September ‘10September ‘10

Retail • Tourism • Hospitality

Saint John’snewest attractionat Reversing Rapids

Saint JohnAdventures’Zip Line

Saint John’snewest attractionat Reversing Rapids

Saint John Adventures’Zip Line

Chair’s Message

September ‘10 • Volume 7 No. 3

Currents is published 4 times a year for members of the Saint John Board of Trade and Greater Saint John’sbusiness community. Average circulation is 5,000 per issue including distribution to all Board of Trademembers and to all business addresses in Greater Saint John. Opinions expressed in this publicationare not necessarily the view of the Saint John Boardof Trade. Suggestions and comments are welcome. The Board of Trade cannot be held responsiblefor any errors or omissions that may occur in thispublication. Currents reserves the right to edit any material submitted.

SAINT JOHN BOARD OF TRADE BOARD OF DIRECTORSEXECUTIVE

J. Michael Murphy, ChairpersonBMO Bank of MontrealJohn Warrington, 1st Vice-Chair Lorneville Mechanical Contractors Ltd.Patrick Sohy, 2nd Vice-Chair Avant-Garde Construction and Management Inc.Marilyn Singh, SecretaryVision CoachingDeanna Graves, Treasurer Moosehead Breweries LimitedKathryn Craig, Immediate Past Chair Fundy Linen Service Inc.Mike Walton, Member-at-largeLantic Inc.Larry Hachey, Member-at-largeHachey4Capital Inc.

DIRECTORS

Christine Fagan, Worksafe NBKevin Hocquard, Stantec Consulting Ltd.Kelli Lester, Irving Oil Operations GPAndy Lodge, Barry SpaldingChris MacDonald, J.D. Irving LimitedMel Norton, Lawson Creamer Dr. Chris O’Brien, Saint John Medical SocietyEric Poirier, Bell Aliant Claire Ryan, FusionDr. Ruth Shaw, University of New Brunswick - Saint JohnAl Soppitt, Saint John Port AuthorityGerry Verner, Brunswick News

STAFF

Imelda Gilman, President Carole Cunningham, Office & Events Coordinator Michelle MacDonald, Administrative Assistant Erinor Jacob, Policy & Research Officer Jennifer Tupper, Marketing & Sales Officer

CONTACT

Please address editorial enquiries to:Saint John Board of TradePO Box 6037, 40 King St.Saint John, NB E2L 4R5 Tel: (506) 634-8111 Fax: (506) 632-2008E-mail: igilman@sjboardoftrade.comVisit our website at www.sjboardoftrade.com

PRODUCTION

Editor: Imelda GilmanAdvertising Sales: Jennifer Tupper (506) 634-4159 or email jtupper@sjboardoftrade.comGraphic Design & Production: Morrison MarketingPrinting: TranscontinentalMail Preparation: United Catena Training CentreMailed under Canada Post Publications MailSales Agreement No. 40010390

Over the past few years we havewitnessed growth in Saint John’s Retail,Tourism and Hospitality sectors. Thisgrowth has been tremendous and thesesectors are contributing to the vibrancy,diversity, and entrepreneurial success of Saint John. From new boutiques to wellestablished specialty stores to Canada-wide retailers, Saint John is well on itsway to becoming a retail destination! Witha rapidly growing cruise industry and newadventures like the zip-line and thepotential for our region to become NorthAmerica’s first Geopark, the Saint Johnregion is becoming a tourist destinationwhere people of all ages can staycomfortably and enjoy culinary delights.While Retail, Hospitality and Tourismare the focus for this issue, I would liketo take the opportunity to highlight sectorsthat have also seen success anddemonstrate the overall positive growthSaint John has seen and continues to seeas we enter the 3rd quarter of 2010.In the Energy sector we have seen greatchange from the potential sale of NBPower to the new, proposed changes inthe regulatory system. In both instancesthe Saint John Board of Trade has beenpresent, most recently with a submissionon the proposed regulatory system changeswhich can be viewed on our website. Wehave also participated in the Departmentof Energy’s Ignition Summit and theAtlantica Centre for Energy’s dialoguesessions.Infrastructure has seen the water systemreport outlining a schedule for refurbishingthe city’s water system presented andaccepted by Common Council. The SaintJohn Board of Trade will continue tosupport the changes necessary to ensureour members and the community haveaccess to safe, reliable water at a fiscallyresponsible pace.This month sees the inaugural class of the new Dalhousie medical educationprogram at Tucker Park begin theireducational studies. The potential futuregrowth of the Knowledge Cluster andinvestment in Research and Developmentis great. We as a Board of Trade willcontinue to work with the institutions andlike minded groups to support this sectorand the synergies that surround it.In the Transportation sector work hascommenced on the Harbour Bridge, andthe twinning of Route 1 from Saint Johnto St. Stephen. Work has continued toprogress on the One Mile HighwayInterchange and the Welsford Bypass.People travel for many reasons usingvarious modes of transport. Our airportand port, in addition to our roads, aregrowing and we will continue to supportthem as they are both crucial to attractingbusiness and investment in our region.Last month the airport released itsStrategic Plan and included in this issueof Currents, we have a brief synopsis onthe economic impact of the airport on ourCity and region.Growth and success in energy,infrastructure, education, andtransportation will help draw new peopleto Saint John. It is the Retail, Tourism andHospitality sectors that will ensure theyenjoy their stay and return if not as newSaint Johners, then as frequent visitors!

