The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[MonctonRad]

The way the housing market is going in the USA, real estate agents with drive thru's might not be all that farfetched.


I don't know Myles..... your pun here was sooooo oblique, it took me about five minutes to get it. Your mind works in mysterious ways.

In medicine and psychology, we call this loose association. :haha:

[mmmatt]

Nice to hear that space is occupied, I agree starbucks would have fit in well in that area, however with Tims and a small coffee shop literally right next door it might have been to close...

In regards to Veridoc I think they lost the land they held downtown...they had planned to put the Casino there...but I guess their plan failed to impress the government (not a big surprise with them involved :P) They are still in town though working on the Mapleton Power Center...why the city ever entrusted them with downtown I will never know, honestly, the only thing I have seen them build so far is power center type suburban buildings...made from pre-fab concrete no less...oh well, hopefully we will fix their downtown mistake in the future.

[mmmatt]

St Hubert is nearing completion.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/pop%20graphs/DSCN1995.jpg

[mylesmalley]

1) MonctonRad - It seems you keep hours as crazy as I do.

2) Mat - That's quite the new restaurant. Are they going for a more upscale crowd than the current St. Hubert market?

[mmmatt]

2) Mat - That's quite the new restaurant. Are they going for a more upscale crowd than the current St. Hubert market?

Not that I know of...St Hubert is semi up-scale...somewhere between Burger King and East Side Marios. Its basically Quebec's version of Swiss Chalet.

In fact they are so similar that they have a sort of agreement not to both be in the same market...so St Hubert basically holds the entire market in Quebec and Swiss Chalet in Ontario. There are only a few cities that have both, Moncton and Ottawa are two, there might be one other, not sure.

[mylesmalley]

Not that I know of...St Hubert is semi up-scale...somewhere between Burger King and East Side Marios. Its basically Quebec's version of Swiss Chalet.

In fact they are so similar that they have a sort of agreement not to both be in the same market...so St Hubert basically holds the entire market in Quebec and Swiss Chalet in Ontario. There are only a few cities that have both, Moncton and Ottawa are two, there might be one other, not sure.

I guess your hours are just as crazy

[kirjtc2]

In fact they are so similar that they have a sort of agreement not to both be in the same market...so St Hubert basically holds the entire market in Quebec and Swiss Chalet in Ontario. There are only a few cities that have both, Moncton and Ottawa are two, there might be one other, not sure.

St-Hubert closed in Fredericton about 15 years ago. In its place in the same building within months was....Swiss Chalet. I don't think anybody noticed the difference.

[ErickMontreal]

In fact, Swiss Chalet failled in Quebec and closed all his restaurants, same goes for almost all the Cara Operations. Boston Pizza done a better job in adjusting itself to the realty in Quebec.

St-Hubert just won the battle over Swiss Chalet in Quebec, simple than that.

[ErickMontreal]

Metro boom rolls on
New construction sets another record in 2008, off to solid start for 2009

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=232491&size=500x0
The launch of construction of the casino on Mountain Road has helped give Moncton its best December building stats in a decade. Here, workers prepare the base for the construction crane that will operate at the site.

Published Friday January 9th, 2009
A1
By James Foster
Times & Transcript Staff

Canada's oldest planning commission is celebrating its 60th year by racking up a record $313.5 million in construction activity in 2008.

The launch of construction of the casino on Mountain Road has helped give Moncton its best December building stats in a decade. Here, workers prepare the base for the construction crane that will operate at the site.

If you think that kind of construction activity will soon be history thanks to the spin-off effects of economic turmoil elsewhere, you would be wrong, say staff and board members of the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission.

Huge investments have already been made in residential and commercial projects slated for continuation or completion in 2009, and people are not in the habit of shelling out millions of their own dollars on a whim, commission officials say, citing projects under way such as new hotels, a casino, a justice centre, significant residential developments in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview and a new town hall in Riverview, to name a few.

"Right off the hop, that's about $10 million worth of projects to come, already under way," commission executive director Bill Budd says.

Much of that growth comes thanks to earlier investments in infrastructure by area municipal governments, Budd says, from water and sewer to roads. Now, it's time to fill in land newly opened by that infrastructure, such as Gunningsville Boulevard in Riverview, the south end of Vaughan Harvey Boulevard in Moncton and Dieppe Boulevard in Dieppe.

"We probably now have the best transportation infrastructure for a metropolitan area of 100,000 people plus," Budd says.

It's not hard to see where future residential growth will occur in the three Metro Moncton municipalities.

Gordon Locke, manager of subdivision approval and deputy director of the commission, notes that 60 per cent of Moncton's residential growth occurs in the northwest of the city.

"That's been the case for at least 10 years now," he says, and that area will continue to sprout new homes.

There is also a vast tract of vacant land near Crowley Farm Road, between Mapleton Road and McLaughlin Drive.

"Within five years, I can see that starting," Budd says of infilling in that area. "It could even happen sooner."

