[Joe]

Some of the ships, some along Water St./foot of King/Market Square. Some are reptitive, but oh well.


http://s367.photobucket.com/albums/oo111/JoeSJ/Cruise%20Ships%20in%20Port/

[Helladog]

Nice shots Joe.

[SJTOKO]

....edit

[SJTOKO]

ZHib1uAUzdI

[kwajo]

I noticed late yesterday that the cladding is starting to go up on the Market Square expansion. It looks good, but not as metallic bronze as I was expecting, I'd say it's far more understated in tone and finish. Still wish it was at least twice as tall, but a good project none-the-less.

[mylesmalley]

Refinery refit to create hundreds of jobs in NB
September 11, 2009 - 7:01 am
By: News 91.9 Staff


SAINT JOHN, NB - Just months after announcing it would not proceed with a second refinery project, Irving Oil will announce details today of a major refinery refit.

The multi-million dollar project will employ up to 18-hundred workers.

Details will be released at a news conference this morning but Irving Oil is expected to spend 220-million dollars on the project.

It's the most expensive maintenance turnaround in the history of the refinery.

In a Telegraph-Journal report company spokeswoman, Lesley MacLeod says it's a substantial investment and the project will last about 60 days.

Work got underway earlier this week and is expected to be complete in early November.

MacLeod says the company estimates the project will generate an additional

200-million dollars in economic spinoffs.

[Joe]

SAINT JOHN - Construction jobs in the city on the One Mile House Interchange will last all winter thanks to the announcement of a $31.5-million contract from the Department of Transportation, Mayor Ivan Court said Wednesday.

Once completed, the interchange will take a large volume of truck traffic off city streets because it will provide a more direct route to the industrial parks in east Saint John, he said.

"It's important for our city infrastructure and the quality of life of our citizens," Court said. "A lot of truck traffic does go down our city streets and the cost of replacing them is tremendous."

Fundy Contractors Ltd. of St. George received the $31.5-million contract from the province this week to build the piers to support a new viaduct across the highway, Marsh Creek, the rail yard and Rothesay Avenue to connect with Bayside Drive. K-Line Construction Ltd. of Woodstock will relocate utilities, a job valued at more than $291,000.

Transportation Minister Denis Landry, Saint John MP Rodney Weston, Tourism and Parks Minister Stuart Jamieson, Saint John-Lancaster MLA Abel Leblanc and Court were at the construction site near the corner of Russell Street and Rothesay Avenue for the announcement.

"We are accelerating this important project that will help continue to stimulate the economy and create jobs," Landry said. "When it is complete, the One Mile House Interchange will improve the flow of traffic, particularly for industrial businesses in the City of Saint John."

The governments of Canada and New Brunswick are working together to improve transportation infrastructure across the province. The cost of the One Mile House Interchange is expected to be in $65-million range, including related costs such relocating utilities. The federal government will contribute up to $27.6 million toward the project, under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

"Our government is investing in infrastructure projects such as the Route 1 One Mile House Interchange to boost the economy, create jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve safety and services to the region," Weston said. "We are working with the Province of New Brunswick to keep our economy moving through tough times, and ensure that we emerge stronger than ever."

Phase 1 of the project was completed in the spring, with Gulf Operators Ltd. of Saint John doing grading road work and soil stabilization valued at more than $3.7 million.

The third phase of the project will include a 600-metre bridge and associated ramps and roadways that will connect Highway 1 to Bayside Drive. It is expected to be complete in the fall of 2012.

[dhottawa729]

:slob: Waiting for someone to announce something exciting. I'm falling asleep here!

[mylesmalley]

This is usually a slower time of year for project announcements. Not much can get started at this point before the snow hits.

[Wolkenkratzerliebhab]

I am anxious to know when our good friend J.Rocca will begin construction on his new Water Street condos?

I hope it's soon?

[Sabien]

I just found an ad on Kijiji that asks for anyone else who put money down on one of the Three Sister's Harbourfront condos to contact them. Could this be a bad sign or am I reading too much into it?:shrug:

[michael_d40]

I just found an ad on Kijiji that asks for anyone else who put money down on one of the Three Sister's Harbourfront condos to contact them. Could this be a bad sign or am I reading too much into it?:shrug:

I seen that ad to, and it got me thinking... Hopefully were reading too much into it :(

[Helladog]

I seen that ad to, and it got me thinking... Hopefully were reading too much into it :(

:shrug:

[michael_d40]

:shrug:


So I got in touch with a friend of mine who purchased one of the condos, and they are getting pretty nervous.
Apparently Mike McCarron from Exit Realty is meeting with all the purchasers this week, and Rocca is going to be meeting with everybody next week.

Its not looking good..

[manhattan08]

I hate to say it...But maybe Saint John was not ready for a project of that scale..

[michael_d40]

I hate to say it...But maybe Saint John was not ready for a project of that scale..

Naw, I dont think that was it at all. I think its a contamination issue they didnt foresee happening. Because if memory serves me correctly, One of the towers is completely sold...

[mylesmalley]

It could very well be that they're just going to announce that construction will start later than originally planned for whatever reason.

[kwajo]

Naw, I dont think that was it at all. I think its a contamination issue they didnt foresee happening. Because if memory serves me correctly, One of the towers is completely sold...
It was, or very close to it, and the second tower was selling well too. I'm guessing it is delayed due to the site contamination issues, but we'll have to wait and find out for certain.

