The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Helladog]

Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday February 27th, 2008

Things are looking up
Ward 2 Businessman is encouraged by many positive developments in the north end

Appeared on page C1

SAINT JOHN - Dan Joyce is encouraged by what he sees as a kinder, gentler version of what was once one of the roughest parts of town.

The longtime north end resident says the neighbourhoods of the old north end, Crescent Valley and Millidgeville - better known for election purposes as Ward 2 - were deserving of the reputation as rough turf many years ago. But times have changed, says Joyce, and Ward 2 residents are taking pride in their neighbourhoods, which is good news for everyone.

Joyce wasn't surprised to hear that road conditions and concerns about crime and drugs were the most frequent answers in a recent poll commissioned by the Telegraph-Journal on the issues of major concern to city residents.

Corporate Research Associates conducted the poll in late December and broke down the results according to the new ward boundaries that will be in place for the May 12 municipal election.

The polling firm asked respondents the following question: "In your opinion, what is the single most important issue facing your neighbourhood today?"

Road conditions and crime topped the results for Ward 2, both coming in at 12 per cent, followed by snow removal and garbage collection at nine per cent and environmental problems at seven per cent.

"There was a time when the north end was a rough place to go," Joyce said in a recent interview from the Ultramar service station he owns and operates on the corner of Somerset Street and Wellesley Avenue. "It was rough and tough and a lot of the bad cats in the city lived there. To this day, you sometimes still get a strange look when you tell people you live in the north end.

"But today, go down to Victoria Street or Adelaide Street and look at all the nice buildings they're putting up there. It's been cleaned up 100 per cent, maybe more. The people are really cleaning up the neighbourhood and looking after their properties. They're fighting against the drugs and the street crime."

Joyce says community groups such as the Crescent Valley citizens association are helping improve the quality of life all around the city.

"I'm impressed with the Crescent Valley (association) - I tip my hat to those folks," he said. "They've had some problems in that neighbourhood before, but the people who live there are working at making it better. Those are the people you need to have more of in the city."

An eternal optimist, Joyce doesn't have much time for people who complain just to hear themselves talk.

"I find that for the most part, people who do most of the whining and complaining today are the people who whine and complain about everything all of the time," he said. "Sure, our roads are pretty shabby right now, no question about it. But the crews are out all the time - there's a lot of roads and a lot of maintenance that needs to be done. They can't do everything at once."

Joyce says there were complaints in the north end when Irving Oil began construction of an office building across the intersection from his service station - a development he sees as very positive for the neighbourhood.

"I know that people like to complain about the Irvings, but they don't see all the things they do - some incredible things - to help people who need help," said Joyce. "They're putting up a building across the street from me, which was quite an eyesore for a few years. But they're going to put up a nice building, it will be well landscaped, it will look nice and it will improve the area. Everybody will feel better about the neighbourhood and they'll take better care of their homes. Everybody should be happy about it."

He says the community should do all it can to help those in need.

"There are some people who might be struggling with an addiction or stuck in a life of crime," said Joyce. "Let's do something for them to try to help them get out of that cycle. It's the same old story: treat them fair, treat them with respect and you'll get respect and fairness right back.

"You hear stories about those who've fallen off the path, but then someone gives them an opportunity and they make the most of it and get back on the right track - and they're usually better people because of it."

Joyce is proud of the progress he's seen in the north end over the past few years and he looks forward to an even brighter future.

"The north end has come a long way - a long, long way," he said. "And, yes, we still have some work to do. But it's the same old story. Everybody's got to help a little bit. One person or one group can't do it all. If everyone mowed the small patch of lawn on the other side of the sidewalk, it would give the city employees time to go do other things, the bigger things that need to be done. Everybody has to dig down deep and help out. And once they do that, and they see the results, automatically you're going to feel better and you're going to want to do it.

"It's a great place to live. I love it here and I'll be here until I die."

Centre lifts pressure on hospitals


Appeared on page C4

SAINT JOHN - The Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation met Monday at the Kings Way Care Centre in Quispamsis. It was a fitting location since the newly opened seniors' complex has taken pressure off the Saint John Regional Hospital and its bed crunch.

Patricia Crowdis, spokeswoman for the corporation, said as of Feb. 22 the nursing home accepted 16 patients from the Regional Hospital and 16 from St. Joseph's Hospital. The corporation was then able to transfer 14 patients from the Regional to St. Joe's, she said.

