Huge 3-year-old hole in the ground at prime corner tests patience in Saint John
CBC
It's been nearly three years since a building, still referred to as the former Woolworth's store, was torn down to make way for a new development at a prime uptown corner in Saint John.
Today, instead of a promised 12-storey, multi-use building — or even a start on one — the site at the head of King Street remains a giant, empty hole in the ground.
Saint Johners can't see it filled fast enough.
"I just wish something was done with it," said restaurant owner Billy Grant. "Either fill it in and put a lawn there, or do something soon."
Billy's Seafood Company is right next to the gaping construction site at the top of King Street, across from King's Square. He said being next to the empty lot for so long has hurt business.
"Going on three or four years, this is not acceptable," he said. "It's really affected my company a lot. Business is down from it. I mean, we have other factors as well.
"I know we went through COVID and all that, but I think the building came down with COVID. It's just been one perfect storm after the other for me."
Grant said tourism season has been his restaurant's financial saving grace, but the development, or lack thereof, in the area has been a barrier for the restaurant to access the tourism market, with sidewalks being gone as well.
"[They say] 'Billy, it's hard to get into your front door.' They want to meet me," Grant said.
Developer Percy Wilbur bought the lot at King and Charlotte streets in late 2020. In the past, he has attributed to project delays to large cost increases but would not be interviewed for this story.
His project's plan is for commercial space on the lower floors and apartments above. When the building was demolished in June 2021, Wilbur said it would take 2½ years to build. The site has not seen any significant development, however.
There is an empty foundation from the old building surrounded by barriers and chain-link fences.
The City of Saint John's communication department also refused to provide someone to talk to about where things stand and said one would be presented at a city growth committee meeting next week.
Grant isn't the only one eager to see the project completed. The site is in Coun. Gerry Lowe's ward and he just wants to "wake up and see a beautiful building there."
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