In Dieppe, a single developer is sinking millions of dollars into new homes in the area of Fox Creek Golf Course, with the final goal of developing 500 new lots -- a sign of faith in the local marketplace if ever there was one. That one investor has recently registered a subdivision of 90 lots, all at once.

"He has no fear of falling markets," Locke says.

Riverview's Carriage Hill subdivision, east of the new Gunningsville Boulevard, foretells the eventual commercial and residential development that will most certainly follow the opening of that new road just last year, located within sight of downtown Moncton.

Nearby Harmony Estates is almost as ambitious.

Commercially, the golden triangle could be the area of Vaughan Harvey Boulevard, Assomption Boulevard and Main Street. Redevelopment of that area with new road links has already spawned a new courthouse, a Marriott hotel, Sobeys, Alcool NB Liquor outlet and more, and there's still plenty of land ripe for development.

You can also expect the Mapleton Road area to continue infilling, and there is a large expanse of land primed for commercial development along Harrisville Boulevard.

Riverview's Gunningsville Boulevard (east side) will also see commercial development in the coming years, commission officials predict, and Findlay Park in the town's south will continue to blossom this year.

In Dieppe, again the Dieppe Boulevard area, will see commercial growth continue into 2009 and beyond.

Not a day goes by that the commission doesn't get inquiries from residents of other parts of Canada and the world asking about opportunities here, having read reports of this region being among the best places to live and safest places in which to invest.

"There's a great cultural mix, too," outgoing chairman Ian Fowler notes.

Incoming chairwoman Lynn Murray points to the growing number of people attracted here by the quality of life coupled with the reasonable cost of living.

"We're very affordable here," she says.

By reigning in urban sprawl and infilling, all three municipalities are able to keep the cost of development down, since the groundwork has already been laid.

The area's smaller communities are also taking advantage of the growth trend as seen in the past year's statistics, which include projects such as the almost $1-million special-care home in Hillsborough; $19 million for wind-farm towers near Parkindale; almost $1 million for a new liquor store in Salisbury; a $1-million upgrade to a care home near Riverglade; and $600,000 to build the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame in Petitcodiac.

[mylesmalley]

Dieppe records $78.9M in construction in 2008
Published Friday January 9th, 2009

Mayor says global economic downturn isn't hurting city
A5
By Times & Transcript Staff


The City of Dieppe issued $78.9 million worth of construction permits in 2008, granting 678 permits for a total of 382 units last year.

The city issued more permits than what it had in 2007, but total money from that year (factoring in the Aquatic Centre) put 2007 permit values at a record $83.8 million.

There were three record breaking months recorded in 2008 (January, March and April).

Mayor Jean LeBlanc said the global economy's breakdown hasn't slowed down Dieppe's economic momentum.

"Dieppe has had another great year even though we're witnessing a financial crisis," he said in a statement. "We are experiencing continuous growth in Dieppe thanks to our own residents who are our most important investors. They have confidence in their municipality and believe that this city has great potential."

LeBlanc said 2009 looked just as good for the city.

"Although 2008 was very busy, we're expecting another great year," he said.

To end 2008, the Building Inspection Services issued 18 permits last month for 16 units, totaling $2.4 million. Commercial construction accounted for five permits in December followed by four permits each for residential multi-unit and residential single-family dwellings.

[mmmatt]

1 crane going up, 3 more to go:)

Cant wait!

Good to hear that in a year when the global economy is in a downturn the Moncton area was able to pull away with not only an excellent construction year, but the best year ever no less!

[MonctonRad]

The crane for the casino hotel is actually quite close to Mountain Road. The whole casino complex should be quite visible from the Trans Canada Highway as well. I'm sure that was the whole idea anyway.

I'm quite impressed at how busy the casino construction site is......despite the winter weather.

[mmmatt]

I'm quite impressed at how busy the casino construction site is......despite the winter weather.

Me too, however I'm sure it has something to do with temp. highs of nearly 0 in Jan. haha. Compared to last winter this feels like Florida.

[tw31]

Ahah not unless its -5 in Florida... Although last year when I was at Disney, it was -8, the coldest it's been in like 20 years I guess. It wasn't what I expected at all.

[mmmatt]

I posted this on in the Canada section, but I know a lot of you don't look there, so Ill post it here too.

I was bored at work and this was the result:

Housing Starts, Rate Per Capita

All data compiled from CHMC 2008 housing starts and StatsCan 2006 census.

All inclusive.

