'Gathering Place' at Market Slip set to open in June: CAO

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The city is targeting a June date for the opening of the new public space at Market Slip.

The $33 million revitalization project for the public space adjacent to Market Square and the Fundy Quay development, named Ihtoli-maqahamok – The Gathering Space in October, started in 2022 and was meant to wrap up by 2023. Brunswick News reported in December that it was being pushed to April or May.

At Saint John common council’s meeting Tuesday, CAO Brent McGovern said the city is now looking at a June date, and he told Brunswick News they are working to get patios open before the summer starts.

“It’s an important point, one we don’t take lightly. We know that businesses in the area, it hasn’t been easy for them, with COVID and with project construction that has gone on,” McGovern said. “We really appreciate their patience and we’re looking forward to the summer with excitement regarding the animation of the space and people getting to engage with it.”

The development is planned to accompany the Fundy Quay waterfront development, a mixed-use project by Fundy Harbour Group intended to have five buildings with 677 units of housing. McGovern told council the developer “continues to advance the development,” with piledriving complete and concrete design modification taking place. He said the developers are “looking forward” to pouring concrete for the new building on the southwest corner of the property.

“I think it’s on track and we’re looking for a definite positive result by the fall. I think people are going to be positively surprised” by work in the area, Deputy Mayor John MacKenzie told Brunswick News.

The Gathering Space site is planned to feature a new stage, enclosed glass patios for Market Square businesses, tidal steps, a fountain and a skating oval, as well as extension of the Harbour Passage.

In his update Tuesday, McGovern told council work on the retaining wall for the tidal steps is nearly complete, and underground pipes for the fountain are complete, with landscaping as the next step. The stage building is “progressing well,” with siding and exterior finishing ongoing, he said. He said glazing is almost complete on the patios, with electrical and mechanical installation work now started. With respect to the Harbour Passage, he said that work is ongoing to install planters as well as wooden handrails.

He said the plan is to open patios in June, weather-permitting, as well as the plaza and Harbour Passage trail. He told Brunswick News there will still be ongoing work after things open in June, including signage and some stonework.

“A lot of that is tied to delivery as well as weather-co-operating,” McGovern said. “At this point in time, we are expecting a June time frame that there’ll be some activity around there and then in July we’ll have signage in place.”

With files from Brunswick News Archives