Official Fredericton, NB projects thread [Archive] - Page 2

ErickMontreal

Dec 4, 2007, 1:25 AM

Airport confident service to Boston will continue

Fredericton could lose its direct air service to Boston, but the airport authority is optimistic another airline can be found to replace it.

Big Sky Airlines currently operates the Delta Air Lines flights to Boston but has suggested it may be scaling back its service, said David Innes, head of Fredericton's airport authority.

The soaring cost of oil is creating problems for Big Sky, said Innes. When the operator took over the route last year, oil was about $50 US a barrel but at current prices — about $88 US a barrel on Monday morning — the airline can lose money on the flights even if the planes are almost full, he said.

"The best thing that could happen is that Big Sky issue are resolved. But if they aren't, we're going to have to be on stand-by and look at all of our options again," Innes said.

Innes said he doesn't expect it to be difficult to find a replacement if Big Sky does pull its service.

About 75,000 seats have been sold since Delta first began offering the service in 2003. It shows there is a need for a direct flight to the northeast United States, Innes said.

"I think we've kind of proven the case now. It's really just a matter of going out with the numbers and the history that we do have and finding somebody who's in a position to do this work," he said.

mylesmalley

Dec 4, 2007, 2:13 AM

-rendering for proposed unb wellness centre.

http://www.bharchitects.com/architecture/portfolio/news/univnbhlv.jpg
Located in Fredericton, this 200,000-square foot health and wellness centre will address the integrated wellness needs of the campus community. It will also provide facilities for high-performance athletics and expanded research capacity. The development will focus on a gymnasium able to host high-performance sports events while having the capacity to elegantly convert into a ceremonial space. It will anchor a Healthy Living Village which will include a retrofitted gym and new buildings clustered at the hillside location. B+H is working in association with Sasaki Associates and ADI.

It's good to see some investment at the university. However, the school is already running at a large deficit. I don't see how this will be turned into a big revenue generator. At the same time, the business faculty could definitely use a new building...

kirjtc2

Dec 5, 2007, 2:24 AM

City teams up with Google Maps
By SHAWN BERRY
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com
Published Tuesday December 4th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Finding your city bus schedule just got a lot easier. Fredericton has become the first city in Atlantic Canada to offer its transit map online through Google Transit.

The online public transit trip-planning tool is a feature of Google Maps.

It allows users to enter their departure and arrival addresses and Google Transit finds the best route.

It provides users with a map showing the route, details of alternate routes, departure times, bus stop locations and transfer information.

It also allows users to set a designated time of arrival so the tool can identify the best departure time.

"It's a smart technology for a smart city," said Coun. Marilyn Kerton, chairwoman of the city's transportation committee.

"I've been trying it out and really, really like it.''

Kerton put the tool to a real test Monday when she needed to use public transit to get to a southside location she doesn't often visit by bus.

"I Googled it, and it got it down pat, I was really impressed with it.''

She said she believes others will appreciate the high-tech map option.

"It gives our citizens a great new way to plan their trips on Fredericton Transit and adds to the balanced lifestyle residents enjoy."

The transit trip planner builds on the increasingly popular Google Maps tool.

Work on obtaining the Google Transit device for Fredericton began last summer.

The city's information technology and transit divisions partnered with Google, Inc., to add its data to Google Transit.

"It's a real feather in our cap to be up there," said Rob Lunn, geographic information systems co-ordinator for the city's IT division Monday.

Montreal and Vancouver are the only other Canadian cities listed.

"The idea is that it will be an enhancement to the traditional ways of providing transit information to our customers," Lunn said.

But it doesn't spell the end of the paper map.

"It's just another way to access information on transit," said Sandy MacNeill, manager of the city's transit division.

"We think it will be a good thing for our clientele who are computer savvy and want to be able to map out some different options within our system.

"A lot of times, people will call us and say, 'I need to get to such-and-such a place by noon,' and we can give a couple of options depending on the destination. We'll continue to do that. This is just another way to put those options out before them," MacNeill said.

Fredericton Transit provides service on seven routes, six days a week. The transit fleet consists of 28 buses, which carry thousands of passengers every year.

Transit services in 22 North American cities are available on the website, as are Switzerland's national services, all of Japan's regional and national rail networks, domestic airlines and ferries and Traveline Southeast in the United Kingdom.

Google Transit can be accessed by logging on to the transit pages of the city website at www.fredericton.ca or at www.google.ca/transit.

----------

New southside eateries to open next year
By SHAWN BERRY
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com
Published Tuesday December 4th, 2007
Appeared on page A3

Montana's Cookhouse and East Side Mario's restaurants are expected to open in the city next year.

Both restaurants will be built at the Corbett Brook Centre located at the intersection of Regent Street and Knowledge Park Drive.

East Side Mario's is expected to be open by late summer. Montana's Cookhouse is predicted to open in the fall.

"We have assigned a franchisee who is ready to go. He is within the community. We're excited to have it there," said Joel Friedman, director of planning for Prime Restaurants, which owns the East Side Mario's brand.

"We're planning to start construction right after the thaw and then try to open for late summer."

The building will be about 5,000 square feet with about 200 seats inside and an outdoor patio.

East Side Mario's has locations in Moncton and Saint John, and more than 100 locations across Canada.

A spokesperson for Montana's Cookhouse confirmed a restaurant is scheduled to open in Fredericton in September 2008.

The 5,100-square-foot restaurant will seat about200.

"Construction should start to be visible in the spring," said Ron Craig, vice-president of marketing for Montana's Cookhouse.

Montana's Cookhouse has 85 locations across Canada. The restaurant will be the company's third in New Brunswick.

The company operates a restaurant in Moncton and a Saint John location is scheduled to open Feb. 15.

The Corbett Brook Centre is a 450,000-square-foot design.

It's home to a Home Depot store.

A map of the location lists tenants as Montana's and East Side Mario's, as well as Michael's, Winners/HomeSense, PetCetetera, Dollarama and Linen 'N Things.

Another entry calls for a proposed standalone "warehouse club."

xxFamilyGuyxx

Dec 6, 2007, 12:11 PM

Another entry calls for a proposed standalone "warehouse club."

I Hope its going to be costco!:fingerscrossed:

Welcome to the forum Family Guy!
Thx.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Dec 6, 2007, 4:44 PM

Probably a kiosk location in Regent Mall,

Thats what they did in Saint John, and then Moncton... So i assume Fredericton would be next

Its funny how people autimatically assume Fredericton will follow in Saint John and Moncton's footsteps..

kirjtc2

Dec 6, 2007, 8:29 PM

I Hope its going to be costco!:fingerscrossed:

Costco said they were looking at Fredericton (and Saint John for that matter) a year or so ago, with visions of opening by 2009. But I haven't heard anything since. And even then, there's no guarantee they'd be going in the Corbett Centre, although I can't think of a better place for them to go.

As for Starbucks....why Regent Mall? There's already one in Chapters! I can even understand Champlain Place since the Chapters is technically at Crystal Palace next door, but what's the point of having your only two locations in the city in the same mall? I'd like to see them on Prospect (maybe where the Tim Hortons used to be), and possibly one on the north side at some point.

(Speaking of Regent Mall...anyone know what's going into the old Foot Locker/English Butler/Teddy Bear spot? I could have sworn someone told me and I forgot.)

kirjtc2

Dec 6, 2007, 8:39 PM

Church committee says accept York House plan
By SHAWN BERRY
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com
Published Thursday December 6th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Brunswick Street Baptist Church negotiation committee members are recommending congregants approve a land swap deal with the city that would see York House spared demolition.

The committee has called a vote for Tuesday night.

"It will be put to a vote by the congregation,'' said spokesman Paul Greene on Wednesday night.

"The steering committee is recommending it be accepted in principle.''

The fate of York House has been making headlines since the congregation voted last spring to knock down the building to make way for a $6-million expansion project. The Baptist Church owns the 114-year-old building and decided to raze it after it was unable to find a suitable alternate location for the expansion.

But the city stepped in with a land-swap offer so it could acquire the downtown landmark and convert it into office space.

