City Market needs more repair funds, Saint John councillors say

Saint John councillors approved a 20.5-million capital budget on Monday night amid concerns the city isn’t putting aside enough for repairs to the City Market building.

The capital budget allocated $4.1 million for road, curb and sidewalk improvements, another $4.5 million for storm drainage, $3 million for fleet replacement and it also set aside cash for upgrades to Harbour Station, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre and city rinks and parks.

But the decision to spend $700,000 on repairs to the City Market building sparked a heated debate.

Coun. Billl Farren said he is disappointed that more capital funding wasn't budgeted toward repairs to the building.

"You've got $700,000 in there and we need over $5 million to put it in proper shape," said Farren.

"And this council, I believe as soon as two weeks ago, identified that as our number one priority."

Pat Woods, the city manager, told councillors the building needs roughly $5.5 million in upgrades.

An estimated $3.5 is required to fix the market tower, which is now empty after water pipes burst in January of last year causing major damage.

Another $1.7 million is required for the main hall, which is home to dozens of market vendors and food service providers.

Woods said the roof, windows and doors in the hall all need to be replaced.

"So basic building components, this is nothing aesthetic," said Woods.

"This isn't to make it look nice inside. This is basic building things that are in need of repair or replacement."  

Coun. Shirley McAlary said she is particularly concerned about the condition of the escalators, which link the market to Brunswick Square.

The market's 1980s-era escalator has become unreliable causing major problems for seniors and people with disabilities.

Woods told councillors he hopes the $700,000 can be used to leverage equal amounts of cash from the federal and provincial governments.

If not, he says, the access issue — the escalator and an inadequate elevator — should be a priority.

It is not known how much it will cost to repair or replace those units.