The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Ottawa]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

I really like this. I think it suits the area and from a streetscape perspective it fits in very well.

Like all architecture, it sends people in all different directions at least until it becomes a landmark. I think we can have a spirited discussion about every building in the core. At least it gets people discussing honestly what they want in the area.

I haven't seen it in person so I have to evaluate it based on this one picture and the surroundings on Google Earth which are as old as 2019. I can't see any surrounding buildings in this pic so I can't evaluate how it suits the area as well as I would like.

It's a BIG improvement on an unused site(2019). It looks like they were designing a building that had the same attributes as the surrounding buildings. I don't see many balconies around it. I believe there is a reason for that. I don't think balconies would get a lot of use in a situation where there is a lot of street traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular. That is what I see the area as developing into if it isn't already there.

This building, like others in the area is pretty close to the street. I like that.

If this building was further south on the peninsula, I might like it to have balconies. I don't think that was a totally budgetary decision.

I think it will settle in to it's location over time and may eventually be converted to condos. I can see that happening when property values go more skyward. For better or worse, I think that will happen.

For now, I would like to see it in person, but I am more on the side that it looks like it fits the surroundings.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by Ottawa

Like all architecture, it sends people in all different directions at least until it becomes a landmark. I think we can have a spirited discussion about every building in the core. At least it gets people discussing honestly what they want in the area.

I haven't seen it in person so I have to evaluate it based on this one picture and the surroundings on Google Earth which are as old as 2019. I can't see any surrounding buildings in this pic so I can't evaluate how it suits the area as well as I would like.

It's a BIG improvement on an unused site(2019). It looks like they were designing a building that had the same attributes as the surrounding buildings. I don't see many balconies around it. I believe there is a reason for that. I don't think balconies would get a lot of use in a situation where there is a lot of street traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular. That is what I see the area as developing into if it isn't already there.

This building, like others in the area is pretty close to the street. I like that.

If this building was further south on the peninsula, I might like it to have balconies. I don't think that was a totally budgetary decision.

I think it will settle in to it's location over time and may eventually be converted to condos. I can see that happening when property values go more skyward. For better or worse, I think that will happen.

For now, I would like to see it in person, but I am more on the side that it looks like it fits the surroundings.

As to lack of balconies around it, all the buildings in the immediate area are commercial with the exception of the brick building (oldest in SJ) diagonally across the intersection. I don't know about SJ but from my experience in urban living (Vancouver) even lower floor balconies in busy areas often seem to be well used living spaces. Even the ground floor units have patios raised 3-4 steps from the sidewalk, usually surrounded by a gate and wrought iron fence with something like a boxwood hedge for a modicom of privacy in front. I suppose it's an individual preference but I could never see myself living in a multiunit setting that didn't have the ability to step outdoors from the unit.

[Ottawa]

Originally Posted by sailor734

As to lack of balconies around it, all the buildings in the immediate area are commercial with the exception of the brick building (oldest in SJ) diagonally across the intersection. I don't know about SJ but from my experience in urban living (Vancouver) even lower floor balconies in busy areas often seem to be well used living spaces. Even the ground floor units have patios raised 3-4 steps from the sidewalk, usually surrounded by a gate and wrought iron fence with something like a boxwood hedge for a modicom of privacy in front. I suppose it's an individual preference but I could never see myself living in a multiunit setting that didn't have the ability to step outdoors from the unit.

There are as many opinions as there are renters, so I thought I would look for something that quantified it. I never found an actual study but I found this interesting story from the NY Post of May 31, 2023:

Titled: Here are the luxe amenities that NYC renters can live without

"What people think they want, but rarely use, is a balcony. Many are too small and cramped to be practical. Sometimes the wind and weather don’t cooperate, or street noise is a problem.

“I thought outdoor space would be useful with a kid, but it stressed me out listening to rats rummaging around at night,” said a Manhattan mother who once had a yard.

Many renters are "drawn to the promise of private outdoor space, only to return to us once their lease comes due,” preferring an apartment with “that precious extra square footage inside,” said Brian Hourigan, managing director of Bond New York."

It ends up being just another option where that space might be better used.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by Ottawa

There are as many opinions as there are renters, so I thought I would look for something that quantified it. I never found an actual study but I found this interesting story from the NY Post of May 31, 2023:

Titled: Here are the luxe amenities that NYC renters can live without

"What people think they want, but rarely use, is a balcony. Many are too small and cramped to be practical. Sometimes the wind and weather don’t cooperate, or street noise is a problem.

“I thought outdoor space would be useful with a kid, but it stressed me out listening to rats rummaging around at night,” said a Manhattan mother who once had a yard.

Many renters are "drawn to the promise of private outdoor space, only to return to us once their lease comes due,” preferring an apartment with “that precious extra square footage inside,” said Brian Hourigan, managing director of Bond New York."

It ends up being just another option where that space might be better used.

Interesting. Thanks for posting that.

I wonder how variables like geography, climate ,building heights, demographics etc would affect that? My only recent experience is with visiting family in downtown (Yaletown) Vancouver and balconies seem to be used constantly there . However, it has a climate with a long "nice" weather season, often killer views of mountains, the ocean or something like False Creek with it's marinas, boat traffic, paddlers, seawall traffic etc. Taller buildings help to isolate you from traffic noise too. My experience using balconies has been anywhere from the 10th floor to the 25th so I'm sure that may colour my outlook. Although, lower balconies seem to be used a lot too.

When my daughter was apartment hunting some of her "must haves" were secure underground parking (and a secure bike room), storage locker, insuite laundry, dishwasher and a decent sized balcony able to hold a planter or two and a couple of pieces of furniture.