The state-of-the-art Kings Way Care Centre has a maximum capacity of 75 residents and already has a waiting list.

Some 30 nurses of the UNB graduating class have accepted positions with the corporation. The nursing students will graduate in May.

The Regional Hospital was also named as one of two repositories in the province for diagnostic imaging examinations. The records will be kept there as backups in electronic form.

The corporation has established a Language of Service Committee, whose members will examine better ways to provide services in both English and French. The committee will meet with the provincial Commissioner for Official Languages and the Department of Health to improve bilingual services.

The health corporation also joined with the Lancaster Kiwanis as part of the Health and Aging Falls Prevention Task Force. The service club will distribute "grit bags" to area seniors that they can use to make walking safer during the remaining icy winter months. The grit has been donated by Brookville Lime and the bags are small enough to be tucked in a pocket or purse. For the moment, the bags and the grit to refill each bag will only be supplied to certain west side locations. Approximately 40 per cent of seniors that fall and fracture a hip will never regain their independence and will eventually be placed in a nursing home.

In order to get at a younger demographic, the corporation will run a number of ads on the social networking utility Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlant...publique/69084

10204?ref=s or just search for Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation.

Reaching those 18-24 years old who are not enrolled in school has proved difficult in the past and it's hoped Facebook will help get the message out about vaccination programs and such to a younger more web savvy crowd.

The corporation has also refocused its efforts toward reducing the numbers of staff that smoke. It's estimated that 1,000 of the corporation's employees smoke and a new 12-week program will include financial assistance for nicotine replacement products.

[random11]

Derwin Gowan
Telegraph-journal

Appeared on page C4

SAINT JOHN - Don't take the wrong message from figures on January home sales, says Saint John realtor Gordon Breau.

The New Brunswick Real Estate Association reports total MLS sales in New Brunswick at $59.7 million last month, five per cent below the $63.1 million in January 2007.

"It's the weather in January and February," said Breau, president of Re/Max Professionals Saint John Inc. "I have a feeling March-April will be a catch-up month," he said, especially in the Saint John region.

The price of the average home in this area increased to $140,544 last year from $86,171 in 1997, Re/Max reported in its Decade in Review 1997-2007 report on Canadian housing prices.

That adds up to a an increase of 63.1 per cent over the decade, an annually compounded rate of 5.013 per cent.

That looks healthy, but the report says that Canada-wide home prices increased to an average of $307,265 from $154,606, an increase of 98.7 per cent over the decade or 7.11 per cent compounded annually.

These numbers mean that Saint John remains an affordable place to buy a house, Breau said. He compared Saint John to Edmonton, where prices increased 203.5 per cent over the decade and 11.74 per cent compounded annually, to $338,636 over the same decade.

He credits the more moderate increase here to the availability of housing in the Saint John region.

In this region 2,253 homes sold last year, up by 76.8 per cent from 1,274 in 1997.

Edmonton recorded higher gross numbers but the number of homes changing hands increased by only 56.9 per cent. In Winnipeg total home sales increased by only 11.7 per cent. Nationally sales increased by 57.3 per cent.

The Re/Max report places Saint John near the bottom of the list in terms of house prices, near the top in terms of the increase in total number sold over the decade. "In Saint John we're still getting a really good deal," Breau said. "Right now Saint John is a very affordable place to live; although prices are going up it is still a good thing to get into."

The growing economy drives housing prices upwards in the Saint John region, while the availability of land both in the city and the suburbs moderates the increase, Breau said.

Major retailers show their confidence in Saint John and region by building stores here, Breau said. "It's quite obvious they've looked at Saint John and think it's going to grow."

He said that low unemployment, consumer confidence, a growing industrial economy, low interest rates and aggressive marketing by mortgage lenders all push home sales.

"Everybody is quite confident," he said, "and we have a lot of people coming back."

[Helladog]

Uptown Traffic Vids...

[Helladog]

NB eager to apply for second reactor
Bullish Keir to tell nuclear industry N.B. 'open for business'

Rob Linke
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
Published Friday February 29th, 2008
Appeared on page A1

OTTAWA - Energy Minister Jack Keir is poised to tell leaders in Canada's nuclear industry today that the Graham government is eager to seek a site licence for a second reactor at Point Lepreau.

