Demolition of Falls Restaurant to proceed by August

A flurry of eleventh hour interest in a building that housed the Falls Restaurant will not save it from being razed, according to the Saint John Waterfront Development Corporation.

"My understanding is that if all things come together nicely they could have the building demolished by mid-August," said general manager Kent MacIntyre.

In March, Saint John council voted to tear down the old city-owned building, which for decades had been leased and operated as a restaurant.

The 1950s structure is perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the mouth of the St. John River. City staff estimated it could require up to $800,000 to save the failing structure.

In the last few weeks several people have spoken up, saying the building should be saved, and a local businessman has offered to write a cheque for the property.

But MacIntyre says tearing the building down is required to trigger a five-year-old master plan to transform the tourist experience at Reversing Falls.

"We knew the lease wouldn't expire until 2015, so we really knew we couldn't activate any kind of push [until then]," said MacIntyre. "So it now has arrived and we have taken the plan from dormant mode to active mode and we will be pushing hard to get this moving along quite nicely."

Master plan includes new name, structures

Under the plan, approved by city council in 2010, the site would be rebranded as 'Reversing Rapids.'

Macintyrte says this will help tourists set realistic expectations before they visit. He said the idea to change the name comes from focus groups conducted with American and Canadian tourists.

"They found that there was a misconception with Reversing Falls. They were actually coming here and looking to see the falls go backwards," said MacIntyre.

The phenomenon is created by the Bay of Fundy. When the tide is full, water is forced into the St. John Riverthrough a narrow passage. When the tide is low the fresh river water flows into the bay. Powerful currents create standing waves and swirls on the surface.

"It's more of a reversing rapid," said MacIntyre.

The concept also includes a look-out plaza built on the site of the old restaurant, trails, another viewing area closer to the water, and even a tidal clock to help people plan their visit.

A gift shop and visitor information centre would be constructed in another building already occupying the site.

In a 2010 report prepared for council, the total cost of the project is estimated at $36 million. MacIntyre says pulling it off will take financial support from the provincial and federal governments. There are no financialcommitments to date.

"We've known for a long time that the whole Reversing Rapids master plan will have to be three levels of government," said Macintyre. "It's quite a load for the municipality to carry."

MacIntyre says the site will be a national tourism asset, taking advantage of a natural wonder unique to Saint John.

Right now he says the city is preparing to issue the tender to tear down the old restaurant.