Like previous votes, a 75 per cent threshold will have to be met Tuesday night. The demolition was approved by 85 per cent of congregation members in June.

"If 75 per cent is not achieved we'll continue on with what was decided previously," Greene said.

He said there is voter fatigue among some church members who have already approved York House's demolition so they can go through with a modern expansion.

But Greene said the new deal warrants another look.

"We've voted on this numerous times. So to go back to the church, there was some concern about that. But this is an option that wasn't available to us before.

"It can't be ignored. It needs to be given due consideration."

xxFamilyGuyxx

Dec 6, 2007, 9:11 PM

I wouldin't mind seeing the costo going up on the north side..(Two Nations Crossing)
o.. and i also heard from somwhere (iforget where) that the regent mall tim hortons is moving to the corbett centre.

cl812

Dec 6, 2007, 9:13 PM

kirjtc2

Dec 6, 2007, 9:42 PM

JD Irving owns the old Co-op property, and Kent is under construction there now. (I thought they were just going to refit the old building until Liquidation World showed up in there...) As much as the city wants to develop the Wal-Mart/Two Nations Crossing area, Costco knows that the Prospect/Regent area is the dominant retail area of the city and will be for quite some time.

FYI: I've also been hearing Canadian Tire is moving up next to Wal-Mart (SmartCentres' website says so at least) and some unsubstantiated rumours that the existing one on Main Street will become a Princess Auto.

Tim Hortons moving to the Corbett Centre has been official for several months now. Also official is Subway going into the old Tim's in the food court.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Dec 6, 2007, 10:06 PM

I'm exited that princess auto is coming.:banana:
And my mom is glad home sence is coming (maybe) to corbett centre:D

cl812

Dec 6, 2007, 10:47 PM

ErickMontreal

Dec 7, 2007, 1:50 AM

Fredericton has lost its flight to Boston

FREDERICTON - Big Sky Airlines, the troubled carrier that provides the connection service will discontinue its flight after January 7th.

Greater Fredericton Airport Authority CEO David Innes says the authority knew the change was coming, but it wasn't sure how soon.

In a news release, the authority says Big Sky has been experiencing operational and economic difficulties

Anyone who has purchased tickets for travel on the Delta connector after January 7th should contact either their travel agent or Delta Air Lines to make alternate arrangements or to request a refund.
___________________________________________________________________

Its a bad new for whole New-Brunswick !

Smevo

Dec 7, 2007, 5:26 AM

Costco said they were looking at Fredericton (and Saint John for that matter) a year or so ago, with visions of opening by 2009. But I haven't heard anything since. And even then, there's no guarantee they'd be going in the Corbett Centre, although I can't think of a better place for them to go.

As for Starbucks....why Regent Mall? There's already one in Chapters! I can even understand Champlain Place since the Chapters is technically at Crystal Palace next door, but what's the point of having your only two locations in the city in the same mall? I'd like to see them on Prospect (maybe where the Tim Hortons used to be), and possibly one on the north side at some point.

(Speaking of Regent Mall...anyone know what's going into the old Foot Locker/English Butler/Teddy Bear spot? I could have sworn someone told me and I forgot.)

Costco has been looking at land in both cities, but they also said a while back in one of the newspapers that developers like to start rumours about Costco to attract attention to their site (sounds like something Corbett Centre would do to me, but it might not be the case). The alternative rumour I heard about Costco is that Kent (aka JD Irving) sold them land across the street from the Kent location. I assumed that meant southside, but I suppose it could be northside as well.

Canadian Tire at Smart Centres (northside) has been pretty well known for a while now.

I couldn't see another Starbucks in Regent Mall, but who knows where else they'd go.

As for the old Footlocker/English Butler/Teddy Bear Workshop spot, they've gutted the entire area, and the last official word I heard was that there'd be two inline spaces created, one taken by Dynamite (official) and the other TBA. Subway's the most persistent rumour for the old Tim Horton's spot, but I haven't heard anything official yet. I know they haven't started any work inside yet other than gutting it...which was long ago.

Smevo

Dec 7, 2007, 5:34 AM

more to come...

Best Western, Bishop Dr
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/89994765.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/89994767.jpg

Corbett Centre
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/89994768.jpg

This is beside Home Depot and the connecting road between Knowledge Park Dr and Kimble Dr
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/89994769.jpg

East Side Mario's/Montana's
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/89994771.jpg

Foundation for one of the strip malls (sorry about the blur, turned the flash off to avoid window reflection)
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/89994774.jpg

I'll hopefully get out tomorrow and/or Saturday to get the rest of the developments.

Bonus: Here's a rendering of South View Condos (Union Street roughly across from Ultramar)
http://static.canadaeast.com/specialads/greenarm/images/Greenarm.jpg
from http://static.canadaeast.com/specialads/greenarm/index.html

mmmatt

Dec 7, 2007, 5:48 AM

Thanks for the pics dude! :)

And thats a nice looking development too! never even heard of it before haha.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Dec 7, 2007, 12:46 PM

Cool.
But i thought they had started south view condos already.. but i guess not.

kirjtc2

Dec 7, 2007, 5:55 PM

Replacing roof only option for York Street train station
By SHAWN BERRY
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com
Published Friday December 7th, 2007
Appeared on page A3

There's only one option to winterize the York Street train station and that's to put on a new roof.

Stakeholders made up of representatives from federal, provincial and city governments, Fredericton Friends of the Railway and J.D. Irving Ltd. met face-to-face Thursday to talk about winterization options for the downtown landmark.

The only solution, they were told, is to replace the entire roof. That would prove a costly endeavour.

"The issue at this point is we've done the assessment, we've done the engineering work, the architects have been there: there's no interim inexpensive solution," said J.D. Irving Ltd. spokeswoman Mary Keith.

The cost is significant, she said, declining to elaborate.

Stakeholders will meet again in January, she said.

"The good news is when the roof is done, it will be a permanent replacement that occurs. But it is an expensive option, so we're continuing to talk to the other members of the group."

Keith said there has been no new interest in a commercial venture for the site.

Irving has said the best way to ensure the train station is restored is to have a commercial development that would help underwrite restoration costs.

The company, which owns the station built in 1923, has been pressed to ensure the structure and its tattered roof doesn't deteriorate further.

The crumbling York Street station is listed as one of Canada's 10 most- threatened heritage sites by the Heritage Canada Foundation, a non-profit group.

In 1991, the building was designated as a heritage site by Parks Canada. Irving has said the building was in serious disrepair when it took possession four years later.

The company estimates it would cost up to $2 million to restore the building to the historical integrity expected by the federal government's heritage department.

An office complex project proposed in 2002 was the best contender for a revitalization of the property, but the project fell through.

--------

Gallery gets $125K to attract visitors
By ADAM BOWIE
bowie.adam@dailygleaner.com
Published Friday December 7th, 2007
Appeared on page A3

The Beaverbrook Art Gallery received a donation Thursday to provide greater financial stability and attract new visitors.

The New Brunswick Foundation for the Arts has committed $125,000 to the gallery through its New Brunswick Arts and Heritage Stabilization program.

The funding is expected to help the gallery in two ways: $100,000 will help provide stability in its working capital reserve and help with new acquisitions; and $25,000 will be set aside for technical support and marketing strategy.

Foundation chairwoman Anne Bertrand said turmoil at the gallery following the Beaverbrook art dispute helped remind people that the gallery is a valued provincial resource.

"The approach that it has given to New Brunswickers is, 'Oh, are we actually at risk of losing our gallery?' " she said.

"And that became such an important factor for us."

Bertrand said helping the gallery is in the best interest of the foundation because the gallery has done so much to enrich the province's cultural landscape since being created in 1959.

"It's a provincial gallery and it's been a mainstay of New Brunswickers in their daily lives for nearly 50 years," she said.

Bernard Riordon, the gallery's director and CEO, said the funding will give the gallery a chance to focus on what it does best -- help people encounter art and culture.

"You're going to see a new vision statement, which is going to be 'The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art,' and that's going to be our guiding principle in our mission of bringing art and community together," he said.

