The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Helladog

I though it was going to far when Moncton went "international". Then Freddy got on board, and that was nuts.

If there is a business case for year round international flights to and from YSJ then it doesn't matter what we call it...they will come.

Anyway, at least we have seasonal flights to Mexico...

Actually, I'm pretty sure Freddy had the "international" designation before the GMIA.

[mylesmalley]

Moncton was a bit of a stretch, yeah. That said, YQM does actually have a scheduled passenger international flight. A new cargo flight to Europe started last month too. We've had scheduled flights to Paris in the past. Plus the sun destinations.

Fredericton.... they only got their flight because the province paid huge subsidies to get it there. as soon as the spigot ran dry, the planes stopped coming.

Saint John... well I guess to be consistent, the city should at least have a scheduled flight before they rename themselves.

There's a small city in Alaska named Ketchikan that claims to have an international airport. When I was there a few years ago, they said the only reason why was because a flight bound for Russia had to make an emergency landing there once in the 1970s.

[cdnguys]

The problem with Saint John is our proximity to Bangor. We leak about 25,000 passengers a year due to high fees and taxes. Lack of competition due to lower number passengers compounds the problems with higher fares. The airport authority advertises to use "our local" airport, yet raises long term parking rates 20%
Then there are the set taxi rates. A cab to/ from airport was $23 for years. Now with fare, tip and debit machine usage fee it is around $40!!! Twice I was charges a fee to use Visa Card which is forbidden by card issuing companies. Then the taxis are embarrassing sh&@boxes - not a good first impression to our city.

The airport has a multimillion dollar international arrivals section that is used a handful of times a year and is closed off from public view, yet the check in area hasn't been updated since the airport was built in the 50's or 60's with low ceilings and cinder blocks.

I think the airport should come under control of the port authority that has a marketing department and cut duplication of service. For that matter busses, parking, airport, port should be one agency

[cdnguys]

Plus leakage to YQM due to lower prices and flight to EWR

[cdnguys]

Getting Ready for Charles and Camilla







New Street Lighting Replacing Old - Lower Prince William St



Harbourfront Courtyard





Street Entrance Harbourfront Condo Town Home



Saint John Cruise Terminal





New Signage - Marco Polo Terminal



Copper on Justice Complex from Water Street



New Olive Oil and Vinegar Store



Pirate Territory above Prince William Lofts



Peel Plaza









Piecing Together Parking Garage

[KnoxfordGuy]

Great pictures! I'm not getting to Saint John as much as I'd like to any more, so the updates are a welcome sight

[Fischbob]

Prince William Street Crowds by fischbob, on Flickr

Plenty of people were out to see Charles and Camilla today. I haven't seen so many people on Prince William Street in my lifetime.

[Wolkenkratzerliebhab]

Originally Posted by Fischbob

Prince William Street Crowds by fischbob, on Flickr

Plenty of people were out to see Charles and Camilla today. I haven't seen so many people on Prince William Street in my lifetime.

I too was impressed with the huge and friendly crowds. I also was pleased to be able to shake both Charles and Camillia's hands, and have a brief chat with the both of them. I must say, they were both quite charming.

[JHikka]

Not to be a downer on everything, butttt here's another arson, this time on the corner of Victoria & Cunard:

[philster]

Pita Pit, in the former Quiznos location on McAllister Drive opens tomorrow.

I had the opportunity to sample their goodness today at a private event, delicious!

[W.Sobchak]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Not to be a downer on everything, butttt here's another arson, this time on the corner of Victoria & Cunard:

That sucks bull tits. As weird as it sounds, I liked walking around indiantown and the rest of the Northend, when I visted friends in that neck fo the woods, because of those old buildings. Some could have used work, but they had a charm in the little details that stuck out from the vinyl siding.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by W.Sobchak

That sucks bull tits. As weird as it sounds, I liked walking around indiantown and the rest of the Northend, when I visted friends in that neck fo the woods, because of those old buildings. Some could have used work, but they had a charm in the little details that stuck out from the vinyl siding.