In the text of a keynote address to the Canadian Nuclear Association, Keir cautions that the provincial government is still reviewing a feasibility study submitted last month on a proposed 1,100-megawatt, next-generation Candu reactor.

But he also describes the provincial government as "bullish on nuclear" and "excited about proceeding with the next step on the nuclear file," which he says is applying to Canada's nuclear regulator for a site licence.

Keir's remarks make clear the review of Team Candu's feasibility study would deeply disappoint him and Premier Shawn Graham were it to contradict the study's conclusion that the project is feasible.

Team Candu - Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., the federal Crown corporation that makes Candu reactors, and SNC-Lavalin, Hitachi Canada, Babcock & Wilcox Canada and GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada, all private corporations - paid for the study, which found the reactor could generate competitively priced electricity and find the customers and transmission lines for it.

The study has not been made public.

"We, with Team Candu, plan on building the nuclear supply chain to service the market worldwide," says the text of Keir's speech, which he is scheduled to give at noon today at an Ottawa hotel. The Telegraph-Journal obtained a copy in advance.

"We are bullish on nuclear.

"Yes, we are - because we see the market opportunity as well as an acceptance by New Brunswickers on nuclear."

The speech invites nuclear suppliers that Keir's department is "open for business," and provides his phone number, e-mail address and the invitation "give us a call anytime."

A second reactor at Lepreau could create 4,000 jobs during construction and 500 permanent jobs to operate it.

It also presents an opportunity to make New Brunswick into a springboard of nuclear expertise for the export market AECL hopes will emerge abroad for sales of the ACR-1000, which is competing for contracts with rival reactor models from French and U.S. manufacturers, among others.

Keir also reinforces a message Graham gave to AECL and NB Power in a speech last week in Toronto: complete the $1.4-billion refurbishment of the existing reactor at Lepreau on time and on budget.

The reactor is due to go offline at the end of the month and return to service 18 months later, in September 2009, ready to pump out slightly more power, go offline less often and operate for another 25 years.

Achieving its goals is "critically important to the province's ratepayers," the speech says.

Lepreau is the first Candu 6 reactor in the world to undergo refurbishment. Keir says he has the utmost confidence AECL and NB Power will be on time and on budget, but adds "it is critical to their nuclear industry reputation, in my view."

Keir's speech also provides an overview of the other energy megaprojects underway or planned in the Saint John area, including the $1-billion Irving Oil-Repsol YPF Canaport LNG and the proposed $7-billion, 300-barrel-a-day second Irving Oil refinery.

He also lauds the province's progress in approving wind power projects and Efficiency New Brunswick, the energy conservation agency, whose residential programs have achieved the highest reduction of greenhouse gases per household of any province.

More than 500 members of the nuclear industry will have paid $500 each to register for the three-day event Keir's speech concludes.

[Helladog]

Some lofty ideas; but development none the less...

Nuclear reactor could produce hydrogen
Future Consultants' study shows viability of a second reactor

Rob Linke
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
Published Monday March 3rd, 2008
Appeared on page A1

OTTAWA - Just a few years ago, it would have seemed as futuristic as people strapping rocket packs to their backs for the daily commute to work.

Yet it's conceivable the electricity from a second nuclear reactor at Point Lepreau could be recharging the batteries of commuters' hybrid electric cars someday.

It could also produce hydrogen in large quantities for use by the Irving Oil refinery to improve the lower-quality crude that's all the world's oil industry has left to refine a few decades from now.

Eventually, hydrogen from Lepreau could even replace gasoline and diesel as the fuel fleets of vehicles fill their tanks with.

All these scenarios are outlined in a consultants' study on the viability of a second reactor, under the heading "other markets for nuclear."

The study, by MZ Consulting Inc., was commissioned by the provincial government and obtained by the Telegraph-Journal under right to information legislation.

Researchers see several significant opportunities emerging over the next three decades - well within the lifespan of a second reactor - for nuclear power to be used as a co-generation technology, says the study.

The opportunity most applicable to Saint John, as an emerging cluster of energy-related facilities, would be to use the electricity from Lepreau to produce hydrogen for use in transportation and oil refining.

If both the proposed second reactor and a second Irving Oil refinery go ahead, the Saint John region would be home to more than 1,700 megawatts of nuclear power and 600,000 barrels a day in oil production.

