Hicks, CEO of Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency. “Not only will people be moving to New Brunswick and the Saint John Region from all over the world – but our academic cluster is expanding along with our talent pipeline.”

The Lycée International Français des Provinces Atlantiques will be established in Market Square, a signature landmark building in uptown Saint John operated by Hardman Group.

“This unique opportunity aligns with the commercial real estate reimagine strategy that is required in today’s environment,” says Hicks. “Don Bosco was looking for their first Atlantic Canadian campus, and in the spirit of Saint John firsts, we teamed up with the City of Saint John to pitch ‘Why Saint John’ and are thrilled with today’s announcement.”

The announcement was made by Mr. Sylvain Olivier, CEO of the Lycée international français dans les Provinces atlantiques (LIFPA).

“Our establishment, which will welcome children from 3 to 17 years old, will offer the National Education program of France. As an international establishment, its strength lies in its network, since Don Bosco establishments are present in more than 37 countries,” says Sylvain Olivier. “It will educate Canadian, Anglophone and Francophone children, children of foreign nationalities whose families live in Saint John or the surrounding area who will very quickly seek to learn French and English, children of French expatriate families, but also more than 110 young French people who will come each year to learn and seek bilingualism.”

“The French Embassy is proud to support the project of the Lycée International Français des Provinces Atlantiques in Saint John. This is a project that the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, had called for and that we have been involved in for several years. This new project is part of our educational cooperation with New Brunswick and the rest of Canada, to support the francophonie. This new Lycée français will be the ninth in Canada; all of them guarantee excellence in education and a widespread openness to the world,” says Michel Miraillet, French Ambassador to Canada.

Beyond bringing new business to the province, the Lycée International Français des Provinces Atlantiques elevates New Brunswick’s value proposition internationally – as a place to live, work, study and invest.

“The Lycée International Français des Provinces Atlantiques is an economic driver for future business, and I welcome them to New Brunswick,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “Making our province a place where an international institution like the Lycée Franchise wants to locate is part of re-energizing our provincial economy and building on our success.”

The City of Saint John was selected to be home to Lycée International Français des Provinces Atlantiques, for providing a unique historic urban campus nestled on the Bay of Fundy, experiential learning opportunities, a growing world-class waterfront, and exclusive cultural experiences – with more than 20 multicultural associations established in the region.

“Saint John is a city that is always moving forward, and today’s announcement is proof of that. We couldn’t be prouder to have Lycée International Français choose Saint John – Canada’s first incorporated city – for their Atlantic Canada campus,” says City of Saint John Mayor Donna Noade Reardon. “Steeped in history and heritage, and known for our unique location, lifestyle, and friendly people, we look forward to welcoming international students and faculty from around the world to live, work and study in our beautiful city.”

To learn more about Lycée International Français des Provinces Atlantiques, visit their website here: www.lifpa-donbosco.com

[KnoxfordGuy]

I wonder were in Market Square?

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by KnoxfordGuy

I wonder were in Market Square?

The former museum location according to Councillor Ogden. Apparently the number of students is proposed to grow to 900 with up to 96 staff.

[KnoxfordGuy]

Wow!!

[NewIreland]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

Is anyone familiar with a potential addition to the Saint John Regional Hospital or maybe some major maintenance to the parking lots? They've been excavating south of the Helipad for a few months now. I've never heard of any expansions coming down the pipeline so I doubt it's that but I didn't think the parking lots were at full capacity.

Prep work for new ICU.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by NewIreland

Prep work for new ICU.

How do you know about this?

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

How do you know about this?

From Horizon’s website:

Over the next five years, staff, physicians, patients/clients and the public will begin to see large physical changes to Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital (SHRH).

The first phase of the large-scale redevelopment project at Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH) has begun. This phase involves ground and road work on the south side of the building, preparing the site for the new two-story addition. The ground and road work will include expansions and reconfigurations to existing staff parking lots, as well as upgrades and relocations of water, electrical and sewage lines. This work will prepare the site so the building construction can proceed with fewer impacts to patients/clients, staff and visitors.

The initial site work involves the use of explosives to aid in clearing rock on the west side of the SJRH. In December 2022, regular blasts will take place multiple times per day, for approximately one month. No impact to patients, staff, visitors, or neighbouring properties is anticipated.

