[cl812]

Trinity no longer holds an interest in the Corbett Centre. They sold their interest to Rio Can earlier this Spring

Yeah, they dont even mention the new stores listed at the Trinity site on the Riocan page.

[Freddypop]

Surprised but not shocked re delay in the Hilton construction. Surprised that they did not already factor in the soil issue when they made their bid to council. They didn't do their homework. This has been a known issue for years. But having said that I am pleased they will maintain the 11 storeys.

[Freddypop]

Found the following on the RioCan site re Corbett Centre.

Full report can be found here:

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

CORBETT CENTRE
Fredericton, New Brunswick
This 26 acre site, acquired by way of a 66-year long-term lease, is currently being developed into a 473,000 square foot new format retail centre. The site is anchored by Home Depot, which owns its own store and operates as part of the overall site. A Costco, which also owns its own store, will commence operations in 2011. RioCan purchased Trinity’s interest in the property in the second quarter of 2010.

[cl812]

In the full report they must mean the fit ups being done in the strip mill with the dollarama to be completed by the third quarter of 2010, especially since I dont believe they count Costco because they own the store and Riocan is only responsible for the site works and not the store itself. Based on the dates they have in the report for potential future development (2011-2012), it looks as though the new stores listed on the Trinity site are not dated properly, which doesnt surprise me (as was brought up earlier on here).

[Freddypop]

In the full report they must mean the fit ups being done in the strip mill with the dollarama to be completed by the third quarter of 2010, especially since I dont believe they count Costco because they own the store and Riocan is only responsible for the site works and not the store itself. Based on the dates they have in the report for potential future development (2011-2012), it looks as though the new stores listed on the Trinity site are not dated properly, which doesnt surprise me (as was brought up earlier on here).

Re current fit-up...I think you are correct. Re future development I believe the key is their policy statement that they will essentially not build on spec but will not proceed further development on any of their properties nationwide until contracts are signed, sealed and delivered. Having said I am confident that things will pick-up at The Corbett Centre once Costco is up and running. It is after all historically a retail magnet which will draw other retailers.

[cl812]

Yeah definately, it will surely attract others to the site.

[cl812]

New school planned for Lincoln
Published Monday August 16th, 2010
Education | New facility will be built on same site as Lower Lincoln Elementary
A1
By NICOLE VEERMAN
veerman.nicole@dailygleaner.com

Students in Lincoln are getting a new elementary school.

Finance Minister Greg Byrne said because the cost of renovating is almost as much as building a new school, the Lower Lincoln Elementary School will be replaced.

"Because of the age of the school and because of what would have been necessary to bring it up to code, the cost of the renovations would be over 75 per cent of the cost of building a new school," said Byrne. "So it didn't seem to make a lot of sense from a financial standpoint (to renovate)."

The estimated cost of the renovation was $8.8 million, while the estimated cost of a new building is $10.7 million, said Byrne.

The new building will be built on the same site as the current school. Byrne said he wasn't sure when building will proceed or when the facility will be finished. He said the first step will be putting together a planning committee to begin the design preparation.

The new school will designated a NB3-21C school.

That means the new school will have an enhanced focus on improving student achievement in literacy, numeracy and science, while also integrating the teaching and learning of 21st century competencies, all within a technology-rich environment, said Byrne.

There are 30 schools in the province that have been identified as NB3-21C schools.

Byrne said the new Lower Lincoln Elementary School is important for the students and the growing community.

"This is a community school. It's not only an educational institution; it's a place for many community activities. This will provide an enhanced environment for the community as well."

District 17 Supt. David McTimoney said the new building is great news for future students and the 180 students currently enrolled at the Lower Lincoln Elementary School.

"It's very exciting," he said. "This will be a great improvement to an aging structure; not so much an improvement, but a great replacement.

"Right now our students are certainly safe in the building, and they're getting the appropriate education they deserve, but with the creation of a new school, that's going to enhance the learning opportunities for them that much more."

[cl812]

Tenders for new arena expected to go out soon
Published Monday August 16th, 2010
A3
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Tenders should be issued by the end of August for the construction of the Grant * Harvey ice hockey arena and sports centre, the city's community services committee was told recently.

Tony Hay, assistant director of community services, which is responsible for recreation facilities in Fredericton, said much of the site preparation was done ahead of time, so construction can move ahead quickly once city council receives prices and determines the successful contractor by the end of September or early October.

In the meantime, work has started to install a geothermal heating system that will recover warmth from the earth and turn that into an environmentally friendly way of heating and cooling the building.

It will be a demonstration site for the system, to be supplied by Ice Kube Systems Technology.

The system will cost $2.3 million.

The Ice Kube geothermal heat pump equipment will capture heat from the centre's ice plant, which will be used to heat liquid stored in a closed ground loop. From there, the underground thermal energy system distributes heat back to the Grant * Harvey Centre to heat the building and its water supply.

The systems are designed for hockey and curling arenas in North America.

Hay told city councillors that he doesn't expect the city will be hit with huge fluctuations in steel prices, as the city experienced with construction of Willie O'Ree Place.

The Grant * Harvey Centre will have an NHL-sized ice rink, plus an Olympic oval.

The city has also started construction of an artificial turf field that will be ready this fall for soccer and football play before the season wraps up.

[cl812]

75 jobs coming to Oromocto
Published Wednesday August 18th, 2010
Call centre | Government providing loan of $6,000 per job to company
A1
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

A new contact centre with 75 jobs is setting up in Oromocto.

The official announcement will be made today in the model town.

"Virtual-Agent Services is announcing the establishment of a contact centre in Oromocto," said Finance Minister and Fredericton-Lincoln Liberal MLA Greg Byrne on Tuesday.

"They will create 75 new jobs."

He said VAS has been in New Brunswick for more than 11 years.

"They are a very successful business and they employ more than 950 people," said Byrne. "They have centres throughout the province, many in rural communities."

The company has centres in Bristol, Doaktown, Stanley, Nackawic, Perth-Andover, Minto, St. Louis, Hillsboro, St. George, Neguac, Rogersville, Petitcodiac, Chipman, Sussex, Plaster Rock and St. Andrews, he said.

"These jobs are welcomed by the community in which they are located," said Byrne. "They often provide families with second incomes."

He said VAS has pioneered the distributed workforce concept through Bell Aliant.

While the centres are spread across the province, they're linked by a common telephone system so it acts as one virtual operation, said Byrne.

"Despite the economic crisis and despite the many challenges that businesses are facing, they have been able to grow their business and create new opportunities," said Byrne. "We are proud to be a partner."

He said the province is providing financial assistance to VAS in the amount of $6,000 per job, or about $450,000.

"It's a forgivable loan, so they have to maintain those jobs during the contract period in order to be eligible," he said. "Usually when they establish a centre they grow well beyond their initial expectations."

[cl812]

Contract for $2.3-M sound berm along Vanier Highway awarded
Published Wednesday August 18th, 2010
Project | Work will begin in a few days, Byrne says
A3
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

Work on the long-awaited sound berm between the Vanier Highway and Skyline Acres will begin in a few days, the province says.

Finance Minister and Fredericton-Lincoln Liberal MLA Greg Byrne said Tuesday that the $2.3-million contract for the barrier has been awarded to the Fredericton firm Springhill Infrastructure Ltd.

"I am very pleased that the project is going to be moving forward," he said.

"It will be great to see construction will start right away."

Springhill was the lowest of six bids on the project, according to the Department of Transportation.

The bid came in several hundred thousand dollars over the department's estimate. The highest of the six bids was $2.8 million, said department spokesman Andrew Holland.

"They are a firm with extensive construction experience and a great reputation," Byrne said about Springhill.

He said he hopes the work can be completed this fall.

"It is a considerable undertaking," said Byrne.

"It is 1,300 metres of noise barrier."

It will run from Kimble Drive to the off-ramp to the highway leading to the Princess Margaret Bridge.

"It will be a berm that has an elevation of approximately 1.7 metres above the roadway and then there will be a wall that will extend 2.8 metres above that," said Byrne.

"That wall will be on steel post and they will be in concrete footings."

He said the earth and wall berm is designed so there is no need to relocate the power lines that run parallel to the Vanier Highway, which would be expensive if required.

"It is a very effective sound barrier," said Byrne.

"It will have a tremendous impact on noise reduction and for the residents living adjacent to the highway it will certainly improve their quality of life."

Byrne said he was in the Skyline Acres area Monday night and spoke to many residents who live along the highway and they are thrilled by the news about the berm.

"It has been a project that has been talked about for many, many years," he said.

Byrne said there will be no impact on roads in the area during the construction.

[Freddypop]

Just heard from a reliable source that the first round-about in Freddy will be on Brookside Drive at the Brookside Drive-Reynolds Street-West Hills Crossing junction. Plan is for the city to start with a smaller round-about before tackling the larger ones. Official announcement coming soon....

Should be interesting.....

[OliverD]

Just heardfrom a reliable source that the first round-about in Freddy will be on Brookside Drive at the Brookside Drive-Reynolds Street-West Hills Crossing junction. Plan is for the city to start with a smaller round-about before tackling the larger ones. Official announcement coming soon....

Should be interesting.....

I saw that as well. That's actually a very logical place for a roundabout. Will be interesting to see how traffic handles it. I wonder how they will deal with pedestrians.

[Freddypop]

I saw that as well. That's actually a very logical place for a roundabout. Will be interesting to see how traffic handles it. I wonder how they will deal with pedestrians.

Yes....will be intersting as to how the pedestrians are handled. Currently just a cross walk there. I understand that Sobeys gas bar is slated to be located at the Hill Bros property at West Hills Village. That should result in an increase in traffic.

[Smevo]

How is the pedestrian traffic up there now? The last time I was in that neighbourhood, there were only a few houses in West Hills, the condos/apartments behind Brookside Mall, and the strip mall was still under construction, so there was practically no pedestrian traffic at all (I don't even remember sidewalks there).

That location is a great one for the first roundabout to get people used to them. I could see them handling the pedestrian issue similar to this (this is just brainstorming, so take it all with a grain of salt):
-mid-block crossing(s) on Reynolds with overhead lights, or a pedestrian actuated traffic light at the entrance to Brookside Mall (not sure how warranted any of this is, but it's an idea)
-crossing at Summerhill Row-West Hills Crossing intersection (with no sidewalk on the east side of West Hills Crossing)
-pedestrian actuated or traffic actuated light at Brookside Dr entrance to Brookside Mall (given the state of that mall when I last saw it, I'd lean towards pedestrian actuated).
Took a quick peak at streetview and it looks like the city planners might have something like this in mind since there's no sidewalk on the east side of Reynolds or West Hills Crossing. Overhead pedestrian lights are (relatively) easy to move, and the current ones would have to go with a roundabout anyway. There's no sidewalk on the south side of Brookside either, but that's another easy fix.

Crosswalks and roundabouts can co-exist, but drivers and pedestrians both have to be hyper-vigilant where they do. I really like the idea of a roundabout there though.

As for the hotel, I'm also surprised they didn't know enough about the soil issues on site, but it might be a case of chalking this up to "that's just the funny nature of soil". There could be a complication on this lot that wasn't there on the convention centre or office building lots. I wouldn't say this is common, but it certainly wouldn't be the first time something like that happened anywhere. Good to hear they can keep 11 floors on it though, probably just need to expand the foundation beyond what they expected, which will add costs but doesn't sound like it's severe enough to put the project in jeopardy.

[Freddypop]

Noticed that El Burrito Loco is up for sale....

http://www.exitadvantage.ca/listing/327963/304-king-street

[mylesmalley]

I hope he's moving, and not closing. In spite of his 'personality', that place has some excellent food.

[cl812]

How is the pedestrian traffic up there now? The last time I was in that neighbourhood, there were only a few houses in West Hills, the condos/apartments behind Brookside Mall, and the strip mall was still under construction, so there was practically no pedestrian traffic at all (I don't even remember sidewalks there).

That location is a great one for the first roundabout to get people used to them. I could see them handling the pedestrian issue similar to this (this is just brainstorming, so take it all with a grain of salt):
-mid-block crossing(s) on Reynolds with overhead lights, or a pedestrian actuated traffic light at the entrance to Brookside Mall (not sure how warranted any of this is, but it's an idea)
-crossing at Summerhill Row-West Hills Crossing intersection (with no sidewalk on the east side of West Hills Crossing)
-pedestrian actuated or traffic actuated light at Brookside Dr entrance to Brookside Mall (given the state of that mall when I last saw it, I'd lean towards pedestrian actuated).
Took a quick peak at streetview and it looks like the city planners might have something like this in mind since there's no sidewalk on the east side of Reynolds or West Hills Crossing. Overhead pedestrian lights are (relatively) easy to move, and the current ones would have to go with a roundabout anyway. There's no sidewalk on the south side of Brookside either, but that's another easy fix.