Rank. City Name-----Population---Starts---Rate (per 100,000)

1. Kelowna, BC------162,276-----2,257----1390.8
2. Moncton, NB------126,424-----1,359----1075.0
3. Calgary, AB-------1,079,310---11,438---1059.8
4. St. John's, NL-----181,113-----1,863----1028.6
5. Saskatoon, SK----233,923-----2,319----991.4
6. Vancouver, ON----2,116,581--19,591----925.6
7. Ottawa, ON/QC---1,130,761---10,302----911.1
8. Sherbrooke, QC---186,952-----1,627-----870.3
9. Guelph, ON--------127,009-----1,087----855.8
10. Toronto, ON------5,113,149---42,212---825.6
11. Trois-Rivières, QC-141,529-----1,148----811.1
12. Abbotsford, BC----159,020-----1,285----808.1
13. Barrie, ON---------177,061-----1,416----799.7
14. Quebec City, QC---715,515-----5,457----762.7
15. Regina, SK---------194,971-----1,375----705.2
16. Saint John, NB------122,389-----832-----679.8
17. Edmonton, AB------1,034,945----6,615---639.2
18. Montreal, QC-------3,635,571----21,927--603.1
19. Oshawa, ON--------330,594------1,987---601.0
20. Kitchener, ON-------451,235-----2,634----583.7
21. Victoria, BC---------330,088-----1,905----577.1
22. Saguenay, QC------151,643-----869------573.1
23. Halifax, NS----------372,858-----2,096----562.1
24. London, ON---------457,720-----2,385-----521.1
25. Hamilton, ON--------692,911-----3,529-----508.0
26. Kingston, ON--------152,358-----672-------441.1
27. Winnipeg, MB--------694,668-----3,009-----433.2
28. Peterborough, ON----116,570-----428-------367.2
29. Brantford, ON--------124,607-----432-------346.7
30. Greater Sudbury, ON--158,258-----543------343.1
31. St. C.-Niagara, ON----390,317-----1,138----291.6
32. Windsor, ON----------323,342------453-----140.1
33. Thunder Bay, ON------122,907------167-----135.9

Thanks to Myles for the inspiration...he pointed out the difference between Hali and Moncton, so I explored it a bit further.

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

So, Moncton has the second highest rate of new housing starts per capita amongst all the CMA's in Canada. That's pretty impressive!!

We are keeping some pretty lofty company there with Calgary and the Okanagan being the other close competitors.

I know the naysayers from Haligonia who occasionally visit our thread will say "yes, but the total number of housing starts in Halifax is greater than in Moncton", but this does not mitigate the fact that construction here in Moncton has become a major driving force in our community and proportionately is more important to our economy than it probably is in Halifax.

Thanks for this Matt.

It is interesting to also note that StatsCan states that the only province in Canada where the unemployment rate actually went down in the last month was here in NB. Retail sales in NB were well above the national average in the pre-Christmas period. Finally, personal bankruptcies in NB have also remained stable, while in other neighbouring nameless jurisdictions, they have gone up by over 20%.

So far the recession in NB has not been too bad!!!

[mmmatt]

:previous:

I know the naysayers from Haligonia who occasionally visit our thread will say "yes, but the total number of housing starts in Halifax is greater than in Moncton",

Thanks for this Matt.



Anyone who says that obviously does not grasp what "per capita" is haha. The main point is to show that the raw ammount may be lower than other cities, but Moncton is hitting WAY above its weight class in comparison.

And you're welcome :)

For the record the big three NB cities are doing very well, Freddy at 890 would fit in at 8th place.

[mmmatt]

The GMIA passenger numbers for 2008 should be out in less than 2 weeks! :)

I'm excited, hopefully we will see a record year.

[mmmatt]

Just randomly browsing around here (bored at work again haha) and I stumbled across this interesting site. They have a plan for a "Chinese village" in Moncton...the render looks pretty neat (cant place where its located though). Has anyone heard anything about this? The web site doesnt have any dates other than the copyright date of 2006. Not getting my hopes up or anything, but its a really neat idea...and with the MFC attracting a lot of students from China etc, it might not be a bad idea.

here is the article:

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Golden World Chinese Culture Foundation has developed an innovative project to create a Chinese Cultural ad business center in Moncton. Namely Moncton ChinaVillage, the project consists of 5 different but interdependent parts: Culture\Education, Wholesale\Distribution, Restaurants\Hotel, Chinese Garden, and Residence. The Village would offer a unique destination for people from Eastern Canada and US to Moncton to enjoy Chinese foods, goods, health care, culture and architecture.


The project has received significant support from the three levels of government (municipal, provincial and federal) as well as different organizations including Greater Moncton Chinese Cultural Association, MAGMA, Enterprise Greater Moncton, and Moncton Flight College.


Being in the final stage of planning process, the project has already attracted a number of investors and potential immigrants from various countries.

http://goldenworldfoundation.com/images/village_big.jpg


http://goldenworldfoundation.com/immigration_cv.html

[Haliguy]

:previous:

So, Moncton has the second highest rate of new housing starts per capita amongst all the CMA's in Canada. That's pretty impressive!!

We are keeping some pretty lofty company there with Calgary and the Okanagan being the other close competitors.

I know the naysayers from Haligonia who occasionally visit our thread will say "yes, but the total number of housing starts in Halifax is greater than in Moncton", but this does not mitigate the fact that construction here in Moncton has become a major driving force in our community and proportionately is more important to our economy than it probably is in Halifax.

Thanks for this Matt.