Yep. There's enough abandoned and rundown buildings that it really isn't as charming as it used to be. Not to mention the current tenants in many of the remaining buildings.

With each fire comes a newly empty lot, it seems. There's only so many buildings left.

[cdnguys]

The new cruise terminal was named Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal. The old lyric theatre that burned down will be a parking lot. The owner is not rebuilding due to costs associated with building a building the height of nearby buildings. He will be reopening his store in the former Lebanese restaurant on Princess Street.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

The old lyric theatre that burned down will be a parking lot.

Somebody in this thread totally called that.

[flwright]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

The old lyric theatre that burned down will be a parking lot. The owner is not rebuilding due to costs associated with building a building the height of nearby buildings.

It's not necessarily a slam dunk. Before it becomes a parking lot, the application has to come before the planning advisory committee who has the final say... and they recently turned down two new parking lot applications on Waterloo Street on the site of other burned buildings. PlanSJ also doesn't encourage parking lots in the Uptown.

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by flwright

It's not necessarily a slam dunk. Before it becomes a parking lot, the application has to come before the planning advisory committee who has the final say... and they recently turned down two new parking lot applications on Waterloo Street on the site of other burned buildings. PlanSJ also doesn't encourage parking lots in the Uptown.

So it will be a dirt pile instead of a paved lot? PlanSJ can't force land owners to build something.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by flwright

It's not necessarily a slam dunk. Before it becomes a parking lot, the application has to come before the planning advisory committee who has the final say... and they recently turned down two new parking lot applications on Waterloo Street on the site of other burned buildings. PlanSJ also doesn't encourage parking lots in the Uptown.

That doesn't stop them from becoming unofficial parking lots. Look at the lot on Germain Street where there was a fire years ago - its a parking lot accessed from Princess Street - although in trinity royal and not allowed by the city. I don't know the personal situation of the owner, however I would like to think that owners of heritage buildings carry enough insurance to completely cover a loss - in affect being a steward of historic properties and being responsible. I think being in a protected heritage zone they should be forced to rebuild or relinquish their land at fair market value so that somebody with the desire and capital can fill in the gaping hole. I just feel we are too soft on people here. The city lacks a set - what other city allows people to just discard furniture on sidewalk for months at a time until it is set on fire? You know the saying "we teach people how to treat us" - well it applies for this city - people get away with so much. That's my politically incorrect rant for the night

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

I think being in a protected heritage zone they should be forced to rebuild or relinquish their land at fair market value so that somebody with the desire and capital can fill in the gaping hole.

Who's supplying the fair market value for that land? A new buyer or the city itself? Again, I don't see property developers scrambling at the opportunity of new land becoming available. There isn't exactly a development rush on all of these burnt out properties.

It's an unfortunate circumstance, but forcing a landowner to do something with their property or risk losing it after an event that they had no control over doesn't sit well with me.

If the city had lower taxes on everything we probably wouldn't have such problems.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Who's supplying the fair market value for that land? A new buyer or the city itself? Again, I don't see property developers scrambling at the opportunity of new land becoming available. There isn't exactly a development rush on all of these burnt out properties.

It's an unfortunate circumstance, but forcing a landowner to do something with their property or risk losing it after an event that they had no control over doesn't sit well with me.

If the city had lower taxes on everything we probably wouldn't have such problems.

With respect I disagree. The owner had control of how much insurance he chose to carry. The policy for which I describe and would like to see is with precedent in some cities in USA. Use it or loose it in historic area is my opinion for historic areas If we don't start getting tough or changing the way we think about doing things in this city we will stay at near flatline. The best renewed cities were innovative in their thinking and approach.

[UptownJeff]

Would be great to see the site of the Lyric Theatre turned into a condo complex with retail on the ground floor