The multiyear development project includes:

New Medical/Surgical intensive care unit
New Oncology Services (systemic therapy, supportive care and clinics)
New Ambulatory Procedure unit (endoscopy & minor procedures)
Renovated and expanded day surgery and recovery unit

[cdnguys]

Not sure why Moncton is not on list

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[cdnguys]

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[DyAm00394]

An interesting read:

Oland Says Saint John Could Challenge Halifax On East-Coast Port Supremacy

“SAINT JOHN — “Export or die” was one of the key messages Moosehead Brewery CEO Andrew Oland delivered to a packed house at the Delta Hotel on Tuesday. His address, entitled “Turning Obstacles into Opportunities.” was the first of the year in the speaker series hosted by the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce.

The “export or die” credo came from a speech delivered by Minister of Trade and Commerce George Hees at a business event Oland’s father, Derek, attended in the 1960s.

That call to action resulted in Moosehead exporting its lager into the United States, starting in the late 1970s. That set the stage for a successful expansion of the brewery into the rest of Canada, and beyond.

Oland used it as a rallying cry to show how making bold decisions for the long-term strategic growth of a company, or a city, can pay off.

Standing at the helm of a six-generation business, Oland has some perspective on how to achieve those long-term goals.

“I like to focus on a key event or key decision that a particular generation made,” Oland said of the history of Moosehead.

He harkened back to the beginning of the brewery under the leadership of Susannah Oland, and her decision to leave the business in her youngest son who navigated the aftermath of the Halifax explosion, the city which housed the brewery in the early days.

That event precipitated the move to Saint John and set the stage for where the brewery is today.

“At that time, the idea of a brewery in Saint John competing with a brewery in Halifax…was just not feasible,” Oland said. Yet under his guidance, and that of future generations, the brewery has thrived.

“The younger generation will always have to be pushing things. There has to be calculated risk. You always have to be challenging the previous generation,” Oland said.

The history lesson provided an analogy for Oland’s view of the city of Saint John.

“What do you think is the top economic growth opportunity in all of Atlantic Canada?” Oland challenged the audience. “In my opinion, the top economic growth opportunity in all of Atlantic Canada is right here in Saint John with Port Saint John.”

Citing the rail lines going to the port, Oland noted the increase in container capacity hitting record levels of TEUs (twenty foot equivalent unit) at 150,000 in 2022, with the potential to double that in 2023 with the work that’s been done at the port.

“I just want to point out the fact that Halifax is currently at 600,000 TEUs,” Oland said. He said that if Port Saint John continues on its trajectory it will be punching well above its weight in terms of container capacity.

In his year-end interview with Huddle, Port Saint John CEO Craig Estabrooks said the second container berth that has been under construction for the past year will be finished in the first quarter of 2023. That will help the port significantly increase its container capacity.

That, along with strengthened relationships with CP rail and a new rail deal, will help the port level up in the years ahead.

“This year was also the year that we constructed our intermodal rail facility that’s been extremely busy here in Saint John, with the growth we’ve had already. And our truck gate, of course, is a modern piece of infrastructure that is going to be very key for the fluidity of that terminal. So 2022 was a major year of construction for us, and getting all the right pieces in place,” Estabrooks said.

“We’ve got a great shortline that connects into the class one railways, that’s NB Southern Rail. They’re a huge, tremendous partner at the Port of Saint John, and they connect to the two other class one railways, CN, and soon-to-be CSX, which purchased the Pan Am [Railway] in the United States. CSX is a large US platform rail operator that will soon have connectivity through NB Southern, the short line, into the port of Saint John.”

That CSX line will have connectivity into the US, opening up even more possibilities for the port as a strategic hub in Eastern Canada.

“It’s been interesting for me to see this as a customer of the railway,” Oland said noting that CP Rail has been interested in expanding its relationship with Moosehead.
“Right now there are only two ports that have class one rail lines coming to them: Vancouver BC and Saint John New Brunswick.”

“The opportunities to create a logistics centre here in Saint John for all of Eastern North America are immense. We have 500-plus acres in Lorneville, that land is owned by the provincial government. It would be relatively straightforward to put a spur line from the port through to Lorneville.”

He says governments and other actors in the region need to understand the opportunity and work together to make it happen.

“Just immense opportunities.”

https://huddle.today/2023/01/17/moosehea...ge-halifax-to-east-coast-port-supremacy/

[DyAm00394]

Telegraph Journal is reporting that the SJ Port CEO says all options are on the table for future developments, including the potential for a nearby land-based logistics hub.

https://tj.news/greater-saint-john/102048551