State of the Uptown crop marks

Uptown Saint John Inc. 2018STATE OF THE
180-17 Canterbury Street, Saint John, NB E2L 2C3
UPTOWN
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Information is accurate at time of print, July 2018

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only
because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs

STATE OF THE UPTOWN 2018

Table of contents Business Improvement Sources
Area boundaries
Business Improvement Area boundaries 2 1. Statistics Canada. 2016 Census of Canada Census Profiles. Saint John [Census
Executive director’s statement 4 Established in 1976, the Uptown Saint John metropolitan area], 13010017 [Aggregate dissemination area], New Brunswick
LIVE UPTOWN 6 Business Improvement Area (BIA) encom- (table) and 13010147 [Dissemination area], New Brunswick (table). Catalogue
1 Growth 7 passes 26 blocks of the Southern Peninsula. numbers 98-316-X2016001, 98-316-X2016001 and 98-316-X2016001 in
1 Immigration 7 The Uptown Saint John Business Improve- Statistics Canada [database online]. Ottawa, Ont., 2017.
1 Demographics 7 ment Association hightlighted to the right
1 Diversity 8 includes over 650 businesses. In the follow- 2. Statistics Canada. 2017. Focus on Geography Series, 2016 Census. Statistics
1 Quality of life 8 ing pages, “Uptown” and “Southern Penin- Canada Catalogue no. 98-404-X2016001. Ottawa, Ontario. Data products,
WORK UPTOWN 10 sula” refer to the BIA and surrounding pen- 2016 Census.
1 Uptown businesses 12 insula neighbourhoods.
1 Investment in Uptown 14 3. Data courtesy of the City of Saint John. Information available by request.
1 New construction 15 We work closely with our members to ad-
1 Rental markets 16 dress their issues and to promote a common 4. Wright, Craig, and Robert Hogue. Housing Trends and Affordability. Report.
1 Connections 17 agenda in the development of the Uptown. July 2018. http://www.rbc.com/newsroom/_assets-custom/pdf/20180703-ha.
PLAY UPTOWN 18 Often our concerns are shared and our ini- pdf.
1 Culture 19 tiatives supported by those living and working
1 Heritage 20 outside of the Business Improvement Area. 6. Turner Drake & Partners Ltd. Market Survey New Brunswick Offices. Report.
We welcome their input as we continue to Halifax, NS, 2017. 7-8.
1 Transportation 22 move toward a common vision of vitality and
prosperity. 5. KPMG. Competitive Alternatives. Report. 2016. https://www.competi-
Dining 24 tivealternatives.com/reports/compalt2016_report_vol1_en.pdf.

7. Ero, Osaretin. Uptown Saint John BIA Membership Survey Project. 2017.
Raw data. Uptown Saint John Inc.

8. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “Saint John.” Housing Market
Information Portal, 2018. https://www03.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/hmiportal/en/#Ta-
bleMapChart/1600/3/Saint John.

9. “Cruise Season 2016 Revs into High Gear Later This Week.” Port Saint John.
September 21, 2016. https://www.sjport.com/cruise-season-2016-revs-into-
high-gear-later-this-week/.

10. Canadian Internet Registration Authority. Canada’s Internet Performance:
National, Provincial and Municipal Analysis. Report. 2016. https://cira.ca/sites/
default/files/canadas-internet-performance-report.pdf.

11. IBI Group. City of Saint John Transportation Strategic Plan Phase 2 – Parking
Strategy. Report. Saint John, NB. February 8, 2018.

2 Sources 27 27

Location of Uptown 3
Attractions 3

26

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S Uptown BIA Bars and
MESSAGE Restaurants 7

The 1st edition of the State of the Uptown Saint John 25
Report provides a detailed analysis of the current state
of the Business Improvement Area. We have gathered
several data sets to provide the best possible examination
of the urban centre based on the precedent set out in the
International Downtown Association research toolkit.

In every good business plan there are metrics to mea-
sure, and the following pages are filled with results. We
must evaluate our strengths and shortcomings so we can
reinforce our positioning for recruitment and retention
in our city. Data driven decision-making provides confi-
dence for current and potential developers and investors.

