Fredericton aims to balance downtown, suburban growth

The city of Fredericton says it can sustain continuedgrowth on its outer edges, while at the same time achieving its bigger goal ofattracting more people to live downtown.

Next month, a newroundabout at the intersection ofSmythe Street and Highway 8will openup greater access to BishopDrive; an area that has seen significantcommercial and residential development in recent years.

The city's development committee chairperson is councillorMike O'Brien. He says it will mean a further increase in businesses along Bishop Drive.

There are many businesses up in that area alreadyexisting property owners thathave approached the city, waiting forthis to happen," said O'Brien.

"They have development plans, so you will see an expansion in that area."

O'Brien says it will also make the residential area, aroundLian Street,at the western end of Bishop Drive, more attractive.

"Although we want people to live in the downtown core, the rents are more expensive. There are people that want to live on the periphery and they want the different kind of lifestyle that comes with that," said O'Brien.

At the corner of Bishop Drive and Lian Street, gas station owner Jeff Green says the growing population in the area has saved his business.

"Two years ago I had two choices: either close my business or diversify my offer," said Green.

"Fortunately the growth in this area enabled me to diversify."

Green says he often loses money selling gas, but with more people now living in the area, he was able to open a new cafe and car wash alongside the gas station.

Ultimatelythough, O'Brien says the city wants to encourage higher-density living in the city centre.

Fredericton's 2015 City Centre Plan document outlines a 20-year plan to build an entire new city block, behindCity Hall, closer to the Saint John River.

"You can see the space all along here would be prime. And the idea is to have office buildings,commercialhere," said O'Brien, in the parking lot behind the Fredericton Courthouse.

"We need more people in the downtown core. Office buildings, so that at noon hour, they'll get out and support the businesses, and support the pub and the restaurants."

O'Brien says, even in a tough economic climate, Fredericton is a growing city and can sustain development in the centre and on its edges.

According to Statistics Canada, the city's population grew 11.3 per centbetween 2006 and 2011. In the first three months of 2015, the province's population declined by 941 people.

"I feel very good that despite some of the challenges the province has, that the city of Fredericton will continue to prosper,"said O'Brien.