The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

How many employees would you estimate would be in an Irving King's Square HQ?

I've heard 1500.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

This is probably a dumb question, but is the water around Uptown swimmable?

In what sense? Is it water and can you swim in it? Yes.
Is it the North Atlantic and tremendously cold and cause hypothermia in a short amount of time? Yes.
Is it polluted to the extent that being in the water would kill you? Probably not, though Saint Johners like to pretend that the water quality hasn't improved vastly in the past twenty years.

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

I've heard 1500.

I'm guessing this number wouldn't really be new hires and would be mostly Irving emptying out their plethora of other, smaller offices and consolidating them into one building. Irving Oil already has offices, for example, across from the Telegraph Journal and at King's Square across from the Loyalist Burial Grounds.

Unless there's going to be a mass influx of new employees for an expansion that hasn't quite been made public yet. Get out the tin foil hats!

[UptownJeff]

I'm guessing this number wouldn't really be new hires and would be mostly Irving emptying out their plethora of other, smaller offices and consolidating them into one building. Irving Oil already has offices, for example, across from the Telegraph Journal and at King's Square across from the Loyalist Burial Grounds.

Unless there's going to be a mass influx of new employees for an expansion that hasn't quite been made public yet. Get out the tin foil hats![/QUOTE]

I haven't heard anything regarding expanding but you never know! with the acquisition of land in red head I'm always hopeful! Still very exciting with the consolidation in the heart of Uptown - alot of these employees would have been in the old school and in the old TV station; so hopefully good news for current businesses in the core and new services that may be coming!

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

I've heard 1500.

King's Square is going to be busy on a nice summer lunch hour.

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

I've heard 1500.

I've heard 1000, which is what their past HQ plan called for. Either way, it's not insignificant, and a number we need to work hard as a city to try and get as many to settle in the peninsula as possible.

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by JHikka

In what sense? Is it water and can you swim in it? Yes.
Is it the North Atlantic and tremendously cold and cause hypothermia in a short amount of time? Yes.
Is it polluted to the extent that being in the water would kill you? Probably not, though Saint Johners like to pretend that the water quality hasn't improved vastly in the past twenty years.

The water quality is actually pretty good, I administer the Saint John Harbour Environmental Monitoring Partnership [which is in the process of assembling a database of all port user's data, academic research and regulatory monitoring data] and the overall health of our harbour - both chemically and biologically - is better than most small craft harbours throughout the Maritimes. You hit the nail on the head when you say that we as residents are some of the biggest pessimists about the harbour's quality, which has seen some contaminant levels reduced by as much as >99% in recent memory. The sewage is gone, most industries have really cleaned up their acts, and we don't see the same amount of individual dumping occurrences as we used to. The biggest image problem the harbour has is that first it is isolated from the city and it's hard for people to interact directly with it, both because of the distance created by the tidal variation and the fences the Port has put everywhere, and secondly because as an estuary to the St. John River is suffers from such heavy sedimentation that the water looks murky even though it isn't "dirty" by any sort of hazardous measure.

Would I swim in the harbour? For a lark, sure! I've kayaked in it as recently as last month, but as has been stated, it can be very cold and the currents in particular are brutal. Some places are great for surfing, paddle boarding, splashing around and wadding, but if you go out into the main harbour channel while the tide is out and the river is rushing through, you'd have to be a championship swimmer to avoid getting pushed out into the bay.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by kwajo

The water quality is actually pretty good, I administer the Saint John Harbour Environmental Monitoring Partnership [which is in the process of assembling a database of all port user's data, academic research and regulatory monitoring data] and the overall health of our harbour - both chemically and biologically - is better than most small craft harbours throughout the Maritimes. You hit the nail on the head when you say that we as residents are some of the biggest pessimists about the harbour's quality, which has seen some contaminant levels reduced by as much as >99% in recent memory. The sewage is gone, most industries have really cleaned up their acts, and we don't see the same amount of individual dumping occurrences as we used to. The biggest image problem the harbour has is that first it is isolated from the city and it's hard for people to interact directly with it, both because of the distance created by the tidal variation and the fences the Port has put everywhere, and secondly because as an estuary to the St. John River is suffers from such heavy sedimentation that the water looks murky even though it isn't "dirty" by any sort of hazardous measure.

Would I swim in the harbour? For a lark, sure! I've kayaked in it as recently as last month, but as has been stated, it can be very cold and the currents in particular are brutal. Some places are great for surfing, paddle boarding, splashing around and wadding, but if you go out into the main harbour channel while the tide is out and the river is rushing through, you'd have to be a championship swimmer to avoid getting pushed out into the bay.

What spots would you say is good for that kind of thing?

Also your comment "The biggest image problem the harbour has is that first it is isolated from the city and it's hard for people to interact directly with it" is why I was asking, Uptown is surrounded by water on 3 sides but it didn't seem that there's much interaction by residents.

I'm sure the fact ~2 of those sides has rail between the water and the residents and the other side is a working harbour doesn't help.

Also seeing that the average summer water temp is only 13C doesn't either!

Too bad there couldn't be some artificial shallow which would heat up significantly more.

