The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[DyAm00394]

The North End Neighbourhood Plan concept renderings have been published online: https://shapeyourcitysaintjohn.ca/north-end-neighbourhood-plan

[cdnguys]

[IMG] create image album and share[/IMG]

[cdnguys]

Closed system glycol solution minimal water usage from city supply. Mid 2026 start if gets go ahead. 18 months construction.

[sailor734]

The ongoing job numbers are significantly more than I was expecting. Good News!

How was the tone? Torches and pitchforks out en mass?

[cdnguys]

[IMG][/IMG]

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by sailor734

The ongoing job numbers are significantly more than I was expecting. Good News!

How was the tone? Torches and pitchforks out en mass?

Parking lot was full. They had reps from Beacon AI, VoltaGrid and Stantec (who designed it). Lots of engagement with attendees asking thoughtful questions. There was a lot on information displayed and I didn’t get any negative vibes.

[cdnguys]

If my math is right, this would be a 5,227,200 square feet building.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

The North End Neighbourhood Plan concept renderings have been published online: https://shapeyourcitysaintjohn.ca/north-end-neighbourhood-plan

This far exceeded my wildest expectations for this plan. Kudos to the city planners for putting this one together. More of this!

I believe it was mentioned that, "Old North End" will be the new name for the unfortunately named "Indiantown" is this still the plan? If so, I hope the city reaches out to Google Maps to get the name updated as soon as possible.



Though, if a new name has yet to be set in stone, I think irisheyes' suggestion to simply rename the area as "Portland" is probably the best solution for the Indiantown name problem that I've heard yet.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by sailor734

The ongoing job numbers are significantly more than I was expecting. Good News!

How was the tone? Torches and pitchforks out en mass?

I believe the Save Lorneville group live streamed a large portion of the meeting on FB.

If ever there was a use for AI to give a summary of something.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

I believe the Save Lorneville group live streamed a large portion of the meeting on FB.

If ever there was a use for AI to give a summary of something.

Here’s your summary:
“We’re going to fight you every step of the way” (despite answering their questions in good faith for an hour)

Foolish questions like “who’s your financiers?” And accusing them of being speculators.

Best part - they will most likely open their back office uptown SJ and tradespeople will be paid at “global rate” $150-180k
$100,000,000 will be spent on concrete and $50,000,000 for steel. It will “move the needle” of development in SJ. They already rec’d 40 resumes and bunch of business cards from local businesses that want to grow with this project.

Residents asked what they want, because they want to give to the community.

This group of concerned residents will never be satisfied - they’re like a dog with a bone. Having said that, some in the crowd were thankful for the session

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

This far exceeded my wildest expectations for this plan. Kudos to the city planner for putting this one together. More of this!

I believe it was mentioned that, "Old North End" will be the new name for the unfortunately named "Indiantown" is this still the plan? If so, I hope the city reaches out to Google Maps to get the name updated as soon as possible.



Though, if a new name has yet to be set in stone, I think irisheyes' suggestion to simply rename the area as "Portland" is probably the best solution for the Indiantown name problem I've heard yet.

Google has the name Indiantown in a weird place on that map. To me it was always just the area immediately on the water at the foot of Main St. and along Bridge St.where the riverboats used to dock. Tugboats used to be laid up there for the winter back in the days of the winter port. I there is a small park there called Robertson Square now. I certainly don't consider the corner of Main and Douglas Ave as being in "Indiantown"

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Here’s your summary:
“We’re going to fight you every step of the way” (despite answering their questions in good faith for an hour)

Foolish questions like “who’s your financiers?” And accusing them of being speculators.

Best part - they will most likely open their back office uptown SJ and tradespeople will be paid at “global rate” $150-180k
$100,000,000 will be spent on concrete and $50,000,000 for steel. It will “move the needle” of development in SJ. They already rec’d 40 resumes and bunch of business cards from local businesses that want to grow with this project.

Residents asked what they want, because they want to give to the community.

This group of concerned residents will never be satisfied - they’re like a dog with a bone. Having said that, some in the crowd were thankful for the session

wow! This is all incredibly good news. That is a lot of on-going jobs and the volume of construction activity will bring tremendous amounts of money and spin-off to the city.

I can't remember in my lifetime a private investment in New Brunswick on this scale.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Here’s your summary:
“We’re going to fight you every step of the way” (despite answering their questions in good faith for an hour)

Foolish questions like “who’s your financiers?” And accusing them of being speculators.

Best part - they will most likely open their back office uptown SJ and tradespeople will be paid at “global rate” $150-180k
$100,000,000 will be spent on concrete and $50,000,000 for steel. It will “move the needle” of development in SJ. They already rec’d 40 resumes and bunch of business cards from local businesses that want to grow with this project.

Residents asked what they want, because they want to give to the community.

This group of concerned residents will never be satisfied - they’re like a dog with a bone. Having said that, some in the crowd were thankful for the session

Thanks

Did not anyone point out that the CEO is actually from Rothesay and not a Saint Johner? Or perhaps he clarified that he's a Rothesayite.

