The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[davehook_729]

According to www.cruisesaintjohn.com, four large cruise ships are scheduled to dock in Saint John on September 30th. This means that the City will see an influx of 8,450 tourists all walking the streets at once! Here are a few pics of the ships that will be crowding the harbour and docked at terminals Pugsley A, Pugsley C, Long Wharf and Lower Cove:

Carnival Victory (3,200 passengers and crew) 9am-9pm:

Jewel of the Seas (2,100 passengers and crew) 7am-6pm:

Queen Mary 2 (2,500 passengers and crew) 11am-11pm:

Royal Princess (650 passengers and crew) 7am-2pm:

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by thefishingnut

Toronto actually has a lot of Ravine Parks which are quite good and natural, and might act as a model. They're rather hard to find, but they have a graded dirt or gravel pathway, and other than that everything is left natural. Marsh Creek will probably require quite a bit of re-planting, as cleanup will be quite disruptive to what is there, but hopefully it'll become an intact watershed without dams and Gabion baskets.

Kwajo, please let us know when some opportunities to become involved come up.

There are indeed lots of models for similar urban watercourse developments around Canada and the USA, but few proved to be as transformative as the Marsh Creek project could be, as it will involve remediating a stream that has been used for waste transfer for over a century, into a clean, yet culturally active green space. This isn't just about creosote or sewage removal, it's about improving our natural areas, providing transportation alternatives and helping to ameliorate the city's image externally and internally. The project is also very key to the city's flood control and climate-change adaptations strategies, so it will be a very multi-function development from the very start.

PostModernPrometheus is right, there needs to be (and I assure you, there will be) some good examples of specific improvements and before-and-after comparisons, so that the public gets behind the project. The best part is that the bill for all of these improvements will come from industry, not government, so the usual Saint John argument of "Why aren't we spending my tax dollars to fix potholes?" won't enter the court of public opinion on this one.

Obviously I could give more details, and I don't want to rant on-and-on about this and distract from other topics, but I really appreciate all the input given, and I will certainly let everyone know if there are any opportunities to get involved.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by davehook_729

According to www.cruisesaintjohn.com, four large cruise ships are scheduled to dock in Saint John on September 30th. This means that the City will see an influx of 8,450 tourists all walking the streets at once! Here are a few pics of the ships that will be crowding the harbour and docked at terminals Pugsley A, Pugsley C, Long Wharf and Lower Cove:

Carnival Victory (3,200 passengers and crew) 9am-9pm:

Jewel of the Seas (2,100 passengers and crew) 7am-6pm:

Queen Mary 2 (2,500 passengers and crew) 11am-11pm:

Royal Princess (650 passengers and crew) 7am-2pm:

Some of the nicer and larger of the cruise ships all at once; lets hope for a nice day...I wonder which one gets to use the new welcome centre.

[PostModernPrometheus]

Long Wharf deal: a key to renewal
Published Wednesday July 16th, 2008


C1JOHN CHILIBECK
PUBLIC EYE

Here's a prediction: common council will give its blessing to Irving Oil's new world headquarters on the waterfront.

The vote may be close and the debate might be charged, but in the end, the pros will outweigh the cons in the deal.

Based on past voting records and the election platforms of the politicians, it's a fairly safe bet Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase and councillors Carl Killen, Joe Mott, Peter McGuire, Gary Sullivan and Chris Titus will back the $30-million Long Wharf development.

Mayor Ivan Court and councillors Bruce Court, Bill Farren and Patty Higgins have union backing and might side with the International Longshoreman's Association, which opposes any such development at Long Wharf. Donnie Snook, head of the inner-city youth ministry, is a wild card in the draw.

But even the politicians with deep union sympathies might back the project, unless, with the knowledge the deal is as good as done, they give throwaway votes to the 'nay' side, hoping to please some supporters.

For a city perpetually short of cash for road repairs and recreational improvements, the opportunity is just too rich to spurn. The project would ensure that 1,000 good-paying jobs stay in the uptown area - people who shop, eat and sometimes live in the city core.

The headquarters would also lure more tourists because it would enhance the facilities for cruise ship visitors and kick in money for the redevelopment of the nearby Fort LaTour site, which for decades has been nothing more than a few hunks of wood and a nice place to picnic.

The port would get much-needed funds to make upgrades and repairs on the west side docks, and with that money it could leverage matching funding from Ottawa. This, in turn, could help protect the jobs of longshoremen who still work at the port.

Even more compelling is the housing and commercial development boom the project could seed. Ross Jefferson, who for years was the general manager of the Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership, says many of the developers he's talked to say the building of the Irving Oil headquarters is key to making their own projects commercially viable.

This has implications not just for the uptown, but the suburbs of Saint John.

"The core of the city generates most of the wealth," he said Tuesday. "This high concentration of businesses and residences makes up most of the tax base."

In the 1990s, the uptown deteriorated, with the business improvement area losing 24 per cent of its value. Jefferson says the loss was $5 million a year for the municipality alone. The long slide has turned around, and the headquarters would speed the uphill climb.

