The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Wolkenkratzerliebhab]

I agree, except for on thing, but instead of calling it Rothesay (much better than KV), I think the old Cormier Report should be revised and all of the suburbs should be gobbled up by Saint John, which we all know what will eventually happen anyway, sometime in the future.

I was very disappointed when the previous Liberal government went back on their words. They said they were going to implement the Cormier Report come hell-or-high-water. But, in an election year politician will do what ever they have to to stay in power. The little buggers lost anyway, big time and it looked good on them!

In the meantime, the TJ is reporting that the Mariot chain is looking at coming to Saint John at Peel Plaza. In that case, I can see a new high-rise! Hopefully, this will happen soon?

Here's the TJ report:


"One of the main driving forces behind the Peel Plaza scheme was the idea that new public facilities - courthouses, police headquarters, parking garage and park - would attract more outside investment in the city centre. Councillor Peter McGuire said at a recent council session that he'd heard a major hotel was interested in building near the Peel Plaza site on Union Street. Most plugged-in people are saying it's Marriott Hotels and Resorts, which already has several locations throughout Atlantic Canada. Contacted this week, Jeff Flaherty of Marriott's public relations in Maryland did not confirm or deny those reports. "Marriott has no definitive plans for developing a hotel in Saint John, New Brunswick," he wrote in an email. "However, we have identified it as a market in which we would like to be."

[Helladog]

I hope Lepreau 2 is announced soon to justify more development, though things are putting right along anyway with or without the refinery...it would help. The Mariott could build atop the garage...perfect to bring the costs down for Peel Plaza.

Council needs to make decisions now...one way or the other. Pay attention. Who on council has made a decision and stuck to it. Election time is coming and the fence sitters have to go.

[Wolkenkratzerliebhab]

Originally Posted by Helladog

I hope Lepreau 2 is announced soon to justify more development, though things are putting right along anyway with or without the refinery...it would help. The Mariott could build atop the garage...perfect to bring the costs down for Peel Plaza.

Council needs to make decisions now...one way or the other. Pay attention. Who on council has made a decision and stuck to it. Election time is coming and the fence sitters have to go.

I agree... building atop the parking garage would be great for Mariot and the city. It would also provide for a taller building, something that I think SJ needs. After all, I don't have the nickname, 'Wolkenratzerliebhaber' for nothing (German for skyscraper lover.)

I also agree with council having to make decisions that they are going to stick with. What developer wants to come to a city with such a wishy-washy civic government? No one thats who.

[Wolkenkratzerliebhab]

Apparently, Marriot isn't the only one interested in developing in the Peel Plaza location, according to this article in the TJ http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/757893.

Several developers have proposed building on top of the garage. Plans range from adding three to seven stories, possibly making the project a total of 15 floors!

Apparently too, they are interested in the surrounding area, and not only in the area of the garage. According to the article, the cancelation of the Elder Rock refinery(if you ask me, the postponement) has done little to kill interest in developing the area.

Who knows, maybe fellow poster, J. Rocca has some cool ideas for redeveloping the area and will let us know shortly? I hope so, and best of luck to any developer interested in developing here. I hope they do, and they do it as quickly as possible.

[dhottawa729]

Originally Posted by Wolkenkratzerliebhab

Apparently, Marriot isn't the only one interested in developing in the Peel Plaza location, according to this article in the TJ http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.c...article/757893...

I hope that if whoever decides to build there plans to add something of significance to the skyline that they incorporate some modern architectural flare such as glass and curves. There's nothing interesting about a box. Peel Plaza will very visible from the highway, so it's important for it to look good. Saint John needs some more modern iconic structures but must take care in properly blending with some of the older architectural gems that are still standing today. Also, the City has a great tiered and nicely-shaped skyline when viewed from the harbour, so I think it would be very suiting to have a tall building there. Get those potential condo owners up and above the fog!

[SJResident]

[QUOTE=dhottawa729;4402069]ISaint John needs some more modern iconic structures but must take care in properly blending with some of the older architectural gems that are still standing today. Also, the City has a great tiered and nicely-shaped skyline when viewed from the harbour, so I think it would be very suiting to have a tall building there. [QUOTE]

I couldn't agree more. I love the way London, England has a blend of old and new/modern. It creates an interesting skyline and shows the resilience of the city and its people. I find it also makes the historic buildings more pronounced.