[dhottawa729]

It was, or very close to it, and the second tower was selling well too. I'm guessing it is delayed due to the site contamination issues, but we'll have to wait and find out for certain.

I heard a rumor that the project will be delayed until the spring due to some oversight on the City's behalf (i.e. stuff that should have been done a long while ago). Perhaps this is the news buyers are going to hear. It might be due to contamination as some of you suspect, but I have no clue.

[SJResident]

Does anyone know if the City or any developer has ever considered keeping the historic facade of a building but demolishing the rest and building new behind the old front (I don't know what this type of construction is called)? I noticed that they are required to do this in London UK, and was wondering if it has been thought of for Saint John while I was reading the debate on the Jelly Bean buildings on Wellington Row. Would this pass the heritage requirements?

[kwajo]

It has been done a few times in Saint John before actually, most recently with the housing development on the block of Queen Street between Charlotte and Germain.

[Helladog]

Maybe the meeting is due to changes that would see a 16-storey tower instead of two buildings, hence a necessary change in the layout of the condos.

:D

[kwajo]

^ If only we were that lucky!

Actually I was thinking something similar the other day when there was an article in the TJ about the site work on Long Wharf. I guess the footprint of the building is still somewhat in limbo because of possible port regulations/lease agreement details, and all that made me think was, "Please, please, please let them restrict the footprint so that we get back the 20+ storey building they originally planned!"

[JHikka]

Would the height restrictions allow for a 15/20+ storey building on waterfront?

[Joe]

Can you imagine the howls a 20 storey building on the waterfront would cause. It would block the view of the port.:rolleyes:

[Joe]

On another matter, I hope they don't designate Wellington row a heritage area, we already have a designated heritage area. I'd hate to see us in a situation like St.John's where buildings are limited to 5 stories or so in the downtown.

[expofan]

The last word I got as a purchaser of one of the units was that the 2nd building was being delayed until the 1st building was completely sold out. As for the delays, there were zoning problems with issues regarding buffer zones between the development and neighbouring properties, these issues push back the completion date into 2011, past the already delayed move in date of pre-christams 2010 that they previously were hoping for.
There are meetings scheduled mid Oct. with the purchasers to discuss the status of the devolpment.
I would not assume gloom and doom with the upcoming meeting. As construction potentially moves closer, the meetings may be to pick out our flooring and cabinet colours (the meeting is at B&N flooring).
We will have answers one way or the other in a couple of weeks.

[kwajo]

Can you imagine the howls a 20 storey building on the waterfront would cause. It would block the view of the port.:rolleyes:
I'm pretty sure the only people that would care would be the Longshoremen and maybe a few of the city's more vocal seniors.

[PersonPlaceorThing]

It has been done a few times in Saint John before actually, most recently with the housing development on the block of Queen Street between Charlotte and Germain.

I have a post on my blog showing the completed project: http://urbanplans.blogspot.com/2009/07/queen-street-success.html

[JHikka]

Apparently there's a TD Canada Trust location going into East Point next to CostCo?

This would be huge, in my opinion. Because not only does East Point need a banking location but there are only two TD locations in town (Uptown and West).

[michael_d40]

Apparently there's a TD Canada Trust location going into East Point next to CostCo?

This would be huge, in my opinion. Because not only does East Point need a banking location but there are only two TD locations in town (Uptown and West).



Retail: East side shopping destination announces new bank building
APRIL ROBINSON
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL


SAINT JOHN - A TD Canada Trust branch is the newest addition to the East Point Shopping development.

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=371762

An artist’s rendering of the East Point Shopping development, facing north, shows the location of a new Costco and TD Canada Trust. Both stores are expected to open next spring.

Construction work has started on the building, which will house the first TD bank on the city's east side, said John Wheatley of East Point Inc.

"When people go out to do their shopping, they want a wide range of services, and banking is one of them," Wheatley said this week.

The bank will be located on Retail Drive, off Westmorland Road, next to a Costco store, which is also under construction.

The TD bank is expected to open in March of 2010, and the Costco should be complete sometime during the spring of next year, he said.

When both stores open, the East Point Shopping development will be about halfway complete, he said.

The stores join other outlets such as Indigo Books and Music, Starbucks, a variety of clothing stores and The Home Depot, which launched the development of East Point Shopping in 2006.

"This is not a typical big box store mall," Wheatley said. "This is adding an attraction to the city. It's a little upper-scale development that makes the city a more attractive place."

He said developers have been careful to maintain an architectural theme throughout the buildings. The site is carved out of a rocky hillside - mostly shale - and rock is a part of the design of each store, including the new bank.

The bank will be bordered with stone trim and a tower structure will sit on the corner of the building.

"The building they're putting up has the extra finishes and architecture that will complement the site," Wheatley said. "It's a quality company putting up a quality building."

He said getting quality businesses in the shopping centre is all part of East Point's strategy and part of Saint John's rebirth.

"It's about bringing Saint John into the 21st century," he said, adding it was part of developer Troy Northrup's original vision.

"We want to make Saint John a more attractive and modern place to either stay and shop or visit and shop."

He said the new Costco will be very visible from the province's busiest stretch of highway, enticing drivers to stop in the city.

"Retail is really growing," he said. "And the east has the largest single concentration of retail in Atlantic Canada."

Wheatley couldn't say what other retailers might be added to the East Point site, but said discussions are ongoing.