With more money, the city could finally address some of the needs of the long-neglected poorer neighbourhoods, the suburbs and rural areas of Saint John.

"You'd see a direct jump in the tax base and spinoffs that would drive revenues," says Jefferson.

As part of the deal, the port would acquire the old sugar refinery site from Irving Oil, which will pay fair market value to buy the land from the city. The site, according to waterfront plans, was supposed to become residential and park land, with a spectacular view of Partridge Island and the bay. It's a shame that won't happen in the short-term. But once development starts in earnest, it may be only a matter of a few years before the port authority realizes it can make more money by leasing the land to residential developers than exploiting it for industrial purposes.

When it comes time for council to take a vote, the promise of the city's transformation will be too attractive to ignore. A money-losing plain of asphalt at Long Wharf will become the platform of renewal in Saint John.

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by davehook_729

According to www.cruisesaintjohn.com, four large cruise ships are scheduled to dock in Saint John on September 30th. This means that the City will see an influx of 8,450 tourists all walking the streets at once! Here are a few pics of the ships that will be crowding the harbour and docked at terminals Pugsley A, Pugsley C, Long Wharf and Lower Cove:


Queen Mary 2 (2,500 passengers and crew) 11am-11pm:

Wow. . . for a small port, that's quite an impressive assembly of some of the largest, most luxurious cruiseships currently in operation anywhere ....add some of the crew who will be milling about, and thats 11,000 or 12,000 people easy in the uptown and going on day trips to surrounding areas within an hour or two drive . . . high end ships, during the early fall when the cost of cruising gets a little more pricey. . . even conservatively $100 / person directly spent on the economy = $1,200,000, plus the revenue to the port, supplies taken on board, fuel, etc, etc

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by Helladog

I wonder which one gets to use the new welcome centre.

LMAO....maybe if they all back in in a perpendicular fashion to the cruise terminal, they can ALL use it....

[PostModernPrometheus]

I was talking to a friend of mine 'in the know' with Fortis, and there are no immediate plans to expand the Delta Brunswick (i.e., adding the additional hotel story that the structure was apparently built with in mind). . . . .by "immediate plans" all they would say was it wouldnt be "within the next year or so"

[SJNB]

Originally Posted by davehook_729

According to www.cruisesaintjohn.com, four large cruise ships are scheduled to dock in Saint John on September 30th. This means that the City will see an influx of 8,450 tourists all walking the streets at once! Here are a few pics of the ships that will be crowding the harbour and docked at terminals Pugsley A, Pugsley C, Long Wharf and Lower Cove:

Carnival Victory (3,200 passengers and crew) 9am-9pm:

Jewel of the Seas (2,100 passengers and crew) 7am-6pm:

Queen Mary 2 (2,500 passengers and crew) 11am-11pm:

Royal Princess (650 passengers and crew) 7am-2pm:

This is actually the "New" Royal Pricess the ship above was transfered to Europe under a new name in 2005

[PersonPlaceorThing]

Recently a Parks Canada employee asked me via a comment on my blog about my opinions on the development of the Carleton Martello Tower historic site. My response is posted at: http://urbanplans.blogspot.com/2008/07/carleton-martello-tower.html

The text of my post is as follows:

This post is a response to a comment left recently:

This isn't a comment on a particular blog, but I'm interested in your opinions
on Saint John and its development. I work for Parks Canada and I'm working on a
project at the Carleton Martello Tower in West Saint John.
Do you have an
opinion on the tower and what role it plays in the cultural/historical
landsdcape of the city? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the structure
and what should/should not be done with it.
Hope to hear from you,
Malve
Petersmann
I haven't paid much attention to the Carleton Martello Tower over the years, other than to snap some photos when I was photographing the city's landmarks more frequently and occasionally climbing the tower stairs to get a good view of the uptown.


Still, I find it encouraging to see the recent development of an interpretation center at the tower, as our city doesn't have much in the way of military history preservation. Fort Howe has some cache, while Fort LaTour still hasn't made a real impact on me and really lacks a coherent historical draw (due to the lack of interpretation and structures). It is cool that there may be condos going up at Fort Dufferin, but it is also a shame that the military and defense history of the area has been neglected to a point where it's hard to recognize what most of the remnants are.

I was in Halifax in May and was impressed with the military history that is preserved there. I for one don't seek out these tourism experiences, but appreciate that they are there.
Realizing that the Carleton Martello Tower is boxed in by a residential neighbourhood, it would be good to encourage more traffic to the area. I know biking to the Tower from uptown isn't much of a jaunt (though traffic is a little rough), so perhaps making this a cyclist destination; bike racks could be added if there aren't any there yet.

I like that the long history of the Tower is explored; perhaps outside displays or public art could highlight some historic events of the War of 1812 or the First and Second World Wars.