Crosswalks and roundabouts can co-exist, but drivers and pedestrians both have to be hyper-vigilant where they do. I really like the idea of a roundabout there though.

As for the hotel, I'm also surprised they didn't know enough about the soil issues on site, but it might be a case of chalking this up to "that's just the funny nature of soil". There could be a complication on this lot that wasn't there on the convention centre or office building lots. I wouldn't say this is common, but it certainly wouldn't be the first time something like that happened anywhere. Good to hear they can keep 11 floors on it though, probably just need to expand the foundation beyond what they expected, which will add costs but doesn't sound like it's severe enough to put the project in jeopardy.

I think there has been a pretty good increase in pedestrian traffic out there now. There are several hundred houses out there with all the expansions to the existing ones and new subdivisions (Brookside West, Northbrook, West Hills) and the mobile home park.

[Freddypop]

I think there has been a pretty good increase in pedestrian traffic out there now. There are several hundred houses out there with all the expansions to the existing ones and new subdivisions (Brookside West, Northbrook, West Hills) and the mobile home park.

Add the Tannery Court building now under construction as well. I travel that route on a daily basis and the growth over the past 5 years has been amazing. West Hills is nearly full and Brookside West is on Phase IV. Even the Brookside Mall has undergone some positive changes (Lawtons, Nubodys, NB Liqour plus 350 new provincial jobs) and is now receiving its share of traffic.

[OliverD]

I hope he's moving, and not closing. In spite of his 'personality', that place has some excellent food.

But did you see that he had an illegal Mexican working for him for $300/week, and held his passport? That's f'ed up.

[OliverD]

Noticed that El Burrito Loco is up for sale....

http://www.exitadvantage.ca/listing/327963/304-king-street

It's been for sale since February or March.

Also for sale is Jive's. It closed within the last couple weeks. Supposedly bankrupt.

[mylesmalley]

But did you see that he had an illegal Mexican working for him for $300/week, and held his passport? That's f'ed up.

:yuck: :maddown:

[cl812]

Add the Tannery Court building now under construction as well. I travel that route on a daily basis and the growth over the past 5 years has been amazing. West Hills is nearly full and Brookside West is on Phase IV. Even the Brookside Mall has undergone some positive changes (Lawtons, Nubodys, NB Liqour plus 350 new provincial jobs) and is now receiving its share of traffic.

yeah, definately good to see growth at the mall. I thought when Walmart opened on two nations that would be the end of the mall. But it is good to see they have found a way to fill up the mall (ie gov offices).

[Smevo]

Good to hear the mall (and the area in general) is picking up. I was afraid the mall had become an empty shell (it was pretty close when I left the city).

[theshark]

so more traffic to the mall = more attractive for new tennants....sounds like another shopping hub forming in the city???

[Taeolas]

It's official if it wasn't mentioned before. Deluxe in the Regent Mall is closing today, and McDonalds in the Food Court is closing on Tuesday I believe.

I still think that KFC will move into the McD's slot, and share it with Taco Bell... unless they have different local owners. Otherwise, the McD's slot is a big slot to fill.

[cl812]

It's official if it wasn't mentioned before. Deluxe in the Regent Mall is closing today, and McDonalds in the Food Court is closing on Tuesday I believe.

I still think that KFC will move into the McD's slot, and share it with Taco Bell... unless they have different local owners. Otherwise, the McD's slot is a big slot to fill.

Wonder what will be going in the Delux slot?

[Smevo]

Maybe A&W? The way I heard it was Taco Bell in the Deluxe spot and A&W in the McDonald's spot, but maybe that part of the food court will shuffle around a bit so KFC and Taco Bell have shared space. :shrug:

[Taeolas]

It makes sense for KFC/TB to be in the same slot, since it's the same over all company. But if they are different owners here in Freddy, then they could go in different slots.

But the McD's slot just looks too big for A&W alone, or for any single restaurant short of McD's IMO.

Personally, I'd love to see a Pizza Hut express open up in there sometime too.

[cl812]

Maybe A&W? The way I heard it was Taco Bell in the Deluxe spot and A&W in the McDonald's spot, but maybe that part of the food court will shuffle around a bit so KFC and Taco Bell have shared space. :shrug:

I forgot about that, it would be good for it to open up there.

[cl812]

I also remebered seeing an add recently in the paper for another Second cup franchise, could see them opening in the mall again, especially since one of the Starbucks in there closed up. Doubt they would be in the food court though.

[Smevo]

^Second Cup's website had listed a Regent Mall location opening up a few years back (around the same time the major changes started happening in the mall with Sirens, Dynamite, Rocky Mountain Chocolate, and that craft store had replaced Athlete's World before Aerie moved in), and we were all wondering where it would go. I wouldn't be surprised to see them come in (possible even into the food court) with the Starbucks kiosk closed.

Edit- just checked the website and the do have a new franchise planned for the Fredericton area.
http://secondcup.com/eng/franchising.php?sec_id=250&msid=1#m1

... (http://secondcup.com/eng/franchising.php?sec_id=250&msid=1#m1)

ATLANTIC
Moncton - Trinity area, Fredericton, St. John NB
Halifax, NS
St John's NFLD
Charlottetown PEI

... (http://secondcup.com/eng/franchising.php?sec_id=250&msid=1#m1)

Edit again- man I'm dopey today, just noticed cl812's post already mentioned an ad for a new franchise. Sorry, lack of sleep catching up.

[Freddypop]

I also remebered seeing an add recently in the paper for another Second cup franchise, could see them opening in the mall again, especially since one of the Starbucks in there closed up. Doubt they would be in the food court though.

I would bet that it will be located in the downtown area.....near convention centre or a stand-alone at the Corbett Centre next to Costco....similar to that at East Pointe Shopping in Saint John

[mylesmalley]

It's fascinating how Second Cup is doing that much better in this market than Starbucks, even though IMO they have pretty similar service offerings.

[Smevo]

Isn't the first Second Cup at King's Place? That's not too far from the new office building and convention centre at all, easily walking distance. I'd expect the new one to be in Regent Mall moreso than downtown. Corbett Centre could be a good spot as Freddypop mentioned, though.

[cl812]

Isn't the first Second Cup at King's Place? That's not too far from the new office building and convention centre at all, easily walking distance. I'd expect the new one to be in Regent Mall moreso than downtown. Corbett Centre could be a good spot as Freddypop mentioned, though.

Yeah it is in Kings Place. They used to have a location in the Regent Mall a few years back (where Telus is now) but closed. The Corbett Centre would be a good spot also. Personally I would rather see Starbucks open in there, since I find Starbucks coffee to be a bit better and it would be good to have one outside the mall.

[cl812]

No roundabout way to say it
Published Tuesday August 24th, 2010
Traffic | Project expected to be done in late September
A1
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN

Get used to going in circles.

Fredericton's public works and engineering department is going to embark on construction of the city's first roundabout this summer.

The city will build the traffic circle at Brookside Drive near the intersection of Reynolds and West Hills Crossing. That's the first intersection just past the entrance to the Brookside Mall.

The city's 2010 traffic study has recommended construction of several traffic roundabouts over the next 20 years.

Other areas the city will look at include the Brunswick-King-Smythe-Woodstock Road intersection, the Union-Gibson intersection and Riverside Drive at Watters Street and the north end of the Princess Margaret Bridge.

"Roundabouts are the way of the future," said Coun. Bruce Grandy, chairman of the city's transportation committee. "They are much safer than traditional intersections and allow traffic to move more freely."

Grandy said drivers in the roundabout drive at slower speeds while negotiating the counter-clockwise turns, but because vehicles stay in motion, there are fewer delays.

That's also good for the environment since vehicle idling at traffic signals contributes to emission levels.

The Brookside Drive roundabout has flat grades and it has the right amount of land available for construction of the traffic circle. If a roundabout wasn't built, the city said, it would require traffic lights in the future.

"There was already road work being done in the vicinity of this intersection, so it made sense to include construction of our first roundabout at the same time," Grandy said.

City traffic engineer Darren Charters said roundabouts have been used in Europe, Australia and the Caribbean for many years and have been gaining popularity in North America since the 1990s.

Oromocto has two such intersections.

"Many Canadian cities are now installing roundabouts as a modern way to control traffic," Charters said.

In a traditional signalized intersection, there are about 56 vehicle to vehicle and pedestrian points of conflict. But in a modern roundabout, there are only about 16 points of conflict where accidents can potentially occur.

Drivers have to yield to traffic from the left in order to enter a roundabout, but once in the circle, they hold the right-of-way.

Statistics collected in the United States found that a traffic circle can decrease injury and fatal collisions by 76 per cent. In Great Britain, the decrease in injury and fatal collisions was closer to 86 per cent.

Work on rebuilding Brookside Drive between Summerhill Row and Reynolds Street started Monday.

Brookside Drive was closed Monday to all through traffic between Summerhill Row and Reynolds Street.

Motorists must detour via St. Mary's Street, Maple Street and Ring Road.

Estimated time for completing the project is five weeks. It should be wrapped up by the end of September.

Grandy said the city will also create a landscaping plan for the Brookside Drive area.

The city's also considering a public awareness campaign to educate people on how to safely use roundabouts.

Some of the world's largest cities have famous roundabouts, including Columbus Circle built in New York City in 1904, and the traffic circle that wraps around the Arc de Triomphe, which was built in Paris in 1907.

Also Monday, Clements Drive was reduced to one lane of traffic in the Diamond Street-Carlisle Road (Route 105) area.

The closure is also needed to upgrade the city's underground infrastructure.

Traffic will be controlled by temporary traffic signals. Construction signs will be in place to warn and guide motorists through the site.

Also, traffic control workers will be stationed at key locations to help direct motorists.

The traffic disruption is expected to last for two weeks.

[Freddypop]

Announced today that Research in Motion will add 30 more jobs in Freddy plus a 5th Knowledge Park building. This will bring the number of employees to 150. :tup:

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2010.08.1522.html

[cl812]

Announced today that Research in Motion will add 30 more jobs in Freddy plus a 5th Knowledge Park building. This will bring the number of employees to 150. :tup:

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2010.08.1522.html

Thats great news. Looks like Knowledge Park is really taking off, finally.

[Freddypop]

Building #4 is slated to be 45,000 SF. RIM has committed to 30,000 SF in building #5 which will be 45,000 SF as well. Will allow other companies to locate or RIM to expand further in the future. Gotta figure that all this activity will raise the eyebrows of other companies that wish to cluster and may want in on the the current action. After a rather lengthy lull it would appear that things are picking up at Knowledge Park.

[OliverD]

I know that Radian6 is running out of room. They're currently in building three.

Any idea what the square footage of the current buildings is?

[Freddypop]

I know that Radian6 is running out of room. They're currently in building three.

Any idea what the square footage of the current buildings is?

Pretty sure it is 30,000 SF in total...

[Freddypop]

Published Wednesday August 25th, 2010

Hot year $80.7 million in building so far this year

A1 By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN

mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton is having another scorching construction year with $80.7 million in building racked up to the midway point of the year.

If the pace continues, the city could be looking at shattering its 2006 record when total building for the year hit $132.4 million.

"There are as many construction cranes in the city as there has ever been. We have a number of major projects underway and several major projects anticipated," said Coun. Stephen Chase, chairman of the city's development committee.

"The number of housing starts and other residential housing starts continues the upward trend of the last few years," Chase said. "It's a good year for the City of Fredericton. We're really happy with the total value of construction."

Construction is balanced across all sectors - residential, commercial, government and institutional, Chase said.

"Development is very much in accordance with the municipal plan and that reflects a high degree of certainty.''

When people enjoy that sense of confidence and stability, it protects their financial investment and bolsters consumer confidence, he said.

Marcello Battilana, senior planner with the city, said the figures are rivalling the numbers generated during the city's best development year in 2006.

A mild winter that allowed developers a good jump on the 2010 construction season has helped to get a lot of the building permits into the hopper early, Battilana said.

Projects on the books now will also keep the city humming through the end of the year and into 2011, he added.

The value of residential construction in the capital city between January and June is short of the $30-million mark by $200,000.

"That again outpaced the 2006 numbers," Battilana said. "They're extremely positive numbers."

Commercial construction in Fredericton was worth $25.8 million, again a peak figure when measured against the same time period for prior years.

Multiple-unit starts were down from 2009 when 171 units were built. So far this year, 141 multiple units have been built.

Seventy-five single family homes have been constructed during the first half of the year, on par with 2009. The average permit value of a new single detached home is hovering at $172,000.

Battilana said the distribution of housing units remains on a nearly even split between the north and south sides.

Some of the major construction projects anticipated into the latter half of this year and into 2011 include:

* 46 single detached homes in Phase 5 of Brookside West.

* 43 residential units, eight townhouses and one apartment development in the second and third phase of North Brook Subdivision off Brookside Drive.

* A 40-unit apartment building, 30 townhouses and four semi-detached units in Rainsford Gardens off Sarah's Lane.