On a national level, approximately 55% of growth in
urban centres is residential. We are seeing this density
trend right here in our Uptown core, pushed forward by
community-minded developers − “city builders”. Over
the past ten years (and even more prominently in the past

4

Dining five) our business improvement area has seen unprece- imitable draw for visitors. Millennials and Baby Boom-
dented success, and we have never been more poised for ers are moving in, working, playing and living right next
The Uptown restaurant scene is healthy and thriving, growth. Measuring our data is key so that we can com- to each other. Should we be moving towards more of a
largely comprised of independent establishments. Own- pletely understand our strengths and weaknesses. family focus now? The question remains, but for now let’s
ers and staff of over 60 Uptown restaurants 7 take pride support those who are here. Uptown Saint John busi-
in presenting to patrons nothing but the best fresh and The private sector occupies 90% of the built space in nesses are doing just that.
flavourful dishes. Canadian cities, a statistic that rings true in our uptown
core - with trailblazing entrepreneurs, our city is seen Going forth, I hope that this data will speak for itself −
Uptown offers a diverse selection of tastes and dining op- as the place to be whether seeking out culture or doing Uptown is backed up by solid numbers which will help
tions to suit any appetite or mood. Considering our prox- business. Our restaurant scene and knowledge cluster is developers and businesses make the decision to join us.
imity to the bay, seafood is a mainstay. However, options abuzz. We are surrounded by a world class health centre,
also include vegetarian, Thai, Italian, Persian, Mediterra- two universities, top notch infrastructure and strong in- Thanks to our own data collection project in 2017 and the
nean and Guatemalan, just to mention a few. Whether dustry, while the Bay of Fundy extends an active port to partnership of other community resources, we have a story
you’re in search of some good, hearty pub fare or would anchor us. We have one of the highest walkability scores to share.
prefer a night of fine dining, we have it all. Trendy coffee in the Atlantic Region and a strong vision to encourage
shops, specialty bars and microbreweries are popping up affordable housing, but there is a need to focus on more
everywhere, drawing new visitors to the area. Not only amenities to support citizens and visitors alike. Using
can you indulge in delicious food, you can enjoy many shared data, we can find out what people want and how
outdoor patios and live entertainment while you do it. to build an even more vibrant Uptown.

Dining Uptown is more than just eating out − it is a unique Our unique offerings of festivals, events and small-town Nancy Tissington
experience, built by the combination of culinary passion gatherings take pride of place, and have become an in- Executive Director
and cultural heritage.

24 5

LIVE Distribution of
Uptown Parking 3
UPTOWN
23
6

Transportation Growth Immigration

The Uptown core is accessible via most methods of Uptown saw 15% population growth from 2011 − 2016 With a diverse array of backgrounds, Uptown residents
transportation. With busses running on a dozen routes while the City of Saint John experienced a 2.2% de- contribute hugely to the ever-changing cultural fabric of
to all corners of the city and 30 bus stops around the crease in the same period. As an area dominated by rent- the city. Uptown Saint John is attracting immigrants at a
peninsula, visitors have their pick of ways to visit the core. al properties, the core has become attractive for young growing rate, with a 170% increase in immigration to the
professionals and retirees alike. With an average family area in the past decade.
One of the busiest areas in the city, Uptown has a large income of $92,672, the inhabitants of the BIA are fi-
amount of pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic. 31 city- nancially on par with the rest of the City, spending an New immigrants from 1981 - 2016
owned and operated monthly and hourly parking lots (as average of $710/month on rent within the Uptown area. 1
well as countless privately-owned lots) provide ample 3512320asaproportionofresidents2
parking in close proximity to the retail and restaurant 67,575 people lived in Saint John in 2016 Uptown Greater SJ
district. 11% of that population lived Uptown 1

Uptown and the surrounding peninsula neighbourhoods

offer a variety of parking options. 1270 on-street parking 7,550 1% of the population Demographics
spots (53% of which are metered) and 4536 off-street people
monthly or hourly spots (53% municipally owned) pro- Age distribution as % of population 1
vide ample space for visitors and commuters alike.11 lived
Uptown Uptown 1515%0 3030%0 3939% 0 16160%=
in 2016

Upon entering the BIA from surrounding neighbour- 60,025 people lived in the rest of the city Greater SJ 2222%0 1717%0 4343%0 1818%0=
hoods, visitors are greeted by Uptown Saint John Inc.
wayfinding signage.