"Hopefully before too long, we'll have some more announcements to make," he said.

[magee_b]

The map of Mackay Highway upgrades has been updated to include the upgrades at the Rothesay/Route 111 interchange
http://www.gnb.ca/0113/route1/docs/MackayHwyPlan-Sept22-09.pdf

[mylesmalley]

I still don't really see what the province hopes to accomplish with this widening project. The real problem here looks to be access on and off the highway, not the road's actual capacity. Actual interchange improvements - not just straightening out or slightly widening some of the ramps seems like a more viable and inexpensive solution.

[JHikka]

I still don't really see what the province hopes to accomplish with this widening project. The real problem here looks to be access on and off the highway, not the road's actual capacity. Actual interchange improvements - not just straightening out or slightly widening some of the ramps seems like a more viable and inexpensive solution.

There were originally plans to have a cloverleaf for the east side shopping area but the City (And Irving's) weren't interested in that. That was supposed to be the intersection where the Musicstop is now. Instead, we built a curving bridge, which, if you ask any engineer, is laughable.

[mylesmalley]

What about the impact of the 1 Mile House project? I can't say I know a lot about the traffic patterns in SJ, but it seems logical that adding that interchange would take a lot of the pressure off the one at Rothesay Avenue, even without widening.

[JHikka]

What about the impact of the 1 Mile House project? I can't say I know a lot about the traffic patterns in SJ, but it seems logical that adding that interchange would take a lot of the pressure off the one at Rothesay Avenue, even without widening.

That entire off/on-ramp is just being constructed (After it was asked for) by the Irving's. Essentially this just feeds all of the trucks from the Oil Refinery and whatever else over there onto the highway. Consider this an "Irving On-Ramp", if you will. It will certainly help with traffic, but it's just another example of Irvin'g power over the city as a whole.

Again, this wouldn't be needed if the cloverleaf had been in place at McAllister & Rothesay.

[Joe]

One mile interchange has been on the books forever, I'm glad it's finally being built. Here's a link to the project.
http://www.gnb.ca/0113/Projects/images/May2008-plan-and-survey-opt.pdf

[Joe]

Saint John investors upset over condo delays
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 | 10:21 AM AT Comments3Recommend7CBC News
A developer's illustration shows the future Harbourfront Residences at Three Sisters in Saint John, N.B. (Courtesy of Harbourfront Residences)Delays at a luxury condominium complex overlooking Saint John harbour have some investors frustrated and trying to pull their money out of the project.

Saint John council approved the 125-suite Harbourfront Residences at Three Sisters complex a year ago but ground has still not been broken on the project.

The luxury condo complex was heavily advertised last year but construction has been delayed three times and the finish date has been pushed back a year to 2011.

Cathy and Ian Cooper have almost $40,000 tied up in the condo project and they say at least five others want out of the project that they were once so excited to invest in.

"That was a wonderful, exciting time for us," Cathy Cooper said.

"But it went from that to frustration and now regretting getting involved in this project at all."

Ian Cooper said their faith has been shaken in the project and its timeline is not compatible with their moving plans.

"If it's ready by January or February, good. But they haven't even started yet," Cooper said.

"They haven't even put a shovel in the ground! It's crazy."

Developer calling meeting
John Rocca, the project's developer, said in an email to CBC News that the setbacks have been spurred on by unexpected site problems and he has hit last-minute permit snags.

Rocca said all projects of this size face unexpected delays and he said most investors are satisfied.

The developer has called a meeting with investors next month to update them on the project's delays.

Mary Dobson has invested $27,000 in a condo and she was expecting to sell her house and move into the luxury suite next spring.

Dobson said she's not happy with Rocca's handling of the development project.

"He should have all his ducks in order before he started to sell this project," Dobson said.

"There's a lot of money on the line. He has a lot of people's money."

[thebrad]

The Canadian Football League is bringing a long-awaited regular season game to Moncton, N.B., in 2010, according to a city MLA.

Moncton East Liberal MLA Chris Collins said in an interview on Wednesday that the contract to host the game at the University of Moncton's new track stadium was signed between the league and the city last week.

Collins has been pushing for the game for several years and he said both the city and the province are emerging as winners by luring the CFL to Moncton.

"The city certainly wins and the province wins because it establishes Moncton as no doubt the entertainment capital of Atlantic Canada. We have hit that," Collins said on Wednesday.

"This is kind of an award to us for all of the previous work that has been done to establish the city as that."

No details have been announced about the date for the game or which of the league's eight teams will be playing in Moncton.

Earlier in September, Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc said the city was negotiating a five-year contract to bring annual regular-season CFL games to the southeastern New Brunswick city.

The idea of Moncton hosting an annual football game started gaining momentum last November when Mark Cohon, the commissioner of the CFL, raised the idea during his annual state-of-the-league address in Montreal.

Cohon said in that speech that the main obstacle to Maritime expansion is the lack of a stadium with a minimum seating capacity of 20,000.

However, Cohon said the CFL will look into staging 2010 regular-season games in Moncton at the university's new stadium that could see its seating expanded up to 20,000.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

I still don't really see what the province hopes to accomplish with this widening project. The real problem here looks to be access on and off the highway, not the road's actual capacity. Actual interchange improvements - not just straightening out or slightly widening some of the ramps seems like a more viable and inexpensive solution.