It is interesting to also note that StatsCan states that the only province in Canada where the unemployment rate actually went down in the last month was here in NB. Retail sales in NB were well above the national average in the pre-Christmas period. Finally, personal bankruptcies in NB have also remained stable, while in other neighbouring nameless jurisdictions, they have gone up by over 20%.

So far the recession in NB has not been too bad!!!

Thats great... but its not all great news.. look at building premits of metropolitan areas.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/090109/t090109b1-eng.htm

[MonctonRad]

Thats great... but its not all great news.. look at building premits of metroplitan areas.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/090109/t090109b1-eng.htm

Interesting stats Haliguy, but the time period quoted was for only five months towards the end of 2008. The smaller the CMA, the more variable the month-to-month building stats could be.

Overall, the Greater Moncton Planning Commission reported over $313M in building permits for the full year of 2008 (see recent post a little higher on the previous page). The fact that the numbers were somewhat down towards the end of 2008 do not bother me a lot. Things were quite active earlier in the year and I'm sure will be active again in 2009.

Most of the permits for the casino and the Mapleton Power Centre have yet to be issued. Construction on the justice complex downtown will begin next year as well as on a new school in the north end of the city. Construction on the track & field stadium is ongoing. There is at least one new hotel being built next year and possibly two new large downtown condo complexes.

I would not be surprised if 2009 is better than 2008. The casino alone is nearly $100M and the justice complex nearly $50M. Those two projects alone equal almost half of what happened last year.

:)

[mylesmalley]

Just randomly browsing around here (bored at work again haha) and I stumbled across this interesting site. They have a plan for a "Chinese village" in Moncton...the render looks pretty neat (cant place where its located though). Has anyone heard anything about this? The web site doesnt have any dates other than the copyright date of 2006. Not getting my hopes up or anything, but its a really neat idea...and with the MFC attracting a lot of students from China etc, it might not be a bad idea.

here is the article:

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Golden World Chinese Culture Foundation has developed an innovative project to create a Chinese Cultural ad business center in Moncton. Namely Moncton ChinaVillage, the project consists of 5 different but interdependent parts: Culture\Education, Wholesale\Distribution, Restaurants\Hotel, Chinese Garden, and Residence. The Village would offer a unique destination for people from Eastern Canada and US to Moncton to enjoy Chinese foods, goods, health care, culture and architecture.


The project has received significant support from the three levels of government (municipal, provincial and federal) as well as different organizations including Greater Moncton Chinese Cultural Association, MAGMA, Enterprise Greater Moncton, and Moncton Flight College.


Being in the final stage of planning process, the project has already attracted a number of investors and potential immigrants from various countries.

http://goldenworldfoundation.com/images/village_big.jpg


http://goldenworldfoundation.com/immigration_cv.html

I _vaguely_ remember hearing about something like that a couple years back. If that sketch ever came to fruition, it'd be quite the project!

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

I vaguely recall this as well. I believe that they were talking about the "vision lands" for this proposed project. This was at least two years ago and I have heard nothing since. I doubt that anything will come of it.

With all the Koreans moving into Moncton, perhaps they should build a Korean village. ;)

[Jerry556]

vision lands?? wheres that,

highly doubt that project will happen, would require a tremendous amount of money 200.000-300.000 million min prob a lot more, in less its a very small size compared to that picture.(around 40-50 buildings in the pic, plus road, sewage, parcs, land purchase, etc),
another thing, am guessing no ones has any sketch or render of any of the 2 condo tower that are suppose to go up??

[MonctonRad]

vision lands?? wheres that,

highly doubt that project will happen, would require a tremendous amount of money 200.000-300.000 million min prob a lot more, in less its a very small size compared to that picture.(around 40-50 buildings in the pic, plus road, sewage, parcs, land purchase, etc),
another thing, am guessing no ones has any sketch or render of any of the 2 condo tower that are suppose to go up??

The "Vision Lands" (I hate that name) refers to the parcel of land south of the TCH between Mapleton Rd. and McLaughlin Rd. This is the last major piece of property south of the TCH which has not been developed and the city wants to create urban infill here rather than have additional sprawl in the northwest end or north of the TCH.

I agree, this project is a non starter. There has been absolutely no news on this for a couple of years. I think it must have been a trial balloon.

No, there are no renders of the two downtown condo projects. Churchill25, one of the members of the forum here is the son of the developer. He has promised us renders when they become available. :)

[mylesmalley]

:^^^: Agreed. Vision Lands is an awful name.

And to your second point, the only plans I've seen for it are entirely suburban sprawl. The 'plan' is to eventually have 10,000 people living up there, meaning it would be no more dense than the North End is now. The city wants to create 'urban villages' surrounded by parkland. Which, from what i've seen is fancy talk for subdivisions surrounded by a ring of trees.

Where it up to me, I'd:
- put parks and trails along the creek(s) that flow through
- extend Frampton to McClaughlin, not Morton as the plan currently is
- lay a grid-based street layout. It facilitates traffic better than the organic approach used in most modern subdivisions. more importantly, it makes building denser a lot easier.
- Keep commercial along Frampton to keep the residential neighborhoods quiet, yet still dense.

