Open for Business

Grand opening is Nov. 4th at Mark's and Canadian Tire. I dropped in on Saturday, it's a fine improvement over the cramped former store. And the Mark's store is a positive addition to the west side retail establishment. Still some work to do to the exterior, and the gas bar is just a shell, but it's looking good.

Kids today!

A robot was on the loose yesterday around the T4G building.

Canadian Tire - Not ready yet

Still lots of work to do on the outside - the parking lot doesn't appear to be ready, and work still happening on lighting and exterior of store. I see a "Mark's" sign, that'll make some folks happy.

Old Canadian Tire / New CanadianTire

The Canadian Tire on Fairville Blvd. was demolished today. On the left of this picture is the new store, opening this week.

The Summer of our Road Discontent

It's been a long summer and fall with road work happening around the west side. I took a drive along the Westfield Road on the weekend. The long-needed and hard fought campaign to upgrade the road and install sidewalks continued this summer.   Pretty rough going as the photo illustrates.

So, with the Westfield Road, Dever Road, Church Street, Main Street, Lancaster Avenue and the Harbour Bridge,  to name a few - all on the receiving end of taxpayers' hard work, it's a wonder any westsiders bothered to attempt the frustration of a trip over the bridge into town. 
(But I still want nice roads)

Canadian Tire Fairville Blvd. & Dave's No Frills

Work is really moving along quickly on the new Canadian Tire on Fairville Blvd. On the weekend a staff person told me the grand opening is scheduled for October 28. The new store will include a Mark's Work Wearhouse; I had heard that rumor but it had not had it confirmed.
A new gas bar is part of the reconstruction, here is a picture of what remains of the old gas bar.

It happens every year

I saw a poster recently announcing the 6th annual Lancaster Santa Parade, November 27, 1pm. Looks like some elves have been busy preparing for this great show of local community pride.
I guess I had better make my list...

Stonehammer - First Global Geopark in North America- that's solid!

I received a news release from Stonehammer / NB Museum today announcing that the bid by the local Stonhammer Geopark committee has been accepted. Well done all!  Good news for southern NB tourism.

Market Place Concept Plan - Public Meeting tomorrow

I just noticed this poster announcing a meeting for the unveiling of the Market Place Concept Plan. I attended the public meeting in the summer where residents offered suggestions on what they'd like to see at the Centre.  Sure hope I can make tomorrow's meeting.  The centre offers great programs and services, and I am curious to see how the Glenn Group has interpreted the community's ideas.

From the city's website:

September 30, 2010

Public Information Meetings

The City of Saint John and the Carleton Community Centre invite you to attend a public meeting that will unveil the Market Place Concept Plan. Residents in the Market Place/Carleton Community Centre area met with consultants to create a master plan for the green space in the area. City staff and the Glenn Group will present the master concept plan, followed by a question and answer period for public feedback.  7 – 9pm

Harbour Bridge tolls rising?

Repairs on the Harbour Bridge are scheduled to come to an end (for 2010, anyway) in about a month's time.  According to an article in Saturday's TJ, HBA GM Ken Anthony says the tolls will go up by 25 cents unless:

the federal and provincial governments thrash out a deal that will lead to the removal of bridge tolls altogether, Anthony  said a planned hike to help pay for all that construction will take effect on Jan. 1, 2011. Base tolls will rise from 50 cents to 75 cents, while B-Pass holders will pay 50 cents.

And we can look forward to six more months of traffic delays starting in Spring 2011.
Bring back the ferry; you can "walk-on" and leave the car at home.