* 80 townhouse units at 850 Kimble Dr.

* 48 residential lots in the first phase of The Meadows at Neill Farm.

* Another 35 residential building lots in Gilridge Drive extension.

Major projects planned in the commercial sector include continued expansion of Corbett Centre retail development atop Regent Street and another building at Knowledge Park.

More commercial development along Brookside Drive near West Hills subdivision and Two Nations Crossing are expected.

The construction of a downtown hotel has also been approved.

Other major projects that are ongoing include the Currie Center at UNB, the Shannex Senior Living Complex, the second phase of the YMCA, continued expansion and renovation of York Manor and the Grant * Harvey sports centre.

Battilana said construction of Costco, Regent Mall and Brookside Mall renovations helped boost the building permit figures for the first half of the year.

[cl812]

Wonder if the continued expansion of the Corbett Centre is Best Buy and Tim Hortons? Would be good to see that this year.

[cl812]

Traffic flow plan opposed
Published Wednesday August 25th, 2010
Queen Street | Councillor, business group concerned about proposal to change block to two-way traffic
A1
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

A Fredericton city councillor says he'll be calling for the status quo when a traffic bylaw amendment comes before city council soon.

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=567503&size=500x0
Traffic moves past the new convention centre on Queen Street between St. John Street and Regent Street on Tuesday. The city wants to make that section of Queen Street open for two-way traffic.

City council this week approved the drafting of a bylaw that would turn Queen Street into a two-way street - not for its entire length - but for the distance of one block.

Coun. Jordan Graham said it's premature to make the traffic change and the city should wait for the dust to settle before it makes haste to alter traffic directions.

When the bylaw comes before city council in September for first, second and third reading, he'll present his motion to try to freeze the plan for a year.

Downtown Fredericton Inc. president Linda Dolan agrees. She said the change isn't warranted at this time and will have negative consequences on downtown parking and business.

Queen Street has been one way for years, but with the construction of the downtown convention centre, government office building and parking garage, the city's public works and engineering division has recommended that one section of the road be converted to handle two- way traffic.

It also obtained advice on traffic patterns from ADI Ltd. when it updated the capital city's traffic study.

"Staff is of the opinion that the removal of Queen Street from St. John Street to Regent Street as a one-way section and the installation of traffic signals at Queen Street and St. John Street are considered critical to the success of the east-end development project," said a report that was handed to city council this week.

But Graham, who represents the downtown east end of Fredericton, said he's talked to ADI about the proposed Queen Street traffic direction change and the expected gains are marginal.

"We haven't had any public debate on this yet," Graham said. "Traffic flow can't be the only consideration down there."

During the closure of the Princess Margaret Bridge, the city removed parking at the bottom of Regent Street to improve traffic flow, but making it easier for vehicles to speed through the downtown area isn't a solution for anyone, Graham said.

"On-street parking is one of the most effective traffic calming devices and tools we have," Graham said.

"Numerous studies have shown that street fronts where there's on-street parking have greater pedestrian circulation because people feel safer with that buffer (of a parked vehicle) between them and the sidewalk."

Pedestrian counts on Regent Street have dropped since parking was removed, Graham said.

While city traffic engineers hope to reduce traffic tension on Regent at King and Brunswick streets, Graham said he's going to propose that the city implement a moratorium on the proposed traffic change for one year and then review it.

"We should at least have the benefit of being shown that there is an issue," Graham said. "We grossly overestimated the impacts of the Princess Margaret Bridge being closed. What if we're doing the same for the downtown?"

The proposed change to Queen Street may only be helpful during rush hour, he said.

"We're altering the design of the downtown ... because of two hours a day," Graham said.

Downtown Fredericton Inc. has already had chats with Mayor Brad Woodside and some city councillors to voice its concerns.

Downtown business people don't want Queen Street altered to a two-way in the block near the convention centre and it doesn't want any further elimination of downtown parking, said Dolan.

"When they first came up with the traffic study, there were several assumptions that are no longer valid," said the president of Downtown Fredericton Inc.

"As well as the new conference centre, they assumed that the Hilton Hotel would be up and running and that the Centennial Building would be in use again." Dolan said renovations to the Centennial Building may not be tackled for eight to 10 years and the new downtown hotel is at least two years away from construction and completion.

"When you take those factors out, the need to accommodate increased traffic is significantly reduced. We feel, as a group, that those recommendations are not as valid as they used to be," Dolan said. "We're not asking that they throw the whole plan out the window, just defer it for a few years and see how things go."

Even though the city is constructing a parking garage adjacent to the convention centre, Dolan said it's human nature to want to park close to the business you are visiting.

"Especially the elderly and disabled, it makes a huge difference in where they're going to choose to conduct business," she said.

Moncton and Bangor, Maine, were two communities that removed downtown parking only to find that their city centres were suffering and are trying to reverse trends.

"Having on-street parking slows traffic down. If you take the parking meters away, it's been documented that drivers speed up," she said.

A committee of the downtown business improvement area has been formed to map out the group's concerns in order to present them to city council as a whole, she said.

"It will be a huge impact on our downtown. It will change the landscape," Dolan said. "The gain in traffic flow will be so minimal that it doesn't justify the impacts that are going to come from this."

City council has approved a $1.2-million tender to undertake road work, curb and sidewalk reconstruction, add decorative sidewalk and street light installation on the streets surrounding the development.

At the time the contract was awarded, Sean Lee, the city's manager of engineering services, said making Queen Street wider and turning it into a two-way between Regent and St. John streets will facilitate drop off and pick up at the convention centre.

The city is proposing to install traffic signals at St. John and Queen Streets and at St. John and King streets, he said.

[cl812]

Here is the article (RIM expansion) from todays Gleaner as well.

----

RIM-owned Chalk Media to expand
Published Wednesday August 25th, 2010
Company | Firm will lease most of the space in a new Knowledge Park building
A1
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

Chalk Media Service Corp. is adding 30 jobs to its facility in the capital and moving all 130 employees to a fifth building in the Fredericton Knowledge Park.

The provincial government is loaning the Knowledge Park $3.3 million to build the 4,050-square-metre (45,000-square-foot) building. As well, it's providing Chalk Media with a $480,000 payroll rebate.

Morgan Elliot, director of government relations for Research in Motion, which owns Chalk Media, said Chalk will take up 2,700-square-metres (30,000-square-feet) in the new building.

He said it was only seven months ago that RIM announced the first expansion of Chalk Media.

"Now today we are here to say not only are we creating those extra 50 jobs, we are going to add another 30," said Elliot.

Chalk Media is located in downtown Fredericton but space is limited, he said. Sixty people work at the downtown location.

"It is such a pleasure to be a part of this announcement and to be a member of the Knowledge Park," said Elliot.

"The sooner the new building is up, the better, because we are quite cramped."

Elliot said developing clusters is important.

"There is energy you get from collaborating with different companies."

RIM is based in Waterloo, Ont., which has a rich Mennonite heritage that includes community barn building, said Elliot.

"I have to tell you that dealing with the provincial government that is here in New Brunswick, the municipality, the universities, that same spirit of collaboration is right here," he said.

"It has been fantastic to deal with everyone. We hope this is the beginning of more great stuff to come in the future."

Elliot said the jobs range from programmers to quality assurance to project managers and co-op students.

"These jobs are highly sought after," he said. "These are very well paying jobs."

The announcement was made Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot in front of the first Knowledge Park building.

"It is really amazing what's been done in such a short time," Elliot said about the park which built its first building in 1997.

Development is heating up in the Knowledge Park.

In July, the provincial government announced it was giving the Knowledge Park a $4.5-million interest-free loan to construct a fourth building, which will house the new Centre of Excellence in Advanced Learning Technologies.

"Space is filling so quickly in the park that we had been approached to discuss an additional fifth building," said Finance Minister Greg Byrne in a release Tuesday.

"Today, I am pleased to announce that the provincial government will have a hand in ensuring that the Knowledge Park is able to continue to grow to meet the increased demand for space."

Doug Motty, CEO of Enterprise Fredericton, which runs the Knowledge Park, said the rapid growth sends a signal that New Brunswick is open for business and ready to support the IT industry.

"We have been in discussions with well-known international firms to grow their companies here and this commitment by Research in Motion shows it understands the value of the New Brunswick business climate," he said in a release.

Susan Holt, president of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, said when a world leader such as RIM expands here, it further validates that the capital has a great workforce and a lot of opportunities for innovative companies to be successful.

She said the announcement regarding the two new buildings in the Knowledge Park this summer is a sign of the momentum in Fredericton's business community.

"We are certainly seeing it in our membership," said Holt.

"There is talk of expansion and there are people looking for space. Companies are growing."

[cl812]

High-tech company has 20 vacancies
Published Wednesday August 25th, 2010
Network | Internet security business is booming, Q1 Labs says, and it's winning market share
D1
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

Fast-growing online security company Q1 Labs Inc. is looking for 20 high-tech workers for its research and development centres in Fredericton and Saint John.

"Software engineering is probably our biggest hiring," said Chris Fanjoy, senior vice-president of engineering and quality assurance, on Tuesday.

"There are 10 open positions right now in software engineering."

Q1 Labs is also hiring technical writers, quality assurance engineers and a network administration position, said Fanjoy.

"Right now we have 20 open positions in Saint John and Fredericton," he said.

"As Fredericton is the base for R&D it is also our base for our customer support centre so all of our support engineers are based in Fredericton."

Q1 Labs is what the industry calls a security information and event management (SIEM) and log management company.

Q1 Labs was formed in 2001 and grew out of a project at the University of New Brunswick in 1999.

This spring the company got a $560,000 payroll rebate from the provincial government in return for hiring 70 people in Fredericton and Saint John.

Q1 Labs already had 34 employees in Fredericton and Saint John when the government funding was announced.

"Since the announcement, we've actually brought on five new hires and we have been actively recruiting," said Fanjoy.

"If we fill these 20, we are close to 60."

He said he expects to reach 70 by next year.

"It is proving to be a little more difficult (than expected finding the right people)," said Fanjoy.

"When you are going after one or two engineers, it tends to be easier.

"But when you are trying to hire bulk like, this it tends to take a little longer."

He said a lot of people don't like moving between companies in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada.

"We have our feelers out everywhere, using recruiters and our internal referrals we get from our own people," said Fanjoy.

"There are a lot of companies right now recruiting."

Fanjoy said Q1 Labs has a university co-op program that has been successful.

"We tend to have four to six university students on our team all year round," he said.

"We have probably converted seven or eight of those into full time over the past four years and we are constantly doing that."

He said those co-op students work on projects and become trained engineers when they graduate and an effective resource when they join the team.

Fanjoy also said the company has enough space in Fredericton and Saint John to house its new workers and a 3,000-square-foot expansion is planned this year.

John Burnham, vice-president of corporate marketing, said Q1 Labs customer base grew by 80 per cent in the first half of 2010.

"The segment we are in is very hot right now," he said in a telephone interview from Q1 Labs corporate headquarters in Waltham, Mass.

"It will be for the foreseeable future as it is tied to compliance and cyber threats, which don't seem to be going away any time soon.

"That is having impact on our hiring requirements."

Burnham said one of the global drivers for Q1 Labs is Internet-based cyber attacks from groups ranging from criminal organizations and state-supported terrorists to rogue individuals and bored college students.

"Our solutions help our customers monitor that activity and also do pre-threat analysis to get in front of the potential attacks," he said.

The other major issue creating business for Q1 Labs is government and corporate regulations requiring Internet system security, said Burnham.

That ranges from personal credit information to online medical records, he said.

"Anyone taking a credit card swipe needs to be compliant with these regulations or risk losing their ability to use that credit card in their business," he said.

Q1 Labs sells QRadar, which monitors all data that traverses a company or organization's network, analyses it and provides a report, he said.

Experts are projecting that the security software industry is growing at nearly 11 per cent a year and the segment in which Q1 Labs specializes will grow by 20 per cent annually until 2014, said Burnham.

The privately owned company has about 200 employees and doesn't release sales and profit figures. But Burnham said over the last five years the company's average revenue growth is 70 per cent and Q1 Labs is profitable.

That's three times the segment growth, which means the company is taking market share from the competition, he said.

[Pugsley]

As wonderful as it is to see RIM expanding and other buildings going up at the Knowledge Park, I do have to sound an alarm here. These developments are not good for downtown and as I have said before, I am dissapointed in the city's efforts to control sprawl and support dense development downtown. While it is great that the park is expanding, projects in the city centre are sitting stalled. Frederick Square Phase II,the vacant land off King and Regent where the Bus Depot was, and the large parcels of land in the West End are prime for development, however, the Knowledge Park is hurting the prospect of any development happening here.

