Spike in permit revenue thanks to major projects in Sackville

Tantramar is seeing a big spike in development permit revenue this year, already collecting three times the amount normally budgeted for the year.

Municipal treasurer Michael Beal shared the news with council at their committee of the whole meeting on Monday, noting that major projects by Mount Allison University and John Lafford and Mike Wilson are likely responsible for the hike in revenues.

“The building permits for the first quarter that we received for revenue was over $300,000,” Beal told council. “We have an overall annual budget of $100,000.”

According to reports from Plan 360, the value of building permits in Tantramar varied dramatically in the first four months of 2025, ranging from just under $30,000 in February, to over $20 million dollars in April. 

The biggest project permitted in April was the new temporary library and future athletic facility being built by Mount Allison University on Lansdowne St.  Combined with the parking lot to be built where Lansdowne field stands, the project permits total about $18.5 million. 

The permit for the new Lafford-Wilson development on York Street is expected to be included in the May report from Plan 360, but last year, Lafford estimated the project could cost between $25 million and $30 million.

CHMA has reached out to John Lafford for an update on the project, which is being called The York, as well as another large project at 133 Main Street which is near completion. We are waiting to hear back.