A proposal for over 260 apartments in Saint John’s northern district received initial approval from city council members on Monday, with the aim of revitalizing the area. The project envisions constructing three buildings, each with five to six stories, near Lansdowne Plaza along Sears Street, between Lansdowne Avenue and Harrington Street. The development is led by Nova Scotia developer Rob LeBlanc, the founder of Fathom Studio, based in Dartmouth.
The apartment complex, once completed, will be conveniently located near essential amenities such as a Sobeys grocery store, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pet Value, and various transit routes within the plaza. Plaza Corp. Property Holdings seeks to rezone the 3.79-acre site from general commercial to mid-rise residential to accommodate the development. The vacant site was previously occupied by a department store and office building, which were demolished in 2013.
The finalized project is expected to feature outdoor recreational spaces, landscaped green areas, underground and surface parking, and pedestrian links to the surrounding vicinity. Jacob Ritchie, speaking on behalf of LeBlanc, emphasized the importance of housing affordability, including proximity to essential services like supermarkets and banks to reduce transportation costs for families.
Councilor Brian Wyatt, representing the northern district, viewed this development as a significant step towards implementing the long-term growth plan adopted by the previous council. He highlighted the project’s role in enhancing the community and creating a central hub at Lansdowne Plaza. Mayor Donna Reardon also expressed enthusiasm for the potential growth and positive impact the project could bring to the area.
The building design will incorporate accessible units to comply with provincial regulations, ensuring that a portion of the units are “barrier-free” as mandated by the building code. While the project has garnered support from one letter, there is also opposition from a resident concerned about privacy, property taxes, and potential increases in waste and rodents in the neighborhood. The development awaits a third reading for final approval, with ongoing assessments to align with market conditions for detailed planning.