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

Yeah, by urban infill I meant that the city would rather develop the lands closest to downtown and not 10 km away on Lutes Mountain.

I realize that we weren't talking about dense development. Cripes, we have enough trouble getting that done downtown. :haha:

I remember the "urban villages" concept. Didn't that include putting some services (like convenience stores) in each of the individual "villages"?

I agree with putting the densest development and a commercial corridor on Frampton between Mapleton & Morton. It seems like this is going to happen anyway. The major entrance to the Mapleton Power Centre will be off of Frampton and it seems to me that there is a proposal out there for another commercial development just to the east of the Mapleton Power Centre (on the other side of the creek) that would be accessed from the yet-to-be-constructed Frampton extension to Morton.

[mylesmalley]

:previous:

Yeah, by urban infill I meant that the city would rather develop the lands closest to downtown and not 10 km away on Lutes Mountain.

I realize that we weren't talking about dense development. Cripes, we have enough trouble getting that done downtown. :haha:

I remember the "urban villages" concept. Didn't that include putting some services (like convenience stores) in each of the individual "villages"?

I agree with putting the densest development and a commercial corridor on Frampton between Mapleton & Morton. It seems like this is going to happen anyway. The major entrance to the Mapleton Power Centre will be off of Frampton and it seems to me that there is a proposal out there for another commercial development just to the east of the Mapleton Power Centre (on the other side of the creek) that would be accessed from the yet-to-be-constructed Frampton extension to Morton.

I hadn't heard about that.

Or would that have something to do with the project that the Future Inn was/is a part of? I've seen renderings that included several large apartment buildings behind and to the side of it, as well as retail/outlet stores on the Mapleton Road side.

[MonctonRad]

I hadn't heard about that.

Or would that have something to do with the project that the Future Inn was/is a part of? I've seen renderings that included several large apartment buildings behind and to the side of it, as well as retail/outlet stores on the Mapleton Road side.

Nope, this rumoured development is something different. There was something in the T&T about it last year, possibly in "the Sleuth", but I have heard nothing new about it since.

It is supposed to be directly to the east of Mapleton Power Centre, parallelling Wheeler Blvd., seperated from the Mapleton Power Centre by that little branch of Hall's Creek that forms the back boundary of the current development. Access would be off the yet-to-be-constructed Frampton extension.

According to what I read at the time, it is supposed to resemble phase one of the Dartmouth Crossing development down in Halifax. The overall scale of the development however would be much smaller I'm sure.

[mylesmalley]

Justice project moving forward
Published Monday January 12th, 2009

Mike Murphy, MLA for Moncton North, says centre will open in the fall of 2010
A3
By Mary Moszynski
Times & Transcript Staff

FREDERICTON - The much-anticipated justice complex for Metro Moncton will be completed on time, despite construction not starting on schedule, says a local politician.

Construction will now begin in March or April and the centre will open in the fall of 2010, said Health Minister Mike Murphy, who is also the Liberal MLA for Moncton North.

"Just recently the government in the last several days tied up a few loose ends that were administrative and financial," he said, adding "the courthouse project is on schedule."

The project is also on-budget, Murphy said.

In October, Energy Minister Jack Keir, who also served as Supply and Services minister most of last year, said he expected construction on the project to begin before Christmas.

However, earlier this week a spokeswoman for the Department of Supply and Services said the agreement between the company and government was still being finalized.

CitiGroup Properties of Nova Scotia, who was awarded the contract for the $50-million project, refused to comment.

Murphy said he realizes people were becoming anxious for the project to start.

"I know there were rumours out there of delay and I'm here to tell you that the rumours were not correct," he said.

The 11,970-square-metre (133,000-square-foot) courthouse will contain 15 courtrooms. Court staff, sheriff services, victim services, probation services and Crown prosecutors will all find a home within the complex. It will feature a law library and will offer 188 parking spaces, which includes an 84-spot parking garage.

Brian Maude, president of the Moncton Area Lawyers Association, said the justice community is thrilled that the project is moving forward.

The community has been working with government to provide feedback on the project. Almost all, if not all, concerns were addressed, he added.

"We're just thrilled that it's finally going to be built," said Maude.

"They've incorporated most, if not all, of what we were looking for," he added.

Earlier this week, Daniel Allain of Downtown Moncton Inc. said he requested an update on the project from the provincial government but had yet to receive one.

"There is indeed a dire need for a new courthouse and infrastructure downtown," he said.

"The government has been talking about this since June 20, 2005. We see it certainly as a cornerstone for development downtown."

[Jerry556]

don't know why everybody wasn't to thrilled with the new render for the courthouse, still looks good if you ask me.

[mmmatt]

don't know why everybody wasn't to thrilled with the new render for the courthouse, still looks good if you ask me.

