Saint John Mayor highlights 2025 progress and future plans
2025 brought several notable changes in Saint John, and Mayor Donna Noade Reardon says the city is preparing for another busy year.
Reardon said the city received about 439 building permit applications last year, which is close to the five‑year average.
However, she noted the value of those permits rose well above typical levels.
The five‑year average is roughly $78 million, while 2025 exceeded $250 million.
“You’re still getting the same number of permits, but the value has increased significantly,” she said.
Reardon said more than 1,000 new housing units are in the development pipeline, with 16 projects moving through the queue.
She also pointed to the city’s first roundabout, nearly 80 kilometres of road paving and the opening of two transitional housing “green zones” as key steps forward.
The green zones opened in August and November and offer 24‑hour support.
Reardon said hearing from residents using the spaces has shown the impact they can have.
“It’s interesting to hear the difference it can make for someone to have a space that’s theirs,” she said.
Infrastructure work continued across the city, including the redesign of Main Street, the Retail Drive realignment and upgrades to several streets and intersections.
Reardon described the Retail Drive project as a “big lift” that required coordination with all three levels of government.
On Main Street, she said the redesign aims to make the area safer for walking and cycling.
“The traffic just didn’t warrant six lanes,” she said.
“We all pay the same property taxes, so why shouldn’t walkers and cyclists have a little bit of space?”
Reardon said the city’s financial position has also improved.
She noted that Saint John now operates with long-term financial planning, reserve funds, and 10 financial policies that were not in place when she joined the council in 2012.
She said the city has reduced its debt enough to free up approximately $1.2 million in annual debt servicing costs.
Focus shifts to operations in 2026
Looking to the year ahead, Reardon said the city will place more attention on operations, including traffic calming, efficiency and service delivery.
She said Saint John’s size — more than 315 square kilometres with 600 kilometres of roads — makes that work important.
“We need to make sure our operations are efficient and effective,” she said. “Everything costs money, and we have to live within our budget.”
Reardon said the council will keep working on zoning changes related to the federal Housing Accelerator Fund.
They are also focused on supporting development through the city’s one-stop development shop and increasing density in the uptown area.
As for whether she will run again in the municipal election expected in mid‑May, Reardon said she has not yet made a decision.
She said the role is full‑time and requires a strong support system at home.
“I just need to decide what’s right for my family and me. I’ll make that decision soon,” she said.