I agree completely. I don't usually use this road during rush-hour but everytime I've had traffic is moving above 100 km/hour. Heavy traffic, yes; congested, no, unless there's construction or an accident.

For a province that is so heavily indebted and currently running a deep deficit, adding un-needed road infrastructure seems like a very poor strategy long-term. Isn't there already enough crumbling infrastructure in and around Saint John that we can't afford to maintain? That problem isn't going to go away, in fact it will get worse.

[random11]

So, there is a lot of steel in the ground @ Long Warf and this is not the kind of 'test' steel. Clearly, something is going up and with the amount of steel on the ground I find it hard to believe that this is not a permanent - or the beginning of (a permanent) - structure in line with the Irving headquarters. I confess I am a tad out of the loop - does anybody know the latest update?

[PersonPlaceorThing]

So, there is a lot of steel in the ground @ Long Warf and this is not the kind of 'test' steel. Clearly, something is going up and with the amount of steel on the ground I find it hard to believe that this is not a permanent - or the beginning of (a permanent) - structure in line with the Irving headquarters. I confess I am a tad out of the loop - does anybody know the latest update?

I believe they are putting in piles on speculation that they get approvals. I think it was in the paper that they will "restore" the wharf to its previous state if the project doesn't go forward.

[Joe]

A picture of the piles at Long Wharf from this mornings TJ.

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=375044&size=500x0

[Helladog]

A picture of the piles at Long Wharf from this mornings TJ.

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=375044&size=500x0

Good. It would have been nicer to see this as a part of the growing uptown community of Harbourfront Residences, Coast Guard Redevelopment, Peel Plaza. Leave it to Irving to do something on time and on budget.

[JHikka]

From what i'm hearing there are a couple of people who have bought a property in the North End and are looking to refurbish the entire building. It's the old former hotel/apartment building/crack house/fire pit on the corner of Main & Kennedy. Apparently they've spent $100K on the building and lot and (From what I hear from trades' folk) would take about $1Million to refurbish.

I can get some pictures of the site in the next few days. (It's on my street :yuck: )

I wish these people luck for being prospective, but it's clear that they've been watching too many home salvaging shows on TV and are in over their heads on this one.

[Helladog]

From what i'm hearing there are a couple of people who have bought a property in the North End and are looking to refurbish the entire building. It's the old former hotel/apartment building/crack house/fire pit on the corner of Main & Kennedy. Apparently they've spent $100K on the building and lot and (From what I hear from trades' folk) would take about $1Million to refurbish.

I can get some pictures of the site in the next few days. (It's on my street :yuck: )

I wish these people luck for being prospective, but it's clear that they've been watching too many home salvaging shows on TV and are in over their heads on this one.

Maybe so, but more ppl like that are needed or the run down areas will never come baq to life.

Ironically, if the city walks away from Peel Plaza, the old church, "jellybean" buildings, and carnagie building will continue to sink into the ground. No one wants to buy them, but everyone wants to save them.

[thebrad]

TORONTO — As of today, residents in several Canadian cities can check out their streets, homes and neighbourhoods on Google Street View.
The Google Maps feature was rolled out today displaying images on the Internet from a street-level perspective.
The service is now available in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, Vancouver, Squamish, B.C., Whistler, B.C., Ottawa, Kitchener, Ont., and Waterloo, Ont.
Once on a Google map, the user clicks and drags the image of a small yellow figure on a left-side scale and places it on the map.
A photo of the street, including a 360-degree view, then appears.
In response to privacy concerns, Google has said it would blur the faces of people captured in the photos used in Street View.
Street View was earlier made available in the United States and several other countries across Europe and in Australia and Japan.
Google began filming Street View images in the Canadian cities brought online today since 2007.

[mylesmalley]

Hopefully SJ, Fredericton and Moncton won't be too far behind.

god knows what they'll look like though. Google's contractors seem to have a knack for only going out on dreary days after all the deciduous trees have lost their foliage.

[kwajo]

Hopefully SJ, Fredericton and Moncton won't be too far behind.

god knows what they'll look like though. Google's contractors seem to have a knack for only going out on dreary days after all the deciduous trees have lost their foliage.

It's odd that Saint John isn't up yet, I thought the reports of the Street View car in the city pre-dated the sightings in Halifax by a couple of weeks.

[mylesmalley]

Could be that they hire different contractors to do the driving for different markets, and that they only process the data at the end of a job.

[thebrad]

it also says that these cities were photographed in 2007. it may be 2011 before we see the rest of the cities they filmed.

[homebody]

Was by East Point Friday and noticed that steel erection work was coming along quite nicely on the new Costco. Probably about one third done (Steel that is).

[michael_d40]

Costco is going up really quick,, anybody been able to get a couple pics?

[kirjtc2]

it also says that these cities were photographed in 2007. it may be 2011 before we see the rest of the cities they filmed.

Not so sure. The Halifax photos are definitely from the spring of 2009, so there's a somewhat quick turnaround time.

[JRocca]

Saint John investors upset over condo delays
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 | 10:21 AM AT Comments3Recommend7CBC News
A developer's illustration shows the future Harbourfront Residences at Three Sisters in Saint John, N.B. (Courtesy of Harbourfront Residences)Delays at a luxury condominium complex overlooking Saint John harbour have some investors frustrated and trying to pull their money out of the project.

Saint John council approved the 125-suite Harbourfront Residences at Three Sisters complex a year ago but ground has still not been broken on the project.