While the province is supporting the development of 50 jobs through investment of the knowledge park, they may in fact end up eliminating more jobs if they are not more sensitive to the development's location. When 150 jobs move up the hill, the local businesses downtown who rely on these workers for foot traffic and revenue suffers. There are more small businesses in Fredericton than large corporations and when I see this type of development, I become concerned that a hollowing-out of the downtown could be on the horizon.

For those who argue that a new convention centre will soften this trend, I invite them to visit Saginaw (MI), where this type of development policy in the 80s, slowly eroded the centre of the city to being a few government offices, empty store-fronts, a rarely used 3-star hotel, and a virtually emtpy convention centre.

The city needs to put a new focus on the downtown core and support (with the province) development of downtown Class A office space before making any further investment into suburban-style office parks. Yes, it is cheaper to build up on the hill in a suburban environment - however, the long-term economic impact will not be a great story for the future Fredericton I think everyone wants to see. RIM would have been a great tenant for Frederick Square II and potentially a catalyst for more development downtown. Their move will only result in more vacant office space downtown, and less likelyhood of future higher-quality development...the demand will not be there.

[OliverD]

Your point is valid, but I have to ask, what incentive is there for companies like RIM to be downtown if the cost of being in the Knowledge Park is substantially lower?

[OliverD]

Although I disagree that Queen Street should be one-way for a single block, Jordan Graham's comment about changing downtown for "two hours a day" is idiotic. We might as well design all roads for the 22 hours a day where traffic isn't high. Screw the commuters.

[Pugsley]

Your point is valid, but I have to ask, what incentive is there for companies like RIM to be downtown if the cost of being in the Knowledge Park is substantially lower?

It is not the cost to RIM, it is the cost of the development. Class A office space, spread across a city like Fredericton, will vary by a very small margin from site to site, if not be completely standard across the city. The cost issue is the development of the building. RIM is not building and owning this building, they will be leasing it. The city, province, and other partners are throwing the money into developing it and will make their money back on the lease and business taxes over a period of several years. They have a model for calculating this when making an investment.

The cost issue involves the development of the building. It is much cheaper to build a building on firmer soil on the hill with space to build a parking lot than it is to build a high-rise downtown. Look at the convention centre as an example. The cost issue is one the political parties are concerned with and in the long term, the initial savings of investing in the development of a business hub in the sururbs may adversely effect the sustainability of larger revenues from lost businesses in the downtown core.

A third issue is timing. They can construct a low-rise structure in the Knowledge park faster than a structure downtown. Again, RIM cannot wait for a new building that takes as long as the convention centre to construct.

For RIM, they need the space and there is nothing available downtown to suit their needs. My comment is that if Fredericton is truly goign to be "what a city should be", they need to start encouraging downtown development to accomodate companies like RIM with quality, affordable space and understand that the longer-term investment is greater than suburban business campus sprawl.

It is a catch-22 situation, but if they do not take a longer-term look at return on their investment, these "super funds" to encourage development for today's needs and not tomorrrow's is going to hurt the city.

[cl812]

It is not the cost to RIM, it is the cost of the development. Class A office space, spread across a city like Fredericton, will vary by a very small margin from site to site, if not be completely standard across the city. The cost issue is the development of the building. RIM is not building and owning this building, they will be leasing it. The city, province, and other partners are throwing the money into developing it and will make their money back on the lease and business taxes over a period of several years. They have a model for calculating this when making an investment.

The cost issue involves the development of the building. It is much cheaper to build a building on firmer soil on the hill with space to build a parking lot than it is to build a high-rise downtown. Look at the convention centre as an example. The cost issue is one the political parties are concerned with and in the long term, the initial savings of investing in the development of a business hub in the sururbs may adversely effect the sustainability of larger revenues from lost businesses in the downtown core.

A third issue is timing. They can construct a low-rise structure in the Knowledge park faster than a structure downtown. Again, RIM cannot wait for a new building that takes as long as the convention centre to construct.

For RIM, they need the space and there is nothing available downtown to suit their needs. My comment is that if Fredericton is truly goign to be "what a city should be", they need to start encouraging downtown development to accomodate companies like RIM with quality, affordable space and understand that the longer-term investment is greater than suburban business campus sprawl.

It is a catch-22 situation, but if they do not take a longer-term look at return on their investment, these "super funds" to encourage development for today's needs and not tomorrrow's is going to hurt the city.

Actually, I wouldnt be surprised if the rent would be cheaper downtown for them. I think the lease rates in Knowledge Park are very high. The company I used to work for (recently aquired by another) was looking at office space up there and the rents were by far the highest of all the options considered. But, like you say it probably is mostly due to the amount of time required to construct downtown as opposed to up the hill and they likely require the space ASAP.

[Freddypop]

Actually, I wouldnt be surprised if the rent would be cheaper downtown for them. I think the lease rates in Knowledge Park are very high. The company I used to work for (recently aquired by another) was looking at office space up there and the rents were by far the highest of all the options considered. But, like you say it probably is mostly due to the amount of time required to construct downtown as opposed to up the hill and they likely require the space ASAP.

I would bet that if Freddy Square II took the risk to build that it would be filled rather quickly. That is the problem that no local developers are willing to build on spec anymore

[Freddypop]

More on the new round-about being planned for the northside....

http://www.fredericton.ca/en/transportation/NR2010Aug24Roundabout.asp

[Lamespotting]

Your point is valid, but I have to ask, what incentive is there for companies like RIM to be downtown if the cost of being in the Knowledge Park is substantially lower?

A few years ago, the rent at Knowledge Park was identical to the TD building downtown. At KP you also had to rent a whole floor (10,000 sqft) while downtown, the landlords were very willing to subdivide.

[cl812]

City defends move to change traffic pattern
Published Thursday August 26th, 2010
A3
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Reconfiguring Queen Street between Regent and St. John streets into a two-way street and removing all on-street parking in that block isn't an idea that's coming out of the blue, say city officials.

The plan was proposed back in 2006 when the city commissioned a special report from ADI Ltd. on how to handle traffic volumes expected from the new downtown convention centre. In 2008, a more detailed study was undertaken by ADI and the traffic plan was approved by council as a term and condition of the zoning approvals for the development.

"This decision has been brought up to be revisited by Coun. Jordan Graham," said Coun. Bruce Grandy, chairman of the city's transportation committee.

Downtown businesses owners are opposed to taking away parking and concerned about converting one block of historic Queen Street to accommodate two-way traffic.

The city-owned convention centre will have a ballroom large enough for 1,500 people next door to the 700-seat The Playhouse.

Grandy said last week the city's transportation committee had a thorough review and brought traffic adviser Don Good in for a refresher on why the changes are required.

"We need to ensure that traffic flows smoothly around the whole block. It's not just about Queen Street. It affects St. John Street, King and Regent streets as well," Grandy said.

"Traffic queuing would happen as you go up Regent Street if everyone is trying to turn (only) onto King Street to get into the parking garage. You would back up traffic not only from King to Queen on Regent, but onto Ste. Anne's Point Drive," Grandy said. "It's not about trying to upset business or anything else. It's about the smooth flow of traffic and trying to ensure that we manage traffic in and out and around that full block. It's more than just turning Queen Street into two-way."

ADI looked at how traffic would flow during the daytime and during evening events and how major businesses, such as the Crowne Plaza Hotel would be affected.

"Council looked at it and said it was a good plan," Grandy said.

The councillor said he's happy to hear comments and opinions come forward from the business community because it's an important issue.

"There's no bigger supporter of downtown than I am. Downtown is a great entity and we need to make sure we support the businesses there," he said. "There's a balance ... but we hire qualified consultants to look at all of this and give us advice."

City council has yet to give final approval to the traffic bylaw change.

"This was approached exactly how any development in the city is approached," said city traffic engineer Darren Charters. "If we feel that the development is going to have an impact on traffic, we do a traffic impact assessment."

Charters said ADI looked at traffic volumes and road configurations and the anticipated demand on the roads and intersections from the extra traffic.

The option, which the public works and engineering department recommended and city council approved, had the best outcomes not just on Queen Street, but on the key traffic intersections surrounding and feeding traffic into the downtown east end, Charters said.

"It was not done to facilitate buses getting to the front of the conference centre. That was a spinoff effect. But it was the best option for Queen Street to deal with all the issues around here, not just Queen Street," Charters said.

He said the Regent and King streets intersection has limited capacity and there's no room to expand the intersection given surrounding buildings.

"That was kind of the worst intersection," Charters said. "The goal of this (plan) is to get people into the convention centre, the office complex and the parking garage by making left turns."

To only have left turns at the Regent and King street intersection toward the east end complex would put huge pressure and create snarls, Charters pointed out.

With Queen Street two-way between Regent and St. John streets, motorists heading south-bound on Regent Street looking to access the downtown east end can turn left onto Queen or left onto King or left onto Brunswick.

For northbound traffic, right-turning movements off Regent Street will allow drivers to access to the east-end complex.

Removing parking off Queen Street is needed to create a dedicated turning lane for westbound traffic on Queen Street that needs to access St. Anne Point Boulevard and the Westmorland Street Bridge, the city said.

To allow that dedicated right-turn lane to queue up more vehicles, it has to be moved as far back as the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Charters said.

"This now is a very heavy demand movement. With the parking garage and the conference centre, demand will go really high. You have to separate traffic out or it backs up into other lanes and shuts things down," Charters said.

With regard to complaints from business owners about speeds increasing on Regent Street, Charters said that's a valid concern and the city will address it by adjusting signal times at Regent and King streets and at Queen and Regent streets.

Starting Monday, the city expects to start work on a new signalized intersection at St. John and Queen streets.

[Fredboy]

I think Pugsley makes some great points about downtown remaining vibrant. The continued drain to Knowledge park, while good for clustering of IT companies will impact downtown negatively unless there is a plan to replace those companies. I just don't know what sector will do that if not IT? Givernment won't be a growth area, and the Engineering sector never did set up in the downtown.
I know Stantec had been contemplating a building somewhere. Perhaps it could be downtown.....
What things could be done to entice them to the downtown?

It is not the cost to RIM, it is the cost of the development. Class A office space, spread across a city like Fredericton, will vary by a very small margin from site to site, if not be completely standard across the city. The cost issue is the development of the building. RIM is not building and owning this building, they will be leasing it. The city, province, and other partners are throwing the money into developing it and will make their money back on the lease and business taxes over a period of several years. They have a model for calculating this when making an investment.

The cost issue involves the development of the building. It is much cheaper to build a building on firmer soil on the hill with space to build a parking lot than it is to build a high-rise downtown. Look at the convention centre as an example. The cost issue is one the political parties are concerned with and in the long term, the initial savings of investing in the development of a business hub in the sururbs may adversely effect the sustainability of larger revenues from lost businesses in the downtown core.

A third issue is timing. They can construct a low-rise structure in the Knowledge park faster than a structure downtown. Again, RIM cannot wait for a new building that takes as long as the convention centre to construct.

For RIM, they need the space and there is nothing available downtown to suit their needs. My comment is that if Fredericton is truly goign to be "what a city should be", they need to start encouraging downtown development to accomodate companies like RIM with quality, affordable space and understand that the longer-term investment is greater than suburban business campus sprawl.

It is a catch-22 situation, but if they do not take a longer-term look at return on their investment, these "super funds" to encourage development for today's needs and not tomorrrow's is going to hurt the city.

[Fredboy]

Costco pad is for a 142,000 square foot building. That would make it the largest Costco in the Maritimes (Atlantic?) correct?

[Fredboy]

Just checked the Rio Can web site page. Deluxe Fish and Chips is going into Corbett Center beside Panago. I don't know if that means they will leave their Prospect Street site as well as Regent Mall??

[theshark]

Wow, a Deluxe in a new building!!!! have not seen that for a while.

[Freddypop]

Costco pad is for a 142,000 square foot building. That would make it the largest Costco in the Maritimes (Atlantic?) correct?

142,000 SF for store is same as Saint John. An additional 6000 SF for the gas bar. Total 148,000 SF

[Freddypop]

Published Friday August 27th, 2010

Concerns | Merchants, business group oppose loss of parking spaces

A1 By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN

mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

The intersection of Queen and St. John streets will be closed to all traffic Monday morning for a week-long upgrade, the first step in a major reconfiguration of the roadway.

Queen Street will be blocked off near the cenotaph to through traffic.

Following completion of work on the intersection, the focus will shift to widening Queen Street to allow for the installation of a single eastbound lane. Queen Street will have a dedicated right-turn lane starting near the Crowne Plaza Hotel for motorists turning onto St. Anne Point Boulevard headed toward the Westmorland Street Bridge.

Two centre lanes will point westbound to that portion of Queen Street, which remains one-way, and there will be a left-turn lane from Queen onto Regent Street.

The one-block portion of Queen Street will be raised and new curb and sidewalk installed.

In an effort to minimize the disruption to businesses affected by the street closure, only half of Queen Street near St. John Street will be closed for now, said city traffic engineer Darren Charters.

