Press/Stories
Saint John Waterfront Development seeks General Manager
For Immediate Release – July 4, 2008
(Saint John, NB) - Saint John Waterfront Development is announcing today their plans to seek a replacement for the position of General Manager with the scheduled departure of the current General Manager, Ross Jefferson. After five years of service, Mr. Jefferson has advised the Board of Directors of his intention to pursue a new opportunity in community development. Announced earlier this morning by Minister Keir in a special breakfast briefing, Mr. Jefferson will be assuming a leadership role as the primary consultant to prepare for the next phase of the Benefits Blueprint Initiative.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish to sincerely thank Ross for his dedication and leadership to the Waterfront Development Project over the past five years and congratulate Ross on his new endeavour", says Charlie Swanton, Chairman of Waterfront Development. "Ross has been a very valued member of the team, and I know he has always cared very deeply and personally about Waterfront Development and the betterment of this region", says Bill MacMackin, Vice Chairman of the organization.
"I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with such great people, and on such a great project", says Mr. Jefferson. "I attribute the success of this project to the grass roots support from the community, the overwhelming commitment of many volunteers and community leaders, and the participation of a broad group of partners".
During the past five years, a number of highly visible projects have been completed, including the launch of the Saint John Inner Harbour Land Use Plan, three additional phases of Harbour Passage, the redevelopment of the Water Street Precinct including the successful demolition of the Lantic Sugar property and Pugsley sheds, the redevelopment of the Water Street thoroughfare, and the new projects recently announced for three new park spaces in conjunction with the Bay of Fundy Cruise Welcome Center. A number of new additional private sector projects have also been announced in the past year.
In total, approximately $9 million dollars to date has been raised for Waterfront Development, including support from provincial and federal grants, municipal investments, and private and corporate donations. The primary objectives for these investments include: returning life to and rejuvenation of the city centre district, improvement of the image and brand of the region, acting as a catalyst for new private investment, and growing the tax base for the City of Saint John. To date, new developments and the growth in the tax base in the Waterfront District is estimated at $65 million and recently announced projects are expected to surpass $175 million in total.
Saint John Waterfront Development operates under the direction of the Saint John Development Corporation, and works closely with Saint John Common Council. The Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership is comprised of the City of Saint John, Saint John Development Corporation, Uptown Saint John Inc., Enterprise Saint John Inc., The Saint John Board of Trade, the Saint John Port Authority, and The Province of New Brunswick.
The mandate is to channel, focus, and direct the community of Greater Saint John’s collective energy and enthusiasm for waterfront development and to oversee the obligations of the Market Square complex.
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Ross Jefferson
Saint John Waterfront Development
Tel: 506 674 4152
Email: ross.jefferson@sjwaterfront.com
www.sjwaterfront.com