The luxury condo complex was heavily advertised last year but construction has been delayed three times and the finish date has been pushed back a year to 2011.

Cathy and Ian Cooper have almost $40,000 tied up in the condo project and they say at least five others want out of the project that they were once so excited to invest in.

"That was a wonderful, exciting time for us," Cathy Cooper said.

"But it went from that to frustration and now regretting getting involved in this project at all."

Ian Cooper said their faith has been shaken in the project and its timeline is not compatible with their moving plans.

"If it's ready by January or February, good. But they haven't even started yet," Cooper said.

"They haven't even put a shovel in the ground! It's crazy."

Developer calling meeting
John Rocca, the project's developer, said in an email to CBC News that the setbacks have been spurred on by unexpected site problems and he has hit last-minute permit snags.

Rocca said all projects of this size face unexpected delays and he said most investors are satisfied.

The developer has called a meeting with investors next month to update them on the project's delays.

Mary Dobson has invested $27,000 in a condo and she was expecting to sell her house and move into the luxury suite next spring.

Dobson said she's not happy with Rocca's handling of the development project.

"He should have all his ducks in order before he started to sell this project," Dobson said.

"There's a lot of money on the line. He has a lot of people's money."

I normally try to avoid commenting on our projects unless there is something serious.
This story was done when I was out of the Country. CBC e-mailed me for a comment on the reason for the delay.I left canada on September 15h and returned October 8th.
Before leaving we advised the condo owners that the start of construction would be delayed until next spring and gave them the supporting information as to the cause of the delay.
The delay is attributable to Council in 2008 not realizing that it needed to vote on 2 motions included in the City manager's report that we all assumed they had voted on when they moved the motion to approve the rezoning.This oversight was discovered by the City Solicitor's office three business days before the purchase date of the land and too late to put the item on the agenda for that Monday's Council meeting.
The need to wait two more weeks to get the motions approved closed the window of opportunity to start and complete the excavation of the undergroung parking before winter freeze up.
We invited buyers to either a 'one on one' meeting or a group meeting after my return to answer any other questions or concerns they had.Most buyers preferred a 'one on one' meeting.Only 8 buyers asked for a meeting and we have met with 7 of them already [including those that were on CBC] .They are as disappointed as we are with the delays but the overwheling majority of them understand that the delays are for reasons beyond our control.
There is a point I would like to clarify about the article itself. Mary Dobson's last comment: "....He has a lot of people's money", has led some people to speculate that delays may be financially good for us.Nothing could be further from the truth.
Delays cost us a lot of money as we need to pay interest on the millions we have invested so far in the project.
We don't have access to the Purchasers' money to help reduce our interest costs.
The Purchasers' money is help in trust by the Law firm of Gilbert McGloan Gillis at the bank of Montreal in an interest bearing account earning interest for the Purchasers not us.
The deposits are only released to us at the closing date.And The closing date is scheduled for 60 days after the buyers are given occupation of their condos.

[magee_b]

Just a quick notice. One of my favourite urban space magazine/blogs is setting up an Atlantic section to cover NB,NS,PEI & NL. There's a picture a page or two back from Saint John. Official launch will be later this month.

http://spacingatlantic.ca/

[Wrightguy0]

The deposits are only released to us at the closing date.And The closing date is scheduled for 60 days after the buyers are given occupation of their condos.

So, you won't make any money of the deposits until late spring 2011, and even then the deposits I'm assuming are security deposists, therefore the purchasers can get those back if they choose to sell before or after moving in, but before a certain date, as stipulated in any agreement they signed at the time of sale.

Now as for council, that was a bureaucratic blunder on their part, but it's bound to happen, you go through so many proposals, not to mention try to run a city, you're bound to slip up now and then, the important thing is that they got everything sorted out. (hopefully)

I can't wait to see the start of excavation work.

[PersonPlaceorThing]

For those of you who don't venture into the south end on a daily basis, Tannery Court is now under construction.

[Dmajackson]

So out of curiousity what is Saint John's tallest under construction right now anyways?

[mylesmalley]

Chateau Saint John, which I believe is eight stories?

[Dmajackson]

Chateau Saint John, which I believe is eight stories?

Thanks again, bud.

How many floors is the Irving building going to be?

[mylesmalley]

Four? No taller than five.

[michael_d40]

Chateau Saint John, which I believe is eight stories?

Chateau Saint John is actually done.. I was by there the other night, and the lobby is very nicely done. Outside is going to take some getting used to lol but the inside is very nice on the eyes.

[Dmajackson]

Chateau Saint John is actually done.. I was by there the other night, and the lobby is very nicely done. Outside is going to take some getting used to lol but the inside is very nice on the eyes.

So I guess that makes the Irving HQ next on the list at five floors?

[michael_d40]

So I guess that makes the Irving HQ next on the list at five floors?

Haha I suppose so. Costco has all their steel done at 1 story high lol

[michael_d40]

Haha I suppose so. Costco has all their steel done at 1 story high lol

and Lexus of Saint John at 2 stories lol
Honestly though, theres not much going on at the moment. Its pretty quiet for anything more than a floor or two

[mylesmalley]

Is Irving U/C yet? I know they were driving piles, but like, has there been an official start?

[michael_d40]

Is Irving U/C yet? I know they were driving piles, but like, has there been an official start?

