Vote NO to Peel Plaza

Today’s Telegraph-Journal is reporting that a vote on the police station portion of Peel Plaza will take place soon:

Common council is preparing for a vote on a new police station uptown after the city received five qualified bids for the project, with the lowest bidder pegging construction costs at $20.6 million.

While the price tag may sound “low” compared to other numbers previously thrown around, it’s important to keep in mind that there are more components coming that will see the end costs soar to over $40 million dollars:

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase said he has no plans to support a new police station when the vote takes place. He said while the bids are lower than estimates, the difference isn’t substantial, and even the lowest bid would make the project too expensive.

“I’m also concerned about cost overruns,” Chase said. “Just a 10 per cent cost overrun, which is typical on traditional city contracts, will do away with any percentage savings from the bid that came in lower.”

In addition, Chase said if a majority of council approves the police station, the politicians will likely have no choice but to approve the remaining projects, regardless of the price tags.

“Once you commit to the police station, you are committed to the other two. If the plaza and parking garage come in over budget, then you’re stuck with that,” he said.

Now, is the time to contact your councillors and let them know what you think about Peel Plaza!

Earlier today, I sent out the following email to the Mayor and all Councillors:

Vote NO to Peel Plaza

I am writing this letter to the Mayor and all Councillors to ask for you to vote against Peel Plaza.

The citizens of Saint John do have many issues and concerns; however, I have yet to meet anyone who thinks that a new police station is priority.  It also hasn’t been a factor for people moving to Saint John.

Council clearly identified its top priorities in 2009, and the document is easily available on the city’s website: http://www.saintjohn.ca/documents/Council%20Priorities.pdf; however, there is no mention of a need for a new police station.

It is clear that this is not a priority for residents.  It is clear that this was not identified as a priority of council in 2009.  Why then is this a high priority for certain individuals on council today?

The city cannot afford to pay for this without borrowing large sums of money or raising taxes.  Residents are strongly opposed to both of these options.

The only viable option left for those Councillors who want Peel Plaza is to pay for it themselves and leave us taxpayers out of it!

How are you getting the word out? Have you heard back from any Councillors?

Let me know!

Update:  My letter was printed in the Telegraph-Journal on the following Monday.