J. Michael Murphy, Chair of the Saint JohnBoard of Trade

Saint John Board of Trade

C u r r e n t s • S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 0

Retail

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Tourism

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Hospitality

There isn’t a magic solution to theeconomic development strategy for cities,or for the particular issues faced by asmall-medium sized city in the middle of urban density and economic challenges.What is important to remember is theneed to stay focused on the basics, whichare education, health, recreation andquality of life. At every level, increasingthe value-added in everything we do,lifestyle amenities, infrastructure andmaking the city a beautiful, enjoyable,surprisingly pleasant experience willdetermine our growth rate.The urban economist Richard Floridaadvocates the importance of being aprogressive, open, enjoyable city is to beable to attract a diversity of employersand key workers as well as offering alivable environment that spurs creativity,pride and investment. As a result, everycity now wants to be a centre of progress,promoting the connection between avigorous arts and cultural life whileencouraging economic and communityhealth. The competition for being uniqueand progressive is getting intense.How can a city differentiate itself? Themost successful city of the 21st centurywill be much more than sidewalk cappuccinos and film festivals. It will bea centre driven by city government andprivate enterprise, through consultation,that most imaginatively, efficiently andeffectively provides needed services,infrastructure and a “lifestyle”.Essentially, it is about focusing on thebasics;Flexibility - the ability to see thingsdifferently and act accordinglyInnovation - the ability to apply anoriginal solution to a long-standingproblemBig picture thinking - understandingthe difference between strategic versustactical approachesLeadership - the ability to set directionfor the wholeSaint John Waterfront Development(SJWD) wants to be a part of the overalldesign and progress of the City of SaintJohn. With the support of city governmentand armed with public input SJWD ismoving forward with actions that can andwill make Saint John a great City. Someof the recent actions include;

Coast Guard Site

- We are in the finalstages of land acquisition regarding theCanadian Coast Guard site. As well,negotiations are ongoing with theHardman Group Ltd. in relation to adevelopment agreement.

Reversing Rapids Master Plan

-SJWD received final approval fromCommon Council in June 2010 and weare now proceeding with finalizingdevelopment plans for projectcommencement in 2011.

Partridge Island

- Initial developmentplans have been presented to severalcommunity groups with very favorableresponse. Development of the island willbe determined over the next 12 monthswith continued public input andconsultation.

Saint John WaterfrontDevelopment

Boardwalk Refurbishment

- Phase IIis proceeding with numerousimprovements to the boardwalk lighting,courtyard and surrounding arealandscaping and boardwalk relatedamenities including benches, bicycleracks, plank replacement, lighthousesrepainted and more.

Harbour Passage

- Although HarbourBridge construction continues, the muchutilized Passage walkway is now openfrom Market Square Boardwalk to FortLaTour. It may be a short walk (1.2km)but it is packed with several viewpoints,informative signage and beautiful restareas.

Stonehammer

- The excitement isbuilding. The Stonehammer team and theCity of Saint John are preparing for a“site” evaluation by two internationalrepresentatives from the Global Geopark Network regarding a UNESCO supporteddesignation. Dr. Patrick McKeever(Ireland) and Ms. Claudia Eckhardt(Germany) will be in the Saint John regionin late August/September for a 4 day visit.When successful, this will be the firstGeopark designation in North America.On behalf of the Regional DevelopmentCorporation, Saint John WaterfrontDevelopment is the governing body forthe Stonehammer Geological Project untilsuch time as the Global Geopark Network designation is awarded and theorganization implements its owngovernance model.

Submitted by Kent McIntyre, General Manager,Saint John Waterfront Development

Artist’srendition of Harbourfront Residencesnow under constructionon thewaterfront Photos of the Saint John Waterfront