Irving Pulp & Paper is looking to build a 500-space parking lot in part of Wolastoq Park on Saint John’s west side.
The proposal came before city council on Tuesday night to open a 30-day comment period for the public.
Company officials said the extra parking would support a planned $1.1-billion expansion of its pulp mill located across the street.
“The decision to make use of this property to support the upgrade to the mill was made only after carefully examining all the other available options,” Irving Pulp & Paper Vice President Mark Mosher said in a news release.
“The location was ultimately chosen because it would minimize disruption to traffic, construction, and operational activities, while still retaining the portions of the park with the most recreational value.”
The property is the former site of the Centracare mental health facility which was closed in 1998 after 145 years of operation.
It was later purchased by J.D. Irving, Limited, which owns Irving Pulp & Paper, and rehabilitated into park space in 2004.
Currently, there are up to 800 workers at the pulp mill — a number that is expected to more than double once Project NextGen begins.
“A number of parking spaces will be displaced as a result of Project NextGen due to the construction of a new recovery boiler in an area that is currently used for parking,” said the company’s website.
“Even with new spaces being created elsewhere on the mill property, it is expected that about 500+ new parking spaces will be required.”
About 70 per cent of usable land at Wolastoq Park would remain available for public use, according to the company. Officials are planning to put the parking lot in the park’s underutilized south-central portion.
A pedestrian overpass would be installed over Bridge Road to connect the site with Mill Road. It will be available to both members of the public and employees.
Officials said access to the proposed lot would be provided via Lancaster Avenue, allowing for improved traffic flow entering and exiting the mill.
The company said it considered an on-site parking garage and off-site parking with busing but determined they were not viable options.
Written submissions regarding the proposal can be made to council any time before Oct. 31.
From there, council is expected to refer the matter to the planning advisory committee for review and recommendation.
The proposal is then anticipated to come back to council in January 2025 for a public hearing.