No Myles, Their hasnt been an offical start yet. They had a couple things in the paper though basically saying they will continue doing this until they are done. So the day the approval goes through they will put up the frame within hours. Seems like they are wasting no times.
Nothing like counting your chickens before they're hatched eh?

[JHikka]

I'm sure the TJ will be full of it once they actually start building. ;)

[Seely32]

Don't forget that if three sister residences starts in the spring it will 9 and 7 stories but it will look maybe a story or two higher because of the hill.

[kwajo]

Don't forget that if three sister residences starts in the spring it will 9 and 7 stories but it will look maybe a story or two higher because of the hill.
And the courthouse is supposed to start any month now, and it's 7 stories from the bottom of the hill (only about 3 or 4 from the street side though)

[SJResident]

I heard the Court house has been put on hold because of the issues surrounding Peel Plaza (they're supposed to have the holding cells). Does anyone know anything about this?

[michael_d40]

I heard the Court house has been put on hold because of the issues surrounding Peel Plaza (they're supposed to have the holding cells). Does anyone know anything about this?

They said in the paper a few weeks ago the courthouse is going ahead any day now with or without the rest of peel plaza...

[Helladog]

Maybe the Coast Guard redevelopment will start in the summer, that would add 2-3 12-storey buildings to the waterfront.

[dhottawa729]

Can someone post a few pics of Chateau Saint John, SJ Transit HQ and any other recently-completed projects for us out-of-towners? Some progress pics of other current developments would be nice too :whip:

[kwajo]

Green Somerset building wins Brownie Award
Published Thursday October 29th, 2009

Development: Environmentally-friendly design is a first of its kind in Atlantic Canada

SAINT JOHN - Somerset Square, a Commercial Properties Ltd. building, has won a 2009 Brownie Award for best small-scale development by the Canadian Urban Institute.

"Everyone involved with Somerset Square, from the designers and builders, to our tenants, to members of the community who have toured the building, should be extremely proud of what this building has accomplished in terms of sustainable design," said the company's property manager Jeffrey Yerxa.

"It is great to know that the many design and construction considerations we undertook developing this property have also been recognized by our colleagues and peers across the country."

The award winners were announced this week at a gala dinner in Vancouver, B.C., as part of the 10th annual Canadian Brownfields conference.

The institute's Brownie Awards program recognizes leadership and innovation in redevelopments of old industrial sites, or brownfields. Only six Brownie Awards are given out each year in Canada.

Located at 130 Somerset St. at the corner of Wellesley Avenue, the building recently achieved Gold status in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), making it the first private-sector development of its kind in Atlantic Canada and one of only 18 certified LEED Gold buildings in Canada.

The property used to house a gas station.

The institute's awards jury is comprised of representatives from 10 professional and industry associations. In addition to the Canadian Urban Institute and Canadian Brownfields Network, the jury includes representatives from the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.

"It means a great deal to us that this building has been recognized by such an esteemed panel," Yerxa said.

Somerset Square joins other award-winning properties in the Commercial Properties portfolio. The Saint John company has also developed and manages Brunswick House, Saint John's first high-rise and recipient of a BOMA BESt certificate. It also redeveloped the historic buildings at the foot of King Street, including heritage properties that wrap right around the block. CenterBeam Place is a multiple Brownie Award winner.

Commercial Properties has been developing and managing properties in Eastern Canada for more than 40 years.

The company owns or manages over 40 properties, specializing in office, retail, commercial and industrial buildings.

Great news for a great SJ development.

[Sabien]

Its great to see the sun shining for the cruise ship visitors today. It seems the last few had some pretty dismal weather. Unfortunately, I have to work in Moncton but my heart is still in SJ. I check the CBC webcam everyday to see the weather/waterfront. It offers a great view of the cruise ships in port (and makes me envious of those working in SJ).:yes:

[Southpaw78]

Can someone post a few pics of Chateau Saint John, SJ Transit HQ and any other recently-completed projects for us out-of-towners? Some progress pics of other current developments would be nice too :whip:

I agree! It's been a while since we've seen any pics of any Saint John developments either completed or in progress! To add to dhottawa for hopeful pics: The Market Square expansion, Regional expansion, Costco/other East Point developments, Fairville Plaza, Lancaster Mall renos....I also heard Tannery Court has been started?

dhottawa, are you a former Saint Johner in Ottawa?

[JHikka]

When i'm not being bogged down by term papers i'll get some photos up for you guys. I drove by Chateau yesterday and it looked pretty good, and I know that Costco is going up fairly quick.

[Southpaw78]

That would be great Greg, much appreciated. I'll be home at Christmas, but am hoping to get a sneak peek beforehand :)

[Helladog]

I need to take some photos soon.. I am no longer in SJ but an hour and a half away. I will be around tomorrow and will try to get some new shots.

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

Helladog, by an "hour and a half away", I take it that you have moved to Moncton (as you said might be a possibility)..........welcome!

I hope you contribute a bit to our thread as well as the SJ one. :tup:

[JHikka]

That would be great Greg, much appreciated. I'll be home at Christmas, but am hoping to get a sneak peek beforehand :)

This week's been really bad for my workload. Hopefully i'll be able to get some pictures up for next weekish.

[Helladog]

:previous:

Helladog, by an "hour and a half away", I take it that you have moved to Moncton (as you said might be a possibility)..........welcome!

I hope you contribute a bit to our thread as well as the SJ one. :tup:

Actually, I'm closer to Fredericton now than either SJ or Moncton. I moved to Chipman in September.

