Wet day for demolition

 

Demolition continues on the Coast Guard site.

Coast Gaurd Site - Demolition and site work

After many years of promised development on the Coast Guard Site on Water Street, site work and demolition have begun. 

One can hope that construction will follow.

C.E. Nick Nicolle Community Centre–North End

If the outside is a good indication, the C.E. Nick Nicolle community centre in the Old North End has been transformed for the better.  The space looks like its brighter (bigger windows) and more inviting to the community.

Congratulations on all the great work to the folks at ONE Change.

School renovations

It appears that Forest Hills School in east Saint John is being expanded a bit.

KB Library construction, November 2, 2012

Progress update photo:

NBCC Energy Building

UNBSJ Commons

I haven’t been to the Tucker Park Campus of UNB in a while and haven’t taken any recent photos of the University Commons Building as it expands.

The University has a great album of pictures showing the progress of the project.  Here’s a copy of their most recent picture:

As with many such projects, the Commons could use some more funds.  There’s a page set up for alumni and community members to contribute to the construction of this integrated learning building.

UNBSJ campus medical buildings

UNB (Saint John) Commons – moving toward fundraising goal and construction

When I was still at UNB there was an unveiling of a large University Commons building concept that would be built beside the Canada Games stadium.  The concept morphed into a renovated Ward Chipman Library.

Ground was broken in 2006 if I’m not mistaken.

From what I’m reading in UNB’s press release, the Commons will once again be a “new” building (a LEED silver building at that), now located near the campus entrance.

Now there’s just the matter of fundraising $5 million and starting construction.

University Commons

The UNB Alumni megazine has an article projecting that the University Commons will be complete within 18 months.  When I was at UNBSJ in 2006 the ground was broken on this project.  Hopefully finding gets and place and it finally happens.

Scott Avenue apartments safe for now

The Telegraph Journal reported that the current Rothesay Town Council has moved away from the idea of expanding its recreation portfolio by acquiring and demolishing apartment buildings on Scott Avenue. 

The town is now looking into other locations.

UNB Saint John campus layout changes

As a follow up to my Co-location, Location, Location post I biked to the Tucker Park Campus of UNB Saint John.  To make way for the new health sciences building the portable offices that once sat between the university and hospital have been moved behind the gym. 

Co-location, location, location

The federal and provincial governments have committed funds for UNB Saint John and NBCC Saint John expansions.

This has brought up the discussion of co-location of the two post-secondary institutions.

While local media and business leaders are pushing for more co-location (currently a medical training centre of the Community College will be located at the university campus), some folks aren’t as quick to support this concept. 

Co-location could create some synergies and foster better co-operation between the two schools. However, co-locating at Tucker Park could also put a stain on the campus, if adequate planning is not done.  I don’t recall from my days at UNB Saint John that the campus had too much extra space (lots of land, but parking and cafeteria space were pretty well used).

The debate could lead to some positive solutions that help make Saint John a “smarter city.”  Lets hope it plays out that way.

I for one think it would be great if some of the funds going into post-secondary infrastructure could go to the downtown.  It would be great if the Coast Guard development could feature some post secondary development; the uptown could benefit from students and academics rubbing shoulders with the business and arts community that already populate the city core.

UNB Saint John campus building project

While there is no word on whether the University Commons funding announced for UNB’s Saint John campus will look like the most recent concept talked about with the public (pictured left), both the province and the federal government have committed funds to add to campus infrastructure.  CHSJ News 94.1 reports:

“A major shot of cash for U-N-B-S-J -- Ottawa is committing eight million dollars in funding while the province is coming in with 10-million for expansion plans at the Tucker Park campus.
Vice President Robert MacKinnon says it's part of the concept for the university commons which includes new buildings for students services and high tech library and the Allied Health services component of the Community College.
Total cost of the project is estimated at 25-million dollars.”

Sun sets on North of Union building

Another building was torn down today to make way for the Peel Plaza development.  The daycare that was housed in this building was moved to a nearby building acquired by the City for the original North of Union development concept.