Just last November, Bruce Power Alberta and the Canadian Hydrogen Association signed a deal to study using excess electricity from nuclear plants during off-peak periods to create hydrogen.

The process involves electrolysis of water, and is more economical and, in one way, environmentally friendly than the most common way of creating hydrogen.

Most hydrogen produced today is made from steam reforming of natural gas, a process that creates carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas.

"The rapidly-growing demand for hydrogen favours technologies with low fuel costs, and the scale of hydrogen demand is appropriate to its production by nuclear reactors," says the study.

Nuclear power lends itself to road transportation in two ways, says the study.

First, hybrid electric vehicles could plug in to the power grid during off-peak periods, such as overnight, for recharging.

The vehicles - already available but more costly than the typical car - are expected to become more popular as the technology improves and fossil fuels climb in price.

In widespread use, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles recharging overnight would add to predictable, off-peak demand of electricity. That would mean a higher proportion of overall electricity use would come from the nuclear plants, which are lower-cost base load generators and do not in themselves emit greenhouse gases.

Second, the hydrogen is useful in oil refining and for fuel cell vehicles.

Adding hydrogen in the refining process can increase the product yield from each barrel of oil.

"This is becoming increasingly important with the decreasing quality of crude oil," says MZ Consulting's study.

Research and development on hydrogen and heavy oils is a potential centre of excellence, it says.

Actually powering vehicles with hydrogen is a long way off, as it faces such obstacles as creating a network of readily-available hydrogen for fill-ups.

The author of the MZ Consulting study, Terry Thompson, said he had not talked to Irving Oil about future use of hydrogen.

NB Power says it is not yet planning for the future production of hydrogen.

That still leaves the study predicting "a significant increase in electricity demand likely due to wider adoption of plug-in hybrid cars."

Charging them from electrical outlets will be cheaper than using their gas-fuelled engines, it says.

And this new demand is "well within the planning horizons for new generating plants."

An Advanced Candu reactor of the type proposed for Lepreau is predicted to have an operating life of 50 years, with mid-life replacement of key components.That could mean a reactor online in 2017 is still in use in 2066.

[SAINT JOHN CONTINUES TO SHOW GROWTH]

07:25:11:

THE RBC CANADIAN CITY TRENDS REPORT IS SHOWING SOME ENCOURAGING NUMBERS FOR SAINT JOHN. NOT ONLY HAS THE CITY LED THE NATION FOR JOB GROWTH AT 9.5% FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS, IT HAS ALSO LED THE NATION IN SERVICE SECTOR EMPLOYMENT GAINS. MAYOR MCFARLANE IS VACATIONING IN FLORIDA THIS WEEK AND TELLS CHSJ NEWS, SEEING HOUSING STARTS JUMP 203 PER CENT IS HUMBLING.

MCFARLANE SAYS THE CITY IS STILL ONLY IN THE INFANTCY STAGES OF GROWTH WITH THE PREDICTED ENERGY BOOM ON ITS WAY:

[kwajo]

All this good news makes me want to move back to Saint John sooner rather than later (I was previously planning on returning during the Summer of 2009). I mean if the jobs are supposedly there, I should get there early and try to beat the rush.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by kwajo

All this good news makes me want to move back to Saint John sooner rather than later (I was previously planning on returning during the Summer of 2009). I mean if the jobs are supposedly there, I should get there early and try to beat the rush.

In what field?

[Seely32]

Tait subjects himself to more ridicule


JOHN CHILIBECK
PUBLIC EYE
Published Monday March 3rd, 2008
Appeared on page C1

Saint John city councillor Glen Tait has endured a lot of ridicule, and his latest letter to common council doesn't help one bit.

He wrote it following a debate two weeks ago over the proposed new police headquarters. Tait is a key member of the police-justice steering committee and hell-bent on the construction of a large, low-rise building in the city centre, along with private side development that will knock down some of Saint John's most historic buildings.

In the heat of the debate, Tait promised he had questions for Deputy Mayor Michelle Hooton, the Saint John Arts Centre board of directors and Telegraph-Journal publisher James C. Irving, many of whom favor public consultations before the development goes ahead.

He said he'd submit his queries for tonight's council session.

But guess what? In his submission, Tait says he won't bother asking questions anymore. Instead, he wrote a two-page rant scolding people for holding up the $20-million project. He compares Saint John with Quispamsis, which is about to build a multimillion-dollar sports facility, and Fredericton, with its big plans for a convention centre.