[michael_d40]

Couple pieces of Retail info I thought I'd pass along....

Shopping Center Pros In Town
The city will be a shopping Mecca of sorts over the next couple of days -- delegates from both sides of the border are attending the annual Atlantic conference of the International Council of Shopping Centers underway at the Trade and Convention Center. Provincial director John Johnston of Eastpoint Shopping says the energy hub concept and the city's emergence as a retail destination is catching the attention of national retailers and shopping center professionals. Some of the sessions will deal with the impact of effective branding -- understanding the retail site selection and approval process -- as well as -- urbanization and waterfront redevelopment happening in the region.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Best Buy Eyes Saint John Market
Major retailers continue to eye Saint John for expansion even though the eight billion dollar Irving second refinery proposal has been shelved. Geoff Stollery of electronics giant Best Buy tells CHSJ News his company is considering a new outlet for our city within the next two years -- he says they don't make decisions based on what's going to happen in the next six months. Stollery says it's a ten year commitment and he sees momentum here in the city's retail market. Best Buy owns the Future Shop chain -- and -- Stollery says if the plan goes ahead it will include a new and expanded Future Shop outlet in the immediate vicinity of the Best Buy store.
Posted by CHSJ News at 2:49 PM

Looks like 3 Best Buys for New Brunswick.. Nifty

[Wolkenkratzerliebhab]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Couple pieces of Retail info I thought I'd pass along....


Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Best Buy Eyes Saint John Market
Major retailers continue to eye Saint John for expansion even though the eight billion dollar Irving second refinery proposal has been shelved. Geoff Stollery of electronics giant Best Buy tells CHSJ News his company is considering a new outlet for our city within the next two years -- he says they don't make decisions based on what's going to happen in the next six months. Stollery says it's a ten year commitment and he sees momentum here in the city's retail market. Best Buy owns the Future Shop chain -- and -- Stollery says if the plan goes ahead it will include a new and expanded Future Shop outlet in the immediate vicinity of the Best Buy store.
Posted by CHSJ News at 2:49 PM

Looks like 3 Best Buys for New Brunswick.. Nifty

Wow, that is great news... I love to see a Best Buy here in town! As disappointed as I was that the refinery has been cancelled (postponed), the energy hub is far from dead and from what I have been hearing, Saint John is a city on the go, so I'm eagerly waiting to hear of even more good news for the city in the coming months.

[JRocca]

Originally Posted by Wolkenkratzerliebhab

Apparently, Marriot isn't the only one interested in developing in the Peel Plaza location, according to this article in the TJ http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/757893.

Several developers have proposed building on top of the garage. Plans range from adding three to seven stories, possibly making the project a total of 15 floors!

Apparently too, they are interested in the surrounding area, and not only in the area of the garage. According to the article, the cancelation of the Elder Rock refinery(if you ask me, the postponement) has done little to kill interest in developing the area.

Who knows, maybe fellow poster, J. Rocca has some cool ideas for redeveloping the area and will let us know shortly? I hope so, and best of luck to any developer interested in developing here. I hope they do, and they do it as quickly as possible.

I'm sure you appreciate that some things I cannot share for a time.I can tell you that we are not involved in exploring opportunites around the Peel Plaza area.I think I know one of the developers they are referring to in the article but I cannot share the information.
I know people are interested in knowing what's happening but I think disclosures of expressions of interest are necessary when the project is a high profile one like Peel plaza but it's not helpful because it creates epxectations.As we have seen with the refinary, it's a long road between an expression of interest and a viable concept.
Speaking of the refinary,I would like to share your optimism on it getting back on the rails but all evidence points to a long term reduction in consumption of oil and a shift to alternate energy sources[eg electric cars].
having said this, the success of our energy hub concept depends more on what happens with our partnership with Maine in creating an energy corrdor to carry our electricity down to New York.It's electricity not oil that will drive the energy hub and our challenge is work with maine to make sure the transmission lines are beefed up to carry our power.

