The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Helladog]

I’m not saying this is an ideal location and probably not big enough for a museum, but the Peel Plaza parking garage is capable of supporting 2-3 additional storys which could at least be used for something someday. I think the garage is too ugly to be a home for a nice museum anyway, but just a thought.

[ColSJ]

At the growth committee meeting, it was revealed there are a little over 100 units worth of projects about to receive work permits. I'm guessing Acquirius Towers would be one, 461 Millidge Ave would be another, and maybe 166 Leinster? That would be around ~110ish.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by JakeNB

I am resigned to the apparent fact that the Museum board will make the same mistake that was made with the siting of the hospital and UNBSJ and we will miss a generational opportunity to develop our uptown core. Sydney Opera house is not in the suburbs. Meanwhile we will be left with undeveloped Fundy Quay for 10+ years.

^This worries me too

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

Fallsview is a looooot bigger than just the part that faces the mill, that whole part of the city between Reversing Falls and Millidgeville is criminally underestimated by the residents of Saint John. Marble Cove, the Narrows, Milford, etc. are all incredible scenic areas with massive potential and possibly the best sunsets in the region - admittedly challenging topography too, but stunning nonetheless.

Don’t let the reputation and a few small problems with old building stock distract from a piece of of the city that is minutes from the city centre, well-serviced, and still has waterfront development potential. A lot of cities would kill to have that in their back pocket.

Fine but it's not the location for a what should become a cultural icon for the city. Saint John is far too small to scatter things like this isolated from the city core.

[Ottawa]

Originally Posted by JakeNB

I am resigned to the apparent fact that the Museum board will make the same mistake that was made with the siting of the hospital and UNBSJ and we will miss a generational opportunity to develop our uptown core. Sydney Opera house is not in the suburbs. Meanwhile we will be left with undeveloped Fundy Quay for 10+ years.

My preference is right at the tip of the central peninsula. That would help balance the view of the uptown from at least the west side, and provide an iconic structure for cruise ships, the Digby ferry, and every other visitor that comes to the city by boat. It has been vacant land for decades waiting for just such a use. The view of the port, and the open Bay of Fundy could not be better. It would entice cruise guests to walk the short distance to visit it. And that might encourage them to explore further. What else is bringing people to visit the waterfront in the south end? That land has to be used for something. If not this, then it is likely to be a lesser building that will inhabit a very, very prime site in the city. I'll leave it to the design geniuses to come up with the iconic design. I am expecting something that doesn't exist anywhere else right now, and something that can inspire other buildings in the south end.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by Ottawa

My preference is right at the tip of the central peninsula. That would help balance the view of the uptown from at least the west side, and provide an iconic structure for cruise ships, the Digby ferry, and every other visitor that comes to the city by boat. It has been vacant land for decades waiting for just such a use. The view of the port, and the open Bay of Fundy could not be better. It would entice cruise guests to walk the short distance to visit it. And that might encourage them to explore further. What else is bringing people to visit the waterfront in the south end? That land has to be used for something. If not this, then it is likely to be a lesser building that will inhabit a very, very prime site in the city. I'll leave it to the design geniuses to come up with the iconic design. I am expecting something that doesn't exist anywhere else right now, and something that can inspire other buildings in the south end.

This is my take too. It's got to be on the peninsula. Right close to the cruise ship terminals. A design that brings the attention of people that becomes apart of Saint John as an unique building. Not saying it needs to look the same but think of Vancouver with Canada Place and The Science Museum. Iconic looking buildings.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

This is my take too. It's got to be on the peninsula. Right close to the cruise ship terminals. A design that brings the attention of people that becomes apart of Saint John as an unique building. Not saying it needs to look the same but think of Vancouver with Canada Place and The Science Museum. Iconic looking buildings.

I agree. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the city of Saint John to define itself. It is a no brainer that it should be located on the peninsula and within walking distance for the cruise ship passengers. The building must be iconic, which means it needs a large footprint to allow it to showcase itself. Visibility is paramount here. The south end of the uptown peninsula would be ideal. If the building were iconic, it would be the first thing cruise ship passengers would see as they sail inti the port.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

This is my take too. It's got to be on the peninsula. Right close to the cruise ship terminals. A design that brings the attention of people that becomes apart of Saint John as an unique building. Not saying it needs to look the same but think of Vancouver with Canada Place and The Science Museum. Iconic looking buildings.

I agree with the posts above. 1. It should be an iconic statement building and 2. It's location should be prominent and allow it to feed off the synergy of the urban core to help drive visitor numbers.

That is assuming that a site can be identified and obtained that meets the other criteria ( space, truck/bus access etc etc)

For anyone who is interested the segment of Information Morning with the board chair and the architect is now up.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-2...-museum-board-chooses-architectural-firm

[cdnguys]

Interesting paragraph from a CBC article:

The three newcomers are part of a recent swell of immigration to Saint John, which has been fuelled in part by refugees. According to data released by Statistics Canada in early 2023, Saint John's population grew by 1,759 residents between July 2022 and January 2023.