Remnants of the building indicate a quality construction of brick and stone that may have stood for many more years displaying another part of the city’s heritage.  The city decided the land below the former building was more of a prize than the historic building.

Even though I have been critical of the Peel Plaza police headquarters and parking garage development proposal, as it become more of a reality with each piece of the old North of Union removed, I am hopeful. 

I hope the City makes responsible and democratic decisions about the use of this site, and if a police station is the best use of the land, I hope partnerships, quality design and construction are able to utilize this land to create a quality development worthy of the central location.

Municipal recreation cooperation

Quispamsis has put a link on the front of the town website directing visitors to read more about the qPlex arena proposed for the town.  Talk in Rothesay has been about creating a new field house.  Saint John is working on plans for a new arena of its own. 

According to the Telegraph Journal outgoing Board of Trade chairperson Dr. Michael Barry thinks the municipalities should pool resources and create a sports complex that includes a variety of uses to be shared by the communities.

I think the idea of cooperating on recreation spending is a good one.  By pooling resources there are likely savings to be found, but also the end product, a  large multi purpose facility, will better meet the needs of large sporting events that can draw families and visitors into an area.

Need for police station as told by head cop

The City of Saint John is active (maybe overactive) in creating municipal megaprojects. I wonder if the money being spend on headquarters and operations centers is being used wisely, but the powers that be seem excited to be spending money on new facilities.

I have my doubts about the location and design of the new police station – I think the prime spot is being wasted by building only two storeys. I also bet it could be built cheaper elsewhere.

My doubts aside, the chief of police has outlined why a new facility is needed. In the Telegraph Journal Chief Bill Reid explains how the new facility will aid police operations, though he doesn’t make a case for the location.

q-Plex: questions and quandaries

The federal government announced that they will be adding additional money to the fund to build the Quispamsis qPlex, citing increasing construction costs.

This announcement led me to think a bit more about the project, reinvigorating some previous concerns I had and adding some new ones.

First, I wonder if construction costs have increased since the initial budget was prepared. I would think with global prices for steel declining, that costs to build such a project would decrease.

Second, I wonder how a project can be built to LEED standards when it is replacing a wooded nature park area with built structures. Further, what technology will be used for ice making that is environmentally sustainable? If such technology exists should the rest of greater Saint John consider converting the rest of our arenas?

Third, I think the pool should be brought inside the complex so that the town can get more utility from it. I think an outdoor pool is great, but the cost to build, secure and maintain an outdoor pool must be pretty high when such a pool will only be used for three to four months of the year.

Fourth, I think Rothesay and Quispamsis have to work together on this and similar projects. It doesn’t make sense for two communities with similar demographics and a practically invisible border to be building facilities in silos – if Rothesay put money into this, I’m sure Quispamsis would respond by helping fund a new gymnasium, the recreation facility on Rothesay politicos’ wish lists.

Finally, I think a co-operative agreement must be reached between Saint John, Quispamsis and Rothesay to develop an “event-worthy” facility that is near enough amenities (such as hotels) that tournaments can be hosted (assuming that hosting is actually good for the communities, rather than just a point of pride).

Ludicrous Spending on Peel Plaza

According to Country 94 News:

[Peel Plaza Zoning Gets Final Approval]
16:34:23
Common council has
given final approval to rezone the area known as Peel Plaza in order to make way
for a new police headquarters, justice complex and parking garage. Council
has also approved hiring the Stewart McKelvey firm to provide legal services
during the requests for qualifications and proposals.The firm's legal services
will cost the city 180 thousand dollars. Council recently approved another 420
thousand dollars to hire Consultants Deloitte Touche.That's on top of costs for
architectural and design services. Construction is expected to begin this fall.

I can't believe a city that has a surplus of upper management and a tight budget, is hiring consultants to do their work on this unnecessary project. The only good that can come of this, is the possibility of a citizens revolt over such poor policy.

Bus garage takes shape

In east Saint John the Transit Commission's new offices and bus terminal is coming along.