Press/Stories
Saint John Waterfront Development Jubilant With Potential Long Wharf Development Proposal
For immediate Release – June 20, 2008
(Saint John, NB) – Saint John Waterfront Development today endorsed the proposed land transfer which could result in a final deal seeing portions of Long Wharf being made available for an immediate development proposal.
The announcement made earlier today by the Saint John Port Authority would result in a very significant step forward towards realizing the long term vision for Waterfront Development. The understanding, if realized, would result in the Port Authority acquiring the former Lantic Sugar Property for future operations while portions of Long Wharf will be made available for commercial development and new public space in the growing city center.
Charlie Swanton, chairman of the Saint John Development Corporation, is pleased to see the strategic opportunity present itself. “During the initial creation of the Saint John Inner Harbour Land Use Plan, the immediate focus of development was centered towards the former Lantic Sugar property only because Long Wharf was deemed unavailable during that time frame. This announcement today represents a very substantial step forward towards realizing the long term vision for Waterfront Development”.
Over the past few years, a number of obstacles have prevented investors from developing the former Lantic Sugar property including environmental, access, and compatibility issues with adjacent lands. Coupled with the fact that developers view the former Lantic property as a long distance from the Uptown core, Saint John Waterfront believes the Long Wharf location is a much more logical and immediate development option for the continued growth of the city’s central core.
Bill MacMackin, President of Waterfront Development extends congratulations to everyone involved with making this development proposal a reality, “I think this demonstrates a great ‘win-win’ situation for our community. This project has the potential to see up to 1,000 people retained in our uptown, it takes a major step forward for Waterfront Development, and it supports the needs of our Port by consolidating operations in the South End”. Ever since Irving Oil previously announced a need for a new office location, a number of people have been working to try and keep these important jobs in our Uptown, and we have many to thank including the Port Authority, and most especially Irving Oil”
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 Partnership’s mandate is to channel, focus, and direct the community of Greater Saint John’s collective energy and enthusiasm for waterfront development.
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For further information:
Ross Jefferson
General Manager
Saint John Waterfront Development
Tel: 506 674 4152
Email: Ross.jefferson@sjwaterfront.com