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

So, you're going to be Skyscraper Page's official Chipman reporter........now that's going to be a low stress job!!!!:haha: ............just kidding, I hope you're new job goes well. :tup:

[kwajo]

:previous:

So, you're going to be Skyscraper Page's official Chipman reporter........not that's going to be a low stress job!!!!:haha: ............just kidding, I hope you're new job goes well. :tup:
That's right, I expect an Official Chipman Development Thread any day now; "We're still waiting on the start of construction of Mr. Dingle's new rain gutters, rumor has it that the delay is due to a switch to aluminium from the traditional sheet steel"

[Helladog]

That's right, I expect an Official Chipman Development Thread any day now; "We're still waiting on the start of construction of Mr. Dingle's new rain gutters, rumor has it that the delay is due to a switch to aluminium from the traditional sheet steel"

Haha, you guys make me laugh! :haha:

That wouldn't be far from the truth, but actually, Chipman's tallest building is under construction. It is a biomass boiler at Grand Lake Timber, six stories tall. Not the most beautiful structure in the village, however.

Anyone see the new articulated buses running around yet?

[Pugsley]

Hey! Wake Up! I love reading posts from the locals in SJ on what is going on...no news in a while...what gives? Siesta? (Laughing out loud)...I am sure youa re all busy but if someone has a local update...love to see one soon. Need something with my morning coffee!

[magee_b]

Here's an article on Spacing Atlantic - spacingatlantic.ca

http://spacingatlantic.ca/2009/11/13/turning-sewage-into-gold-marsh-creek-renewal-and-watershed-banking/

Turning sewage into gold: Marsh creek renewal and watershed banking
BY LINDSAY BIRD

SAINT JOHN - The east side of Saint John is ruled by three things: the refinery, retail and rain. Every time a big storm rolls in, businesses and basements get soaked. And the problem is only getting worse.

That’s because this sprawling side of the city is built on top of its largest urban watershed — Marsh Creek. It’s a 4100-hectare patch of wetlands, but it’s a far cry from looking like a Ducks Unlimited commercial.

That’s because Saint John flushes 16 million litres of raw sewage into its harbour every day, with Marsh Creek a major dumping ground. “Whatever disease you want — it’s there,” says Colin Forsythe, a community wetlands coordinator with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program.

That's where his organization steps in. The Saint John chapter is proposing to rejuvenate the area, with dreams beyond a new Costco and its discounted vats of mixed nuts.


Their Marsh Creek Renewal Initiative aims to restore key areas of wetlands to ease flooding, with walking and biking trails interlaced throughout. They envision these trails connecting the east side with uptown so people can travel through the city without relying on cars. Add kayaking and canoeing to the mix in order to get the citizens of one of Canada's fattest cities off their couches and you're officially creating a neighbourhood exercise program.

Not that this is going to be easy. "We've changed the landscape so much we don't know what's natural anymore," says Forsythe. But after years of study, they've broken down the monster into 27 projects.

It's ambitious—ACAP bills it as the largest sustainable development project ever proposed for Atlantic Canada—and it's expensive.

Saint John being an industry town, you can pretty much smell the money in the air. So why shouldn't The Man pay to freshen up the stench? ACAP says it can be done through environmental compensation projects—legislation that requires corporations to replace any areas they alter through developments with an equal amount of ecosystem elsewhere.

ACAP is taking it one step further, with what Forsythe calls "watershed banking." They identify the various projects needed to revitalize Marsh Creek and big industry foots the bill now, in advance of their future construction. With no shortage of industrial activity in the area, ACAP Executive Director Tim Vickers thinks this could shorten the amount of time to restore the area to under a decade.

It's never been done in the Maritimes before, and it also lets taxpayers off the hook.

[JHikka]

Whether they "rejuvenate" Marsh Creek or not, it's not going to stop the east-side from flooding.

[fundygal]

When Rocca was doing the original footings for McAllister Place - the original part closest to Parkway Mall - they dug the trenches and found the water in them rose and fell with the tide. Any policeman can tell you that the worst time of the recent flooding was during high tide.

The Bay used to come in from the beginning of the Red Head Rd. - Little River - through the Refinery , across what is now Loch Lomond Rd., in Commerce Dr. and spread out in the mall areas. This was joined by Majors Brook which is a branch of Marsh Creek. The original name for Rothesay Ave. was "Marsh Rd". The whole valley was a marsh which now houses the malls and other stores and the flood prone neighbourhood.

Next time you are sitting at the lights at the intersection of McAllister Dr. and Westmorland Rd. notice how you are in a valley surrounded by hills.

You can't hold back the Bay!!!!!!!! Those who think working with Marsh Creek will help are dreaming. They will only clear the way for more water to channel back into the flood area.

[JHikka]

The entire shopping area is seven-feet below sea level, so if any logistical thought had been put in this buildup of retail could have been avoided.

Imagine if all of those stores were uptown. :tup:

[michael_d40]

http://www.eastpointshopping.ca/images/gallery/photo_001.jpg

[kwajo]

When Rocca was doing the original footings for McAllister Place - the original part closest to Parkway Mall - they dug the trenches and found the water in them rose and fell with the tide. Any policeman can tell you that the worst time of the recent flooding was during high tide.