Starting Monday, right turns onto Queen Street from Regent Street heading east will be permitted.

Parking spaces on the south side of Queen Street will remain for as long as construction permits, but all parking will be removed prior to the reopening of Queen Street.

"This work represents a major change to the traffic pattern on this block," said Coun. Bruce Grandy, chairman of the city's transportation committee. "We will make every effort to minimize the impact of construction on businesses in the area."

When all the work is completed, traffic coming up or down Regent Street will be able to make left or right turns onto Queen Street or go straight through the intersection.

Queen Street will remain one-way west of Regent Street and east of St. John Street.

The city says the reconfiguration of Queen Street is needed in order to handle the traffic volumes that will increase with the opening of Fredericton's downtown east-end convention centre.

"This new traffic pattern is designed to better accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic accessing the new parking structure and conference centre, which open later this year," said Grandy. "These improvements will benefit the traffic network surrounding the development."

Downtown Fredericton Inc., however, isn't convinced that the reconfiguration is needed. The group is calling for a moratorium on the removal of parking on Queen Street in that block and a freeze on the two-way traffic pattern until it's determined if the change is warranted.

The rest of Queen Street would remain one-way westbound.

Botinicals Gift Shop owner John Welling is concerned about the plan to remove all the metered parking spots from the 600 block of Queen Street where his business is located.

"If the Centennial Building was refurbished and it was up and running and the convention centre was full on a regular basis ... and the (new) hotel was done and it stayed full most of the time, I could see some of these traffic changes, but some of those projects are still eight and 10 years away and I just think the changes are unnecessary at this point,'' he said.

"People who are coming to this convention centre are conventioneers. They're not driving here in their cars. They're not going to be in and out of the parking garage and coming in and out of the downtown core or a regular basis. They're going to be cabbing it or walking."

When the new King Street parking garage is opened early in 2011, the city will have eliminated 41 metered parking spaces in the downtown east end, a move that's opposed by individual merchants and Downtown Fredericton Inc.

Welling said there are many customers who prefer short-term metered parking to going into a parking garage if they're just doing a quick errand.

Welling said since parking was removed from the lower end of Regent Street a month ago, he's seen four fender-benders at Queen and Regent streets, all because drivers have picked up their speeds.

"I just think it's unnecessary and it's just not fair," he said. "We're not in Toronto or New York for God's sake."

Bob Delong of Fox's Barber Shop on Queen Street said it's hard for him to decide how it's going to affect him.

It will depend on how the new parking garage functions, when it opens and what happens when the parking meters are removed, Delong said.

[Freddypop]

Published Friday August 27th, 2010

A5 By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN

mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

A 36-unit townhouse development plan hasn't roused any objections from the public.

This is a proposal for a 36-unit townhouse development, which goes to city council in September for final approval. The project by TC Land Holdings Inc. will be built off Hanwell Road. TC Land Holdings Inc. is on the path to have its project with revised terms and conditions go through three bylaw readings at city council in September.

The townhouse development will be located at 2 Golf Greens Lane off the upper portion of Hanwell Road. The development will be located near the 69-unit Golf Greens condominium development, which was built a few years ago.

In July, the city's planning advisory committee, which advises council on new development in the city, recommended changes to the terms and conditions on the proposed condominium project. The committee asked the developer to submit a revised building elevation plan in order to address building design concerns.

The committee didn't like the initial design, which had the townhouses lined up in one long line.

The revised design plan has added roof-top dormers, variety in the building colours and facade elements.

Each building block will be staggered 1.2 metres, or roughly four feet, to enhance the building depths.

The townhouse development was originally approved in 1997 for 40 units of row houses, but in 2009 the development company said that design was no longer feasible or desirable, said a city hall planning report.

[cl812]

some images from todays Gleaner.

Going up
Published Friday August 27th, 2010
A3

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=568943&size=265x0
The new office tower, as part of the convention centre project, is looking colourful as the exterior is closed in with blue and yellow building material. Above a worker works from a lift on one of the upper floors recently.

----

Developer to submit redesigned project to city
Published Friday August 27th, 2010
http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=568952&size=500x0

[cl812]

Maybe A&W? The way I heard it was Taco Bell in the Deluxe spot and A&W in the McDonald's spot, but maybe that part of the food court will shuffle around a bit so KFC and Taco Bell have shared space. :shrug:

I was in the food court the other day and heard someone mention that A&W is the other tenant moving in along with Taco Bell.

[cl812]

Just checked the Rio Can web site page. Deluxe Fish and Chips is going into Corbett Center beside Panago. I don't know if that means they will leave their Prospect Street site as well as Regent Mall??

I would think they would just be replacing the former location in the mall (closed earlier this week) and the Propsect St location would remain, but I could be wrong.

That also makes 2 tenants the Regent Mall has lost to the Corbett Centre and possibly 4 if Starbucks or McDonalds were to open new stores in there, and I would'nt be surprised to see more once Costco opens up.

[OliverD]

The townhouse renderings actually look pretty decent. The contrasting colours look great. I hate when townhouse/condo developments have different shades of beige/grey that don't go well with each other. For example, the buildings on Lian Street and the new townhouses on Cliffe across from Leo Hayes.

[OliverD]

A few years ago, the rent at Knowledge Park was identical to the TD building downtown. At KP you also had to rent a whole floor (10,000 sqft) while downtown, the landlords were very willing to subdivide.

Interesting, I didn't realize that. Are the KP buildings even technically class A? They don't have much of a lobby, for instance.

[Freddypop]

Found this on the City of Fredericton website;

http://www.fredericton.ca/en/transportation/resources/FeedOverallRoadworkAugust24th2010.pdf

[OliverD]

Cool, thanks for sharing. Good to see that Queen Street will remain two lanes, with a third lane for turning right. The fact that you're going to have traffic turning left to go eastbound on Queen from Regent is going to be annoying though. Also, having lights at Queen and St. John doesn't seem necessary. I know it probably is given the configuration, and I'm guessing that they expect traffic on St. John to pick up quite a bit. Right now, it's a pretty lightly traveled street.

[cl812]

Eliminating parking not the only option on Queen St. - Chase
Published Saturday August 28th, 2010
Traffic | Councillor says other cities allow cars to be parked during the day
A1
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

A Fredericton city councillor is reiterating his suggestion that parking be permitted during the daytime in the 600 block of Queen Street.

In June, development committee chairman Coun. Stephen Chase suggested parking be kept, but with restricted hours during the morning and evening rush hours through the downtown. Other than that, shoppers should be able to park on Regent and Queen streets during the off-peak hours, Chase said.

The city told downtown business owners in the spring that 41 parking spaces in the downtown east end would be eliminated in order to reconfigure traffic patterns surrounding its $78-million downtown convention centre, government office building and parking garage.

"I'm of an even stronger belief that we should be finding ways to help improve the on-street parking situation downtown," he said. "It's all part of enhancing the vitality of downtown."

The idea of allowing daytime parking on key traffic routes isn't a radical one, Chase said.

Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver is an example of a street that feeds traffic across a major bridge. During rush hour in the morning and evening there's no parking, but you can during the off-peak daytime hours, Chase said.

Winnipeg and Halifax are two other Canadian cities that routinely permit parking between specified daytime hours.

"Why not Fredericton? I don't think anyone would argue that Fredericton's traffic situation is more acute than those cities," Chase said.

Chase said fear of failure or of trying something different shouldn't hold the city back from trying innovative alternatives.

Downtown Fredericton Inc. opposes the removal of on-street parking and business owners have been raising concerns about the city's plan to eliminate parking on Queen Street between Regent and St. John streets and to convert that small section to two-way traffic.

Construction work to accomplish that, along with sidewalk and street lighting improvements surrounding the east end complex, is set to begin Monday.

The changes on Queen Street between Regent and St. John streets will see that portion of Queen Street become two-way, while the remainder of the key downtown roadway remains one-way westbound.

The city's plan calls for a dedicated right-turn lane that will let motorists driving west on Queen Street turn onto Regent Street to access the Westmorland Street Bridge. Two centre lanes of Queen Street in that block will go west. A fourth lane will be dedicated to left turns off Queen Street onto Regent Street heading south.

"I remain to be convinced of the need to go to a two-way street," Chase said.

With the traffic bylaw amendment to create two-way traffic on Queen Street still to come before city council in September, Chase said he's willing to hear all sides of the debate before he casts his vote on whether to make that portion of Queen Street two-way.

"I'm prepared to listen to all parties," Chase said. "Absolutely, I am."

Coun. Jordan Graham, who represents the UNB-East End ward which takes in the downtown, likes Chase's suggestion.

"Other municipalities do it and they do it with significantly higher volumes of traffic than we have," Graham said. "It's just a matter of whether or not we're going to do it and make it work.

"If it facilitates more on-street parking and creates a safer environment for pedestrians, it can only have a positive impact for businesses.

"As a city who wants to preserve its vibrant downtown, we have to make that a priority. We can't simply be looking at traffic issue as traffic issues, independent of everything else."

Graham said he's concerned that the removal of parking off the foot of Regent Street by the city earlier this summer is a stepping stone to widen the street.

"My greatest fear is the removal of the parking was the thin edge of the wedge to complete the Regent Street widening from Sobeys to St. Anne's Point (Boulevard)," Graham said.

The councillor said if the ultimate agenda is to widen Regent Street, that needs to be clearly spelled out to the public.

"It needs to come forward to council ... We can't sneak it through piecemeal," Graham said.

"If we're going to be drastically changing the nature of our downtown, we have to do so with a decision that we're all aware of and has public input."

[cl812]

Councillors call for review of policies
Published Saturday August 28th, 2010
Changes needed | Parking ratios for apartments downtown are one of the things holding back mixed development, councillor says
A4
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Two Fredericton city councillors say there's going to have to be a policy rethink and changes to legislation if the city wants to fuel downtown residential living.

Ward 9 Coun. Stephen Chase (Odell Park/Parkside Drive area) has suggested adopting a more European approach to populating the city centre.

Chase said instead of segregating developments into retail versus residential, he wants to see developers and the city embrace the notion of ground floor commercial with upper storeys used for apartment dwellers.

He's got an ally in the cause in Ward 11 Coun. Jordan Graham (UNB/East End area).

That's because the university student and city councillor has found his niche in the downtown where's he's being renting.

Having recently moved into a new downtown apartment, Graham said he's been familiarizing himself with the issues affecting residential construction in the city centre.

Parking ratios are one of the reasons it's difficult to push for residential conversions of retail development, he said.

When a developer opts to construct an apartment building in the downtown, they're required to provide close to two parking spaces for every residential unit. That's more onerous than what the city requires for someone building a single family home on its own lot, Graham said.

"Apartment dweller versus homeowner: Who is more likely to own a vehicle and probably typically more than one vehicle? Homeowners are more likely to own two vehicles. Apartment owners are more likely to own no vehicles or, at most, one," Graham said.

"Our zoning right now requires that apartment buildings provide more parking per unit than single-detached dwellings do."

In a city centre that's already substantially developed, that's an onerous demand and not every builder can afford the luxury of developing underground parking, Graham said.

"Young professionals in particular have a desire to live and work in the downtown. We have to as a city look at how to facilitate the growth," he said.

"Right now, we've got a backward philosophy here where we're facilitating urban sprawl inside and outside the city big time."

Building density is about getting people into the downtown using the least amount of parking space, he said.

Chase said Graham is bang on with the parking issue.

He said he's talked to downtown business owners who would like to do upper floor residential conversions, but who are stymied by the parking rules.

"We are going to have to as a policy adjust the parking ratios to accommodate the objective of getting people living in the downtown. The parking ratio may be right and proper in certain parts of the city, but it might not facilitate the kind of movement into the downtown that we envisage," Chase said.

As chairman of the city's development committee, Chase said he wants to generate a discussion about city policies, not just on parking, but on other issues that all affect the growth of the downtown as a place to live and a place to shop.

"Rules are a good guide. That's what they're intended to be, a good guide. You adjust the rules according to the need. Everyone agrees that we really need to enhance the downtown in a number of aspects," Chase said.

The councillor said he hopes to have the development committee delve into the issues as part of its agenda through to the new year.

[Freddypop]

Daily Gleaner

Published Saturday August 28th, 2010

A public hearing of objections will be held Sept. 27 at city hall as the city contemplates a proposal to drop the density on a piece of city-owned land. A property at 214 Dunn's Crossing Rd. is zoned R-7, which would permit an apartment building to be constructed on the site.

However, the city's real estate manager Calvin Thompson, said the property's terrain would make it unrealistic financially to construct an apartment building. Thompson is applying to council to reduce the density on the land by dropping the zoning back to an R-5 or medium density. That would allow the 1,440-square-metre property to accommodate a townhouse development. The property is vacant and surrounded by R-7 lots with some R-2 lots a bit further out. It will take a vote of council and three bylaw readings to alter the zoning designation on the land.