"Hopefully, (the new funding) will allow more people to encounter art and to share our selection more nationally, internationally and around the province."

Riordan said he also hopes the money will put the gallery on solid financial footing and fund "strong programs that really bring art and the community together."

Riordon said the gallery is focusing on moving forward.

"I think it's important that we put this legal issue behind us as quickly as possible," he said.

"This certainly gives us the confidence that there's a validation of what we're doing and we're protecting the assets of the people of New Brunswick and we're seeking new donors and new patrons, creating new activities and celebrating our artists and making our collection accessible and available."

xxFamilyGuyxx

Dec 7, 2007, 7:03 PM

Anyone know when the Hugh John Flemming chrismas tree festival is?

kirjtc2

Dec 7, 2007, 11:01 PM

This weekend.

(I worked in the building this time last year....went down at lunch break and got free admission....bought more chocolate covered pretzels than I can care to count. :) )

xxFamilyGuyxx

Dec 7, 2007, 11:21 PM

Lol

Smevo

Dec 8, 2007, 4:10 AM

Cool.
But i thought they had started south view condos already.. but i guess not.

I'm going to head by there tomorrow to see if anything's been started yet. There was a holdup because they were getting too close to the property line with the city (the walking trail) when they were cutting trees, but I hadn't heard any updates since until I saw the ad on the gleaner website. :cool:

kirjtc2

Dec 10, 2007, 4:35 PM

Meeting will address future of city school
By ADAM BOWIE
bowie.adam@dailygleaner.com
Published Monday December 10th, 2007
Appeared on page A3

Parents and community members are invited to attend a public meeting tonight to discuss the future of Alexander Gibson Memorial School in Marysville.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will take place at the school.

District 18 Supt. Alex Dingwall said the meeting will give parents and other community members information about the condition of the facility.

"Two years ago we looked at doing an assessment of the Alexander Gibson school facility, with regard to the integrity and building codes and whatever," he said.

"We received the consultant's report on that and we're going to be presenting the results of that report at a public meeting on that night."

Dingwall said the Gibson school, which was originally built in 1926, is in need of several extensive renovations.

He said the school district needs to have a public meeting with parents and members of the community to discuss whether the district should repair the old school or build a new facility.

He said the community needs to consider the best plan of action to remedy this situation.

Dingwall said he understands this will be a concern for some people connected to the school.

"It's always controversial -- that's the word with regards to any kind of change," he said.

"To bring that school up to code, we have to tell the public how much that's going to cost and where we're going to be at the end of that.

"So if there's any other alternatives like building a new school, certainly people will want to discuss the merits of that."

With files from Daily Gleaner reporter Jennifer Dunville.

Smevo

Dec 11, 2007, 3:06 AM

Some more construction photos:

Northside Kent
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/90171043.jpg

Two Nations Crossing Fire Station
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/90171044.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/90171045.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/90171046.jpg

Another Bishop Place Apartment Building
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/90171048.jpg
The foundation is down for one of the Capital City Condominiums in behind this building, and I noticed a small strip mall just being finished (kinda like an Alison Blvd one) on Woodside Ln (extension of Bishop Drive on other side of Hanwell Rd).

UNB's newest apartment building...
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/90171049.jpg

Water Treatment Plant for the Queens Square wells
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/90171050.jpg

Northeast Ramp for Westmorland Bridge
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/90171051.jpg

Other than those, I didn't get to Kimble Middle School site or the Market Place on Kimble, but I drive by them almost every day, so one of these days I'll remember my camera for them.

The Southview Condos haven't broken ground yet...I guess the property line issue delayed it quite a bit.

mmmatt

Dec 11, 2007, 3:58 AM

Thanks for the pics! If I wasnt sooo broke and had some gas in my car I'd probably take some myself...

That fire station looks very lonely up on its hill haha.

mylesmalley

Dec 11, 2007, 4:12 AM

Thanks for the pics! If I wasnt sooo broke and had some gas in my car I'd probably take some myself...

That fire station looks very lonely up on its hill haha.

Pretty big place for a fire station.

So that apartment next to the Physical Plant is owned by UNB?

mmmatt

Dec 11, 2007, 4:36 AM

Pretty big place for a fire station.

So that apartment next to the Physical Plant is owned by UNB?

Yessir it seems really out of place up there...it looks almost like a mini industrial park up there and then BAM random new apartment building...:P

Smevo

Dec 11, 2007, 4:57 AM

Pretty big place for a fire station.

So that apartment next to the Physical Plant is owned by UNB?

Yup, owned by UNB, and the sign says "students welcome"! lol Gee, thanx, you only financed the thing on our tuition and residence fees, thanks for letting us pay an arm and a leg to live in it too. :haha:

mylesmalley

Dec 11, 2007, 5:37 AM

Yup, owned by UNB, and the sign says "students welcome"! lol Gee, thanx, you only financed the thing on our tuition and residence fees, thanks for letting us pay an arm and a leg to live in it too. :haha:

Oh, how the world turns....

kirjtc2

Dec 11, 2007, 4:31 PM

Kimble funds to be announced
By JENNIFER DUNVILLE
dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com
Published Tuesday December 11th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

The Liberals are expected to announce funding for two major District 18 projects in today's capital budget.

Education Minister Kelly Lamrock said approximately $8 million will be set aside for the completion of the Kimble Drive school.

"Construction has started on the new Boiestown/Doaktown school for the Upper Miramichi area, so we're putting about $4 million toward that as well," Lamrock said.

"We're also planning to put aside approximately $1 million to update other schools around the district."

Construction on the Kimble Drive school, which is replacing Albert Street Middle School, began in October.

The facility will have 7,288-square metres (78,400-square feet) of space and house 645 students in grades 6 to 8.

It will have 20 classrooms, an art room, music room, two science rooms, one computer land and other rooms for technology and physical education.

It will feature a large gymnasium and a cafeteria which will be designed to function as a cafeteria or an auditorium.

Supt. Alex Dingwall said the funding announcement will see the project become a reality by the September 2009 deadline .

"We are extremely pleased with the amount both for the Kimble and the Boiestown/Doaktown schools," Dingwall said. "We know government has a hard time finding that money, so we're very pleased to see these two new construction sites being served well."

Lamrock said he's excited to see both projects moving forward.

Both facilities will help improve the education of children by making sure they have top-notch schools in which to learn, he said.

"With the Kimble project, we are finally going to have a school that is befitting of the talent of the teachers at Albert Street," Lamrock said. "The school in Upper Miramichi will show that two communities can come together, find a compromise and create a top quality school."

The rest of the 2008-2009 capital budget will be announced later today as Finance Minister Victor Boudreau tables it at the legislative assembly.

Details of spending for the Department of Education are expected to be announced when departmental estimates are rolled out.

Lamrock said he expects to have more details by the end of the week.

--------

Northside schools may be combined
By JENNIFER DUNVILLE
dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com
Published Tuesday December 11th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Marysville students may be getting a new school, but it could mean the loss of a school for the South Devon area.

District 18 officials held a public meeting Monday night to discuss the future of Alexander Gibson Memorial Elementary School.

The kindergarten to Grade 5 facility, which was built in 1926, was recently reviewed by an engineering firm after district officials became concerned.

The structure was deemed safe for children, but it's in dire need of repair.

Community members have three options to choose from. They include renovating the school, building a new school for Marysville or building a community school that would house both Marysville and South Devon students.

The latter would mean the closure of South Devon and Alexander Gibson schools.

"The big thing is the status quo isn't going to be good enough to continue serving the needs of the students in the Marysville area," said District 18 Supt. Alex Dingwall on Monday night.

"The present school is old and tired. We want to recommend that a new school be built, but we have an obligation to consult with the public first before submitting our recommendation to the minister of education for funding."

Dingwall said it would cost about $5.8 million to bring the school up to code. Most of the school's wiring, exterior walls, and ventilation system would need to be replaced. Building a new school would cost about $7 million, Dingwall said.

Education Minister Kelly Lamrock is the MLA for the Marysville area and both of his children attend Alexander Gibson.