Personally I really like it. Just a couple parts of it are weird looking (the non-symetrical windows etc).

[mylesmalley]

Agreed. If it weren't for those weird windows, it'd be perfect. Those aside, I still really like the look of it.

[drewber]

Hey! Just wanted to say hi...I'm new to the Forums...I lived in Moncton for 5 years and moved away last June but will be coming back again in May this year so great website to see all the development going on in Moncton! Papa John's in Atlantic Canada is amazing and they work being put into to Dieppe is outta site! Hope to continue to come on here and join in the discussions and see all the progress until I get back to town in 3-4 months!:banana: :cheers:

[Dmajackson]

Welcome "drewber" :)

I'm starting to think that Moncton might have more forumers than Halifax now.

I think you guys are secretly building high-rises to attract more forumers :sly:

[MonctonRad]

Welcome "drewber" :)

I'm starting to think that Moncton might have more forumers than Halifax now.

I think you guys are secretly building high-rises to attract more forumers :sly:


It is indeed a conspiracy Bedford DJ, Moncton in fact plans on taking over SkyscraperPage. We trust that you will keep our secret plans hush-hush...;)

BTW Drewber, welcome to the forums. If you have any inside information, please feel free to contribute to the gossip club.

[mylesmalley]

From News919

City contemplates more upgrades at Magnetic Hill concert site
January 13, 2009 - 9:25 am
By: News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB - As the City of Moncton grapples with it's 2009 budget, council is considering whether to put 250-thousand dollars aside for site improvements at the Magnetic Hill concert site.

Ian Fowler, Moncton's General Manager of Recreation, Parks, Tourism, and Culture says the money will be used to add extra washrooms and enhanced parking.

Fowler says his department has preliminary dialogue with the province but until city funding is in place, it's difficult to get a commitment from the province.

Fowler says the province has indicated its interest in partnering with the city again.

Last year, the Graham government committed 1.25 million dollars to help upgrade the Magnetic Hill site.

[mylesmalley]

As per request, I've added thumbnails to a dozen or so downtown projects. Also, I've fixed the location of the new North End school. Sorry it's going so slowly, but I've been a tad busy with school back in session!

[mmmatt]

Welcome to the forum drewber :D Hope to continue to hear from you in the future!

As per request, I've added thumbnails to a dozen or so downtown projects. Also, I've fixed the location of the new North End school. Sorry it's going so slowly, but I've been a tad busy with school back in session!

Nice job Myles, now just 50 more pics to go and it will be complete haha, keep up the good work :tup:

[benvui]

Hey Myles was just checking out your map and it looks great, keep up the good work.

It actually made me think of a project that I heard about a few years ago and haven't heard anything since. Does anyone know or has anyone heard if the sewage treatment plant is going to go ahead and install the windmill that they were talking about? I know they installed that tower to record wind data, but I've never heard what they decided.

[MonctonRad]

The framing and walls for the new Lutheran private school on Hildegarde Drive are going up.

It's damn cold out there. I hope the construction workers have their long woolies on.

[Jerry556]

that school is a way smaller then it looked in the picture

[mylesmalley]

Aren't they building it in phases?

[mmmatt]

Aren't they building it in phases?

Most likely...Ill have to check it out for myself, but they can't put all the framing up at once...espically at these temperatures. I'm sure it will all go up in due time :tup:

[mmmatt]

Not sure how much stock to put in this but this list of "Shovel ready projects" to be funded by the feds was posted in the Canada section...Moncton has about 10 entries, mostly roadways and sewers...the two largest projects were 25$ Million for a "Water Reservoir 2nd dam" and 33$ million for public transit stuff including a 15$ million "Codiac Transit Terminal"

I had been thinking just recently that this is due...they have been in the same small building on Millenium for ages...and they have purchased quite a few new busses recently and are planning for more (that was another thing on the list).

http://www.fcm.ca//CMFiles/FCM%20Shovel%20Ready%20report_list%20En1KDL-1142009-4963.pdf

[MonctonRad]

Aren't they building it in phases?

Yes, they are indeed building the Lutheran school in phases. Three phases over 3-5 years if I remember. The first two phases are for classrooms (half each year). The final phase is for a gymnasium. The school will eventually fill up that entire lot behind the church.

[MonctonRad]

Not sure how much stock to put in this but this list of "Shovel ready projects" to be funded by the feds was posted in the Canada section...Moncton has about 10 entries, mostly roadways and sewers...the two largest projects were 25$ Million for a "Water Reservoir 2nd dam" and 33$ million for public transit stuff including a 15$ million "Codiac Transit Terminal"

I had been thinking just recently that this is due...they have been in the same small building on Millenium for ages...and they have purchased quite a few new busses recently and are planning for more (that was another thing on the list).

Yeah, the plan is for Codiac Transit to expand to a fleet of 54 busses within the next couple of years. They will most certainly outgrow their current facility on Millenium. A new terminal sounds like a must. I wonder where they are planning to build it?