"It appears that the major difference is that no lobbyist groups or individuals with their own agenda, election or re-election ploys, have attempted to delay their visions and priorities with entirely new ones that could stall the process," he wrote.

"Or if they were faced with this, they obviously had the leadership, team spirit and integrity to support identified priorities as being in the best interest of the community, rather than thwart the process with new agendas. They have been consistent in ensuring that their major long-standing priorities will reach fruition in their term, rather than pass them on to a new council to redundantly study, rehash, change, or delete, costing taxpayers additional dollars!"

It's clear from the letter Tait wants the headquarters built as quickly as possible.

But he doesn't explain why his secretive committee decided for everyone that north of Union Street was the best location, nor does he make it clear why critics are costing taxpayers more money. Instead, he seems bent on some vague conspiracy theory.

Public and critical feedback have produced a lot of valuable ideas: some have suggested integrating heritage architecture into the new buildings, while Uptown Saint John has proposed making the footprint of the police HQ smaller, building up rather than flat. People have called for pedestrian-friendly spaces and bike lanes. Some have even had the gall to suggest the headquarters would be more suitable in a dead space like the old Downey Ford property on Crown Street, right beside the throughway. How terrible is that?

The former fire chief has distinguished himself by other noteworthy flashes of arrogance. Early in the mandate, he joined the city's pension board as a council representative, a questionable decision given that he's a retiree with a healthy city pension and there was already a retiree representative on the board. Over the term, the board didn't erase the deficit plaguing the fund, and Saint John taxpayers were forced to shell out an extra $19 million.

Tait and the board then made themselves laughing stocks by trying to sue city councillor John Ferguson, elevating him from pension critic to martyr in many taxpayers' eyes. The board has already lost the first round in court and is trying to appeal, throwing more money down the drain.

Midway through his term, one of Tait's e-mails was leaked. In it, he told fellow council members that he purposely misled a reporter about closed-door discussions and recommend they do the same. Instead of behaving properly, he chose to deceive a reporter, and in so doing, the public.

His latest harangues do little to regain people's respect. How else can one judge his threat that the arts centre move and the Carnegie building, a public institution for more than 100 years, be turned into part of the police headquarters?

His pet project is not turning out exactly the way he wanted it to, so he runs down the motives of people suggesting improvements, and failing that, he threatens them.

If the headquarters is a no go, Tait has only himself and the rest of the police-justice committee to blame for thinking they could do as they jolly well pleased.

John Chilibeck is a Telegraph-Journal reporter. He writes about issues that affect the Saint John region. He can be reached at chilibeck.john@telegraphjournal.com or by calling 645-3267. His column appears on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

[Seely32]

Originally Posted by Seely32

Tait subjects himself to more ridicule


JOHN CHILIBECK
PUBLIC EYE
Published Monday March 3rd, 2008
Appeared on page C1

Saint John city councillor Glen Tait has endured a lot of ridicule, and his latest letter to common council doesn't help one bit.

He wrote it following a debate two weeks ago over the proposed new police headquarters. Tait is a key member of the police-justice steering committee and hell-bent on the construction of a large, low-rise building in the city centre, along with private side development that will knock down some of Saint John's most historic buildings.

When did this area become one of the most historic parts of the city. Before this fiasco no one gave a shit about the area and it was rundown and no one was ever in the area aside from the arts centre.

This makes me beyond angry if it was so historic why was it not part of the trinity heritage area. Why was this not immeadiately protested against when it was part of the original areas suggested. Just because A building is older and some people of relative importance to a select group of people lived ther e does not make able to be razed. This just makes no sense the longer the city takes to build this the less likely it is to get started. I'll be damned if a small group of over spoken people with their own agenda hamper growth in my city.

end rant.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by Seely32

When did this area become one of the most historic parts of the city. Before this fiasco no one gave a shit about the area and it was rundown and no one was ever in the area aside from the arts centre.

This makes me beyond angry if it was so historic why was it not part of the trinity heritage area. Why was this not immeadiately protested against when it was part of the original areas suggested. Just because A building is older and some people of relative importance to a select group of people lived ther e does not make able to be razed. This just makes no sense the longer the city takes to build this the less likely it is to get started. I'll be damned if a small group of over spoken people with their own agenda hamper growth in my city.

end rant.

