The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[kwajo]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-museum-consultation-1.4428017

'Secretive' plans for new museum deny public a voice, Saint John prof says
The goal is to start site work next spring, but location of new museum in Saint John still isn't known

I am glad I am not the only one who finds this process bizarre.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by kwajo

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-museum-consultation-1.4428017


I am glad I am not the only one who finds this process bizarre.

It is bizarre. The only reason for the way this seems to be playing out the way it is is to maximize political benefit for Brian Gallant leading into the next election.

Without winning a couple of seats in greater SJ, it'll be hard for him to attain his majority. I'm sure he's negotiating right now with Justin and Dominic regarding the federal contribution to this project.

BTW, does the Coast Guard site still belong to the feds? If so, I'm sure that Dominic (the appropriate federal minister) would be willing to donate it for a dollar..........

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It is bizarre. The only reason for the way this seems to be playing out the way it is is to maximize political benefit for Brian Gallant leading into the next election.

Without winning a couple of seats in greater SJ, it'll be hard for him to attain his majority. I'm sure he's negotiating right now with Justin and Dominic regarding the federal contribution to this project.

BTW, does the Coast Guard site still belong to the feds? If so, I'm sure that Dominic (the appropriate federal minister) would be willing to donate it for a dollar..........

The city negotiated the purchase of the site back in 2011 for ~$2.8 million, I believe they have full ownership now, although I am unclear as to the arrangement that allows the Coast Guard to still maintain their presence on the wharf (could be a lease still, although that was supposed to end some time in 2017).

[Fischbob]

The federal government's lease at the Coast Guard site is currently set to end on June 30th, 2018, after which the site will be fully vacant.

Originally Posted by Fischbob

DFO is renewing its lease at the Coast Guard site; the new termination date is June 30, 2018 (Source: http://www.saintjohn.ca/site/media/SaintJohn/2017-05-15%20Common%20Council%20Agenda%20Packet.pdf page 22). Beyond this date they expect to have newly constructed digs in SJ (probably in some horrible suburban location).

I'm also concerned about the lack of transparency on the NBM file. Is the whole thing just going to be presented as a 'fait accompli' by the province when ground breaks? I certainly have some comments I'd like to contribute to the process on site selection and design, but so far there hasn't been any official way to do so.

At best this is bad optics and at worst it's an attempt to push something through that's sub-optimal.

[RaginRonic]

My last nerve is STILL raw as hell with what the International Longshoreman's Association did around the time that Irving wanted to plant their flag on that wharf.

What equivalent kind of anger did it create in me? The type below.



Though I can understand the ILA's position somewhat, I really don't like ANY organization that lives in the past, like they did then. Thankfully, Abel LeBlanc is no longer a meaningful social and union force in Saint John.

A new museum on Long Wharf would be a true star attraction. Those who disembark from the cruise ships which would float on up to the edge of that part of the Harbour would be in for a treat.

In terms of Market Square, they could take all that space back for retail, and maybe get the restaurant and store count back to what it was before the original food court, which was one of the most unique and cool features that Market Square had then, was removed back in late-1995 for the Museum's construction. But they could still keep a Museum satellite shop and the tide tower there, and build around it, and not even need to take down the facing.

And maybe put something in there like a ticket-redemption arcade and bowling centre on the 3rd floor just for a place for people to have some fun and win some prizes. =)

By the way, I've been a fan of WWE's UnderTaker, pictured above, since Sat., Feb. 29, 1992 at 12:43:12PM AST that afternoon. So, I used a pic of him above, because it's all I really know on that. > = )

[NB_ExistsToo]

Anyone know what's if there's anything going on Wellesley/Sommerset in North End? Diagonally from Joyce's Corner (Old Shell Gas location) had the chain linked fence removed this past week.

[ivegotaname]

any chance we get a passenger train or LRT ?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by ivegotaname

any chance we get a passenger train or LRT ?

Depends on what VIA's expansion plans are moving forward. Currently it looks like it's just going to be increased capacity and frequency on the Moncton-Halifax line. It's possible some VIA service could return to Saint John but what that would mean in terms of passenger train future I don't know.

If you're asking about commuter trains my answer would be no, at least for the foreseeable future.

[Fischbob]

Plans are in the works to restore the derelict building at the corner of Union and Charlotte. I found this conceptual render in this week's Council agenda -
it's currently a candidate for the Urban Development Incentives Program.


Source (page 235)

[JHikka]

Not only is it replacing the derelict building but it is also infilling the adjacent property.

That corner is the largest blight on Union. Updating it will go a long way to informing the casuals that drive down Union and bemoan Uptown's plight that things are going on.

[UptownJeff]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Not only is it replacing the derelict building but it is also infilling the adjacent property.

That corner is the largest blight on Union. Updating it will go a long way to informing the casuals that drive down Union and bemoan Uptown's plight that things are going on.

Great news. The old fire station down the block has also been sold and will be renovated.

[kwajo]

Thank goodness, that building is one of my favourites in the core and I was really lamenting its fall into disrepair over the last several years. I hope tis proposal comes to fruition, it'll be a great addition to Union and help frame one of the key entry points into Uptown [Coburg/Charlotte].

[Wolkenkratzerliebhab]

A while back Fischbob reported that Saint John was now available in 3D. I tried it and it worked great but does anyone know WHY IT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE?

Seems strange that Google apparently took it off, if they went to the trouble of scanning the city. It might be a technical issue, but, if so, it's been ongoing for a while now.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=120401&page=546

[Franco401]

Originally Posted by Wolkenkratzerliebhab

A while back Fischbob reported that Saint John was now available in 3D. I tried it and it worked great but does anyone know WHY IT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE?