I know I’m not imagining things, the city seems more crowded/busier. Hopefully it continues!

[cdnguys]

At east point there is a footing course dug just to the left of Pet Smart, about the same size of PetSmart itself. Anyone know what’s going there, or if it’s related to the 14 story building starting soon to the left of it?

[ColSJ]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Interesting paragraph from a CBC article:

The three newcomers are part of a recent swell of immigration to Saint John, which has been fuelled in part by refugees. According to data released by Statistics Canada in early 2023, Saint John's population grew by 1,759 residents between July 2022 and January 2023.

I know I’m not imagining things, the city seems more crowded/busier. Hopefully it continues!

Regrettably there is an error in the timeline. This is July 2021 to July 2022 numbers that were released in January of 2023.

[ivegotaname]

Was day dreaming the other day but I'm sure this is nonsense but I saw the store Kohls at East Point and a college/uni down near TDBank in at least 5 years time. Is UNBSJ thinking of putting a division somewhere else? Kohl's is a store only found in USA so a few factors would have to happen. We secede join USA or Hudson Bay Company acquires it like they tried last summer

[sailor734]

Plan for major upgrades/additions (3.5 million) to the Y's Glen Carpenter Centre at Ashburn Lake announced in today's TJ.

I'd post a link but of course....paywall.

[CharlotteCountyLogan]

This is from the Hapag-Lloyd website regarding the AL5 service to Saint John. "MV NYK Romulus V065E and MV NYK Constellation V094E to make private calls to St John, Canada on May 5, 2023 and May 13, 2023 respectively". So it seems that it isn't going to be a regularly scheduled call

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by CharlotteCountyLogan

This is from the Hapag-Lloyd website regarding the AL5 service to Saint John. "MV NYK Romulus V065E and MV NYK Constellation V094E to make private calls to St John, Canada on May 5, 2023 and May 13, 2023 respectively". So it seems that it isn't going to be a regularly scheduled call

There is the NYK Demeter also later this month. The schedule just exploded last day or so with an update on ships. The new cranes must be in operation in May because there are double booked days and day after another visits. The first double booked day is April 27th - the first NYK ship. Because it’s quite larger than what normally comes here, I wonder if that will be the first ship using new cranes. Romulus and Constellation are also on double booked days.

[DyAm00394]

Saint John development numbers trending higher than normal

https://www.country94.ca/2023/04/14/saint-john-development-numbers-trending-higher-than-normal/

"Saint John saw a positive first quarter in terms of development numbers, according to city staff.

Amy Poffenroth, the city’s director of permitting and development, presented an update to council’s growth committee on Tuesday.

Poffenroth said the city received 121 building permits between January and March with a construction value of $39.6 million.

That was well above the five-year average of 109 building permits with a construction value of $25.1 million.

“We’re almost $15 million higher in construction value than what the average would be for the same period of time the last five years,” said Poffenroth.

When it comes to residential units, city staff said 63 units were added during the first quarter, up from the five-year average of 44.

Poffenroth said 18 projects with over 1,700 new units are currently in the development queue, with many of those currently in the construction phase.

“We have just over 100 units being currently reviewed for building permit applications and over 400 units currently under construction with active building projects,” she said.

Coun. Brent Harris asked how many of those units currently under construction could be finished by the end of 2023.

Poffenroth noted that at least 100 of the units are getting “very close” to completion at this point.

“I’d say well over 100 by the end of this year,” she said in response to Harris.

In 2022, a total of 260 units had been created as of the end of November, which was slightly above the five-year average of 253".

[adamuptownsj]

The last vacant space SE of PetSmart in East Point is fenced off and partially excavated with an excavator onsite. This is in addition to the apartment buildings further southeast. I presume it has zoning pre-approval or staff approval.

Also, the Suwanna is moving. No idea where to. Uptown would be sweet. I think the ground floor of the Wellington is supposed to have a restaurant tenant.

[RaginRonic]

An idea I just had for a new Museum site Uptown...

Site: Corner of King Square North & Sydney, if the Irvings surrendered control of the former Dominion/Mr. Grocer building for demolition and also gave up the parking lot behind that structure.

It would then give plenty of room for a new, multi-floor museum that would still be connected to the city core.

Again, just floating a thought.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

An idea I just had for a new Museum site Uptown...

Site: Corner of King Square North & Sydney, if the Irvings surrendered control of the former Dominion/Mr. Grocer building for demolition and also gave up the parking lot behind that structure.

It would then give plenty of room for a new, multi-floor museum that would still be connected to the city core.

Again, just floating a thought.

I believe the parking lot is owned by Paul Daeres (who owns building Service NB is the tenant).

[ColSJ]

It was posted on Retail Talk & Share with pictures, Aquarius Towers has officially broken ground. That’s an additional 55 units now under construction in the city.