A progress update after Saint John council endorsed eight key priorities for accelerating growth across the city back in May.
City Manager John Collin presented an update to council Monday night regarding two of the priorities.
The priorities are divided into four infrastructure projects and four advocacy efforts.
The infrastructure projects include:
- Innovative Central Peninsula Learning Commons
- Redevelopment of Fundy Quay
- A new multi-purpose recreational facility
- Expanding lands and investment in the City’s industrial parks
Collin said when it comes to the Innovative Central Peninsula Learning Commons, the ball is currently in the province’s court.
“It is up to the province as the next, but important step to make a determination on the site for the new school. It is a project which is led by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DTI), and of course, supported by the Ministry of Education and Early Childhood Education.”
“They are going through their due diligence as we speak, and have been for quite some time … I personally am of the opinion that DTI is taking the mandate seriously, but they are challenged by finding the right consultations to do the right sort of work for them as they do their due diligence on site selection,” continued Collin.
The four catalytic advocacy efforts include:
- Comprehensive tax reform
- Matching dollars for bilateral projects
- Affordable housing
- Post-secondary education
Collin said the first draft of the Affordable Housing Action Plan will be released during a growth committee meeting on Tuesday.
“We have already rolled out the needs assessment and now by rolling out the plan we start to identify the sorts of actions that this municipality should undertake in order to address the affordable housing crisis that we have within our community.”
The draft plan will be publicly available on the Shape Your City platform with a feedback option for a one-month period.
The growth committee meeting begins at 11:30 a.m.
