Saint John sign on Fort Howe (File Image)

The City’s One Stop Development Shop is a busy place so far this year – so busy – Director Amy Poffenroth says there is a slight delay in moving permits through the system. Poffenroth told Council’s Growth Committee yesterday they are reviewing a number of large development files – some in the pre-application phase while others are now under construction.

Poffenroth says 51 building permits worth almost 4 million dollars were issued in March. And she says 233 building permits have been issued between the first of the year and yesterday worth 10 million dollars.

Some of the development includes major multi-residential projects around the city including the Telegraph on Canterbury Street – the Wellington at Union Street and Wellington Row – the Wentworth at Wentworth and Leinster Streets – the Atlantic on Broad Street – and Calabria Estates off Mountain View Drive in East Saint John. Poffenroth says a permit for foundation work on a complex on Millidge Avenue will be issued within a month or so – and – work should begin by early summer.

Meantime – Lancaster Mall is getting a revamp. StrathAllen Property Management says a partial redevelopment of the layout of the building will see a new national fitness centre going into 15,000 square feet next to No Frills and the Bank of Montreal. In addition – the Saint John Free Public Library will be moving to a new location next to Walmart with direct access to the parking area. Work on the fitness centre will be completed by late summer while the Library with expanded space and services will open in the early summer.

Lancaster Mall redevelopment proposal (StrathAllen News Release Image)