At the meeting, Lamrock told parents that he would love to see his children attend a new school with up-to-date technology and lots of recreational space.

But he said he'll work for whatever the majority in the community wants -- as long as it's the best solution for students.

"As an MLA, I will work hard to find the funding for this project," Lamrock said.

"But as the education minister, I will do what's best for the children and their educations."

A location for the proposed school has been purchased.

The site is located to the right of the intersection of Two Nations Crossing and Cliffe Street on Fredericton's north side. It would be closer to Crocket Street than Cliffe Street and would encompass more than 30 acres of land.

"The location is great because it's still part of Marysville and could still be the heart of the community while providing the kids with lots of sports and activity space," said Paul Harpelle, a member of Alexander Gibson Memorial's parent-school support committee.

"My son is in Grade 2, so my wish is that this project gets underway in time for him to benefit."

Most of the 50 people who attended the public meeting spoke in favour of a new school, but not all are happy about the idea of giving up a treasured historic building.

"My parents and grandparents attended this school," said Kathryn Flinn. "My son is in the same classroom where I attended Grade 4. You can't replace that kind of history."

Flinn said she would rather see the district spend the money to renovate rather than build another school.

The building is old, but charming and still has the same look and smell as it did when she attended, Flinn said.

"It still has the old wooden doors and coat closets outside the classroom with old chalkboards and chalk. Two of my children attend the school now and I would be very sad if my other two children couldn't have the same experience that five generations of my family have had."

Dingwall said he expects to have at least one more meeting with the Marysville community in addition to meeting with residents from South Devon.

Once the district submits its recommendation to the education department, Lamrock said he will hold public meetings again with Marysville and South Devon before making the final decision.

kirjtc2

Dec 11, 2007, 4:34 PM

City offers developers a deal
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com
Published Tuesday December 11th, 2007
Appeared on page A5

The city is offering local developers a 12.5 per cent discount that could be worth tens of thousands of dollars on the purchase of city land to spur new affordable housing projects.

Council passed a motion Monday night to change its policy on land sales.

Coun. Mike O'Brien, chairman of the city's ad hoc committee on affordable housing, said to get the discount developers must agree to make one in four units in a development affordable.

"What we are trying to do here is wave a carrot in front of them," he said.

"Private developers are just too busy right now building houses and apartments and renting them that they haven't got time to really take a deep breath and step back and take on an affordable housing project."

He said the policy change is an important first step that sends a signal to developers that council is serious about affordable housing.

On a piece of land worth $200,000, which would not be unusual for an apartment building project, the discount would be worth $25,000, said O'Brien.

The city is also compiling a list of properties it owns deemed suitable for affordable housing.

"There are a lot of people here in the community that have a dire need for affordable housing," said O'Brien. "This is just a way to say, look, we are listening, we care, we are trying to do our best."

He said Fredericton has the highest housing costs in New Brunswick.

A person would have to earn twice the minimum wage to afford a two-bedroom apartment without paying more than 30 per cent of their income which is the definition of affordable, said O'Brien.

He said the city wants small affordable housing projects that blend in with the community.

That is why the policy suggests eight units, he said.

"That seems to be the magic number," said O'Brien. "If it is eight units, two have to be affordable.

Coun. Scott McConaghy supported the proposal.

"It is good for the city and good for affordable housing," he said.

Coun. Bruce Grandy said the issue of affordable housing has been discussed for a long time and something must be done to get developers interested.

"We need to start somewhere," he said.

Grandy said Fredericton is a great city with lots of development going on but there are some people who need help.

But Coun. Cathy MacLaggan didn't support the proposal. She said she would rather see a policy that required all the units in a project to be classified affordable.

MacLaggan said only requiring one in four units to be affordable may have an unintended effect of hurting projects proposed by affordable housing groups.

But the motion passed with only MacLaggan voting against it.

Mayor Brad Woodside said he knows that the issue is contentious but he feels the new policy is heading in the right direction.

Council also directed staff to work with the provincial Department of Family and Community Services to explore other ways to increase the construction of affordable housing, including policies that may involve a cost-sharing component with the city.

kirjtc2

Dec 12, 2007, 6:33 PM

Church votes to save York House
By SHAWN BERRY
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com
Published Wednesday December 12th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Brunswick Street Baptist Church members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of supporting a deal that would save York House.

Congregants supported the motion for an agreement-in-principle with the City of Fredericton by 94 per cent during a meeting Tuesday night.

That deal would see the congregation swap the York House property for three other properties located to the west of the church, which could be used for a 30,000-square-foot expansion.

Of the 221 votes cast, only 14 were opposed. The vote required a majority of at least 75 per cent to pass.

"To see 94 per cent vote in favour of this shows we're united," said Paul Greene, a spokesman for the congregation.

The new proposal by the city was one church members couldn't turn down, he said.

"In June, when we voted to tear down York House, that was a good decision of the church at the time because that was the only option we had to move forward. This was something we didn't have in June."

But once finalized, the deal will involve a land swap between the congregation and the city.

The city will acquire the Knights of Columbus Hall on George Street and two dwellings on Brunswick Street in exchange for the 114-year-old architectural landmark.

Once finalized, the deal will see the congregation free to continue the planned 30,000-square-foot expansion while the city will convert York House to office space.

Mayor Brad Woodside said he was thrilled with Tuesday night's outcome.

"I think everybody realizes the importance of this building and the heritage," he said.

"In 10 or 15 or 20 years, there's going to be new people in the community who will look back at that building and say 'Wow.' It's not for us, it's for someone else, and that's what heritage is all about."

People who have lobbied to see the building saved expressed relief late Tuesday night.

"That pleases me to no end," said Peter Pacey, who pressed for Baptist church members to reconsider their plans to destroy the building.

"A lot of people don't realize it, but that building is probably the most important (in Fredericton) in many ways," he said, noting the architecture that is also shared by a school in Lunenburg, N.S.

They were both designed by architect James Charles Dumaresq.

Fredericton resident Mary Milliken started the Save York House group on the Facebook social-networking site.

"I'm just so pleased," she said Tuesday night. "I do think it's marvelous because it just seems to be such a great idea.

"That is the ideal win-win-scenario as far as I can tell.''

kirjtc2

Dec 18, 2007, 5:59 PM

Group to get downtown land to build new hall
By SHAWN BERRY
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com
Published Tuesday December 18th, 2007
Appeared on page A4

The province has decided to offer downtown land on Regent Street to the city for part of a deal to save York House.

The land would serve as the home of a new Knights of Columbus hall.

The Daily Gleaner has learned the new hall is to be located on the east side of the street between Regent Optical at 162 Regent St. and the Caisse Populaire Beausejour branch at 198 Regent St. The three lots located between those two properties are used for parking.

The land is just one piece in a massive land swap that will see the city acquire York House, which the owners had slated for demolition. In exchange, the city will offer Brunswick Street Baptist Church the Knights of Columbus hall at 359 George St. and two residential properties on Brunswick Street so it can expand.

But to make the deal work, the city had to find the Knights of Columbus a new place to call home.

That's where the deal with the province fits in.

Particulars of the Regent Street transfer weren't available Monday.

Information from Service New Brunswick indicates that the three Regent Street properties are located between the two buildings on that block. All three are described as parking lots.

The lots belong to the Department of Supply and Services.

The Knights of Columbus Bishop Dollard Council 1942 was offered a new 2,600-square-foot building to move. While it's smaller than their current hall, the new one would be one level and wheelchair accessible.

Details of the cabinet approval for the deal were revealed last week when Brunswick Street Baptist Church congregation members accepted a land-swap deal.

kirjtc2

Dec 20, 2007, 4:39 PM

Downtown convention centre details will be coming Friday

By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com
Published Thursday December 20th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Months of waiting and speculation will end Friday when Premier Shawn Graham tells Frederictonians how the province will participate in the downtown convention centre project.

Graham mentioned the multimillion-dollar convention centre during a year-end interview Wednesday.

"Stay tuned for Friday," said the premier.

Graham wouldn't provide any details.