The Bay used to come in from the beginning of the Red Head Rd. - Little River - through the Refinery , across what is now Loch Lomond Rd., in Commerce Dr. and spread out in the mall areas. This was joined by Majors Brook which is a branch of Marsh Creek. The original name for Rothesay Ave. was "Marsh Rd". The whole valley was a marsh which now houses the malls and other stores and the flood prone neighbourhood.

Next time you are sitting at the lights at the intersection of McAllister Dr. and Westmorland Rd. notice how you are in a valley surrounded by hills.

You can't hold back the Bay!!!!!!!! Those who think working with Marsh Creek will help are dreaming. They will only clear the way for more water to channel back into the flood area.
It's true the tides used to come up into what is now the shopping centre area of the East side, but they did not come up from Little River - which is in a separate watershed - they came up Marsh Creek itself.

I don't see how working with Marsh Creek is a bad thing. We've been working against it for decades and now a proposal exists that says, let's start admitting to ourselves that this whole basin wants to be a tidal marsh, but we have already developed the area as an integral part of our city, so how can we manage to accommodate both? Maybe it isn't possible, but the concept of remediating wetland areas in the interest of habitat restoration and making significant increases in stormwater storage capacity is a sound one, and it would do the community a lot of good to invest in it.

And RE:GregHickman, the shopping district is not all seven feet below sea level, much of it is actually above sea level, just not by much.

[Helladog]

The entire shopping area is seven-feet below sea level, so if any logistical thought had been put in this buildup of retail could have been avoided.

Imagine if all of those stores were uptown. :tup:

All those box stores and power centres/malls would gobble up the entire peninsula. I get your point tho.

[Helladog]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1w-JyZyi2U

[JHikka]

Kwajo: You know what I mean though, right?

And Helladog: Well, take for example Sears, which used to be at Lansdowne, or the Wal-Mart that used to be at Loch Lomond. Loch Lomond mall used to be a semi-decent destination when it had actual stores in it. And if the box stores were desperate they would have been all built on the west-side, or some other possibility not pertaining to them being built on the peninsula.

[MonctonRad]

When Rocca was doing the original footings for McAllister Place - the original part closest to Parkway Mall - they dug the trenches and found the water in them rose and fell with the tide. Any policeman can tell you that the worst time of the recent flooding was during high tide.

The Bay used to come in from the beginning of the Red Head Rd. - Little River - through the Refinery , across what is now Loch Lomond Rd., in Commerce Dr. and spread out in the mall areas. This was joined by Majors Brook which is a branch of Marsh Creek. The original name for Rothesay Ave. was "Marsh Rd". The whole valley was a marsh which now houses the malls and other stores and the flood prone neighbourhood.

Next time you are sitting at the lights at the intersection of McAllister Dr. and Westmorland Rd. notice how you are in a valley surrounded by hills.

You can't hold back the Bay!!!!!!!! Those who think working with Marsh Creek will help are dreaming. They will only clear the way for more water to channel back into the flood area.

Yes, and Champlain Place in Dieppe is built on a marsh as well. The high water mark from the Saxby Gale is well above the foundations of the mall.

Just think, the next Category 3 hurricane to hit the region at high tide could wipe out the entire retail industry in the province!! :Titanic:

[kirjtc2]

Not Fredericton's. :)

Or Trinity Drive, for that matter.

[Southpaw78]

McAllister Place finishes renovations
Published Saturday November 14th, 2009
B5
APRIL ROBINSON
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

SAINT JOHN - Under bright skylights, McAllister Place held its grand reopening Friday, after a six-month, $13-million renovation.

Peter Walsh/Telegraph-Journal
Duncan Davidson enjoys the new seating at McAllister Place.

"We've certainly embraced what's happening in the city of Saint John right now," said Tanya McCluskey-Kelly, marketing director of the east side mall. "It's perfect timing."

Highlights of the renovation include the food court with 35 per cent more seating, new floors, bright ceiling treatments and touchless washroom facilities.

"We're getting a lot of 'wows'," McCluskey-Kelly said after a ribbon-cutting ceremony and breakfast. "As soon as they walk in, they notice the lights."

The mall opened in 1978 and had expansions in 1989 and 1996.

"To keep up with what's happening in the city, we wanted to make sure we enhanced our shopping centre the best we could," McCluskey-Kelly said.

That included opening a host of new stores over the past year, including Boathouse, Freshly Squeezed, Mappins and Yves Rocher, and renovating a few others.

The mall has a new logo and updated entrances.

The renovations fit with company's Green at Work program, which includes a goal of emitting zero emissions, diverting 65 per cent of waste from landfills, and using environmentally friendly products and supplies. Workers installed 19 new natural gas heating and air conditioning units - changed from electric - reducing their carbon footprint. Workers also installed energy efficient lights, and the new washrooms use less water.

Imelda Gilman, the president of the Saint John Board of Trade, said McAllister Place's new face will help Saint John's east side become a more attractive shopping destination - for both residents and visitors to the city.

"It shows their commitment and their optimism for what's going on in Saint John," Gilman said.

"It's really nice to see existing businesses reinvesting in the community."

After months of renovations, McCluskey-Kelly said this weekend, "it's all about the customers."

"We're getting them back into the shopping centre, showing them what we've done, and we've got some really great sales going on," she said.

"It's kind of a thank you for the inconvenience that's taken place in the last six months."

The average shopper visits six times a month, for 63 minutes, spending $70 per visit, according statistics provided by McAllister Place.