The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

Unstable times? I understand The Wentworth is full and demand for good rental stock is high. As I understand it, construction costs are near prepandemic levels. I’m sick of seeing that disgrace at the top of king and if the business plan was based solely on govt offices then that was a huge mistake on his part. The City needs to step up and force his hand. Enough is enough.

Any decrease in construction costs has probably been offset by higher interest rates.

[RaginRonic]

Little side note on this page; the next page will be 'Triple-6'.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

Unstable times? I understand The Wentworth is full and demand for good rental stock is high. As I understand it, construction costs are near prepandemic levels. I’m sick of seeing that disgrace at the top of king and if the business plan was based solely on govt offices then that was a huge mistake on his part. The City needs to step up and force his hand. Enough is enough.

Very much agree. Especially seeing how other projects are progress this winter. Technology drive looks like they are finishing the final floor foundation, sea bird is almost done. Heck even Fundy Quay sections have been worked on all winter.

It's annoying seeing the giant hole, especially for another summer with busy tourists. Nothing like seeing a giant crater near one of the main city attractions.

Hell, we might as well start adding fake websites about meteor crashing and that's the where the hole came from. Sell some shirts, and mugs.

[JakeNB]

99 King is not happening under Wilbur’s ownership. He has no capital, has been unable to flip the Wentworth for more than he has invested in it, and is facing several million in outstanding lawsuits. I’m also concerned about whether Fundy Quay is likely to proceed under the Elias’ ownership. Again, lack of capital and too much tied up in the City Hall project that is going nowhere. Hate to be pessimistic, but both projects need better proponents.

[Itme]

I’ve heard similar rumblings about Fundy quay. The city hall project hasn’t been able to land any big tenants and is eating up a lot of resources. Seems like until they can get some traction there, lenders won’t be too keen on forking over money to them for another project..

Discouraging seeing all these developments in Moncton breezing through to construction when everything in SJ seems to be pushed back years.

[adamuptownsj]

The winners of the first affordable housing grant were Steepleview (56 units), the Newport Crescent project (95), the Broad St/Broadview project behind the deconsecrated church (39), and an unspecified west side 60-unit project. All nonprofits.

[Helladog]

As far as interest rates go, they’re actually in the normal range.

With such a low vacancy, and with things like the French school opening up, bringing hundreds, I don’t understand how bigger projects like these get delayed.

I’m still hopeful the Fundy Quay project is on track, but this is after all the third or fourth iteration.

[adamuptownsj]

Key difference between Fundy Quay and the other failures is, it required the seawall repairs and service extension to attract interest in the first place. That is done- thanks, Have provinces, for that. If five separate developers build five different things there over the next 15 years, great. I have a little faith in the first planned building happening, less in the second, and none at all in the northern trio.

I do wonder how much the demolition cost Wilbur and why he hasn't either listed the land or found a partner (maybe the lawsuits would explain the latter).

Another serial offender is St Vincent's. No nonprofit could hope to do anything with it on a reasonable budget and the Church apparently remains reluctant to sell it to a for-profit developer. The expansions to the rear of the building need to go, but I understand the original structure and the extension/gym towards Coburg are in decent shape.

[JakeNB]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I do wonder how much the demolition cost Wilbur and why he hasn't either listed the land or found a partner (maybe the lawsuits would explain the latter).

According to PAOL he paid $900K for the Woolworth's property and $500k for the property next door. With demolition costs, it means that he has $1.5-2m sunk into this property already - before any construction costs. Most developers would be moving quickly to recoup these costs.

[DyAm00394]

Telegraph Journal is reporting that the new Burlington Flats development at 50 Technology Drive is beginning construction next week.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Telegraph Journal is reporting that the new Burlington Flats development at 50 Technology Drive is beginning construction next week.

Wow, I feel like I’m in Moncton lol

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Telegraph Journal is reporting that the new Burlington Flats development at 50 Technology Drive is beginning construction next week.

Looks like it's here. https://imgur.com/a/GJplqBY

The 15-unit to its northwest is 46 Technology (formerly 10 Burlington); the address of this project is 50 Technology (formerly 11, 20, and 21 Burlington).

[ColSJ]

A little West Saint John update:

There is an excavator at the site of the Aquarius Towers development. I am not in this area very often so I have no clue how long it's been sitting there but generally speaking, heavy machinery bolds well. Perhaps if we have any West Siders in here they can chime in

The townhouses between Prince Street and Lancaster Avenue have resumed work after a change in ownership.

New single-family homes are flying up on Sea Street.

[ColSJ]

Excavator has arrived at Burlington Flats.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_f...2vKFl&id=100089308006659&mibextid=qC1gEa

[cdnguys]

Nice! Now we just need one to arrive on Leinster and Crown.

[DyAm00394]

U-Haul to Open 20,000-Square-Foot Facility in Saint John

Source: https://huddle.today/2023/03/13/u-haul-to-open-20000-square-foot-facility-in-saint-john/

"U-Haul says it intends to purchase the property at 1382 Hickey Road to create a self-storage facility for the Saint John region. This follows the approval of zoning amendments by Saint John City Council earlier this month.

U-Haul Co. of Atlantic Canada’s president, Devin Mitchell, says that with the recent zoning changes approved by council U-Haul is “one step closer to finalizing the sale and beginning construction.”