Greg Byrne, the Liberal MLA for Fredericton-Lincoln and minister of Business New Brunswick, said Wednesday the Liberal government recognizes how important the convention centre is for the city and the province.

"I think the people of Fredericton will be very pleased with the commitment that the provincial government will unveil on Friday," he said.

The city plans to build a $21-million convention centre with underground parking adjacent to The Playhouse between Queen Street and King Street.

City hall has hired ADI Ltd. to design, engineer and build the complex. Construction is expected to start in the spring.

ADI is working with Cannon Design of Buffalo, N.Y., and Urban Strategies Inc. of Toronto.

Initially the city wanted the province to contribute $3 million and the federal government to kick in $8 million towards the project.

But Ottawa has been silent on participating and there was no money in the province's 2008-09 capital budget, which makes a grant unlikely.

Instead, speculation is focused on the concept of the convention centre including a $41-million office tower and an additional above-ground parking structure costing $7 million, bringing the total cost of the project to $69 million.

The province and the city have been talking about the possibility of the government leasing space in such an office building.

The province is trying to figure out what to do with the aging Centennial Building on King Street that houses most civil servants in Fredericton.

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside said Wednesday the city has been discussing a number of possibilities with the province.

He declined to comment on the specifics of Friday's announcement.

"I am being really careful not to upstage the province," said the mayor.

"The premier and the province of New Brunswick have certainly given the people of Fredericton a very nice Christmas gift."

mmmatt

Dec 20, 2007, 5:03 PM

Awesome news!

Seems as though two cities in NB will have a nice new convention center soon, hopefully :)

I had never heard about the possible office tower...41 mil could build an awfully nice building, maybe even the new tallest for freddy!!!

kwajo

Dec 20, 2007, 7:22 PM

Awesome news!

Seems as though two cities in NB will have a nice new convention center soon, hopefully :)

You guys are just catching up, the real city in New Brunswick has had a convention centre for decades ;)

Just kidding around, great news for Fredericton (always loved that crazy Marysville)!

kirjtc2

Dec 21, 2007, 3:16 PM

Flying to Boston? Find other options
Airline | Flight at city airport may end earlier than expected
By ADAM BOWIE
bowie.adam@dailygleaner.com
Published Friday December 21st, 2007
Appeared on page a1

The CEO of the Greater Fredericton Airport Authority says flights between Fredericton and Boston have likely been grounded for good.

The president of Big Sky Airlines has said services will be terminated by Sunday, but it now seems unlikely that even flights scheduled before that date will happen.

The company, which operates the twice-daily flights for Delta Air Lines, had said two weeks ago the service would continue until Jan. 7.

Fredericton airport CEO David Innes said a recent announcement from Big Sky Airlines’s holding company has him concerned about the airline’s future service commitments.

MAIR Holdings announced Wednesday the Montana-based airline would be shutting down its entire East Coast operation in early January because of poor revenues and high fuel costs.

Innes said the announcement and a series of recent service interruptions might foreshadow the immediate end of the service.

“It wouldn’t surprise me not to see another Big Sky airliner in Fredericton,” he said.

“From day to day here, we’re seeing a lot of cancellations.”

Innes said the Greater Fredericton Airport Authority’s main concern is providing travellers with as much information as possible. He said any traveller experiencing problems with the service should start working on a backup plan.

“We’re operating in a vacuum with respect to hard information,” he said.

“And we can only imagine what travellers are trying to deal with. I guess we would encourage them to contact a travel agent or Delta Air Lines to make alternate arrangements.”

When The Daily Gleaner tried to book a flight through Delta Air Lines’ website for Friday, a message said no flights were scheduled between Fredericton and Boston on that date.

Fred deLeeuw, president of Big Sky Airlines, said he’s uncertain when the flight service will be cancelled officially.

“It could be that we’re completely done in Fredericton,” he said.

“I just haven’t been informed of it yet.”

DeLeeuw said today’s flight service was cancelled because of weather conditions.

“Today, we’re not operating because of a big snowstorm in Boston again,” he said. “And I’m not sure what’s happening for the days after this.”

A message on the website for Boston’s Logan International Airport said conditions were breezy with a light snowfall and, “there are no major problems or delays to report at this time.”

Comair, a Delta Air Lines connection partner, announced Wednesday evening that regional jet services will return to Bangor International Airport when Big Sky Airlines ends flight services from that airport.

Innes said the Greater Fredericton Airport Authority is searching for another service provider that could provide direct flights to Boston.

kirjtc2

Dec 21, 2007, 7:51 PM

Province to rent space in new Fredericton development
Last Updated: Friday, December 21, 2007 | 2:41 PM AT
CBC News

The New Brunswick government has signed on to be a tenant in a major development in downtown Fredericton.

The government will be the anchor tenant of a new office building, while the 40-year-old Centennial Building it currently occupies undergoes renovations.

Once the two-year renovation project is complete, some government workers will move back to the Centennial Building while others will stay in the tower.

The province will begin renting more than 145,000 square feet of space in the new office building in 2010 at an annual cost of approximately $5 million.

"This relationship will be a long-term relationship and one that will be beneficial for all concerned," Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside said at a press conference on Friday.

Former premier Bernard Lord had announced in 2006 that the government was interested in using the office space as well as participating in Fredericton's $69-million redevelopment plan, which includes the office tower, a new convention centre and parking garage.

But at that time there were no firm details or a financial commitment from the government.

"It's one thing to get your picture in the paper. But when the announcement is made and the money is on the table, that's an entirely different story," Woodside said.

The government's participation in the project will help the capital city invest in strategic infrastructure and bring more economic development to the region, said Premier Shawn Graham.

The mayor said he is confident that when the project begins in June, the federal government will also have stepped forward with funding for the convention centre project.

City council approved the redevelopment project before securing funding from either the province or Ottawa.

The city is also still in negotiations with the province to secure further support for the convention facility portion of the complex.

kirjtc2

Dec 22, 2007, 4:29 PM

It's official -- convention centre project a go
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com
Published Saturday December 22nd, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Using a build-it-and-they-will-come strategy, Mayor Brad Woodside announced Friday the city will borrow as much as $69 million to construction a convention centre, office building and parking garage in downtown Fredericton.

"This is a great day for Fredericton and the downtown east end development project," said Woodside.

"It makes good economic sense for the convention centre and the office building projects to be designed and constructed at the same time."

Premier Shawn Graham revealed the province will lease all 13,500 square metres (150,000 square feet) of the new six-storey office building for $4.5 million to $5 million a year when it is completed in 2010.

"Our participation in this project is evidence of our government's effort to build the relationships and work co-operatively with our municipalities to create a more self-sufficient province," said Graham.

The new office building will be built on King Street behind The Playhouse and opposite the Centennial Building.

The plan calls for an underground parking complex beneath the two buildings and a $7 million above ground parking structure.

Graham said that the new building will house government employees currently working in the 40-year-old Centennial Building, which will be completely refurbished beginning in 2010.

Those employees will move back into the Centennial Building when the renovation is complete in 2012, he said.

But the premier and the mayor insisted the province will be a long-term tenant in the new building.

"We are working on the logistics of how long term that lease will be," said Graham.

"We are going to come to a successful negotiation on this."

He said there's a shortage of office space in the Fredericton downtown core.

The premier said the Department of Supply and Services will prepare a long-range strategic plan for its building inventory in the capital.

Government offices are scattered across a number of buildings in the downtown.

The city may not have to borrow the entire $69 million.

Graham and Woodside said they still expect to work out a tri-government financing deal next year to pay for the convention centre, which is projected to cost about $21 million, including underground parking.

That would knock $14 million off the total the city needs to borrow if it's split three ways, which is tradition.

"I am very optimistic in my discussions with the government of Canada," said the premier.

Woodside said the new building will be an ultra-modern, class A office space with the highest possible energy efficiency and be as environmentally friendly as possible.

The mayor said there will be no retail space in the building beyond a coffee shop.

Woodside said he wouldn't be surprised if a hotel chain jumps on board the project now that the office building is finalized.

City design drawings show room for a hotel.