[mylesmalley]

I'm glad to see some investment in Codiac Transit, but I wonder if the money would not be better spend elsewhere. Namely, in increasing ridership. I don't have the hard facts with me, but I'm lead to believe that Codiac ridership is the lowest in the province's big cities.

[mylesmalley]

From the Times & Transcript
Casino work continues
Published Friday January 16th, 2009

Cement trucks and cranes were at work yesterday at the Casino NB site on Mountain Road. The casino, including a hotel and multi-use entertainment and convention centre, is expected to open in spring 2010.

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=235219&size=500x0
Viktor Pivovarov

Cement trucks and cranes were at work yesterday at the Casino NB site on Mountain Road. The casino, including a hotel and multi-use entertainment and convention centre, is expected to open in spring 2010


________________________________________________________________

Justice project moves forward
Published Friday January 16th, 2009

Downtown Moncton land deal approved, construction of new complex to proceed
A4
By Mary Moszynski
Times & Transcript Staff

FREDERICTON - The provincial government has approved the sale of the former Beaver Lumber property to the private company building the much-anticipated justice centre.

Supply & Services Minister Ed Doherty confirmed the land will be sold for $1.6 million.

Doherty was in Moncton yesterday to work on finalizing the deal between government and CitiGroup.

Dartmouth's CitiGroup Properties has been chosen to build the $50-million structure.

"These are very, very difficult projects in tough economic times," Doherty said. "We needed to proceed with the land transaction."

It appears as though the provincial government is making a profit on the sale as it initially purchased the land for $1 million.

The project has been marked by a series of delays but Doherty said he hopes the agreement will be finalized soon.

"The negotiations are in their final stages and we hope to have everything finalized in the near future," he said. "We'll be able to release those details soon."

Doherty said the company will refund the price of the land. However, he didn't release any other details, saying "it's all part of the process in terms of putting it all together." The economy hasn't forced the province to alter the project in any way, Doherty added.

"We've been successful in finding finance for this project," he said.

The 11,970-square-metre (133,000-square-foot) courthouse will contain 15 courtrooms. Court staff, sheriff services, victim services, probation services and Crown prosecutors will all find a home within the complex.

It will feature a law library and will offer 188 parking spaces, which includes an 84-spot parking garage.

CitiGroup Properties will construct, finance, operate and maintain the complex during the next 30 years. After that, the province will assume ownership.

Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2010.

[Jerry556]

''Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2010''. wasnt this suppose to start this summer/???

[MonctonRad]

''Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2010''. wasnt this suppose to start this summer/???

Misprint I'm sure. Construction is to start in the spring. It will likely be completed in the fall of 2010.

[JasonL-Moncton]

I just want to say...'holy crap it's cold!'

JL

[mylesmalley]

Isn't it amazing how a country, at roughly the same latitude, can have two cities with temperatures that differ by 40 degrees.

[MonctonRad]

Isn't it amazing how a country, at roughly the same latitude, can have two cities with temperatures that differ by 40 degrees.

The most depressing fact is that if you were on the 46th parallel in Europe, you would be at roughly the same latitude as Nice, on the Mediterranean coast of France. It just isn't fair!!!! :hell:

[ErickMontreal]

I passed by Uptown Dieppe today and I have to say the phase 1 is almost complete, the exterior at least.

I mean this "mix-use" project is a proper example of sustainable project as the local developers should focus on in the future. All in all, the three-story building looks urban and the material used are of high quality while being quite neat as well.

The first tenant annonced will be a shoes store.

Furthermore, the "Aquatic center" also is a modern good-looking project.

[mmmatt]

1. Nice pic of the casino, looks like quite a bit of activity going on up there :)

2. Yes that was a misprint about the justice center starting in Fall 2010...as in another article in todays paper they said it will be done in the fall of 2010 haha :tup:

3. Great news about Uptown Dieppe Erick! It is easily one of the nicest looking projects going up in the metro area right now.

[mmmatt]

Some Recent Flickr Finds

New Green Village (brrrr...man its cold lately :()
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3200535172_466ebe8a13.jpg?v=0
credit: Brian Branch on Flickr

Heading toward Moncton
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3200346294_1576e3af0c.jpg
credit: CDN Aviator on Flickr

Arriving in Moncton
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/3200347826_d10a9ef4ce.jpg
credit: CDN Aviator on Flickr

Crystal Palace (yay warm! :))
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/3198375259_86022c4eae.jpg
credit: Keith Watson aka Keith Watson on Flickr

Stadium U/C
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3198014904_61cc03629e_b.jpg
credit: Stephen Downes on Flickr

[drewber]

On that note about funds for Codiac Transit I actually sent an email to them about a week or so ago indicating the need for increased run times throughout the Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview area. Below is the email and response I got from them:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for the information, I will pass it along, Angela
-----Original Message-----
From: Drew Mullett [mailto:drew.mullett@ymail.com]
Sent: 9-Jan-09 3:23 AM
To: Angela Allain
Subject: Bus Run Times

