The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[adamuptownsj]

The extremely decrepit vacant house at 182 Britain, and the lots from 184-200, sold yesterday (well it was posted yesterday). $200,000. I would assume a multi-unit, no way it would be less than 12 units.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

The extremely decrepit vacant house at 182 Britain, and the lots from 184-200, sold yesterday (well it was posted yesterday). $200,000. I would assume a multi-unit, no way it would be less than 12 units.

That general area around Britain and Queen, St. James, Pitt and Wentworth is what makes me believe we shouldn't even be contemplating developments outside the grid around Tin Can. We can build hundreds, if not thousands in this area given how brutally depleted it is and the infrastructure is already there.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

That general area around Britain and Queen, St. James, Pitt and Wentworth is what makes me believe we shouldn't even be contemplating developments outside the grid around Tin Can. We can build hundreds, if not thousands in this area given how brutally depleted it is and the infrastructure is already there.

The grid is already built and waiting for a gentrified redeveloped South End. A lot of potential along a lot of forgotten streets.

[cdnguys]

Is The Landmark officially dead in the water? If so, what a waste of city services in planning and waste of people’s time. Crazy how they go from a splashy reveal to dead silence. Also wondering if Acre’s Project off of Pelton Road dead too.

[RaginRonic]

For those here who are still wondering who owns what Saint John hotels, I researched it, and here are the owners....and no, I don't think any are selling out to anyone else right now, and probably not for a VERY long time.

The Delta Brunswick Hotel on King St. is owned by Marriott.

The Hilton Hotel on Harbour Passage-Market Square is owned by Hilton Worldwide.

The Canada's Best Value Fort Howe Inn on Main St. is owned by Sonesta RL Franchising Inc.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hotel on Main St. is owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts.

The Hampton Inn & Suites on Fashion Dr. is owned by Hilton Worldwide.

The Best Western Plus on Majors Brook Dr. is owned by Best Western International Inc.

The Chateau Saint John on Rockland Rd. is owned by Wyndham Worldwide.

The Days Inn on City Rd. is owned by Wyndham Worldwide.

The Travelodge Suites Saint John on Fairville Blvd. is owned by Wyndham Worldwide.

The Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on Manawagonish Rd. is owned by Choice Hotels International Inc.

The Rodeway Inn on Fairville Blvd. is owned by Choice Hotels International Inc.

Hope THIS helps more than what I said earlier. o.o

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

IDK about Queen Square North. No good reason, but I just don't see it.

I did forget about Steepleview, which is basically a sure thing.

Interestingly, in the Charlotte/Queen area (since you bring up 194 Charlotte) I noticed the last building standing at 295-305 Charlotte was finally demolished. IIRC it sold at the July property tax sale, or maybe October. Right now there's only a single fire damaged triplex at 78 St James on this side of Victor Train's complex... and it sold in August. I figure this will become prime real estate as soon as they break ground for the new school. Does Train own these two properties in addition to the other 4 vacants around them?

I'm also banking on the school juicing property values for 23 and 32 Harding, where I have challenging 20-foot-wide builds planned.

Regarding Queen Square North, with Stews Cleaning leasing out the former gas station - I hear its a 2 year lease - I don't see this moving forward anytime soon. I wonder if Historica is just shelving it for now waiting for interest rates and construction costs to drop?

I also wonder what the plan is for the parking lot at QS and Charlotte - Key Industries - they did not renew their agreement as a snow ban lot so thinking some sort of development is planned?

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

Regarding Queen Square North, with Stews Cleaning leasing out the former gas station - I hear its a 2 year lease - I don't see this moving forward anytime soon. I wonder if Historica is just shelving it for now waiting for interest rates and construction costs to drop?

I also wonder what the plan is for the parking lot at QS and Charlotte - Key Industries - they did not renew their agreement as a snow ban lot so thinking some sort of development is planned?

Historica’s Queen Sq project is being built in 3 phases, so makes sense for Stews for a couple years

[Pugsley]

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

For those here who are still wondering who owns what Saint John hotels, I researched it, and here are the owners....and no, I don't think any are selling out to anyone else right now, and probably not for a VERY long time.

The Delta Brunswick Hotel on King St. is owned by Marriott.

The Hilton Hotel on Harbour Passage-Market Square is owned by Hilton Worldwide.

The Canada's Best Value Fort Howe Inn on Main St. is owned by Sonesta RL Franchising Inc.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hotel on Main St. is owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts.

The Hampton Inn & Suites on Fashion Dr. is owned by Hilton Worldwide.

The Best Western Plus on Majors Brook Dr. is owned by Best Western International Inc.

The Chateau Saint John on Rockland Rd. is owned by Wyndham Worldwide.

The Days Inn on City Rd. is owned by Wyndham Worldwide.

The Travelodge Suites Saint John on Fairville Blvd. is owned by Wyndham Worldwide.

The Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on Manawagonish Rd. is owned by Choice Hotels International Inc.

The Rodeway Inn on Fairville Blvd. is owned by Choice Hotels International Inc.