Bruce McCormack, general manager of Downtown Fredericton Inc., said Friday the project will have a major impact on the downtown.

"This will activate and spring board a lot of other developments in the downtown core that are similar and just waiting to see who is in and who is out," said McCormack.

Anthony Knight, general manager of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, said the project is important to the business community.

"It will revitalize our downtown," he said.

"Our downtown is literally bursting at the seams in terms of (need for) office space."

ADI Ltd. has already been awarded the city contract to design and construct the project, and the ground will be broken this spring.

kirjtc2

Dec 27, 2007, 2:06 AM

Fredericton to begin work at sports complex site
Last Updated: Monday, December 24, 2007 | 9:56 AM AT
CBC News

The City of Fredericton has received the green light to begin drilling on the site of the southside sports complex.

Core drilling to determine where to lay the foundation was delayed over concerns about wetlands protection.

Community services chair, Coun. Bruce Grandy, said the provincial Environment Department has given the OK for work to proceed on the condition that the city builds culverts or bridges to protect the wetlands.

The price tag for the extra work could top $150,000, he said.

"It's hard, because if we have to design one culvert or two culverts or crossings, you can imagine the costs will go up quite significantly," said Grandy. "You know, at first, we thought this was basically a $150,000 problem. But it could be a little more."

Once core drilling is assessed, the architect will draw up plans for the sportsplex to be submitted to the Environment Department for further approval.

The southside sports complex will be named in honour of Fredericton-born NHL star Danny Grant.

Grant played for all or part of 14 NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings. In 1969, he won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie and at the height of his career scored 50 goals in the 1974-75 season for Detroit.

kirjtc2

Jan 2, 2008, 6:51 PM

Council predicts another hot year
By SHAWN BERRY
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com
Published Wednesday January 2nd, 2008
Appeared on page A1

Fredericton's development services committee chairman sees plenty of potential on the horizon for 2008.

"It's an exciting time," said Coun. Mike O'Brien. "The city is prospering, we're debt-free, interest rates are low and it's time to help grow the city."

Despite seeing development break the $100-million mark again in 2007, there's no sign that momentum will slow this year.

The city plans to break ground on major projects such as a $69-million downtown complex that will house a convention centre, office building and garage.

It's also planning to build two fire stations, and a southside sport and leisure complex.

The downtown convention centre is expected to have the biggest impact.

"Transformational change" will come to the downtown because of it, he said.

"We can't attract conferences of 500 to 1,000 delegates right now," O'Brien said. "This is going to allow us to welcome them.

"The restaurants will be full, and the hotels will be even fuller."

The convention centre will encourage further downtown development and it will snowball from there, he said.

A healthy dose of residential and commercial construction is also expected this year, but O'Brien is most anxious about pending word on another major project.

He expects paperwork to be filed soon on the $35-million Richard Currie Wellness Centre at the University of New Brunswick.

Construction of the ambitious project including gyms and a pool would have an immediate impact on the city, he said, but it's the people who will work there who will help Fredericton beam brighter on the map for years to come.

There's bound to be spinoffs with experts on health and nutrition clustering their expertise in Fredericton, he said.

"This has the potential to create a whole new white-collar industry for the city," O'Brien said.

He likened it to previous rounds of innovation at UNB that helped spur the growth of engineering and information technology firms in the capital.

There are also new batches of residential developments that have been given the green light for 2008.

Among them are approval for 46 houses in Brookside West, 40 condo units at Rainsford Gardens, 30 townhouses at Sarah's Lane and 80 townhouses at Kimble Drive.

"That's just a sampling. There are plenty of others peppered around.''

Commercial development will continue in 2008.

Two new restaurants are set to be built at the Corbett Centre along Knowledge Park Drive. Construction on Montana's Cookhouse and East Side Mario's are set to begin in the spring.

At least three other units are being built there right now, but O'Brien doesn't know who the tenants will be.

And there's plenty of interest in the area along the intersection of Cliffe Street and Two Nations Crossing.

Work now underway includes a Kent building supplies store and a new Canadian Tire location.

And development in the city isn't just about adding buildings, he said.It's also about adding to the capacity to attract people to Fredericton.

"We hear from everyone that Fredericton is unmatched when it comes to arts, crafts and culture," O'Brien said.

The city's edVentures program beginning this summer will capitalize on that belief.

The program will cater to travellers looking to indulge their creative abilities. Participants will learn from accomplished crafts people and take in activities at cultural events around the region.

"They are going to go away being disciples for the city," O'Brien said.

kirjtc2

Jan 6, 2008, 3:03 PM

Southside complex delayed
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com
Published Saturday January 5th, 2008
Appeared on page A1

The City of Fredericton has been given the green light to start work on the future site of the southside sports and leisure complex.

But delays caused by the recent discovery of a large wetland on the property mean the expected opening of the arena has been pushed back to 2010.

"This is the first permit of two permits,'' said Wayne Tallon, director of community services for the city. "It gives us the authority to go in and clear the land, grub the vegetation and also do some greening and in-filling.

"That will give us the opportunity to do our geotechnical and topographical analysis," he said.

After that, the city will need to apply for a second wetland and watercourse alteration permit for the construction phase.

Work on the site was delayed last year after a large wetland that had been previously gone unnoticed was identified.

"We still have to avoid wetland H, which is the wetland identified in the middle of the property. "We're avoiding it completely as far as construction (of the building) is concerned," he said.

That means the arena will need to be sited at the back of the property close to the Vanier Highway.

"We have access to the property from the new Knowledge Park Drive," Tallon said.

"The driveways will have to cross the wetland, so we have to provide them with a design of the crossing to get to the building. That will be part of the second wetland and watercourse alteration permit."

The city estimates the additional costs incurred by the discovery of the second wetland will be about $150,000.

"We were going to have the facility ready for September of '09, but this whole process and the environmental issues have delayed that by a full year, so it will be September of 2010," Tallon said.

The new complex will carry the name of NHL veteran Danny Grant.

The property is near the intersection of Kimble Drive and Alison Boulevard.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 8, 2008, 6:49 PM

Not much going on in Freddy lately...

BradMacD

Jan 8, 2008, 9:41 PM

Well finally I got my account activated. Some reason it wouldn't work but I re-registered and it works now. Frederictonians unite. B-)

I have a picture from January 5 of the site of Frederick Square II. :)
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/1426/dsc05265uk8.jpg

It looks like there are only 8 floors...

mylesmalley

Jan 8, 2008, 9:52 PM

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 9, 2008, 12:34 AM

http://www.kdl.ca/images/stories/thumbnails/thumb_fs-east-elevation.jpg
This shows how much bigger FS2 is compared to FS1

BradMacD

Jan 9, 2008, 9:58 PM

It almost looks like there is more to that 2 floor connecting plaza ro whatever it's called. It looks longer than it is in real life in that picture.

The new tower seems wayyy wider and taller than the 7 floor one.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 10, 2008, 12:58 AM

Actually I think the whole bottom part is one floor according to one of the plans on the kileel development site.

kirjtc2

Jan 10, 2008, 5:05 AM

I don't know...if you compare the plan to the Google Earth image, it looks like the entire connecting part is there already. Notice the 4 "steps" already in place.

http://www.the506.com/frsq-google.jpg
http://www.the506.com/frsq-plan.jpg

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 10, 2008, 1:48 PM

Is the connecting part 1 or 2 floors? Because when you walk in to the bank it seems like the ceiling is prety high.But maybe its not i havn't been there in a while..

kirjtc2

Jan 10, 2008, 4:07 PM

King Street liquor store to close
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com
Published Thursday January 10th, 2008
Appeared on page A1

The King Street liquor store in Fredericton is closing Jan. 26.

The closure is part of a retail shakeup announced by Alcool NB Liquor on Wednesday.

President and CEO Dana Clendenning said no jobs will be lost when the King Street store closes.

"Everyone will be transferred to other Fredericton stores," he said in an interview Wednesday afternoon.

The provincially owned liquor corporation is also closing a store in Saint John and converting corporate stores in Minto and Cocagne to agency stores.

Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton will each have four corporate stores when the changes are completed.

The move will save the corporation $600,000 a year, said Clendenning.

"The retail network hadn't been studied since 1991 so we felt it was time," he said. "Part of the rationale is to identify efficiencies in the network."

There will be 45 corporate and 72 agency liquor stores in the province after the changeover.

The Minto and Cocagne stores will remain open until an agent is selected. A request for proposals to select an agent for both locations will be issued today.

The four Fredericton liquor stores are Prospect Street, Smythe Street, Devon and Brookside Mall.

"We believe based in our analysis that those stores can handle the traffic that currently goes to King Street," said Clendenning. "We are going to watch this closely to see where that traffic goes."

He said the first three stores listed have been recently built and the Brookside Mall store will be upgraded in the next few years when the lease expires.

The King Street store had the second to worst sales of the five stores in Fredericton, he said.

"The lease is up for renewal next year and we would have had to commit to another 10 years," said Clendenning.

The store needed a major refurbishment, he said.

Clendenning said the corporation is also watching developments in downtown Fredericton, particularly in the east end.

"We haven't ruled out coming back to the downtown at some point," he said.

Clendenning said the efficiency review was necessary because next year the corporation is looking at wage increases. The savings from the closures will help offset those increases, he said.

The corporation currently spends 11.5 per cent of its total revenue on operations. That's the best expense-to-sales ratio in the Atlantic provinces and one of the lowest in Canada, he said.

The corporation's total revenue this year will be around $384 million, said Clendenning.

When the Liberals came to power last fall they ordered NB Liquor to increase its profit -- which goes to the government -- by $13 million to help pay for a projected deficit.

ErickMontreal

Jan 14, 2008, 1:14 AM

Good new for Fredericton, the city will get Costso !

https://riocan.com/_bin/investor/retailDevelopment.cfm

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 14, 2008, 5:06 PM

Thats good!

BradMacD

Jan 14, 2008, 8:48 PM

Thank you god XD

cl812

Jan 15, 2008, 12:59 AM

wonder when construction will start?

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 15, 2008, 2:01 AM

Sometime around July I think.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 16, 2008, 6:07 AM

Has anyone heard anything more on the Marysville by-pass? Is it under construction yet?

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 16, 2008, 8:16 PM

Fredericton Records $119 Million in Development for 2007

January 15, 2008 - Figures released today show that 2007 marked the second strongest development year in Fredericton's history. A total of $119.6 million in residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and government construction was recorded in the city last year.

"Developers continue to be confident in Fredericton," said Coun. Mike O'Brien, chair of the City's Development Committee. "Looking back over the past five years, this community has averaged over $105 million a year in development. That is half a billion dollars of investment in this community, which is simply amazing."

The commercial sector led the way in 2007, with over $42.6 million in development. This is more than double the development in 2006, and resulted in the highest number ever on record. Key areas for commercial development were the Two Nations Crossing area, with building permits issued for new Kent and Canadian Tire stores, as well as the construction of stores in the Corbett Centre development on Knowledge Park Drive.

"These kinds of commercial projects continue to position Fredericton as the retail shopping hub for western New Brunswick," said Coun. O'Brien.

Despite the strong numbers, residential construction was down overall in the city. Total construction value still topped the $50 million mark, with $51.4 million worth of permits being recorded. This amount, however, was still the third highest in the Fredericton's history.

Fewer multiple units were built in 2007, but the construction of single family units remained strong. Residential growth is occurring in most areas of the city, with the Lincoln and Brookside Drive areas of the city experiencing the largest number of single family residences being built.

When it comes to industrial construction, Fredericton has enjoyed three strong years, with $1.84 million worth of activity being recorded in 2007. The value of government and institutional is down from last year's record-breaking number. At $12.8 million, 2007 marked the second best year on record for government and institutional construction activity in Fredericton.

The following summarizes total development figures for Fredericton over the past five-years: 2003 - $80.3 million; 2004 - $99.4 million; 2005 - $93.5 million; 2006 - $132.4 million; and, 2007 - $119.4 million. The five-year total is $525 million dollars in development.

Looking ahead to 2008, activity in the government and institutional sector is expected to be strong with construction set to begin on the South Side Sports and Leisure Complex and the downtown conference centre. Commercial activity is also expected to be strong.

kirjtc2

Jan 16, 2008, 8:29 PM

Has anyone heard anything more on the Marysville by-pass? Is it under construction yet?

It's being held up by some land owners up around Taymouth, last I heard.

mylesmalley

Jan 19, 2008, 7:14 PM

It's being held up by some land owners up around Taymouth, last I heard.

Where is it supposed to go?

kirjtc2

Jan 19, 2008, 8:37 PM

Along the east side of the Nashwaak River. It will eventually go all the way north to South Portage, which is up close to Boiestown.

Can't wait til all those trucks are off Bridge Street.

cl812

Jan 19, 2008, 8:57 PM

FYI

I noticed that a new Leon's store is under construction on Allison Blvd near the ramps to rte 7. Sign said it supposed to open in 2008

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 19, 2008, 9:58 PM

Can't wait til all those trucks are off Bridge Street.
Yeah same here.

I thougt they had a leons in that area already..

kirjtc2

Jan 19, 2008, 10:13 PM

I noticed a building with a small Leon's sign in the Pepin Road area (in the Vanier Business Park or whatever it's called) last week, but I figured that was just a warehouse. Never noticed it before, don't know whether it was new or not. The Leon's website still says it's on Whiting Road just like it's been for years.

cl812

Jan 20, 2008, 6:22 PM

yeah it appeared as though they just recently broke ground for the new store.

Smevo

Jan 22, 2008, 4:44 AM

I guess we were wrong about the three-storey on Two Nations Crossing being the fire station...there's no truck bays on it, and it looks like they're just starting the fire station on the adjacent site.

Southview has a "30% sold" tag on their onsite sign, no equipment on the site yet.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 22, 2008, 6:17 AM

Smevo

Jan 22, 2008, 10:51 PM

Now that you mention it, I remember hearing about that too. But they do have some steel up for one part of the project, and there's been machinery onsite for at least a month.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 22, 2008, 11:02 PM

Oh do they? i din't know.I think they were supposed to start last summer.

mylesmalley

Jan 23, 2008, 12:06 AM

They were supposed to build a firefighter training facility too on the corner of Two-Nations Crossing and Cliffe street but they havn't started yet..
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:10OydfIUqc0_7M:http://www.sperrypartners.com/images/projects/Rear-Aerial-265.gif

I can see the one in Moncton from my house. Pretty neat spot to watch in the summer. I expect anything they build in Freddy will be pre-cast concrete. They tend to just be hollow buildings and obviously can't be flammable.

kirjtc2

Jan 23, 2008, 4:44 AM

So...anyone know *what* that 3-story building on Two Nations Crossing is? Sure looked like a fire station when the frame first went up....

(Speaking of 2NC, Cdn Tire and Mark's have broken ground next to Wal-Mart and have signs up...)

Smevo

Jan 23, 2008, 3:05 PM

My best guess would be that it's an office building of sorts.

kirjtc2

Jan 23, 2008, 6:16 PM

Old trailers not wanted
Community upset | Decision to close park means residents have nowhere to go
By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com
Published Wednesday January 23rd, 2008
Appeared on page A1

Tammy Wallace is searching for a new home for her home.

Wallace is one 14 people who will have to move their mobile homes by the end of August from the O'Donnell Land Lease Community Park off Eatmon Avenue.

The owner has decided to close the park after decades of operation.

"Our biggest issue is that the trailers in here are so old that they may not even stand to be moved," she said. "There are no parks that will take us."

Wallace said her father, who is 64, has one of the 14 units in the park and it won't stand the stress of being moved. She said he, like a lot of others, have no place to go.

"That's our biggest issue -- where are we going to go?" Wallace said. "We have income issues and cannot afford to go buy land, have it moved and have a well and septic dug. We just don't know what to do."

Park owner Blanche O'Donnell, who is 88, said she wants to get out of the business.

