Development Remains Strong In Saint John: City Staff

Saint John is continuing to see a strong development season, according to the director of the city’s one-stop development shop.

Amy Poffenroth said they usually see higher permit numbers in the early fall as people think about getting projects started before the snow flies.

“Typically we also see a push in large projects to get foundations in before the wintertime, so we are experiencing that right now,” Poffenroth recently told members of the city’s growth committee.

Poffenroth said two major residential projects received council approval in September, including 99 King Street uptown and 60 Technology Drive in the north end.

Those two projects alone are anticipated to add in the range of 500 to 600 new residential units throughout over the coming years.

In the meantime, hundreds of new units are expected to come online throughout the city over the next few months.

Poffenroth said they anticipate a number of large multi-unit residential projects will move to completion and occupancy this fall and winter.

“The Calabria project on the east side, the Wentworth Street project in the south end, Telegraph Square uptown, and the project at Lower Cove Loop,” she said.

Poffenroth said her department works with inspection and fire prevention staff to assist developers in getting their projects ready for occupancy.

In addition, she said staff are also having discussions with other developers of projects that are in the pre-application stage.