Seems strange that Google apparently took it off, if they went to the trouble of scanning the city. It might be a technical issue, but, if so, it's been ongoing for a while now.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=120401&page=546

I noticed that when it happened a few weeks ago. I sent feedback asking why, but no reply.

[magee_b]

Originally Posted by Wolkenkratzerliebhab

A while back Fischbob reported that Saint John was now available in 3D. I tried it and it worked great but does anyone know WHY IT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE?

Seems strange that Google apparently took it off, if they went to the trouble of scanning the city. It might be a technical issue, but, if so, it's been ongoing for a while now.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=120401&page=546

The airport / Loch Lomond area, as well as most of KV are still in 3D, though those were the sections that randomly had it to begin with. They must have reverted the rest of the city back to the old imagery.

[SJLad]

Has anyone heard about when the public is going to be able see the UofT's students projects they did on Partridge Island? I would love to see what they came up with.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunsw...john-monica-adair-stephen-kopp-1.4307348

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by SJLad

Has anyone heard about when the public is going to be able see the UofT's students projects they did on Partridge Island? I would love to see what they came up with.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunsw...john-monica-adair-stephen-kopp-1.4307348

I don’t believe they have published anything yet, although I have seen a lot of great works-in-progress via instagram and twitter thus far, som really great ideas at play!

[SJLad]

Hey I found an old pic of that 1 Charlotte Street building. I'm glad it's no longer going to be neglected.

[JHikka]

There's some boarding up and preparatory work being done at Union/Charlotte. Looks like work has already begun.

[cdnguys]

SAINT JOHN – Developer Percy Wilbur has purchased a historic uptown property at the corner of Union Street and Charlotte Street and has begun renovations for a commercial and residential complex that will include a new building on the neighbouring vacant lot.
Wilbur first took an interest in the three-storey building at 1 Charlotte Street four years ago but decided it didn’t make financial sense to buy it at that time. “You just couldn’t get the rents to justify the purchase and renovation costs,” he said in an interview Wednesday.

But he recently changed his mind when the city informed the owner that the 150-year-old building had to be restored soon or torn down. Wilbur didn’t want to see building destroyed and he also realized that recent developments uptown made an investment in the Union Street area more attractive.

“I approached the gentleman who owned it, and we came to an agreement and I bought it,” said Wilbur. “It’s a beautiful building and I’ve been looking at it for so long. There’s just so much you could do with it and the structure itself is in really sound shape.”

In its heyday, the building was home to businesses like hatmaker Marr Millinery Co. and Charlotte Street itself was for decades a clothing retail hub before the development of the east side malls.

Wilbur says the city centre has become a hub once again and he believes buildings like his at Charlotte and Union can become part of that renewal.

“There are so many historic buildings that have to be saved from the wrecking ball,” he said. “There’s such a revival going on uptown – a lot of young professionals deciding to [live] uptown, a lot of new bars and restaurants. It’s a much different uptown core than it was five years ago.”

Developers like Keith Brideau have been renovating historic buildings south of Union for a few years now, but the movement to revitalize the core is starting to happen in the Union St. area now too. Saint John Non-Profit Housing tore down the jelly bean buildings in the spring and a new mixed-income housing development will be constructed in its place. Beth and Allen Blois are transforming another Union Street building into a loft-style home.

Saint John Mayor Don Darling says the Uptown is the fastest growing area of the city, and he believes Union Street will become a big part of that revival through developments like Wilbur’s.

“I believe Saint John has a real niche when it comes to an urban experience and clearly others are noticing with people enjoying and investing in this incredible quality of life,” said Darling in a note to Huddle on Facebook Messenger.

“I’m thrilled to see the expansion and new projects coming to life throughout the Penninsula and believe the Union Street corridor will see significant investment in 2018.”

Wilbur has started renovations on his new building and plans to preserve, and in some cases bring back its original distinctive features. He hasn’t firmed up interior design and structural plans because he keeps discovering features of the building that have been hidden for decades.

“Our plans change because there’s just so much beautiful character,” he says. “There’s cast-iron columns … with character and curves and flaring at the tops and bottoms. We were going to put in steel beams, but we said, ‘no way, let’s keep those original cast-iron columns.”

Wilbur says developers would have to custom-build columns like that now. “It would cost you a fortune,” he said.

“Someone had actually covered them with plywood,” said Wilbur, who was told they were originally built in a Saint John foundry. “We’re going to sandblast them and expose them and make them part of the character of the building like they were originally intended to be,” he said.

The building is structurally sound, he says, a positive reflection on the quality of the original workmanship. It may have fallen into disrepair, said Wilbur, but the cast-iron columns support the floors and ceilings.

Wilbur also found original timber joists. He mentioned one that is 16 inches by 16 inches. “That piece of wood was from a tree that’s [probably] 300 years old – dry as a bone and sound as can be,” he said.

Wilbur plans to restore the corner building and construct a new one on the lot next door. They will be attached and appear as two separate buildings from the outside. Inside, they will function as one building, with the bottom two floors (approximately 4,500-square feet) leased to a commercial business like an IT company or boutique law or accounting firm.

He also plans to construct two high-end apartments on the top floor. But he stressed that those plans could change. If there’s market demand, for example, he may make two floors of apartments rather than one.

Wilbur was planning to speak publicly about the purchase after he had firm plans to share. But it became apparent that he had begun work on the building and people started sharing the news – including a conceptual exterior design – on social media.

“I’m really glad for all of the positive feedback on social media,” he said. “I didn’t know there was that much interest in the building. It’s a pleasant surprise.”

Wilbur hopes to complete renovations by the fall of 2018.