Dorothy Shephard has been a resident of St. James Street West, overlooking Saint John Harbour, for almost 46 years. She fondly recalls her first New Year’s Eve in the area, where the ships in the harbour sounded off at midnight, a memory that brings her comfort as her father worked as a stevedore.
Recent changes along the harbourfront have altered the view for residents like Shephard, with the construction of a large, rectangular building that now partially obstructs the previously unobstructed scenery. This building, a nearly finished 190,000-square-foot cold-storage plant, is a joint initiative between Port Saint John and Americold, a company with a global presence in cold-storage facilities.
Awareness of the building project was communicated to the neighborhood through public engagement sessions held a few years back. Shephard, who previously served in the cabinet of former premier Blaine Higgs, noted the evolving structure’s impact on the view from her street.
Despite the changes, Shephard remains a staunch supporter of the port and its developments. Inspired by the construction of the new building, she proposed an innovative idea to Craig Bell Estabrooks, the president and CEO of Port Saint John.
Her idea involves installing cameras on the harbour-facing side of the building and projecting live feeds onto the rear surface, allowing residents to regain their scenic views. While the concept is in its infancy, Estabrooks revealed that internal discussions at the port have explored the potential of projections at various locations across Saint John for community events.
Estabrooks emphasized the importance of investing in initiatives that strengthen the community’s connection to the waterfront. He recalled past discussions about projecting visuals onto the port’s structures, highlighting the advancements in technology that now enable more creative possibilities, including the use of drone technology for special occasions.
Although Shephard acknowledges the altered view from her home, she embraces the evolving landscape and the positive impact it brings to the community. She finds solace in continuing to watch the passing ships from her vantage point, cherishing the enduring connection to the harbour.
