Uptown livability
I just read a CBC article about the delay of the Harbourfront Condo project being developed by John Rocca. What I found most interesting was in the comments section. One commentor said:
What's next, making the development into a gated community where common folks aren't allowed to tred? As someone once said, Saint john is only going to get one chance to do it right as far as developing the waterfront property goes, and luxury condos is not going to do one damn thing to bring people back to the uptown portion of the city. Look at the empty store fronts on King St. and other uptown streets, and then tell me that luxury condos is going to revitilize uptown Saint John. What Saint needs to do is what Halifax, Boston, Seattle and others have done, by putting small stores and restaurants and other such establishments on that property in order to attract tourists and other visitors to the downtown. I just read a CBC story of how Saint John has lost yet another live entertainment venue in the city for lack of patrons, and pretty soon there will be no businesses left in the uptown, Presently there is not even a supermarket within walking distance of the uptown, so what does that say about uptown Saint John being people-friendly?
I think this concern is a little backwards. I think having more people of various incomes and professions is what will allow for a businesses to thrive in the area. Not having a grocery store and some other services may make it harder to get residents into the area, but I don’t think many investors would start a grocery store in hopes that it attracts a population base.
3 comments:
I totally agree with you. You don't build a grocery store, shops and boutiques in the uptown if 'nobody' lives there! more people living on the peninsula is what will make the uptown thrive! that person is ridiculously ignorant if you ask me!
I have lived in the uptown are for nearly 10 years.The City is doing it right for once..They made a plan to make cosmetic changes.Fix Water street, fix sidewalks,fix up old buildings..and with these steps things have improved greatly.At one time uptown was full of crime & drunks, you could go from bar to bar & there was always some type of non sense going on.The grocery store is a non issue for myself & many others who choose to live here.Sobeys,The Superstore are both very close..You have Giant Tiger,The City Market & also The Bargain Shop.The only thing I don't want to see is housing become so expensive around here, that the average person can not afford it.Affordable housing is great, but you basically need to be struggling to even get in to these type of places.There has to be a middle ground...where the average person with medium income can live here.There is a lot of work uptown & a lot going on, more than any other part of the city.
The City has a plan in place, and myself as a person who has watched it first hand over the past 10 years, they are doing a good job.By dealing with slum landlords & tearing down buildings that served as homeless & drug dens, and in the majority of these places townhouses & apartments have been built....Rome wasn't built in a day.
I know my comments are all over the place, but oh well...lol
Speaking as someone who lives nearby and has seen the condo plans, the lower levels (Water street) are planned on being small businesses. I also totally agree that the city needs a diverse section of people to get the businesses here to stay, "Suburban cowboys" that blow in 9-5 then leave do not make a city.
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