22 Up to 19 20 to 34 35 to 64 65 and over 7

Diversity Quality of Life Uptown Heritage
Preservation Area
Official languages spoken at home Occupation of Uptown residents by sector 1 Boundaries 3
by number of Uptown residents 1
870 130= Management 285352471912223888366275 21

100 6790 Business/Finance 530

= French = English Sciences 350

Arabic Health 215
Korean
Vietnamese Law/Government 465
Farsi
Greek Non-official languages spoken at home Culture/Recreation 185
by number of Uptown residents 1
2851AMandarin Sales/Service 1300

Trades 325 Uptown
Citywide
Natural Resources 55

80 90 Manufacturing 55
35 82Crime 3
15
15 With a 41% reduction in
crime rates in the last five
years, the Uptown BIA
accounts for only 18% of
Spanish 15 18 18%
15 15 82%
Russian 35
Other Saint John crime.

8

Heritage Although the Southern Peninsula is home to several low-
er-income regions, BIA residents are earning more than
Located in heart of a city whose legacy dates back to their Greater Saint John counterparts. Prospective
1604, the Uptown Saint John BIA is steeped in histo- residents are attracted to rapidly multiplying rental hous-
ry. Although most of the business district was destroyed ing options and a booming restaurant industry,
by the Saint John Fire of 1877, some buildings date back producing an unparalleled quality of life just steps from
to the seventeenth century − those that were lost were the Bay of Fundy.
quickly rebuilt in the brick style now characteristic of Up-
town. As the first incorporated city in Canada, Saint John Median total income of economic families 1

is bursting with tradition, culture and history. 395428 Greater Saint John ($81,540)

Originally named Parrtown, the Uptown area was first Southern Peninsula ($44,762)
settled by British Loyalists after the American Revolu- Uptown BIA ($92,672)
tion. In the years that followed, the area would become
a hub for shipbuilding, immigration and commerce. Al- With the most affordable housing in Canada, the Saint
though infill development dominates several of the main John housing market has been on an upswing since
corridors of the BIA, many streets are protected by Her- 2015.4 Although the Uptown neighbourhood features
itage Preservation Area designations. Notably, the Trinity many beautiful owned homes, its residential market is
Royal Area encompasses a large portion of the Uptown dominated by rental properties.
area (over 175 heritage properties are within the BIA),3
ensuring that heritage buildings retain their historical Owned vs. rented homes as % of private households 1
300 700=
Uptown 11%890 110=89%

charm and integrity. Of our members, 29 businesses Citywide 70% 30%
have been operating in their Saint John locations for over

20 50 years and 14 have been operating for over a century. 7 = Owned = Rented 9

Culture 24 out of 32

As tourism to our city grows, so does the number of visi- permanent public art installations
tors to Uptown − the cultural and historic centre of Saint in the city can be found in the BIA 3
John. Last year’s guests totaled 1.7 million, bringing with
Uptown Saint John Inc. Events
them hotel, restaurant and Chop Chop Restaurant Week ... February & October
retail spending. Shop the Block ............................ March
Clean Sweep ................................ April
Over 25% of Saint The Uptown area plays host to Burger Week ................................ May
John attractions many events throughout the Residential Tour ........................... June
year. Newer nighttime events Courtyard Concerts ................... July & August
are located like Third Shift and the Moon Uptown Sparkles ......................... December
Uptown 3
Attendance varies from ............ 75 - 60,000
WORK Market have quickly risen to
UPTOWN
become some of the most an-

ticipated happenings of the year, while Area 506 Festi-

val, Marathon by the Sea, the Santa Claus Parade and

Uptown Sparkles draw thousands to the city’s core. Each

autumn and winter Chop Chop restaurant week invites

Saint Johners to try out new culinary creations in Up-

town establishments, and food afficionados come out in

droves to sample the limited-time menus.

