[kwajo]

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

One thing that just crossed my mind about the IOL HQ project is that it could cause the start of a rather huge building renovation boom in the SouthCentral Peninsula. Having an office of that kind could raise the stakes on how the entirety of Uptown Saint John's appearance would be impacted, and force building owners to make their properties look cleaner, brighter, safer, and more inviting.

And it's not just buildings located within a 3 minute walk...it'd probably also mean places near Crown Street, up to the northern tip of Waterloo Village, and to the tip of Sydney St. Uptown Saint John could look absolutely SWAG in about 10 years, and would make people PROUD to live in that part of the city again.

And that attitude could spread outward as well, even to the Old North End, Crescent Valley, Anglin Drive, and the Wright St./Seely St.-Somerset St./Paradise Row+Winter St. corridor.

Anyone agree with any of the above?

If that were to actually happen, it would be a good opportunity now for Saint John to engage in some meaningful discussions on anti-displacement initiatives to help soften the blow to segments of our population who are at risk of being marginalized or pushed out of neighbourhoods due to rising costs of living.