Saint John Urban Renewal - Energy dollars may validate the original vision of 1960s urban planners

All of the urban planners who participated in Saint John's massive urban renewal scheme in the 1960s are now retired or dead. The city is suddenly the focus of important new development, some of which will utilize valuable property which has been neglected for decades. The current slump in energy prices will probably fail to slow projects now underway, but some Saint John business owners are nervous. This aerial photo (above) is a good reminder that most of the natural contours of Saint John's harbour were lost to the massive developments on the West Side. (X) shows the site of the new Irving Oil World Headquarters. Just look at the length of the old grain conveyor system! One of the more interesting natural features lost to the city was Navy Island which had a fascinating and unique history. It's hard to believe, but once a pulp mill was planned for Navy Island, placing it where the harbour bridge is today.

This slide, made by a train buff in 1967, records the moment in time when Saint John's Urban Renewal program was catching its breath. The Portland foreshore was partially cleared, and new construction was underway. Much of this land was built up with trucked in fill, covering the old tidal mud flats and rotted piers, hence the need to drive pilings (the activity on the left). Nowadays old creosoted pilings and harbour muck are remediated, but in the 1960s it was still the practice to entomb the great mess under a mattress of gravel.

A few years later we see the Workmen's Compensation building nearly completed and the Portland United Church being prepped for demolition. Note Long Wharf in the background, with two cargo vessels berthed.

Irving Oil's new World Headquarters is the complex shown (upper right). It will cover the open wharf which was built over the rotting remains of the original Long Wharf. This overlay demonstrates rather nicely the current constricted condition of Saint John's port, which has lost half of its original 19th Century width. Where once a half dozen freighters could maneuver and still leave room for fishing weirs and skiffs, newer and larger vessels are gingerly positioned one at a time.

UPDATE ON AN EARLIER POST

Please note that the article McCready's Limited - Pickles in Portland
published December 5, 2007, has been upgraded with extra photos and information. I did so because that article has been one of the most popular Lost Valley stories.