[Freddypop]

Councillors call for review of policies
Published Saturday August 28th, 2010
Changes needed | Parking ratios for apartments downtown are one of the things holding back mixed development, councillor says
A4
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Two Fredericton city councillors say there's going to have to be a policy rethink and changes to legislation if the city wants to fuel downtown residential living.

Ward 9 Coun. Stephen Chase (Odell Park/Parkside Drive area) has suggested adopting a more European approach to populating the city centre.

Chase said instead of segregating developments into retail versus residential, he wants to see developers and the city embrace the notion of ground floor commercial with upper storeys used for apartment dwellers.

He's got an ally in the cause in Ward 11 Coun. Jordan Graham (UNB/East End area).

That's because the university student and city councillor has found his niche in the downtown where's he's being renting.

Having recently moved into a new downtown apartment, Graham said he's been familiarizing himself with the issues affecting residential construction in the city centre.

Parking ratios are one of the reasons it's difficult to push for residential conversions of retail development, he said.

When a developer opts to construct an apartment building in the downtown, they're required to provide close to two parking spaces for every residential unit. That's more onerous than what the city requires for someone building a single family home on its own lot, Graham said.

"Apartment dweller versus homeowner: Who is more likely to own a vehicle and probably typically more than one vehicle? Homeowners are more likely to own two vehicles. Apartment owners are more likely to own no vehicles or, at most, one," Graham said.

"Our zoning right now requires that apartment buildings provide more parking per unit than single-detached dwellings do."

In a city centre that's already substantially developed, that's an onerous demand and not every builder can afford the luxury of developing underground parking, Graham said.

"Young professionals in particular have a desire to live and work in the downtown. We have to as a city look at how to facilitate the growth," he said.

"Right now, we've got a backward philosophy here where we're facilitating urban sprawl inside and outside the city big time."

Building density is about getting people into the downtown using the least amount of parking space, he said.

Chase said Graham is bang on with the parking issue.

He said he's talked to downtown business owners who would like to do upper floor residential conversions, but who are stymied by the parking rules.

"We are going to have to as a policy adjust the parking ratios to accommodate the objective of getting people living in the downtown. The parking ratio may be right and proper in certain parts of the city, but it might not facilitate the kind of movement into the downtown that we envisage," Chase said.

As chairman of the city's development committee, Chase said he wants to generate a discussion about city policies, not just on parking, but on other issues that all affect the growth of the downtown as a place to live and a place to shop.

"Rules are a good guide. That's what they're intended to be, a good guide. You adjust the rules according to the need. Everyone agrees that we really need to enhance the downtown in a number of aspects," Chase said.

The councillor said he hopes to have the development committee delve into the issues as part of its agenda through to the new year.

I hope this idea has some legs. Population density in the downtown core needs to increase to ensure it remains a vibrant focal point.

[cl812]

I hope this idea has some legs. Population density in the downtown core needs to increase to ensure it remains a vibrant focal point.

no question about that, after spending last week in Calgary for vacation and seeing some of the quality developments downtown (recently developed condos and current developments), it would be nice to see some similar projects here in Fredericton (much smaller scale of course, but with some higher quality building products other than vinyl siding).

On that note, I must say im kind of disappointed with the exterior design of the Southview Condos. Not that it isnt a nice building, but It would have been nice to see something a bit different. I guess it isnt downtown, but still.

[cl812]

Infrastructure renewal planning starts
Published Tuesday August 31st, 2010
City | Money to be put toward facility upgrades
A1
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton city councillors have struck a policy on how to start grappling with repair and regular replacement of capital infrastructure between now and 2030.

At their first budget planning session Monday night, councillors voted to continue with their 20-year plan to repair and upgrade 90 per cent of the city's facilities and services and spend 10 per cent on new projects based on an annual five per cent increase in the capital budget.

In 2010, the city decided to increase its capital spending by four per cent to start renewing existing services. Deputy mayor Dan Keenan and Coun. Jordan Graham voted against committing to a fixed annual increase and a fixed division of how the capital dollars will be spent.

Finance and administration committee chairman Coun. Mike O'Brien wasn't surprised at the early dissent on the policy statement, saying the topic is likely going to resurface between now and the final 2011 budget document in mid-December.

Keenan said he doesn't want to be locked into spending 90 per cent on existing infrastructure.

"There may be certain years when we want to invest more of our capital dollars in new infrastructure and less in existing and another year when we make it up. I'm just a little concerned that this will bind councils going forward to staying within an established percentage, which reduces flexibility," Keenan said.

Across Canada, the nation's 4,000 municipal governments are realizing that they can't continue to spend only on new roads, streets and services, without setting aside adequate funds to do capital repairs to existing systems.

But Keenan said Fredericton's infrastructure is in good shape compared with other municipalities in Canada.

"There are some challenges there, there's no doubt about that, but every municipality is facing those. My concern with the five per cent is that we're again locking ourselves into, on a go-forward basis, investing a certain amount of dollars, over and above inflation ... over $650,000 (per year)," he said.

Keenan said he'd prefer to set the infrastructure deficit reduction levels year by year.

Graham said he also wants more decision-making room.

Acting city treasurer Tina Tapley showed councillors how the figures change based on a lower contribution. If the city sets aside four per cent in extra capital spending over and above increases in the consumer price index, instead of five per cent annually, the city will still have about $50 million in infrastructure upgrades to be done in 2030.

At five per cent, the infrastructure deficit would be $12.5 million.

Councillors Stephen Chase, Scott McConaghy and Steven Hicks supported taking a long-term view.

"We're ensuring that the house isn't going to fall down," McConaghy said. "This is essential."

Hicks said residents will reap the rewards of having reinvested in infrastructure renewal in 20 years.

Chase said citizens expect councillors to be prudent fiscal managers.

He agreed with Keenan that the city needs to lobby for more federal-provincial fiscal support.

O'Brien is comfortable with the city striking a reasonably aggressive approach to ensuring that the investment of taxpayers in existing infrastructure is maintained.

The finance committee chairman said rather than tax hikes, part of the budget process is going to look at efficiencies, reduced service levels in some areas, and trimming budgets in order to hold the tax levels.

"You just don't cut willy-nilly. If you're going to try to find savings, you have to reduce a service and an expenditure that's sustainable. A one-time cut of $1 million doesn't do you any good," he said.

"When the mayor and I have talked about a tough budget process, this is what we're talking about.''

Twenty years ago, council opted to eliminate the city's long-term debt and incorporate capital spending into the general fund budget, which has been dubbed pay-as-you-go.

But O'Brien said by focusing so much on eliminating debt, the trade-off was that councils over the past 10 years weren't as focused on renewing and repairing the inventory of pipes in the ground, streets, curbs and sidewalks.

"It's up to us to take a tough policy stand to complete the capital projects that we're in the midst of because we're of the unanimous opinion that it was essential to grow the city," O'Brien said.

"We have to make that same tough policy decision that council did 20 year ago to make our infrastructure sustainable."

[cl812]

Replacing infrastructure isn't going to be easy, consultant tells council
Published Tuesday August 31st, 2010
A4
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

A Toronto consultant who has been advising the city on the state of the city's infrastructure, gave the city a good report card on its efforts.

But he cautioned councillors that they need to make tough decisions if they are going to adopt a structured and sustained plan to keep up the city's infrastructure.

"Relative to other municipalities, you are doing very well," said Reg Andres, vice-president of R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd. "I applaud the decision your council made. It's forward-looking. It's not going to be easy."

Historically in Canada, municipalities built their first services - roads and cast iron water pipes and other essential infrastructure - knowing that many would last 50-100 years.

But now, the nation's 4,000 municipalities are awakening to the fact that they haven't properly budgeted to replace the services they've installed underground as they race to expand and grow.

Harsh realities are now facing many cities that find themselves short of cash if an old water pipe collapses and the road caves in because they haven't set aside what Andres calls life-cycle funding to do planned replacement of worn out systems.

"We are the group that really now has the challenge because we didn't have that investment put in by our forefathers, so that's why you have that deficit sitting where you do, so we have to address that, but let's not create more of a deficit for our kids down the road," Andres said.

Fredericton has become the first New Brunswick city to become Public Sector Accounting Board compliant. Municipalities are now under new accounting rules to value land, vehicles, buildings, machinery and equipment, and infrastructure - pipes, roads, sidewalks.

Fredericton has just more than $1 billion in capital infrastructure assets, Andres said.

That means for every one of the city's 24,382 households, each home and its occupants have a $43,926 investment in the city's capital assets, he said.

Just like a board of directors must be accountable to its shareholders to protect their investment and ensure its value doesn't erode, Andres argues municipal governments have to protect capital assets to the benefit of all the ratepayers.

Fredericton has been spending $15.8 million annually on renewal through its general fund and water and sewer fund budgets.

But Andres said this level of investment isn't sustainable.

The city has an infrastructure deficit of $158 million and it needs to double what it's spending to keep pace.

Andres and his company is working with city hall department heads and accountants to pick the worst of the worst assets, determine their life expectancies, rate their condition and establish a priority list of infrastructure repairs that are high risk and should be tackled sooner rather than later.

"You have used 30 per cent of the age of your infrastructure on average," Andres said. "You cannot let that number slide.

"Some buried infrastructure can last up to 100 years. Why are we facing this now? It's because we're coming to the end of the first major cycle of a lot of that infrastructure. Two-thirds of what we have is buried. We never thought about it. It's now coming to the end of its useful life and now we're facing the music. Where is the money that's going to replace it?" Andres said.

Municipalities need to tackle the issue because federal and provincial governments tend to play politics with infrastructure spending, rather than setting long-term spending plans to sticking to them, he said.

[cl812]

Keep it down
Published Thursday September 2nd, 2010
A3

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=573309&size=500x0
Construction of sound berms along the Vanier Highway between Kimble Road and Liverpool Street has begun. Above, crews work in the heat Wednesday.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/article/1201120

[cl812]

Was by the costco site this morning, and it looks as though the site work will be winding down soon and the building pad appears to be complete.

Also, keeping in that area, noticed some surveying and earth moving going on at the site of one of the new Knowledge Park buildings.

[cl812]

looks like work is progressing at the new NB liquor store. Evne though its kinda hard to tell from the city webcam.

http://205.174.168.151/axis-cgi/jpg/image.cgi?&Cookie=-1&PAGE=1283431678130

http://www.fredericton.ca/en/TrainStationWebcam.asp

[cl812]

City issues multimillion-dollar tender for complex
Published Friday September 3rd, 2010
A3
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Contractors who want a shot at a multimillion-dollar construction contract with the city should sharpen their pencils.

The city has issued a public tender call for bids to construct the Grant * Harvey Centre at the intersection of Knowledge Park Drive, Kimble Drive and Alison Boulevard.

The complex will include a walking and running track, and an artificial turf soccer pitch under construction alongside it is nearing completion. A tennis dome is another tentative component of the sports and leisure facility.

"This is a major investment in the health and wellness of the greater Fredericton area for generations to come," said Coun. Steven Hicks, chairman of the city's community services committee.

Companies interested in bidding on the Grant * Harvey Centre tenders have until Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. to submit a sealed bid to the city clerk's office. Public opening of the bids will follow immediately after the deadline on the second floor of city hall.

The tender call is for construction of a multi-purpose complex with an 8,000-square-metre footprint.

The complex is named to honour two former National Hockey League players: Fredericton natives Danny Grant and the late Buster Harvey.

The arena will include an NHL-sized rink and an Olympic-size rink, changing rooms, referee rooms, community rooms and seating for 1,500 around the NHL-scaled rink and 500 around the Olympic oval. The building will be made of steel and concrete.

Contractors can obtain bid documents starting Sept. 9 from Eastward Sales Ltd., 150 Union St. in Saint John or by calling 633-8885. There's a non-refundable deposit of $395.50 per set payable to Eastward Sales Ltd.

Bid documents will be on display at the construction association offices in Fredericton, Saint John or Moncton. As with all tenders, the city reserves the right not to necessarily accept the lowest or any bid.

The Grant * Harvey facility will be the home ice for St. Thomas University and Fredericton High School hockey teams.

Figure skating and speed skating events will be hosted at the centre. It can also accommodate trade shows and home shows.

The 18-hectare (45-acre) site will have a 0.8-hectare (two-acre) fenced dog walking park. There will be parking for more than 600 vehicles.

Fredericton is investing in a geothermal energy system that will heat and cool the complex. The system will be able to store extra thermal energy to serve other buildings on the site or in the vicinity.

Centreline Architects of Saint John is the designer of the new hockey arena and sports centre.