Hope THIS helps more than what I said earlier. o.o

All of these are brands owned by the respective companies you've mentioned but they don't actually OWN the physical buildings. They are the management company or the brand owner/franchisor. The Hilton might be corporate, but likely not. Any of these listed outside of the Delta or Hilton due to location and facilities, depending on when their franchise agreement is up, could be converted by the owner into apartments. I would say it is probably one that has had the lowest occupancy recently is likely to be the one the owner will convert to apartments once their franchise agreement is terminated OR if they have made the financial assessment that it is worth getting out of their agreement early.

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Is The Landmark officially dead in the water? If so, what a waste of city services in planning and waste of people’s time. Crazy how they go from a splashy reveal to dead silence. Also wondering if Acre’s Project off of Pelton Road dead too.

Landmark is most definitely a dead project. I’m assuming the project off Pelton is too.

[adamuptownsj]

Pelton at least seemed to be a real project. They went as far a as community consultation, revisions, etc. These things do fail, and we don't want to be too negative when something just doesn't work out. Landmark was basically an out-of-towner wowing council with $3,000 worth of renders like a certain cartoon monorail. A refundable deposit or something, even like $10K returned with interest the moment shovels hit the ground, would filter speculators out.

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Pelton at least seemed to be a real project. They went as far a as community consultation, revisions, etc. These things do fail, and we don't want to be too negative when something just doesn't work out. Landmark was basically an out-of-towner wowing council with $3,000 worth of renders like a certain cartoon monorail. A refundable deposit or something, even like $10K returned with interest the moment shovels hit the ground, would filter speculators out.

So, do you think Saint John would be interested in a monorail? I've often thought of that Simpsons episode when watching council!

[cdnguys]

If I had billions to waste I’d have a European style Alstrom street cars that start in Quispam and run route 100 through Rothesay, east Riverside, Renforth, Rothesay rd and Ave, McAllister Dr, Westmorland, Ellerdale, McDonald, cause way to uptown, then Main metcalf - once branches off to regional hospital and other to Lancaster Mall, lower west.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

If I had billions to waste I’d have a European style Alstrom street cars that start in Quispam and run route 100 through Rothesay, east Riverside, Renforth, Rothesay rd and Ave, McAllister Dr, Westmorland, Ellerdale, McDonald, cause way to uptown, then Main metcalf - once branches off to regional hospital and other to Lancaster Mall, lower west.

Don't they run trains through Rothesay during the dragon boat festival? Passenger rail between the City and Valley would be easily attainable if not for specific stakeholders, as would returned VIA service to Moncton.

Anyway.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

MP Wayne Long is in Ottawa right now and posted online almost an hour ago saying:

Looks like a significant announcement/investment is on the horizon for the riding.

Wayne Long just posted earlier saying "the NB Museum decision is getting closer". I'm suspecting that the significant announcement for the riding he mentioned about 2 days ago is additional funding to go towards the new museum. The "historic 😉" part must of been a hint lol.

[ColSJ]

The 104 unit development at Wilson and O’Brien Street has been put on the market for $1.6 Million. If you remember this development is what really sparked the sunset clause discussion because council was not buying in on the fact the proponents had legitimate intentions of building… turns out they were 100% right.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

The 104 unit development at Wilson and O’Brien Street has been put on the market for $1.6 Million. If you remember this development is what really sparked the sunset clause discussion because council was not buying in on the fact the proponents had legitimate intentions of building… turns out they were 100% right.

This is so frustrating. I guess speculators see value in city zoning amendments.

[adamuptownsj]

Maybe require the funds-instead-of-LPP to be paid in order to secure the zoning changes people want. It won't stop speculators, but it will require them to pay something for the time and effort these zoning changes cost taxpayers. Even a substantial deposit that is reimbursed with interest when a foundation is poured or something, would be good. Or both!

[DyAm00394]

MP Wayne Long posted that the Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, will be back in the city for another The Saint John Region Chamber event. (February 28th).

He also mentions "more BIG news coming for our riding!".

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

MP Wayne Long posted that the Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, will be back in the city for another The Saint John Region Chamber event. (February 28th).

He also mentions "more BIG news coming for our riding!".

There are only four entities in Saint John that would fall under ministry of transport:

- Canada Port Authorities (Port of Saint John)
- National Airport Systems (Saint John Airport)
- Atlantic Pilotage Authority
- CTA (has a mandate to keep the national transportation system running efficiently and smoothly)

So my guess is something to do with NBSR (I saw video footage of 4 new engines on their way from Chicago) and/or line improvements
Or
Another port expansion for containers where AIM is located
Or
An airport announcement of some sort

Any guesses?

[ColSJ]

First off I find the plausibility of another transportation funding announcement surprising given that two players in the city who would be eligible for this funding are either still under construction from previous funding (PSJ) or fresh out of the gate with new ambitions. (Airport)

That being said I think the airport is most likely. There may have been some left over dollars on the table that Long snatched up when he become aware of the airport ambitions. Plus the whole idea tags along with developing Port Saint John as a critical logistics hub for North Eastern NA. Having the minister of transport come along for the announcement is a big deal. That’s a signal it’s big dollars with big ambitions. And I also can’t help but draw the connection between the fact this announcement will be held at a chamber event who have been funnelling out editorials in the TJ like no tomorrow talking about logistics hubs.