[MonctonRad]

Picaroons, restaurant added to new Saint John development
Historica Developments says development will be a 'hidden gem' in uptown Saint John
By Connell Smith, CBC News Posted: Nov 16, 2015 6:59 AM AT Last Updated: Nov 16, 2015 8:33 AM AT

Historica Developments has announced two new tenants for its Park Place Development in Saint John's uptown.

Italian by Night, an established fine dining restaurant, will join a pub as the latest businesses to sign onto the two-phase project that encompasses the former Canterbury Carpark and Bustins Furniture buildings.

Keith Brideau, the president of Historica Developments, said key retailers — Real Food Connection and the Buckland Merrifield Gallery — could open their doors within a month. Picaroons General Store will follow early in the new year.

On the upper floors of the Canterbury Street building, 14 higher-end apartments are nearly finished.

Brideau anticipates another 25 apartment units will be added above the former Bustins building.

Brideau also has plans to turn a loading lane that enters off Grannan Street between the two buildings into a public space with shops and cafes.

"We'll be throwing in some high-quality lighting, some planter boxes with some beautiful flowers draping off," said Brideau.

"There's going to be some storefronts there. It's going to feel like this, kind of, hidden gem in uptown Saint John."

Sounds like an excellent development for the uptown. This is an example of SJ playing to it's strengths. There is no other city in the east that has such a well preserved Victorian/Edwardian downtown. This should be preserved rather than demolished, and restoration projects like this are absolutely perfect.

[kwajo]

The little delivery lane off Grannan St. is the best part of this development IMO, it has a wonderful feel [think pedestrian lane off of what is already a rarely-driven laneway].

In addition to the gallery, food store and Picaroons locations on the Canterbury St. side, Grannan St. already has Port City Royal, will be getting another bar opposite it, Italian By Night up a the top corner with Germain St., plus the delivery lane is rumoured/confirmed to be sought by both Yuk Yuks and a whiskey bar, possibly something else as well. Add in the several dozen residential units between both buildings and the whole area will be pretty much the finest/densest couple blocks in New Brunswick by the time it is complete, and all of very high caliber.

Here's what the delivery lane looks like mid-transformation:

[UptownJeff]

I saw a billboard for a job fair for East Side Marios -assuming they will be reopening soon?

Also, has anyone heard anything more regarding the Home Hardware on the west side? I thought it was to reopen this fall?

[UptownJeff]

I see NB has tendered for an Uptown location! Finally! Hoping the old Woolworths will be in the running - I also see there were 2 dumpsters in the alley between the Market and the Woolworths yesterday - maybe doing some prep work?? or is this to do with the reno in the Market Tower?

[UptownJeff]

One more thing - I hear that Brunswick Square will be getting a facelift - new tile, removal of mirrors etc. Don't know how extensive it will be but hopefully the "80s look" will be gone - especially good with the reno happening with the escalators in the Market.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by uptownjeff

I see NB has tendered for an uptown location! Finally! Hoping the old woolworths will be in the running

NB?

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

One more thing - I hear that Brunswick Square will be getting a facelift - new tile, removal of mirrors etc. Don't know how extensive it will be but hopefully the "80s look" will be gone - especially good with the reno happening with the escalators in the Market.

This has been common over the past few years. All three of the major malls here in Ottawa (Bayshore, Rideau, St.Laurent) have already or are currently undergoing considerable renovations. Same with McAllister Place.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by JHikka

NB?

NB Liquor perhaps?

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by OliverD

NB Liquor perhaps?

Yes, sorry! Was typing in a hurry. NB Liquor!

[Varlik]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

I saw a billboard for a job fair for East Side Marios -assuming they will be reopening soon?

Also, has anyone heard anything more regarding the Home Hardware on the west side? I thought it was to reopen this fall?

Regarding East Side Marios, I saw this post on Facebook last week

"East Side Marios in Saint John has been purchased by new owners. They will be opening at the end of the year. They are hiring new staff and have a job fair at the Hampton Inn on Sunday Nov 22 and Sat Nov 28, 10am to 7pm."

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

Yes, sorry! Was typing in a hurry. NB Liquor!

That is exciting! They've been claiming to look for a new Uptown location for years, ever since the King Street location closed. I don't mind walking to Prince Edward Square, but the selection and cleanliness of that outlet leaves a lot to be desired.

Where did you see the tender?

[Ire Narissis]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

One more thing - I hear that Brunswick Square will be getting a facelift - new tile, removal of mirrors etc. Don't know how extensive it will be but hopefully the "80s look" will be gone - especially good with the reno happening with the escalators in the Market.

I actually like the mirrors. But I won't lament their removal if they're replaced with some attractive cladding.

What I'd like to see is those laughably outdated railings replaced with something more modern!

They'd better keep the glass elevator.

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by kwajo

That is exciting! They've been claiming to look for a new Uptown location for years, ever since the King Street location closed. I don't mind walking to Prince Edward Square, but the selection and cleanliness of that outlet leaves a lot to be desired.

Where did you see the tender?

The tender was reported in the TJ - haven't actually seen it - but calling for a space of 9500 sq ft. Can't think of much Uptown that could accommodate that except maybe Woolworths.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

The tender was reported in the TJ - haven't actually seen it - but calling for a space of 9500 sq ft. Can't think of much Uptown that could accommodate that except maybe Woolworths.

Here it is: http://www.nbliquor.com/documents/P15-29_EN.pdf

There's also one for a new store in uptown Fredericton.