I agree that the location/views of buildings like 91 King or something on Tin Can beach would make having a balcony even more desirable


It would be interesting to see what people consider "must have' features in rental housing vs "nice to have" vs "don't really care/would rather have something else"

[Ottawa]

There was a CN Budd geometry car that traversed the NBSR mainline between Saint John and the NB border on April 15.

The purpose of the geometry car is to measure and record various track characteristics under load. It gives an accurate readout of rail wear, level, curvature, effective deviation due to load, track gauge(distance between rails), and gives an indication of ballast, tie, and rail degradation.

This is likely a precursor to schedule necessary maintenance and upgrades to the mainline. I expect the sectional rail currently in use will be upgraded to continuous welded rail. I don't know if they will replace all the mainline rail asap, or whether they will replace sections as needed, but I expect the plan is to upgrade the entire mainline especially as the second pier is coming online.

https://youtu.be/Za4Gf0A-BQ8

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by Ottawa

There was a CN Budd geometry car that traversed the NBSR mainline between Saint John and the NB border on April 15.

The purpose of the geometry car is to measure and record various track characteristics under load. It gives an accurate readout of rail wear, level, curvature, effective deviation due to load, track gauge(distance between rails), and gives an indication of ballast, tie, and rail degradation.

This is likely a precursor to schedule necessary maintenance and upgrades to the mainline. I expect the sectional rail currently in use will be upgraded to continuous welded rail. I don't know if they will replace all the mainline rail asap, or whether they will replace sections as needed, but I expect the plan is to upgrade the entire mainline especially as the second pier is coming online.

https://youtu.be/Za4Gf0A-BQ8

Love seeing a budd car out in the wild. Grew up on Vancouver Island where they had 2 of those running from Victoria to Courtenay daily. So it was dubbed the DayLiner. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria%E2%80%93Courtenay_train

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

Love seeing a budd car out in the wild. Grew up on Vancouver Island where they had 2 of those running from Victoria to Courtenay daily. So it was dubbed the DayLiner. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria%E2%80%93Courtenay_train

Saint John also had them going to Moncton - ended sometime in the 80’s. Grew up in Renforth and enjoyed seeing them while at beach. Was usually a 2 car set.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Saint John also had them going to Moncton - ended sometime in the 80’s. Grew up in Renforth and enjoyed seeing them while at beach. Was usually a 2 car set.

For a while they served Charlottetown to Moncton too. Before that, I can recall mixed trains going to the ferry (a freight train with a passenger car on the end).

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

For a while they served Charlottetown to Moncton too. Before that, I can recall mixed trains going to the ferry (a freight train with a passenger car on the end).

I remember those self propelled dayliners. Did CN run them SJ-Moncton pre VIA to connect to the Ocean or was it just added after VIA took over and there was no more SJ-Montreal overnight service on the CP route?

[Ottawa]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I remember those self propelled dayliners. Did CN run them SJ-Moncton pre VIA to connect to the Ocean or was it just added after VIA took over and there was no more SJ-Montreal overnight service on the CP route?

I took the Moncton to Saint John trip once in 1978(VIA, IIRC) because I missed the MTl-SJ train that day, so caught the CN version through Campbellton, etc, etc Moncton-SJ.

[cdnguys]

Someone I know said they saw a crane and either a large house or small apartment building framed up at 13 Pine St off of Prospect. Anyone have info on this?

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Someone I know said they saw a crane and either a large house or small apartment building framed up at 13 Pine St off of Prospect. Anyone have info on this?

It’s a new single family home

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I think the power from the turbines is all sent east to the city.

There were at minimum 15 turbine sites that passed muster. I presume a lot of them are along the black road: https://www.naturalforces.ca/uploads/9/1/3/4/91347224/burchill_layout_newletter_oct_7_2021.pdf

No idea if there is supposed to be a phase 2, or if the 5 unbuilt turbines were on inferior sites for some reason.

Natural Forces is in early discussions to add 2 turbines, presumably on 2 of the other 5 sites identified. Apparently much of the work to connect the wind farm to the grid is now complete.

[Ottawa]

It looks like next Friday (June 16th) might be the inaugural run for the 2nd container pier. MSC DON GIOVANNI and CGM SURABAYA both have a scheduled ETA of 1100 hrs.

[Itme]

Irving Oil for sale! I cant help but to think that if sold, it cant be great for SJ. Not to mention it adds to uncertainty in the SJ market

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by Itme

Irving Oil for sale! I cant help but to think that if sold, it cant be great for SJ. Not to mention it adds to uncertainty in the SJ market

Even with a full sale the majority of jobs would likely still remain as the refinery would still remain - I would suspect the HQ would not be required. My concern would be that a buyer - BP or Shell for example - would not be as committed to the city/region as they are. They'll act in the best interest of their shareholders ONLY. And who will the citizenry blame for all that woes us????

[darkharbour]

Can’t wait until the fear mongering around the potential sale of IOL’s economic impact justifies more provincial government subsidies, tax breaks, or regulatory relaxation, then they decide to not sell but keep the negotiated benefits.

[RR Drummer]

I cannot say much but I will say this, there will be lots of rumors and lots of theories. The correct details will come out as full disclosure allows. Companies explore, assess, and exercise options all the time. This should not be a surprise at all. Trust the process and see what happens, no need for doomsday chatter, this could be good or bad or neither.

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by RR Drummer

I cannot say much but I will say this, there will be lots of rumors and lots of theories. The correct details will come out as full disclosure allows. Companies explore, assess, and exercise options all the time. This should not be a surprise at all. Trust the process and see what happens, no need for doomsday chatter, this could be good or bad or neither.

Agree 100%.

[cdnguys]

Had to stop reading comments on CBC - people are so f’ing ignorant.