All Cruise News > Waterfront Development’s Next Phase - A Bold $21 Million Water Street Partnership
Waterfront Development’s Next Phase - A Bold $21 Million Water Street Partnership
7 September, 2006
Design concepts for the largest project ever undertaken by the Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership, and the largest Saint John Port Authority project in recent years, were unveiled today at a special public meeting of Saint John Common Council. The one-item agenda was unique because it featured a joint presentation by Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership and the Saint John Port Authority, but especially because it was held outside of the Council Chamber for the first time in remembered history. This $21 Million project includes further revitalization of the Water Street precinct and a new Cruise Welcome Centre. As well, it builds on the City of Saint John’s $3.2 Million investment and rebuilding of Water Street already done in 2005-2006 and the Saint John Port Authority’s investment of $6 Million in the Pugsley Cruise Terminal.
A joint application by the Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership and the Saint John Port Authority has been submitted to ACOA, requesting $4.5 Million over a three-year period. This funding application, if approved, will allow for the development of a cruise welcome centre facility that will feature a multi-purpose passenger terminal surrounded by continuous and generous pedestrian walkways, traffic calming solutions and park space, creating a high quality public space. Visitors and citizens alike will be presented with a series of public and green spaces designed to create a positive and lasting impression of Saint John and the region.
This is indeed a bold step ahead, and one that builds significantly on the successes of Harbour Passage, the Port’s cruise business and the region’s True Growth Agenda. It specifically addresses two of the True Growth Agenda priorities, the development of an Inner Harbour Land Use Plan and Implementation Strategy; and to increase the number of visitors to the region by 200,000 in five years.
“I am thrilled that this project is pushing ahead,” said Mayor McFarlane this afternoon. “It represents significant progress for our waterfront. It will further enhance our tourism industry and the landscape of Water Street for tourists and citizens alike. This is an extremely positive potential development for our community, so I am especially pleased that we were able to share the design concepts with the public during this special meeting of Council on the waterfront. The project represents a continuation of the revitalization of Water Street the Common Council endorsed as one of its top priorities, and it will help to make Saint John a community of choice.”
The greater Saint John region has been moving ahead since the five regional Mayors endorsed the True Growth Agenda. As well, the development of Harbour Passage has been putting waterfront access front and centre since initial design work began in late 2001.
The Cruise Welcome Centre is the central structure in a safe and exciting passenger and pedestrian-oriented environment that encompasses the entire Water Street Precinct. The area is comprised of a one kilometre stretch of Water Street, primarily on the west side of the street, including a renewed St. Andrews Park at the foot of King Street and the proposed Three Sisters Park at the southern end.
“Water Street is a gateway to New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada for thousands of cruise ship visitors every year” states Bill MacMackin, President of the Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership. “The Cruise Welcome Centre will be surrounded by continuous and generous pedestrian walkways and park space creating a positive and lasting impression of Atlantic Canada. Investments to the waterfront act as a catalyst, bringing new development to the downtown core. The Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership believes that significant investments in infrastructure are required to sustain and grow the cruise sector in Southern New Brunswick.”
The Cruise Welcome Centre, a 32,000 square foot, three-storey terminal, will be surrounded by exciting and interesting spaces. It will include tourism space, a welcome centre, interpretive displays and museum exhibits. There will be potential off-season usage for conventions and events inside, and open spaces suitable for public art displays.
Design concepts for the Water Street Precinct incorporate the Barbour’s General Store and the Little Red Schoolhouse tourism attractions; gate entrances will feature, for example, cranes and port features so common to the area; and of course a further extension of Harbour Passage.
“The Port Authority is excited to see the cruise terminal project come to fruition in concert with further revitalization of the Water Street precinct. These projects will increase the tourism product base of the Fundy region and jump start further development of the waterfront in Saint John,” stated Captain Alwyn G. Soppitt, President & CEO of the Saint John Port Authority.
Indeed, these projects will be a major step forward in the development of the local cruise industry and the success of this project will also bring a significant regional economic benefit to Southern New Brunswick. Tour activities for cruise passengers include travel from Saint John to St. Andrews to the south and northward as far as Sussex and St. Martins. Based on achieving the goal of 200,000 cruise passengers a year, this investment will mean approximately $144 Million in regional tour operators’ income and other spin-offs over the next five years.
Additionally, this is an on-going tourism draw. Cruise industry studies indicate that 50% of cruise ship passengers return as visiting tourists within a five-year period of their on-board visit. The long-range benefit of a positive and lasting first impression is immense and will benefit Saint John, Southern New Brunswick, and all of Atlantic Canada.
A start date for the various projects in the Water Street Precinct will be determined once funding approvals are received. The concept is built upon a solid, existing partnership base. However, strong support is needed from all stakeholders and the public to ensure that funding applications are successful.
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Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership operates under the direction of the Saint John Development Corporation, and reports to 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., Saint John Board of Trade, and the Saint John Port Authority.
The Partnership’s mandate is to channel, focus, and direct the community of Greater Saint John’s collective energy and enthusiasm for waterfront development.
The Port of Saint John is a commercially viable, self-sufficient business enterprise and a cornerstone of the local economy. It is a critical component of the region’s transportation infrastructure essential to many of New Brunswick’s major industries engaged in international trade and provides deep-water, ice-free access to shipping year round.
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A background of waterfront development activities is attached to this News Release, as are Tour Operator comments about the value of cruise passenger business.
Mayor Norm McFarlane, maire
The City of Saint John
(506) 658-2912, norm.mcfarlane@saintjohn.ca
Ross Jefferson, General Manager
Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership
(506) 674-4152, ross.jefferson@sjwaterfront.com
Alwyn G. Soppitt. President & Chief Executive Officer
Saint John Port Authority
(506) 636-5377, asoppitt@sjport.com