[Joe]

Some news on the coast guard site

Behind The Scenes Work Continues On Coast Guard Site
August 13, 2009 - 6:04 am
By: Denise Barkhouse News 88.9 Staff






SAINT JOHN, NB - As Ottawa and the city try to hammer out a deal on the Canadian Coast Guard site, the company planning to put a 75-million dollar development on the land is busy working behind the scenes.

The Hardman Group's Vice President Colin Whitcomb says, "The company is focusing on what the development site costs will be."

The Hardman Group plans to start marketing the condos that will be attached to a hotel next year, with the other phases to follow.

The Hardman Group will make a presentation to delegates attending the International Council of Shopping Centres conference later today.

[Helladog]

Finally, the Abbey may be going ahead soon...

Abbey project construction (might begin next month)

Published Thursday August 13th, 2009
John Chilibeck
Telegraph-Journal

SAINT JOHN - Peter Jollymore is going to breathe a huge sigh of relief when machines start digging on the big parking lot on the corner of Charlotte and Duke streets uptown.

The spokesman for Abbey St. Andrew Inc. has watched impatiently over the several months as delays hampered the non-profit, $10-million housing project.

"I found it frustrating how long it seems to take to get through each of the stages on this thing," Jollymore said Wednesday. "But I haven't been able to find any magic answers to turn the wheels of bureaucracy any faster," he added, with a laugh.

The latest gum-up is the project's application to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for mortgage insurance. Jollymore had expected to hear back from officials with the corporation by the end of July, but the file is still in CMHC's hands.

Jollymore said once the mortgage insurance is approved, the group behind the project must talk to its bank and the province's NB Housing to finalize plans, something that could take a week or two.

He hopes excavation at the site could start in September, with the project completed within 12 to 14 months. Tenants could be in the new 55 subsidized units and 41 market units by Christmas 2010.

If CMHC rejects the application, Jollymore said plans would have to be scaled back or more money would have to be raised.

There have been a number of delays already, largely around financing. In June, Ottawa and the province stepped in to help the church-led idea become a reality, putting an extra $550,000 into the project.

The group, led by the Church of St. Andrew and St. David, whose beautiful old church will front one side of the development on Germain Street, also had to scramble to satisfy the city's demands that the development would provide enough parking. There's already a shortage of on-street parking in the area because there are few driveways and many of the buildings are connected in long, sweeping streetscapes.

The heritage-style subsidized housing would include one-bedroom units that would rent for about $825 a month, including heat and hot water, which the group believes is a fair price based on the housing surveys it has conducted.

There are about 15 people on a register for the market-based units but the group hasn't formalized or promised anyone anything, pending approval.

"We can't guarantee the rent level or the layouts," Jollymore explained. "It's contingent on getting the approval (from CMHC)."

NB Housing, Jollymore has been told, has a steady list of 300 people waiting for subsidized apartments, so there's no concern the group won't be able to fill all of the subsidized units.

[Coyett]

Does anyone have info on the status of the New Brunswick Museum expansion project?

http://books.google.com/books?id=nomkxis...0john%20nb&pg=PA276#v=onepage&q=&f=false

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by Coyett

Does anyone have info on the status of the New Brunswick Museum expansion project?

http://books.google.com/books?id=nomkxis...0john%20nb&pg=PA276#v=onepage&q=&f=false

It'll never get built

[Helladog]

The crane is baq....

[Fischbob]

Want increased densities? Better speak up.

'Once-in-a-generation opportunity'
Planning - Ken Forrest is ready to take Saint John's municipal plan to the next level

Published Monday August 17th, 2009
Reid Southwick
Telegraph-Journal

SAINT JOHN - Ken Forrest's 10th-floor office at City Hall overlooks the grid of largely low-rise commercial buildings along Prince William and Water streets that run parallel to the port.

Developers and politicians have often argued the uptown area could attract more investment and more people with high-rise buildings, a controversial proposal that would change the skyline of the commercial district.

Sitting in his corner office, Forrest, the city's top planner, said the concentration and size of buildings in the uptown area, along with residential and commercial properties across the city, could change after the city drafts a new municipal plan.

In front of him was a map of land-use zones in the city, a new tool that is now online and shows a hodgepodge of commercial, residential, institutional and industrial land uses.

