Timber Framed High-Rise Construction

Idea:

The Provincial Government; with the city of Fredericton, should seed the construction of a 20 story residential high-rise downtown. Build a Timber Framed Tower. Architecturally significant with the highest standards. Use the construction project to learn and set standards. This should be a showcase of wood construction as an alternative to steal and concrete. Use this project to create density in the capital; support immigration, increase housing stock, grow the forest industry, innovate the construction Industry , support public services and build economic growth downtown. The Century Initiative targets a Canadian Population of 100 million by 2100. Act boldly now to take advantage of this growth and grow the capital to a vibrant modern city.

Staff Feedback:

Thank you for your Big Idea! We appreciate your vision for greater density in our downtown to support housing needs, public services and economic growth. There are a number of residential projects awaiting approval or under construction that are helping meet the challenging demands of our current market, which we hope will lead to a more vibrant and modern capital city. With regard to wood construction, for many years there has been a 6-storey limit to wood buildings and only recently has the National Building Code of Canada begun to allow up to 12 storeys. The City of Fredericton must comply with the standards set out at the Provincial and Federal level, and would welcome an architecturally significant wood building that meets the current Code. Construction industry innovation is driven primarily by the private sector and the resources they have at their disposal, but City Staff will work with the development community to support new innovative buildings, especially if it grows our forest industry sector and contributes to a more vibrant downtown.