[cl812]

Coming soon
Published Friday September 3rd, 2010

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=573958&size=500x0
A bulldozer levels off the dirt and rocks dumped by a truck on the site of the new Costco store and gas bar located next to the Home Depot at the Corbett Centre on Regent Street this week.

http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast.com/gleaner/article/1202509

[Freddypop]

looks like work is progressing at the new NB liquor store. Evne though its kinda hard to tell from the city webcam.

http://205.174.168.151/axis-cgi/jpg/image.cgi?&Cookie=-1&PAGE=1283431678130

http://www.fredericton.ca/en/TrainStationWebcam.asp

Yep..Noticed that they were working on the new building foundation which cannot be seen in the webcam shot. Will be nice to see this completed.


On another note the Best Western addition is larger than I thought. I would estimate a 50% increase in overall room space has been added.

[cl812]

On another note the Best Western addition is larger than I thought. I would estimate a 50% increase in overall room space has been added.

Yeah, it is surprising how quickly they have expanded, it hasn't been there that long at all. It always seem to be busy though.

[cl812]

Noticed last week an excavator is now on site at the new building location in Knowledge Park

[Dmajackson]

Just to update my list I currently have the Convention Centre as the tallest U/C in Fredericton. I only loosely follow this thread so is this still accurate or has the Hilton started construction yet?

[cl812]

Just to update my list I currently have the Convention Centre as the tallest U/C in Fredericton. I only loosely follow this thread so is this still accurate or has the Hilton started construction yet?

It wont be starting until the spring. There is an 8 story condo under construction, but Im pretty sure the convention centre office tower is still higher.

[cl812]

Military offers to build legion
Published Wednesday September 8th, 2010
Options | Oromocto legion president likes the idea
A1
By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com

Oromocto's Royal Canadian Legion is considering a novel approach to replacing its destroyed building.

Branch No. 93 President Harold Perrin said the legion is looking at an offer that would see the military donate land and build a single-storey structure in the town. Once constructed, it would be leased back to the organization.

"They're willing to build it for us," Perrin said Tuesday. "We would still be a Royal Canadian Legion and we would still function as a Royal Canadian Legion membership."

The branch has been without a permanent home since someone deliberately set the building - loaded with artifacts and legion memorabilia - on fire late on the evening of June 10. Everything was destroyed.

The military option is one of three being examined by the legion.

Other possibilities include: constructing another building on the legion's land on Restigouche Road or selling that property and renting a building in the area.

Looked at earlier, but dismissed by membership, was the possibility of closing the branch and amalgamating with another legion.

All options will be examined further, and a decision on which path to follow will be made at a branch meeting Sept. 16.

"Our membership will make the decision," Perrin said. "They will decide what they want and we will go by that."

A spokesperson for Canadian Fores Base Gagetown confirmed Tuesday that an offer was made to the legion but it came from the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency at the national level, a wing of the Forces responsible for administering non-public property on behalf of the chief of defence staff.

No one from the organization was available for comment.

Perrin said the site being looked at is a piece of property owned by the military and situated across from the Scholtens store on Restigouche Road.

"In the long run, I think it would be a great idea," Perrin said of the military option.

"I think we have to start thinking in the bigger picture.

"We have to change and, I think, this idea and concept of making it all on one level is sensible to our veterans, our seniors, to the young people in the schools and to the military personnel."

Perrin said the legion would operate it as it does now but with the benefit of paying no property tax, while making use of Defence resources.

"What they want to do is help their military people and to be able to go to the legion and enjoy it after work and be part of the legion and become members," Perrin said. "With a modern building like this, we would probably be the envy of all across Canada."

To rebuild at the old location and replace everything lost inside the structure would cost close to $2 million, Perrin said.

"We could rebuild on our property but it's going to be expensive," the legion president said.

Perrin said the legion has received $645,000 in insurance money for the building that was valued at $1.4 million.

Lee Windsor, the deputy director of the Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society at the University of New Brunswick, said the idea of the military coming together with a legion in such a manner is brilliant.

"The legion is going through a transformation right now, and one of the most difficult transitions is trying to connect veterans of the Second World War and the Korean age and its membership to this new generation of tens of thousands of Canadians who are veterans of major, high-intensity operations over two decades," Windsor said.

"These are veterans who, in many cases, are still in uniform, still serving."

It would a perfect way of enhancing that relationship, he said.

[cl812]

Oromocto knows its O's and says they're safe
Published Wednesday September 8th, 2010
A5
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

If Fredericton drivers want reassurance that roundabouts are the way to go, Mayor Fay Tidd and Oromocto town administration are the go-to experts.

Oromocto has four roundabouts and Tidd said they are as safe as safe can be.

"They're a great idea," she said. "I really feel that they are very safe."

Fredericton's public works and engineering department is gearing up to install the city's first roundabout. The only other place in the city where there's one is on the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University campuses near the Wu Conference Centre.

Construction work has begun on Brookside Drive to improve the road before the roundabout is installed near the Reynolds Street intersection across from West Hills housing development.

Wayne Carnell, chief administrative officer and town clerk, said Oromocto owes its roundabouts to the designs of McGill University architecture Prof. Harold Spence-Sales.

During the 1950s, when Oromocto was a community of 300 people, Spence-Sales was commissioned to plan the design of military housing for Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.

Gagetown was constructed during the mid-'50s and was officially opened in 1958.

"Springing from the earth in a matter of three or four years was another 1,200 residences," Carnell said. "And beyond that eventually."

Today, the base employs 4,000 military personnel and 700 civilians.

"As part of his design, he chose the use of roundabouts and we've sort of kept that in mind as we go forward. They're widely accepted in Europe, of course, and now Charlottetown is coming on board as well," Carnell said.

"You need a little bit more space for them and in a congested area, they're not all that feasible," he said. "But they're just great."

While Carnell doesn't have numbers to back him up, the town is convinced the roundabouts improve safety by a good measure.

T-bone accidents, when the front of one car hits the side of another, tend to cause more serious injuries. They occur more frequently at four-way intersections.

"At best, you'd have a glancing blow," Carnell said of the possibilities of sideswiping a driver already in the circle.

In a traffic circle, a driver has to yield to vehicles in the roundabout before entering and looping around in a counterclockwise fashion.

"You don't enter it until you have a break in the traffic to enter it. The people inside go around until they have an exit point and then they exit," Carnell said.

The first two traffic circles built in Oromocto were the ones in the downtown business district and one near the military quarters at St. Lawrence and Miramichi streets.

"The town more recently has placed two of them: one on the old Trans-Canada, which is now Restigouche North at Miramichi, and similarly at the Gateway Miramichi intersection," Carnell. "It's got off-set roads even and it seems to function without any difficulties."

Although the provincial government required a bit of persuasion to permit the traffic circle on the old Trans-Canada Highway, it relented and seems content with the results.

"We'd have one on every corner if I had my way," Carnell said. "We've had very few, if any, accidents at the new one over a five- or six-year period."

Carnell said the roundabouts are environmentally friendly. Motorists aren't stacked up behind a traffic signal light, burning extra fuel and releasing more pollutants into the atmosphere.

Tidd said she can count the number of mishaps involving the town's traffic circles in single digits.

"I haven't even heard of people getting rear-ended," Tidd said. "I only know of one thing that happened and that was someone who wasn't doing their best to drive with due diligence and went up onto the edge of one of the circles.

"They certainly speed traffic up because nobody is waiting at all ... Over the years, people have made fun of us with our four O's - our four traffic circles - but I'd like to see a fifth one. I'm all for them."

[cl812]

Taco Bell is now listed on the Regent Mall floor plan and looks like it is moving into the old Deluxe spot. Nothing listed yet for the old McDonalds spot.

http://www.cfspace.com/pdf/plans/regct00_floorplan.pdf

[cl812]

MacKay to make announcement at base
Published Thursday September 9th, 2010
A4
By The Daily Gleaner

Defence Minister Peter MacKay will be at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown today to make what's being described as "a significant announcement."

Officials at CFB Gagetown aren't saying what the revelation might be, but speculation is that it will be infrastructure related. It's set for 3:30 p.m. at the Carleton Barracks Officers' Mess.

On Wednesday, MacKay was at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt to announce defence infrastructure projects designed to modernize facilities at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, including a new fire hall and emergency response centre.

He also attended the grand opening of the Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) facility.

[cl812]

New apartments boost housing start stats
9/9/2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A sudden change in the trend of housing starts in Fredericton. For most of the summer, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported fewer apartments being built in the provincial capital. But the latest figures show 95 multi-unit housing starts last month; in the same month last year, there were just 14. Overall year-to-date housing starts through July had been down nearly 11 per cent compared to the same period last year, but the apartment numbers from August have helped boost that to a 3.2 per cent increase.

http://www.foxrocks.ca/news/Story.aspx?ID=1276357

[cl812]

$61M for base improvements
Published Friday September 10th, 2010
Gagetown | Health services will be under one roof
A1
By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com

Canadian Forces Base Gagetown is receiving a multimillion dollar booster shot.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced three projects Thursday valued at approximately $61 million.

At the centre of the improvements will be renovations to the health centre, which provides services to about 10,000 people at the base.

"Current health facilities are distributed throughout the base and do not offer adequate space," MacKay said during a stop at Gagetown. "That's why we're renovating some of the existing facilities - housing health services - and constructing a new additional part of the existing facility."

MacKay said all health services - medical, dental, physiotherapy and mental health - will be integrated into one modern, centralized location.

The building is expected to be operational by 2015.

Maj. William Wallace, the commanding officer of 42 Health Services at Gagetown, said having everything under one roof will be a huge benefit.

"Right now, we have difficulty receiving patients at one location and transferring them to other locations to be seen," Wallace said. "For example, the mental health facility that we currently have is in the PMQ area of the base and some kilometres away from our main facility. For the most part, it will be one-stop shopping for all of our patients."

Continuing with the infrastructure theme, MacKay said Phase 3 of a five-phase project to replace the base's utilities distribution systems is progressing well and is expected to be completed this fall with a total cost of approximately $25 million. The final two phases will be completed by 2015.

"Over 250 new jobs will be created locally," MacKay said.

He also announced a $15.4-million contract for the acquisition of up to 2,110 field space heaters and up to 520 water heaters.

"This will replace some of the old Coleman stoves that are still in use today for Arctic training," MacKay said. "These heaters are essential to the functions of temporary camps ... New heaters will mean more efficient and reliable and increased safety for our soldiers."

The first 200 units are expected to be available this spring with the balance to come over the next two years.

Base commander Col. Michael Pearson welcomed the news.

"The news today of the announcements of (these) two special pieces of infrastructure and equipment are going to be good news," Pearson said.

"Everyone of you out there in uniform knows that it gets cold. The old immersion heaters that are going to be replaced by these new heaters are going to make life more comfortable for all of us."

Col. Jim Simms, commander of the Combat Training Centre at Gagetown, also liked what he heard.

"I believe that the infrastructure investments at CFB Gagetown that are focused on the Combat Training Centre will allow us to carry on with the tremendous throughput of training that we are doing here," Simms said.

[cl812]

Plans for school moving forward
Published Friday September 10th, 2010
A2
By JENNIFER DUNVILLE
dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com

The planning is complete for a new school to replace Alexander Gibson Memorial School in Marysville and South Devon Elementary School.

The planning committee, which included district staff, principals, parent school support committee members, and education department officials, has concluded its work.

Wanda Bauer, District 18's director of finance and administration, said the information gathered by the committee has been passed on to an architect.

"That planning process has been signed off on, so that included the specs and spacial information," Bauer said. "What that means is information such as: how many classrooms will be needed; how many students will be at the school; what kind of special spaces are needed in the building ... and so on.''

The tender for the kindergarten to Grade 6 school is expected to be announced in February. Bauer said the floor plans will be presented to the public before construction begins.

"We'll likely have a public meeting just to give everyone a chance to view the plans and ask questions," she said.

[cl812]

Downtown traffic plan not popular
Published Tuesday September 14th, 2010
A1
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

The lines in the sand were clearly drawn Monday night.

Downtown business owners want the city to restore on-street parking on Regent and Queen streets during off-peak times of the day and place a minimum one-year moratorium on converting the 600 block of Queen into a two-way street. The remainder of Queen Street would remain a one-way westbound route.

But city hall department heads defended their recommendations for eliminating parking and converting Queen Street into a two-way section between Regent and St. John streets as the right thing to do.

Mayor Brad Woodside urged city councillors to weigh all the information in time for third and final reading of the traffic bylaw amendment slated for the Sept. 28 council meeting.

"Downtowns are key, but they are also very fragile," said Linda Dolan, president of Downtown Fredericton Inc.

The business improvement area organization, which represents most of the business owners in the city centre, said its members supported a downtown convention centre due to open by 2011, but they're concerned about traffic changes.

"We respectfully request that city council wait before passing the bylaw to change Queen Street to two-way traffic. We don't think that the proposed decision to change Queen Street to two-way to permit buses coming to the conference centre is a strong argument. Keep the metered parking on Queen Street between St. John and Regent streets and allow parking on the west side of Regent Street between King and Queen after peak hours," Dolan said.