My thoughts exactly, where was everyone last year when these buildings were still part of the run down lot? Up to this point, if any developer or individual wanted to buy and protect the structures they could have done so. If a large number of ppl really want to save some of them, that is fine, but there is a HUGE cost to renovate these buildings, not to mention most of them have been modified by having vinyl siding, bricked up windows or by being just plain dumpy.

Another thing: what possible use would these buildings have if saved? Usually development follows demand, and the idea these things should be part of the development just for the sake of keeping them makes no sense. Renovating costs aside, modifying them to become a useful part of the project will cost even more. I don't know about most people, but I'd rather can the vinyl siding facing Union for some nicer building materials.

Can you imagine if our police station was in an old church or a vinyl sided house?

It'd be funny to see how quickly the debate would go away if they decided to build elsewhere, while the old buildings just sat and decayed for another hundred years...

Some of the folks at city hall get beaten up by the newspaper for having leadership qualities. It's these ppl that are willing to listen to the majority and do what needs to be done. Others pussyfoot around, trying to make everyone happy. Others still are using this and their relationship to the paper and JD Irving to gain positive publicity for the upcoming election. Anyone who reads the paper sees who can do no wrong in the reporter's eyes.

[Helladog]

This is an example of the kind of building you find on Union Street. This building is not part of the North of Union area, but this demonstrates the lack of inconsistencies in heritage preservation in SJ. Keep in mind, to the best of my knowledge, this is a well kept building- I believe it is a luxury apt building???

Note the boarded up store front and the plastic window coverings on the bottom floor. Because this isn't part of the NoU development area, no one cares. Why isn't anyone racing to preserve and enhance this building? The customary bricked up windows, and ugly modification kind of take away from any architectural features it may have had.

I'm thinking it is left this way by it's owner since it would take major bucks to bring it to it's former splendor. If this was part of NoU, it would be the center of the TJ's case for creating arguments and the heritage ppl would have a field day with it. So here it sits looking all wonderful and cared for like all the other buildings in it's vicinity.

[Ottawa]

Canadian NEB rejects LNG terminal pipe route, offers alternatives

Washington (Platts)--4Mar2008

Canada's National Energy Board decided Monday to reject a portion of a
pipeline route proposed by Emera Brunswick Pipeline, based on the objections
of Galbraith Construction and Galbraith Equipment, the regulator said.

The NEB issued a certificate to Brunswick Pipeline on May 31, 2007
approving the construction and operation of a 145-kilometer pipeline with a
30-inch diameter.

It would run from the proposed 1 Bcf/d Canaport LNG facility at Mispec
Point in Saint John to a point on the US-Canadian border near St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

The decision relates to the section of Brunswick Pipeline's proposed
route, where it crosses two properties owned by Galbraith in the western part
of Saint John, New Brunswick, between South Bay and Churchill Heights.

The NEB said a better route appears to be either a southeast alternate or
a northwest alternate similar to ones proposed by Galbraith Construction. The
latter alternative would be slightly different to that proposed by Galbraith,
NEB said.

Repsol YPF holds Canaport's entire capacity, which can peak to 1.25
Bcf/d, plus the right to market all the regasified LNG from the facility to
the US and major Canadian markets.

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by Ottawa

Canadian NEB rejects LNG terminal pipe route, offers alternatives

Washington (Platts)--4Mar2008

Canada's National Energy Board decided Monday to reject a portion of a
pipeline route proposed by Emera Brunswick Pipeline, based on the objections
of Galbraith Construction and Galbraith Equipment, the regulator said.

The NEB issued a certificate to Brunswick Pipeline on May 31, 2007
approving the construction and operation of a 145-kilometer pipeline with a
30-inch diameter.

It would run from the proposed 1 Bcf/d Canaport LNG facility at Mispec
Point in Saint John to a point on the US-Canadian border near St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

The decision relates to the section of Brunswick Pipeline's proposed
route, where it crosses two properties owned by Galbraith in the western part
of Saint John, New Brunswick, between South Bay and Churchill Heights.

The NEB said a better route appears to be either a southeast alternate or
a northwest alternate similar to ones proposed by Galbraith Construction. The
latter alternative would be slightly different to that proposed by Galbraith,
NEB said.

Repsol YPF holds Canaport's entire capacity, which can peak to 1.25
Bcf/d, plus the right to market all the regasified LNG from the facility to
the US and major Canadian markets.

