Wait and see on Fortis proposal: St. John's councillors
Last Updated: Thursday, January 21, 2010 | 3:24 PM NT
CBC News
Related
Internal Links
Several St. John's city councillors said Wednesday they want to learn more about a proposed 15-storey building complex on the city's waterfront before making a decision about it.
The Fortis Properties Corporation wants to retrofit its existing building at the corner of Water and Prescott streets in St. John's and construct a new 15-storey building next to it.
"Well I was not surprised, but I was a little disappointed," Coun. Sandy Hickman told CBC News.
"If they could broaden it a bit, bring it down. I'd be willing to go six, seven stories kind of a thing, maybe even eight. But with me, the bottom line is maintaining the Water Street facade of the old buildings that are adjacent to it."
Hickman would like to see the current style of the area's buildings maintained in any new development there.
Coun. Danny Breen plans to wait and see what city staff and his constituents have to say about the proposal before deciding.
"The biggest issue for me is the streetscape. I mean, I'm more interested in how it looks from the street and maintaining that part of this," said Breen. "That's our job as councillors. Our job is to find balance in these things."
Coun. Tom Hann says he needs to see more details before making up his mind.
"I'm not going to slam the proposal as one of my colleagues did right off the mark," said Hann, referring to comments made by Deputy Mayor Shannie Duff who has already spoken publicly about her opposition to the Fortis Company's plan.
Hann said the look of the facade from Water Street is also an important factor for him. He said he told Fortis that when he met them a couple of months ago.
"If they could do that I think there could be some compromise [from the city] on the height of the building," he said.
The first four floors of the new development would contain retail space on Water Street and 380 parking spots.
The office tower exceeds the city's height restrictions for downtown development, and will need special permission from city hall.
Share Tools
Latest Nfld. & Labrador News Headlines
- Storm damage prompts St. John's capital works review
- St. John's is taking a second look at its priorities for capital spending, in the wake of record-setting rainfall over the weekend. more »
- Call-back protocol for searches to be reviewed: MacKay
- Defence Minister Peter MacKay has asked for a review of the search and rescue protocol that puts the responsibility on searchers to call the military back for help. more »
- Ches's armed robbery video released
- The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has released security video that displays an aggressive knife-point robbery at a local restaurant. more »
- Snow squalls shut west coast schools
- Schools in several communities along Newfoundland's west coast were closed Tuesday morning, amid warnings about fierce winds and blowing snow. more »
Top News Headlines
- Online surveillance bill tabled in House
- A bill that is expected to give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications, sometimes without a warrant, has been tabled in the House of Commons. more »
- Fantino says Canada's F-35 jet purchase 'evolving'
- Canada's minister responsible for military procurement now appears open to adjusting the Defence Department's order for F-35 fighter jets, citing an economic environment "we may not have any control over." more »
- What to get your special someone on Valentine's Day
- For those looking for a last-minute Valentine's Day gift, here are some ideas — from the traditional to the outlandish. more »
- Sperm donor anonymity case moves to B.C. Appeal Court
- The B.C. government hopes to retain the anonymity of sperm donors as it launches a high-court appeal of a ruling last year won by a woman who wanted to know the identity of her father. more »
- Cat frozen to driveway gets warm rescue
- 'He wanted to be home with us,' family says of teen
- 'Stars are lining up' for Muskrat Falls, PUB told
- Storm damage prompts St. John's capital works review
- Call-back protocol for searches to be reviewed: MacKay
- Russian men arrested after flight diverted to Labrador
- St. John's grapples with flood-related damage
- Accused murderer has assault trial postponed
- A letter from a fisherman's daughter