"Please put the parking meters back on King Street in front of the Centennial Building and, lastly, for the sake of pedestrian safety, please make changes to slow down northbound traffic on Regent Street. Let's not wait until there is a serious accident," she said.

Blue Door restaurant co-owner Debbie Black said the city's plan penalizes local and loyal customers.

Since the construction of a Hilton Garden Inn on Queen Street is to be delayed - and plans to retrofit the Centennial Building are uncertain - there's no haste to alter downtown traffic, she said.

Doug Williams, co-owner of The Garrison District Ale House, said removal of parking from Regent Street has turned it into a speedway.

Brian Freeman of the Lunar Rogue said changes to on-street parking in a small downtown area is a mistake that threatens the bottom line of businesses.

"I'm really worried that you're going to do something that will have a ripple effect, that will turn downtown into a drive-thur downtown. As it is, Regent Street speed has increased tremendously ... It's become very fast," said Trudy Gallagher of Bejewel. "Put the parking meters back in.

"Fredericton doesn't have a rush hour ... I see rush minute or rush five minutes sometimes.''

City hall's traffic engineer Darren Charters said the traffic management plan is based on science.

The downtown eastend development will generate 9,000 additional vehicle trips daily and add 1,400 more vehicles to the city centre.

The new downtown hotel isn't the biggest contributor to those numbers, Charter said. It will only account for about 10 per cent of the additional traffic.

As far as the Centennial Building redevelopment is concerned, the city's ADI traffic study done in 2006 and updated in 2008 didn't consider that structure in calculating the additional traffic loads.

Development services director Frank Flanagan said the seven-level parking garage will include 41 ground-level spaces with a two-hour time limit.

Landscaping will enhance the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, he said.

"We all want a vibrant downtown. We all want a people place that is pedestrian friendly," said Coun. Stephen Chase.

He said he doesn't want to run the risk of creating an island in the downtown east end.

Flanagan said the convention centre will attract hundreds of visitors who will patronize local shops and restaurants close by.

"We want to be able to accommodate those people in a safe and efficient manner," Flanagan said.

Streetscape improvements and traffic calming measures will help, he said.

Chase asked for an assessment of the effects of the proposed traffic and parking changes on the pedestrian environment in the downtown before third reading of the traffic change.

The city may bring in its traffic consultant to comment at that meeting in two weeks time.

[Freddypop]

Published Thursday September 16th, 2010

A3 By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN

mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

City council will be asked to approve a rezoning from residential to residential zone R-9 at 700 Forest Hill Rd. for a 111-unit apartment building.

Killam Investments Inc. received planning advisory committee support Wednesday night to advance its application to council.

The seven-storey building would be constructed north of a 151-unit building.

As part of the development, the 111-unit building would have energy-saving features. The design calls for a gymnasium facility for tenants and tenants would have access to a renovated indoor swimming pool and upgraded theatre-style entertainment facility located in the neighbouring apartment.

The planning advisory committee approved a variance at 266 York St. to allow Myoung Ran Kim to open a seamstress and tailor shop. The business was most recently a custom picture framing business, but the owner has retired.

A downtown tailor business, meanwhile, is planning to move from York Street to 1823 Lincoln Rd. The committee supported Andrei Master Tailors application for a rezoning from R-2 residential to highway commercial at the Lincoln Road site. The final approval of the zoning change rests with city council.

"The applicant's business has grown beyond what his downtown location allows him to accommodate and ... much of the clientele of Andrei Master Tailors consists of members of the Armed Forces," said a planning department report on the zoning application.

The tailor shop owner plans to expand and train additional staff to work with him.

A Greenwood Drive couple modified the proposed size of a new front deck it wants to add to its residence in order to pull back from the city's right-of-way.

Coun. Marilyn Kerton supported the couple's request because she said many of the older homes surrounding the couple's Barkers Point property were built with front porches and the style is consistent with others in the neighbourhood.

Victoria Boer was given a variance to permit a small store as part of her family's property.

Boer said the store will mainly be for clients seeking home decor items.

Kelly Tire was given a one-year temporary use to relocate to 123 Gibson St. The site was previously occupied by ServiceMaster, which had 160 employees and 25 vehicles.

Kelly Tire has agreed not to store or display tires or other goods outside the shop. The business is in the process of trying to find a permanent home elsewhere in the city.

[cl812]

Next year's bridge closure will be tougher - city
Published Friday September 17th, 2010
A4
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton isn't going to settle into complacency after this year's Princess Margaret Bridge closure failed to generated horrific traffic congestion.

The 2011 bridge closure is going to be longer and start earlier in the summer, city traffic engineer Darren Charters told the transportation committee Thursday.

The bridge is scheduled to be closed next year for three months, rather than the five weeks it was shut down this summer. It will be closed in June, while school buses are still rolling and parents are dropping their children off at school before dashing off to work, which will make a significant difference, said Mayor Brad Woodside.

"We cannot be lulled into a false sense of security," Woodside said. "When school is in, it's a huge difference."

Transportation committee chairman Bruce Grandy said he's heard public opinion suggesting the city overreacted to the bridge closure in July and August, but he disagrees.

If the city hadn't done its due diligence and let citizens know how vital their support was to preventing traffic chaos, the result might have been different, Grandy said.

"Plan for the worst, but hope for the best," Charters said of the city's planning model in 2010.

"The key to the success was the public co-operation. Drivers changed their habits."

Surprisingly, transit ridership didn't increase during the five-week Princess Margaret Bridge shutdown, Charters said.

The city also put on a park-and-ride service that ran from Brookside Mall to the downtown and back during the early morning and supper hour rush times. That bus only had 25 passengers per day. The service will be better promoted next year, he said.

"Carpooling went up 18 per cent, but when you look at the (overall traffic) numbers, that was hardly (anything) at all," Charters said. "That's the one that would have the most impact if people car pooled ... People just like their own cars."

Seventy-five per cent of vehicles traversing the Westmorland Street Bridge had only the driver inside.

What was also significant in 2010 is that people started out for work at 7 a.m. rather than the more typical 8-9 a.m. time frame.

The city won't be eliminating its park-and-go locations this fall. The signs remain up and people are free to use the parking areas to continue to carpool, walk to work, bicycle, or take the bus, Charters said.

There was a 125 per cent increase in foot traffic counts on its walking trails as more people travelled by foot to get to work.

The city will be analyzing some of the traffic data collected, but it did find that at least 100 bicycles per day were tethered to bicycle racks in the downtown. Some of those racks will be relocated so that they can be better used by people who want to bicycle to work, he said.

The province is spending more than $77.3 million over two years to fix the Princess Margaret Bridge's beams, deck, repair concrete and structural steel and upgrade it.

[cl812]

Roundabout less than a month away, city says
Published Friday September 17th, 2010
A4
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

The city's first traffic circle should be ready by Oct. 1, the city's transportation committee was told Thursday.

In order to help Frederictonians adjust to their first roundabout, the city has launched an information page on its website at www.fredericton.ca.

The city will also launch a public information campaign dubbed "Fredericton is taking a turn in the right direction" to educate drivers on the signs and proper use of traffic circles.

"Roundabouts are an excellent traffic management tool," said Coun. Bruce Grandy, chairman of the transportation committee. "It is important that we take the time to educate the public about their use and value."

The traffic circle will be located at Brookside Drive-Reynolds Street-West Hills Crossing.

Road work on the intersection and a stretch of Brookside Drive to Summerhill Row continues.

There are three types of signs that motorists will see when approaching roundabouts. The first is a roundabout ahead warning sign. This yellow, diamond shaped sign features a circle of three arrows. At the entry to the roundabout, motorists will find a typical yield sign, with a roundabout symbol in the centre. The final sign is yellow rectangular sign with directional black arrows.

A public information session on traffic circles will be held at Brookside Mall on Thursday, Sept. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. City staff will be available to answer question.

An information display will remain in place at the mall until the Brookside roundabout opens.

Roundabouts are circular intersections.

City traffic engineer Darren Charters said they are a safe, efficient and more environmentally friendly way to get around the city.

[cl812]

Published Thursday September 16th, 2010

A3 By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN

mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

City council will be asked to approve a rezoning from residential to residential zone R-9 at 700 Forest Hill Rd. for a 111-unit apartment building.

Killam Investments Inc. received planning advisory committee support Wednesday night to advance its application to council.

The seven-storey building would be constructed north of a 151-unit building.

As part of the development, the 111-unit building would have energy-saving features. The design calls for a gymnasium facility for tenants and tenants would have access to a renovated indoor swimming pool and upgraded theatre-style entertainment facility located in the neighbouring apartment.

The planning advisory committee approved a variance at 266 York St. to allow Myoung Ran Kim to open a seamstress and tailor shop. The business was most recently a custom picture framing business, but the owner has retired.

A downtown tailor business, meanwhile, is planning to move from York Street to 1823 Lincoln Rd. The committee supported Andrei Master Tailors application for a rezoning from R-2 residential to highway commercial at the Lincoln Road site. The final approval of the zoning change rests with city council.

"The applicant's business has grown beyond what his downtown location allows him to accommodate and ... much of the clientele of Andrei Master Tailors consists of members of the Armed Forces," said a planning department report on the zoning application.

The tailor shop owner plans to expand and train additional staff to work with him.

A Greenwood Drive couple modified the proposed size of a new front deck it wants to add to its residence in order to pull back from the city's right-of-way.

Coun. Marilyn Kerton supported the couple's request because she said many of the older homes surrounding the couple's Barkers Point property were built with front porches and the style is consistent with others in the neighbourhood.

Victoria Boer was given a variance to permit a small store as part of her family's property.

Boer said the store will mainly be for clients seeking home decor items.

Kelly Tire was given a one-year temporary use to relocate to 123 Gibson St. The site was previously occupied by ServiceMaster, which had 160 employees and 25 vehicles.

Kelly Tire has agreed not to store or display tires or other goods outside the shop. The business is in the process of trying to find a permanent home elsewhere in the city.

I assume they mean apartment Forest Hill Towers. Sounds like it may be connected to the existing building.

[cl812]

Legion still weighing options for new home
Published Saturday September 18th, 2010
A9
By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com

It will be a while yet before a decision is made on a future location for the Oromocto legion.

Branch No. 93 president Harold Perrin said no decision was reached at a Thursday night membership meeting.

Perrin said the organization is still waiting for further communication from the Department of National Defence.

The legion is considering a proposal by the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency that would see the military donate land and build a single-storey structure in the town. Once constructed, it would be leased back to the organization.

The agency is a wing of the Forces responsible for administering non-public property on behalf of the chief of defence staff.

The Oromocto legion has been without a permanent home since someone deliberately set the building - loaded with artifacts and legion memorabilia - ablaze late on the evening of June 10. Everything was destroyed.

Perrin said the legion should know by the end of this month what direction it will be moving in with regard to constructing a new facility.

"A lot of people are impatient," Perrin said. "They want to get it going. But, in turn, we have to be patient. They have to realize that we, as executive members and people on the committees, have been working hard. We have been spending a lot of time in boardrooms trying to fundraise, come up with ideas for a new legion and it's been hard on us, too. Sometimes they don't realize how much work it involves; it's a lot of time taken away from my family."

Maj. Jonathan Daniels, director of 3 Area Support Group Gagetown Administration Branch (G1 Deputy Commanding Officer), said those involved with the legion project are waiting on the Director General Personnel and Family Support Services in Ottawa to provide the national legion executive with options for support within the Defence non-public fund framework.

The legion is to receive that level of detail no later than by the end of this month, he said.

"A decision will then be taken by the legion based on whether they feel this is advantageous to the national entity or not," Daniels said. "This will, therefore, potentially determine/drive the extent of support that will ultimately be provided by the base to the local legion re-build."

While the legion's future is being determined, Perrin said it's important for the organization to focus on other things, such as its fundraising, membership, and its upcoming poppy campaign.

The poppy campaign will be operated this year from the base.

Canadian Forces Base Gagetown is playing a big part in helping the legion get through the tough times facing it, Perrin said.

The veterans dinner will be held on base and the poppy flag raising will also be there.

"We don't have any place to raise it over there at the legion," Perrin said. "Even our flag poles aren't working properly."

Daniels, meanwhile, said the base, since the fire, has provided the legion support through the provision of office space in a building belonging to The Second Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment D57 and another belonging to 3 Area Support Group, D21.

"We have also supplied military representatives to their fundraising (Maj. Shaun Courty) and building (Maj. Rob Stoney and Larry Baba) committees, as well as volunteers who helped with the clearance of the old Legion site," Daniels said. "The base commander, Col. Michael Pearson, has also designated the G1 as the main military point of contact for the local legion president and national legion executive (Ottawa). A military 'tiger team' will be assembled to provide whatever future support is asked of us until such time as their new building is opened."

[Freddypop]

I assume they mean apartment Forest Hill Towers. Sounds like it may be connected to the existing building.

I believe you are correct. Nice to see another large scale complex going up.