Well this finally answers the eternal question: Who's views are more important, Galbraith Construction or The Friends of Rockwood Park?

[Helladog]

Sad but true.

[Helladog]

MISC CONSTRUCTION PIX

A small sample of the Millidgeville area housing projects:

































Somerset Street Offices:







East Point - Starbucks and Montanas:

[nwalbert]

Great pictures!! You actually have a picture of my new house being built right now. I wont mention which photo in case I annoy someone on this forum with my opinion.

I grew up in Saint John, but have lived the last 7 years in Fredericton and have finally had the opportunity to move back to this city. I had always wanted to move back and now that things are really booming here I am so happy to be back in the city. The attitudes of people in the city seem to have really changed for the better, and it is clear we are on the verge of really making positive things happen in this city.

Thanks again for the great photos, I look forward to being a member of this forum.

[kwajo]

Master Plan unveiled
for Fort LaTour site


Saint John (New Brunswick) – After some 30 years of education and progressive awareness efforts towards one of Saint John’s greatest historical assets, the Fort LaTour Development Authority has unveiled today a master plan of action for the harbour front site.


Images for publication or broadcast:
Please contact Ted.Parise@arcf-sj.org

Over the past few years, there has been growing interest in the Fort Latour site, a National Historic site located in the heart of Saint John’s harbour, along the pathway of the new Harbour Passage trail system.

The Fort LaTour Development Authority has established a long time ago that the site constitutes one of the Port City’s greatest community, historical, cultural and tourism opportunity. Although everyone was well aware of the tremendous potential of the site, the Development Authority chose to retain the services of a consultant to better determine the future orientation of the site’s development while taking into account both opportunities and sensitive issues whether environmental, archaelogical or financial.

The final report submitted by the consultant includes a proposed master plan presenting a three phased approach to the development and interpretation of the Fort LaTour site. Preleminary calculations have shown that the total cost associated with the development of the site would reach in the area of 3 million dollars. It is estimated that the new developped site would attract some 25 000 visitors every year and create considerable additionnal tourism revenus for the Metro Saint John Region.

Phase I entails a 1.6 million dollars investment to create the critical mass of infrastructures required to attract, hold and entertain visitors in a way which will offer a memorable heritage experience. The project includes the refurbishment of the small wharf and shoreline protection, the reconstitution of part of the fort away from the original mound location respecting the buffer zone established for the native burial sites, an interpretive plaza with sign panels and media players, an amphitheatre for 125 to 250 people, an off-site washroom building, a commemorative plaque on a stone cairn, pathways, landscape, lighting and site beautification which complement the Harbour Passage and finally, guides in period costumes offering hands-on interpretation.

Phase II will require an additional 1 million dollars to complete the fort reconstitution, a new interpretive plaza with a sculpture of the heroine Françoise Marie Jacquelin, better known as Madame LaTour. Phase III includes an archaelogical dig experience under a protective geodesic dome for an estimated $200 000.

Implementation of the recommendations has been planned over three phases in order to allow progressive fund raising while entailing the start of the long awaited site development. The Fort Latour Development Authority would like to see the fist phase started next summer. A fundraising campaign will be launched in the next coming months in order to achieve this goal.

Buried underneath an earthen mound on the shore of the Saint John Harbour lie the remains of 4000 years of occupation. The small parcel of land, also known as Portland Point, was able to be spared from the pressure of 20th century Development. Archaelogical significance of the site was first recognized in 1923 when it was designated a National Historic Site and in 1976 when the Province of New Brunswick designated the site for protection under the Historic Sites Development Act.

- 30 -

Presented by the Fort LaTour Development Authority
in collaboration with ARCf de Saint-Jean and
the New Brunswick Museum.

Source: Ted Parisé, Director of Public Relations
Tél: 506.658.4605 Fax: 506.658.3984
tparise@arcf-sj.org

What ever happened to this project? It sounds like a pretty good plan for the site, especially with Harbour Cleanup finally making the water seem "friendly" at long last. I'm assuming it got stalled due to lack of money, but were there any other reasons?

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Great pictures!! You actually have a picture of my new house being built right now. I wont mention which photo in case I annoy someone on this forum with my opinion.

