Saint John waterfront lot in midst of major makeover
The prime, high-profile piece of waterfront property on the former Coast Guard site, also known as the Fundy Quay, is now in the midst of a makeover as work begins to repair the sea wall in preparation for a major development.
"The sea wall is going to require about $8-million dollars' worth of work," says Saint John deputy mayor John MacKenzie. "$3.27-million is coming from the feds, $2.24-million from the province and the city is paying $1.8-[million] – once that work is done, we're ready to rock 'n' roll."
The repair of the sea wall is part of the first phase of upgrades to the property, which is being readied for an approximately $300-million development project being handled by Fundy Quay Development Inc.
"They're still working to finalize their plans, but one of the driving uses will be residential," says director of strategic projects for Envision Saint John, Jeffrey Cyr.
"The plan is for a lot of residential, potentially some hotel, commercial as well on the ground floor – maybe a cultural use."
Earlier this year, the province, federal government and municipality announced $24-million to make infrastructure improvements to the site – which also includes soil remediation, the redesign of Loyalist Plaza and the extension of Harbour Passage.
"The fall is where the dramatic change will be seen," says Cyr, "so what will happen on the Fundy Quay site itself when the southern half of the sea wall is finished, we'll start regarding – we'll raise that site in some areas as high as two metres."
The site has seen several false starts over the years – most recently the cancellation of plans to build a brand new provincial museum on the property.
However, Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long says what was essentially a parking lot is now primed to become a 'major economic stimulant' for the region.
"We've talked about this for the last 10, 15, 20 years – about redeveloping the Coast Guard property – it's really one of the last waterfront sites that's not developed in all cities – if you include St. John's, Charlottetown or Halifax.
The first portion of the site is expected to be turned over to the developer for building construction sometime next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.