"We have made up our minds that we can't run it any longer," she said. "We can't do it anymore."

Her son Greg O'Donnell, who also helps with the administration of the park, cited rising costs -- such as insurance, property taxes and water bills -- as also being factors in their decision to shut down.

Greg O'Donnell, who didn't reveal what plans he may have for the property, said they will do whatever they can to help tenants make the transition, including providing letters of reference.

But that's not good enough for Gary Clarke, who has been living at the park for the last 35 years.

"Six months is not a fair deal for 35 years of living here as a community," Clarke said.

"Why are we limited to six months? Why not give us, at least, some time until we can slowly move out -- one or two at a time."

A spokesperson for Justice and Consumer Affairs said under the Residential Tenancies Act, "The landlord is required to serve each tenant a six-month written notice to terminate all the tenancies for each tenant if the landlord will no longer rent the land as mobile home sites and operate a mobile home park. The reason for terminating the tenancy must be stated in the notice of termination."

Jennifer Peterson, another resident at the park, is also frustrated.

She and her boyfriend bought their home about eight months ago and were expecting to stay.

"It's going to be really hard for us because we just got here and just got settled in," she said.

Kelly Kelly of Kellys Homes in Fredericton said unless their homes were in extremely good condition, they would never let them move into their park.

"We go by overall appearance of the home," Kelly said.

Coun. Marilyn Kerton, who represents the area, said she was looking into the situation to see what can be done and would be checking at the municipal and provincial levels.

Because the homes are older models, they will be difficult to relocate, she said.

"It's sad, very, very sad," Kerton said.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 23, 2008, 6:58 PM

It is kinda sad...:(

cl812

Jan 24, 2008, 4:37 AM

I think the building on Two Nations Crossing is provincial government offices, atleast thats what I heard in the paper a while back

Smevo

Jan 26, 2008, 8:56 PM

Some Regent Mall updates, since I'm there now:

Subway, Starbucks, Dynamite, RW & Co, and Sirens are all under construction, and they're doing something with the corner spot usually taken by Calendar Club (former LaSenza Girl spot...last permanent tenant anyway). La Cremiere and Time Well Spent have both closed...the latter may just be moving but I haven't seen them anywhere else yet. And rumour has it that Hardy's is closing up shop either when Subway comes in or their lease is expired.

kirjtc2

Jan 26, 2008, 10:19 PM

Also noticed an "end of lease" sale going on at Panhandler this week.

I asked at Hardy's a couple of months ago and they said they were going to be changing their menu in order to stay in the mall. I've noticed they've added tacos and quesadillas, that may be the direction they're going.

Something bigger may be happening at Brookside Mall. Rossy has closed, and from going past on the Ring Road today they seemed to be some big frame going up in the parking lot. No idea what it could possibly be.

Smevo

Jan 26, 2008, 11:53 PM

Yup, just talked to a girl working at Panhandler, they're closing the end of February, same with the one in Moncton. The franchisee is retiring, so he's closing his stores as the leases expire. I haven't seen the Rossy thing yet, but I'll stop in my next time going past there to see if there's any advertising signs up yet.

cl812

Jan 28, 2008, 3:04 AM

I think the construction at the Brookside mall is an expansion to the Lawtons store

kirjtc2

Jan 28, 2008, 3:50 AM

Makes sense, it's in that area of the mall and Lawtons is undergoing a major chainwide renovation.

Still would love to know if they have anything lined up for the old Rossy spot.

Smevo

Jan 29, 2008, 9:27 PM

Was there always a Sears sign on the old Rossy store? If not, there's one there now so we'd have our answer.

kirjtc2

Jan 29, 2008, 11:28 PM

No, that refers to the small Sears furniture/appliance store between Rossy and Lawtons. It's been there for 2-3 years now.

Smevo

Jan 30, 2008, 7:36 PM

I figured it was something like that, but I never noticed the sign until the other day...I don't really visit the Brookside Mall much, even after moving over to that side of the river. :shrug:

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 30, 2008, 7:46 PM

No one really visits Brookside mall anymore..but have you been inside ? Its like dead lol half the stores are closed and you might see a few ppl walk by.
I know this because when i was young i was selling tickets there for hockey and we didin't sell very much.:haha:

kirjtc2

Jan 30, 2008, 8:27 PM

Hell, I live almost within walking distance of the mall and I never go there. It was more active even 3 or 4 years ago. If it weren't for Sobeys and the liquor store, the place would be completely dead. I even wonder how much longer Zellers will last, especially with Wal-Mart now on the northside.

I remember in the early 90s when they expanded and got a lot of big national chains to open up. They even had a food court. Within 5 years most of the national chains in the mall were gone, then K-Mart closed, then one wing of the mall was turned into a call centre, then the local places went under too. Now even one of their anchors is dark. I love the paintings of stores on that wall.

It would not surprise me to see them try and turn that mall into something else, maybe a strip mall/power centre like Fredericton Mall.

Then again, Brookside is owned by RioCan, and in my experience, they hold on to dying malls with their life for no apparent reason. Look at Chaleur Centre in Bathurst...all 3 of their anchors pulled out within months of each other a couple of years ago, and it is basically nothing more than an abandoned hulking shell at the entrance to town these days.

Smevo

Jan 30, 2008, 9:51 PM

Yeah, the last time I was in the mall, I decided to take a stroll around to see if it perked up any...I saw about 10 customers the whole time, even the people working there weren't in their store, they were in someone else's talking to their friends or something. Kinda sad really, I was hoping the population expansion on the northside would motivate the place to perk up a bit.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Jan 30, 2008, 10:14 PM

I think the food court has been closed for a while now.

mylesmalley

Jan 31, 2008, 1:04 AM

If they make enough to cover their overhead, there's not much reason to sell.
Look at Highfield Square in Moncton...stores were going out of business /before/ christmas...

cl812

Feb 2, 2008, 10:13 PM

I was driving on Union street the other day and noticed they start construction on the southview condos

kirjtc2

Feb 2, 2008, 11:40 PM

Speaking of Brookside....I was there today and noticed at least 3 more stores had gone out of business since I was last there before Christmas. This place is on its deathbed.

And yes, that frame is for an expanded Lawtons.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Feb 3, 2008, 1:30 AM

hmm, There used to be a K-Mart? i din't think they had any in Canada.

kirjtc2

Feb 3, 2008, 1:51 AM

Yeah, they had K-Mart in Canada right up until ~1998. They sold the Canadian operations to HBC, who either turned them into Zellers or closed them.

There were two in Fredericton....the one at Brookside (where Sobeys is now...Sobeys used to be in the Rossy space), and one on Smythe Street where Canadian Tire is now. Since they were both close to existing Zellers stores, HBC closed them both. The Smythe Street Plaza actually used to be called K-Mart Plaza.

xxFamilyGuyxx

Feb 3, 2008, 2:55 AM

kool, thx for the info

xxFamilyGuyxx

Feb 5, 2008, 5:09 PM

http://www.fredericton.ca/en/publicsafety/resources/stationupdate303.jpg
North Side Fire Station Project on Target for 2009 Completion

Fredericton (February 4, 2008) - Construction of the City's new fire fighter training tower and complex on Two Nations Crossing is on schedule, City Council was told here today.

"The framework is complete and the walls are going up," said Fredericton Fire Chief Philip Toole. "We will soon be shifting our focus to the design and construction of the second phase of this project, which is the adjacent new fire station itself."

Monteith Undergound Services was awarded a $1.9-million contract in October 2007 to prepare the site, build the training complex and assemble a four-storey training tower. The tower arrived in pre-manufactured components from Wisconsin, USA in November, 2007. The steelwork frame of the tower has been erected and the wall studs are currently being installed.

"We are expecting a completion date by mid-May for the first phase of this project," said Chief Toole. "We will be tendering for construction of the fire station component in March. With construction expected to begin in May or June, we anticipate an early 2009 opening."

The City also plans to build a second new fire station in the Silverwood area on the south side of Fredericton. Search for a suitable site is continuing.

You can see the willie O'Ree place in the back ground :) (northside sports complex)