I grew up in Saint John, but have lived the last 7 years in Fredericton and have finally had the opportunity to move back to this city. I had always wanted to move back and now that things are really booming here I am so happy to be back in the city. The attitudes of people in the city seem to have really changed for the better, and it is clear we are on the verge of really making positive things happen in this city.

Thanks again for the great photos, I look forward to being a member of this forum.

Welcome to the forum; welcome baq to SJ.

[Seely32]

A win for Y and city

JOHN CHILIBECK
PUBLIC EYE
Published Wednesday March 5th, 2008
Appeared on page C1

As an institution, it has one of the richest histories in the city. The YMCA-YWCA has offered low-cost education and physical activity to Saint Johners off all stripes for more than 150 years. But lately, it hasn't had a proper home - the workout facilities and day care are in an old mall, and its other important services are scattered elsewhere.

The membership has dropped to about 1,000. To win people back, the Y wants to build anew in the city core. On its top five list is north of Union Street, the coveted area where the city plans to construct a police station.

CEO Pat Davis said Tuesday the Y had whittled down the best sites after a special committee last fall came up with 30 different spots across the city.

The top five are all in the central area because the Y wants to make the new building as accessible as possible for people living east, west, north or south. That means it also needs to be within walking distance for people without cars.

Davis wouldn't divulge the other sites, but she confirmed that north of Union Street was one of them.

It might seem odd the Y would covet an area it just left. The organization sold its building on Hazen Avenue to the province, which knocked it down to build new courthouses. Davis insists the province's decision to forgive the Y's property tax debt had nothing to do with the sale, although it did provide the non-profit group a small kitty for its building fund.

The Y wanted out, she says, because its old building had a rotten roof and too many stairwells and narrow hallways. It also had big plans to build directly beside the Canada Games Aquatic Centre and take over the city's pool. Then the Y's national experts shot the idea down as too costly.

Shortly after, the Y entered purgatory at Prince Edward Square Mall.

The north of Union spot, however, is a little too popular. The city wants to build a new police headquarters and parking garage there, spending $4.4 million this year alone in acquiring properties. The municipality also wants to build an $18-million parking garage.

Given the outcry over saving nearby heritage buildings, it's doubtful a police headquarters, Y and parking garage could all be crammed into the existing surface parking lots in the area.

The official line is that a new police headquarters will attract other developers, such as a condo builder. But from a sound business perspective, more homeowners would want to live near a Y than a police station. They'd rather work out or have handy day care than listen to sirens or catch too many glimpses of the worst the city has to offer - the bad guys.

A Y would also add to the neighbourhood's dynamism - the Saint John Arts Centre is right next door, so rather than becoming a police-justice complex - which sounds just short of a prison - the area would turn into a vibrant place for different walks of life.

As for a parking garage, the Y wants in. Parking is a priority for the organization because, as Davis puts it, "seniors need to be a short walking distances, and a mom with two babes in tow should not be forced to walk five blocks." The YMCA-YWCA's new building in Moncton made room for plenty of parking with excellent results: its membership went from a paltry 800 to a whopping 7,000. Saint John Y officials believe they could also partner to build a parking garage and either incorporate or put it right beside a new building.

The Y needs help from the three levels of government to raise money for its new facility. As part of the partnership, could the city donate its land north of Union to the Y in lieu of funding? "It certainly could," said Davis, who's quick to mention that the Y board is keeping all its doors open.

But if the Y replaced the police headquarters, what would happen to Saint John's finest?

One solution would be to build the police station closer to the throughway, better for emergency response. An obvious choice is the old, largely empty Downey Ford site, which the city looked at briefly for its new Saint John Transit bus garage.

The seven-acre property is available for $4 million, says owner Archie Downey. "It would be an excellent site for the police headquarters," he said Tuesday. "But I understand they've already made a decision."

The cost, it appears, is much lower than the north of Union properties, with room for other city developments. There's also the expropriation card the city can play if it really wants to get down to business.

The majority of common council is dead set on the police headquarters north of Union, but a new crew will be elected in May that could change direction.

With enough imagination, the Y-police headquarters flip could turn into the kind of success story the community is yearning for - including the generations to come.

[homebody]

I must say the posts here have been quite good lately. Thanks to all. I see a few posts back pictures of Eastpoint. Drove by there today and happened to notice what looks like construction beginning in front of the new Hampton Inn and beside the new Indigo. Rumours anyone?