On my other blog I have recently been critical of making the Fundy Footpath too easy to get to on, but the Tower isn't like this – the experience is currently inviting to a wide array of people and should stay that way. I don't want to see a tacky development, but I think the Tower can be maintained as a simple “family friendly” historic destination.

[Helladog]

.:That Park with the old General Store:.



.:Saint John High Repairs:.



.:Three Sisters Park:.





.:Somerset Square:.





All Pix (c) Helladog

[Helladog]

Is this project still in the works???

Taken from http://www.bharchitects.com/architecture/firm/recentnews.htm

JANUARY 2007
University of New Brunswick’s University Commons – Design Underway



The 80,000-square foot University Commons is expected to become the heart of the UNB Saint John campus. This library will bring together the people, services and activities that support the learning environment, creating a more integrated and nurturing student-focused academic experience. In addition, it will provide gathering spaces that help to foster a sense of community for students, faculty and staff and that can be used to draw people living in the greater Saint John community to the campus. B+H is working in association with Sasaki Associates and ADI.

[SJTOKO]

Does anyone know what's in the building in the middle of this photo? Looks great, I would love an apartment there.. Great investment opportunity for someone..

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by SJTOKO

Does anyone know what's in the building in the middle of this photo? Looks great, I would love an apartment there.. Great investment opportunity for someone..

Doesn't Peter Asimakos (Uptown Saint John) own that building? I know he owns one down by the Three Sisters lamp, I just can't remember which one.


As for the University Commons, didn't they break ground on the project (adjacent to the Canada Games Stadium), only to later announce that they wouldn't be pursuing construction of the new building and would simply retro-fit the existing library instead?

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by SJTOKO

Does anyone know what's in the building in the middle of this photo? Looks great, I would love an apartment there.. Great investment opportunity for someone..

I'm not sure who owns the building, but it's either apts or rooms. All the apt buildings in that area stand to have property values go up. It's a good time to do some renos...

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by kwajo

Doesn't Peter Asimakos (Uptown Saint John) own that building? I know he owns one down by the Three Sisters lamp, I just can't remember which one.


As for the University Commons, didn't they break ground on the project (adjacent to the Canada Games Stadium), only to later announce that they wouldn't be pursuing construction of the new building and would simply retro-fit the existing library instead?

That sounds probable. So much for the building funds which were supposed to come...such as it is for a campus controlled from afar.

[PersonPlaceorThing]

Originally Posted by Helladog

That sounds probable. So much for the building funds which were supposed to come...such as it is for a campus controlled from afar.

I think that rendering is the Library retrofit. It doesn't seem to be happening to fast though.

On a related note, the hospital expansion is forcing hospital employees to park in the university's back lot.

[PostModernPrometheus]

Originally Posted by PersonPlaceorThing

On a related note, the hospital expansion is forcing hospital employees to park in the university's back lot.

Staff parking @ AHSC (as well as visitors) is such a pain - I keep waiting for the announcement that a multilevel garage will be built to help clear the congestion....with the medical school, expanded ER, etc coming, the number of parking spots will need to be significantly increased.....

[Helladog]

Speaking of parking garages, anyone noticed how much land Irving used uptown just for parking? The Eastern portion of Union, areas of Elliott Row and smaller lots sprawled around the area. Why don't JDI build a garage next to their tower and allow the land to be used for development?

[kwajo]

I noticed that the boarded-up building on Canterbury (between the CRA Building and the John Law Corp), has had the door open the last few days, and I walked into the doorway today at lunch and there is definitely activity inside. Is this a possible renovation of this long vacant building? I hope so, as it would make a great office/loft building, it's about 4 stories tall with lots of windows in a prime location within Trinity Royal.

Ironically - given that I had mentioned him earlier today in this thread - I saw Peter Asimakos of Uptown Saint John in the building, hence why I think it might become office space. Has anyone heard anything about this?

[PersonPlaceorThing]

Originally Posted by kwajo

I noticed that the boarded-up building on Canterbury (between the CRA Building and the John Law Corp), has had the door open the last few days, and I walked into the doorway today at lunch and there is definitely activity inside. Is this a possible renovation of this long vacant building? I hope so, as it would make a great office/loft building, it's about 4 stories tall with lots of windows in a prime location within Trinity Royal.

Ironically - given that I had mentioned him earlier today in this thread - I saw Peter Asimakos of Uptown Saint John in the building, hence why I think it might become office space. Has anyone heard anything about this?

I think this is 87 Canterbury you are referring to. According to a listing on Curchman Wakefield LePage's website:

9,400 sq. ft. on 3 floors; 6,500 sq. ft. per floor; loft style space ideally suited for creative occupations; ground floor opportunity; 2nd floor walk-up to feature wide attractive stairwell; heritage building currently being redeveloped; locacted between the John Law building and Government of Canada; Landlord to provide base building improvements; exterior brick facade; interior exposed brick and beams; windows that open providing ample natural light and fresh air; Zoned B3 - Central Business. THE RATES: $ 12.00 per sq. ft. Net MLS® # 072057