“U-Haul does not yet own the Saint John property. However, we are working closely with the city and neighbors to make sure we’re creating a product that works for everyone,” he explained in an email exchange with Huddle.

The site is currently a U-Haul rental partner, East Side Car Wash and Access 24 Self Storage.

Mitchell says the plan is to create an approximately 20,000-square-foot, drive-up self-storage facility. It’s a process he estimates will create at least 15 temporary construction jobs.

Once the facility is fully operational, U-Haul intends to hire at least 10 Team Members to staff the new store. U-Haul will look to hire locally to promote job growth within Saint John.

In addition to the storage space, the plan proposed a new commercial space at the site, as well as a 42-spot parking lot.

City council rescinded the decision to restrict the building of a storage facility “to the southeastern portion of the site, to the area rear of the existing car wash building,” following a public hearing with no speakers.

This previous restriction was imposed in 2003 pursuant to section 59 of the Community Planning Act, and was removed as the “proposed expansion is an appropriate use of the site and is in compliance with the Zoning by-law.”

Mitchell says the company is noticing New Brunswick’s steady population growth and sees market opportunity here.

“U-Haul is in growth mode in New Brunswick. We are always exploring opportunities for growth and are pursuing means to better serve the needs of our customers.”

Last August, Huddle reported that U-Haul planned to open a new facility at Trinity Drive in Moncton.

In January U-Haul released its Growth Index, which found New Brunswick was the top growth province of 2022, “seeing the largest net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks of any province”.

It was a dramatic turnaround for the province, which had ranked 10th the previous and had the most one-way out-migration. That honour was reserved for Alberta in 2022, which also saw a complete reversal from 2021 when it had been the province receiving the most one-way U-Haul traffic.

Prince Edward Island ranked 4th up from 7th the previous year, Nova Scotia ranked 5th up from 9th the year before, while Newfoundland dropped to 8th from 6th in 2021.

Saint John was ranked the 14th top “Growth City” by the company, which also identified cities that were net-gain destinations for one-way U-Haul traffic.

“Saint John has long been underserved when it comes to quality moving and self-storage services. This new U-Haul facility will enable us to serve a growing community. The growth in New Brunswick means an increased demand for quality self-storage. We are known for providing a one-stop shop for the moving and storage needs of our neighbors,” Mitchell says".

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by ColSJ

A little West Saint John update:

There is an excavator at the site of the Aquarius Towers development. I am not in this area very often so I have no clue how long it's been sitting there but generally speaking, heavy machinery bolds well. Perhaps if we have any West Siders in here they can chime in

The townhouses between Prince Street and Lancaster Avenue have resumed work after a change in ownership.

New single-family homes are flying up on Sea Street.

Buddy got a good deal on the Prince/Lancaster subdivision... $310K for all the vacant land (the main site plus the already-subdivided 439-445 Prince) AND the partially finished 2-10 Rockingstone townhouse building. Everything is already zoned and approved, and I think services extend through the site a fair way.

Sea St seems to be being better-marketed at last. I can't fathom those garage-fronted semi-detacheds though. Waste of an incredible view and very uninspired.

I think there's another 5-unit going up on Church Ave across from the Protestant church too. Haven't been out there in a while. I've recently been thinking the Prospect West area would be prime for some 2-5 storey infill. Dense, somewhat on transit, centrally located. Would be good for the area.

[cdnguys]

There is heavy machinery / dump trucks working on corner Loch Lomand / Commerce. Anyone know what’s going on there? Seems to me in past there might have been plans for a self storage facility.

[DyAm00394]

TD Station in Saint John under new management

https://www.country94.ca/2023/03/14/td-station-in-saint-john-under-new-management/

"An internationally-recognized leader in arena and venue management is now overseeing TD Station.

OVG 360 has been selected to operate and manage the multi-purpose arena, the company announced Tuesday.

The move is designed to increase the quantity and quality of live events and to help the arena operate more efficiently.

“OVG 360 is here to be a positive disruption to business as usual in the sports, live entertainment, and hospitality industries,” Greg O’Dell, president of venue management, said in a news release.

The company will oversee the day-to-day operations and food and beverage services of TD Station, book and schedule events, and handle all marketing and sales.

James LeMesurier, chair of the Harbour (TD) Station Commission, said he looks forward to seeing what this will mean for the Saint John region and the province.

“TD Station is one of the top sports and entertainment venues in Atlantic Canada and has been managed well by our own staff for the past 30 years,” LeMesurier said in the release.

“[OVG’s] plans for TD Station align well with the Board’s vision to ensure that the facility continues to be an important cultural and entertainment asset for our region.”

OVG also looks after a combination of operations and food and beverage at 24 Canadian properties, including Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont., Downsview Park in Toronto, and Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw, Sask.

The new partnership with OVG 360 officially began on Feb. 15.

In 2020, the city sought experienced organizations interested in buying or leasing TD Station.

The city later entered into confidential negotiations with Spectra, another venue management company. It is unclear what happened with those negotiations".

[Joe]

Pretty much the same info, a little more detail here

https://saintjohn.ca/en/news-and-notices...-operate-saint-johns-multi-purpose-arena