10 19

The past 5 years have seen incredible growth in the Bars and

Uptown core, both from a residential and commercial Services Nightclubs
perspective. With lower utility and office lease costs than 64 14 Culture
Fredericton, Moncton, Halifax and Toronto, the Uptown 23

area is an especially attractive location for incoming

businesses. In the 2016 KPMG Competitive Alterna- Finance

tives Report of business cost indices in North America, 42

Saint John ranked above Halifax, Montreal, Toronto and

Vancouver across all sectors − choosing to do business

here saves money. With business costs more than 16%

PLAY lower than the US baseline, Saint John is becoming Retail Uptown Businesses
UPTOWN increasingly appealing as high taxes are outweighed 76 by Sector 7
by low costs of office space and labour. 5

Uptown Saint John has the highest concentration of Food
businesses per square kilometer in the city, accounting 64

for over 650 of the 5308 businesses operating in the

Greater Saint John Area. 6 Uptown is a hub for cus-

tomers, service providers and developers alike. Many Professionals IT Health Government &
Uptown businesses are small and locally-owned − 54% 34 Management 11 25 Not-for-profit
have 5 employees or less, and 96% have fewer than 12
100 working in their Uptown locations. 7 21

18 11

Distribution of Uptown Connections
BIA Businesses 7
With access to the waterways of the Atlantic Ocean,
Uptown is ideally situated for trade next to the Port of
Saint John. Bringing cargo and leisure vessels to the re-
gion, the Port welcomes over 200,000 visitors on cruise
ships between May and October each year, contributing
$25 million annually to the economy. 9

Boasting the highest upload and download speeds of any
city in Canada, 10 Uptown Saint John is quickly becoming
a hub of information technology: our growing ITC sector
boasts over 45 firms (and counting). Thanks to our loca-
tion on the Eastern seaboard and the growth of the our
knowledge cluster, it is better than ever to do business in
Uptown Saint John.

CIRA internet speed test scores (Mbps) 10

429624554212343142Saint John

Halifax Download

Toronto Upload

Montreal

Vancouver
12 17

12821271179910 79% 095%Annualresidentialrentalvacancyrate8 While provincial unemployment rates reached 20-year
Rental Markets steady economic growth. GDP projections indicate that Waterfront lows in 2017, Saint John’s GDP is growing faster than the
2018 will see GDP growth of 0.80%, leading to a rise in Residential 8% provincial average,4 a trend accompanied by an increase
In the past 5 years, Uptown’s residential vacancy rate has demand for office space of 0.4% and a reduction in the in developer investment in the city. Because population
decreased continuously from 11.4% in 2013 to 4.9% in rate of commercial vacancy. 6 3% density on the peninsula so high (3200 residents/km2
2017. 8 At the same time, available office space in the Parks compared to 36/km2 for Greater SJ),1 investment goes
area has increased, but demand continues to grow. Over 5% further, customers are closer and infrastructure is better.
the last five years the Saint John region has experienced Integrated
Development Pedestrian counter data (Nov 2017 - Jul 2018)
of commercial of residential 1%
rental space Uptown space Uptown is 50K
Uptown BIA
is occupied 6 occupied 8 Land Use 3 25K

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 ..............
.......
Uptown Citywide ...................................................

Uptown vs. City of Saint John rental statistics 6,8

Commercial office space: 1.27 million sq ft (Saint John: 2.50 million sq ft)

Commercial vacancy rate: 21.04% (Saint John: 20.74%) Commercial Pedestrian counters are just one of the ways we’re helping
Average net commercial rental rate: $12.14/sq ft (Saint John: $12.44/sq ft) 83% investors make smart choices. Over the last 12 months,
six monitoring stations have been set up around the BIA.
Residential vacancy rate: 4.9% (Saint John: 4.6%) Although this program is just getting started, we expect
Average residential rental rate: $710/month (Saint John: $713/month) to have great data for future use.

16 13

Investment in Uptown The members of the Uptown Saint John BIA make New Construction

Municipal capital expenditures for Uptown a significant contribution to the City of Saint John’s Building permits issued in the BIA 3
compared to total budget 3
bottom line, but tax dollars come with a great return

on investment. Although they take up just 1.4% of

the city’s total area, Uptown properties account for

$12M 7% of assessed property value and contribute 4.12%

91379157871$7M of the city’s property tax revenue. On average over

$2M the last five years the city directed 25% of its annual

capital budget to projects within the Business Im- Estimated Value

provement Area.

$290k+In addition to capital
investment, the City in grants awarded in 2017
of Saint John con-

tributes to the vitality of the core through several

urban development incentive programs. Current

and prospective developers can apply for infill de-

velopment, upper floors redevelopment and vacant

2014 2015 2016 2017 building redevelopment grants from the City. In

Funds directed to Uptown Total budget 2017, over $245,000 was awarded to Uptown proj-

ects through urban development incentives, while

an additional $45,000 was awarded to recipients of

beautification grants. 3

14 Year 15