Fort Reliance Press Release, re: Long Wharf HQ cancellation

From the Fort Reliance website newsroom:

Fort Reliance will not proceed with new office building at Long Wharf

SAINT JOHN, NB – Fort Reliance announced today it will not be proceeding with a new home office
building at Long Wharf.

Over five years ago, the company recognized the need for new office space, and was considering building on land it already owned in the Greater Saint John area. At the urging of community leaders, the company began to consider the possibility of the Long Wharf location.

“This began a long, complex process that included commercial negotiations; community outreach and consultation; engineering and design; government reviews and approvals; and the exploration of a variety of commercial structures that would meet various government requirements,” said Blaine Higgs of Fort Reliance.

Early on, the company engaged noted architect Robert A.M. Stern to design a LEED standard building that would have incorporated leading environmental practices and public spaces, and would have enhanced the waterfront.

“All opportunities have certain windows,” added Mr. Higgs, “and during the time it has taken for us to get from our starting point to today the economic landscape has changed and the window on this project has unfortunately closed."

Fort Reliance is very grateful to everyone in the community who encouraged, advised, and supported the project, and would like to thank the many partners and suppliers who worked with them on the project over the last few years.

About Fort Reliance
Fort Reliance is the family-owned, privately held parent company for Irving Oil and various Irving Oil-related energy companies.

Media Contact
Daniel Goodwin
506-202-2433

Let’s hope other waterfront projects can proceed quickly to maintain some momentum in the uptown area.

I suppose this puts the Lantic Sugar site back in play – if anyone can work out a project that could afford to clean the contaminated site.