I don't know exactly what to think of Nathan Ough and VoltaGrid. On one hand this data centre is offering a huge investment in the Saint John economy that will create a lot of jobs and generate significant tax revenue, but on the other hand, I question why on site natural gas power generation solutions are necessary for this facility to operate, and wonder if these facilities will still be needed after a second reactor is built at Point Lepreau.

I've heard VoltaGrid's CEO is quite a Trump supporter, which isn't exactly the most popular stance in Canada, but I would like to evaluate this proposal on the basis of its economic impact, and not the political leanings of the CEO. This data centre will far outlive Donald Trump.

I did not watch the whole meeting, but I did watch some of it. The CEO of VoltaGrid was pretty much as I expected, and he seemed very committed to this project. The representative of BeaconAI seemed to be an Irish lad, but I didn't catch his title, so not sure if was as central a figure to BeaconAI as Mr. Ough is to VoltaGrid.

Putting politics, environmental questions, and controversy aside, this really must have been quite a proud moment for Mr. Ough to come back to the city next to his hometown and advocate for a multi billion project to be built in the region he grew up in. I'm sure we will be hearing lots from him on this project into the future. Glad he didn't forget where he came from.

[Bishop2047]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Thanks

Did no anyone point out the CEO for actually being from Rothesay and not an actual Saint Johner, or did he clarify that he's a Rothesayite?

I don't know exactly what to think of Nathan Ough and VoltaGrid. On one hand this data centre is offering a huge investment in the Saint John economy that will create a lot of jobs and generate significant tax revenue, but on the other hand, I question why on site natural gas power generation solutions are necessary for this facility to operate, and wonder if these facilities will still be needed after a second reactor is built at Point Lepreau.

I've heard VoltaGrid's CEO is quite a Trump supporter, which isn't exactly the most popular stance in Canada, but I would like to evaluate this proposal on the basis of its economic impact, and not the political leanings of the CEO. This data centre will far outlive Donald Trump.

I did not watch the whole meeting, but I did watch some of it. The CEO of VoltaGrid was pretty much as I expected, and he seemed very committed to this project. The representative of BeaconAI seemed to be an Irish lad, but I didn't catch his title, so not sure if was as central a figure to BeaconAI as Mr. Ough is to VoltaGrid.

Putting politics, environmental questions, and controversy aside, this really must have been quite a proud moment for Mr. Ough to come back to the city next to his hometown and advocate for a multi billion project to be built in the region he grew up in. I'm sure we will be hearing lots from him on this project into the future. Glad he didn't forget where he came from.

There are multiple reason to go with Natural Gas at a data centre. Some practical and some for optics https://www.powermag.com/data-centers-ar...te-long-lead-times-for-grid-connections/.

Main reasons are:

-As an alternative power source rather than relying on the grid. Especially important during outages.
-Less political. When rates go up people are less likely to blame the energy pig, that at least generates some of its' own required load.
-The site it close to NG capacity

[DyAm00394]

Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment RE : 421 Woodward Avenue

"Public Notice is hereby given that the Common Council of The City of Saint John intends to consider amending The City of Saint John Zoning By-law at its regular meeting to be held in the Council Chambers on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., by:

Rezoning a portion of a parcel of land having an area of approximately 16,355 square metres, located at 421 Woodward Avenue, also identified as PID 55002109, from Low-Rise Residential (RL) to Mid-Rise Residential (RM) as illustrated below.

REASON FOR CHANGE:

To permit multi-unit residential development, with one 6-storey building and one 4-storey building".

https://saintjohn.ca/en/news-and-notices/proposed-zoning-law-amendment-re-421-woodward-avenue-0

[bingun]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment RE : 421 Woodward Avenue



https://saintjohn.ca/en/news-and-notices/proposed-zoning-law-amendment-re-421-woodward-avenue-0

The building closer to Woodward Avenue is the one that has had its height reduced. 167 Units total now, I think it was 170 odd before? I assume they have increased the length of that building to compensate.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by bingun

The building closer to Woodward Avenue is the one that has had its height reduced. 167 Units total now, I think it was 170 odd before? I assume they have increased the length of that building to compensate.

Councillors that voted against it said it was too high, so not sure how they’ll vote with still having a 6 story building. It’s annoying, cities everywhere have mixed housing - cities are supposed to grow upwards. If I remember correctly, not all councillors were present so maybe they’ll have enough votes this time or a tie where mayor will vote for it (as she stated her support for this density on that lot)

[homebody]

Any movement on the development at Leinster St and Crown?

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by homebody

Any movement on the development at Leinster St and Crown?

Coincidentally permits to install plumbing for the apartment building were just registered on the building permits database yesterday.

[homebody]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

Coincidentally permits to install plumbing for the apartment building were just registered on the building permits database yesterday.

Thanks for the update. It seems like it’s been a standstill down there for a while now. Kinda hoping to see a crane for that one as well. Maybe I am a little anxious lol.