Work is progressing on the long-awaited development at the top of King Street in Saint John.

City staff recently issued street occupancy and excavation permits for the project at 99 King Street.

In a social media post, Mayor Donna Reardon said existing foundation walls are now being removed.

Reardon said construction on a new foundation is expected to start in August.

Council also entered into an agreement with the developer this week to use South Market Street during the work so they can store equipment.

“It’s been a long time coming but I’m very glad to see the pieces starting to come together,” said the mayor.

The start of construction comes three years after the former Woolworth’s store was demolished.

A gaping hole was left behind after the building was torn down, causing frustration among many city residents.

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Developer Percy Wilbur acknowledged that frustration and concern during an interview with our newsroom in April.

“I know that it’s been a bit of an eyesore. There’s been some challenges in the last few years that were pretty unforeseen and I can understand people being upset, and no one more so than me,” he said.

“I’ve got a tremendous investment there that’s not doing anything for me until I’m completed.”

The mixed-use building will have 146 units, compared to 93 units first pitched by Wilbur when he brought the 12-storey project to council.

Wilbur has said that rising costs attributed to COVID and a labour shortage forced them to go back to the drawing board.

The two floors of office space have been replaced with more residential units and a third level of underground parking is being added.