"I would anticipate that the map could end up looking quite a bit different," said Forrest, commissioner of planning and development. "In the end, a lot of that is going to be determined by the public because they are going to have thoughts on how they want to distribute housing stock, commercial areas; what kind of densities do we want to achieve?"

The planning department recently received bids from six firms that want to be the top consultant in redrafting the municipal plan, which will essentially lay out a new blueprint for development in the city.

The job is so ambitious, it requires the expertise of external consultants and will likely take several years to finish.

The last time the plan was completely rewritten was in 1973. The majority of its sections have been revised and new chapters added over the years, but the city is preparing for a bigger overhaul.

Forrest expects to file a recommendation with council within the next six weeks on which company the lead consultant should be. After that, planning staff and the consultant will draft a work plan that will lay out the consultant's responsibilities over the next two or three years.

Forrest wanted to wait until the city had selected the consultant before drawing up the work plan because he wanted some new ideas from other top minds in the industry on how the city can approach the big job.

That's because the new municipal plan will set the stage for housing and business growth over the next 20 to 30 years. Residents may want higher density housing - a greater number of buildings in a geographic area - which is said to attract more people and investment, and also demand a more robust public transportation system.

"Do we want higher density, transit-oriented, pedestrian-oriented development, or do we want lower density, suburban style development? These are all decisions the community needs to make," Forrest said. "And what is our policy on parkland? Do we want individual neighbourhood parks or larger community facilities with more infrastructure that is more centrally located?"

Forrest expects the city's consultant will have some good ideas on engaging the public to make sure the new municipal plan reflects what the public wants. He said he expects the first round of public consultations will begin in the fall or early winter.

"We're trying to get away from the standard where someone stands at the front of a room; we're trying to find some interesting ways to get people involved," Forrest said. "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity in Saint John. We don't do municipal plans every day, so it's a good opportunity to try and connect with people."

Those comments may offer some comfort for people who are deeply concerned about preserving the look and feel of their city.

Rezoning applications are often met with much opposition and recent proposals to develop land near Rockwood Park were no exception.

Several people who live in the Sandy Point Road area were concerned the proposals for townhouses and condominiums on land adjacent to the park would set a precedent for future development on or near park property.

Council ultimately approved a moratorium on development adjacent to the park until the new municipal plan is finished, but not everyone on council or in the Millidgeville community wants the moratorium to stay.

City planning is largely a controversial exercise and Forrest expects similar conflicts will emerge in other areas of the city as the city redrafts its municipal plan.

"You will never have total consensus on these things," Forrest said. "You will have a diversity of viewpoints and, in the end, you try to create something that has a reasonable chance of happening but is also setting the community on a more sustainable path."

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/762655

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by Fischbob

Want increased densities? Better speak up.



http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/762655

Could form a group....

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by Helladog

Could form a group....

Could be a good idea given the timing with the municipal plan being re-drafted.

[michael_d40]

Anybody have any idea what the heck they are building at Simms corner, Its a small building and has lots of windows... But no signs saying what it could possibly be? Strange indeed...

[Southpaw78]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Anybody have any idea what the heck they are building at Simms corner, Its a small building and has lots of windows... But no signs saying what it could possibly be? Strange indeed...

I heard somewhere it was going to be a Starbucks...Seems like an odd location for one though. At least until they get Simms Corner realigned.

[dhottawa729]

Originally Posted by Wolkenkratzerliebhab

Apparently, Marriot isn't the only one interested in developing in the Peel Plaza location, according to this article in the TJ http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/757893.

Several developers have proposed building on top of the garage. Plans range from adding three to seven stories, possibly making the project a total of 15 floors!

Apparently too, they are interested in the surrounding area, and not only in the area of the garage. According to the article, the cancelation of the Elder Rock refinery(if you ask me, the postponement) has done little to kill interest in developing the area.

Who knows, maybe fellow poster, J. Rocca has some cool ideas for redeveloping the area and will let us know shortly? I hope so, and best of luck to any developer interested in developing here. I hope they do, and they do it as quickly as possible.

I was just playing around in Photoshop to get an idea of how a 15-storey parking garage/commercial building would alter the skyline. It doesn't add too much, but it does make the other buildings in the background look taller by hiding the hillside.