Just wanted to send a friendly letter in regards to the run times for buses in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview. I myself lived in Moncton from 2003-2008 and am currently living in St.John's Newfoundland and will be returning to Moncton late April. I just wanted to comment on some of the early cut off times for codiac transits buses. Here is a comparison to St.John's(St.John's Population - 100k City 181 K Metro// Moncton Population City 64K Metro 126K) Latest Time for Downtown Bus in St.John's - 12am monday until saturday and 8pm SundayLatest Time for Downtown bus in Moncton - 10:30pm monday to saturday and 7pm SundayLatest Time for bus to Mount Pearl - 10:30pm monday to saturday and 5:30pm SundayLatest time for bus to Dieppe or Riverview - 6:30pm monday to Wednesday with slightly later times Thursday and Friday but back to 6:30pm Saturday and no Sunday Trips at all Pricing ComparisonsFares for St.John's$2.25 per ride$20.00 for 10 Rides$40.00 for 20 Rides$70.00 for Monthly Pass Fares for Moncton$2.00 per ride$18.00 for 10 Rides$34.50 for 20 Rides$58.00 for Monthly Pass For a mere $0.25 per ride, $2.00 per 10 punch and $12.00 per monthly pass St.John's manages to offer over 200 more hours of transportation per week and also have an electronic pass system instead of the punch cards still used in Moncton. The reason for this letter is to see if the hours for the buses in Moncton to main areas, Trinity Drive, Main Street, Elmwood Drive Area, Champlain Place and travel to Riverview and Dieppe could be extended to allow people who have no other means of transportation and work at a job which doesn't close by 10pm to get home from work or for those working backshifts to get to work. I thank you for your time in reading this letter and appreciate you in hearing my comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now who that will actually be passed along to I have no idea but I'll keep hoping someone heeds the need for longer routes in Metro Moncton and surrounding areas.:notacrook:

[mylesmalley]

Stadium's lookin' good!

Great idea, Drewber. I'm sure we're all looking forward to their reply. When I'm not at school, I work out in Dieppe, not far from the airport. My biggest issue with Codiac's current offering is that, there's really no way for me to use public transit to get to work. As far as I can tell, the nearest stop is the airport, and that'd mean at least a 1km walk one way, twice a day to get a bus. I think you'd get much better ridership if the buses went to parts of the city other than downtown and the shopping district.

[riverviewer]

I think that the effective transit systems in Canada are highly infused with municipal or provincial subsidies. Is there any city in Canada that makes a profit on their bus system?
The problem with trying to get buses closer to the ridership is that the it requires detours through side streets which can add hours to the trip. Myself, if the bus takes more than 25 minutes, I call a cab.

[benvui]

I've always thought that if they built a nice transfer spot with a nice terminal that they would get better ridership. I know they transfer in front of Highfield Square right now, but there aren't very many signs saying which bus to take once you get there. If they had a nice terminal where people could wait indoors (heated this time of year would be nice!) with signs saying when the next bus was going to arrive and what route it was and what buses were late, kind of like the FIDS systems used in Airports, you would have more people comfortable waiting for the bus because they would know when it was coming. They could also have someone there selling tickets, someone you could talk to and ask which bus to take. I'd definitely be willing to ride the bus if this information was readily available. Right now when I'm looking to go somewhere I've go to their website and figure out the routes before hand and make my decisions that way.

[mmmatt]

I've always thought that if they built a nice transfer spot with a nice terminal that they would get better ridership. I know they transfer in front of Highfield Square right now, but there aren't very many signs saying which bus to take once you get there. If they had a nice terminal where people could wait indoors (heated this time of year would be nice!) with signs saying when the next bus was going to arrive and what route it was and what buses were late, kind of like the FIDS systems used in Airports, you would have more people comfortable waiting for the bus because they would know when it was coming. They could also have someone there selling tickets, someone you could talk to and ask which bus to take. I'd definitely be willing to ride the bus if this information was readily available. Right now when I'm looking to go somewhere I've go to their website and figure out the routes before hand and make my decisions that way.

Well your wish may just be granted, in that list of items there was listed a new "Champlain Mall Terminal" worth $1,000,000...that should spruce that spot up a bit.

[mmmatt]

Moncton ready for another banner year

Published Saturday January 17th, 2009
D2

Metro Moncton is poised for another banner year in construction despite the tough economic challenges, according to the latest Marketbeat report from Cushman & Wakefield LePage.

The Halifax-based research centre says the new $50 million courthouse, the $90 million casino, the $20 million track and field stadium and a new shopping complex on Mapleton Road estimated at up to $40 million should send Moncton into another banner construction year.

"While other North American cities are facing economic troubles, Metro Moncton might even have a record year in 2009," the report says. Some big building projects planned for Saint John and Fredericton put New Brunswick on good footing for 2009.

"Lower fuel prices, the lower Canadian dollar and the building boom taking place in southern New Brunswick will all play to the region's favour," the report says.

[MonctonRad]

From "The Sleuth"

There's been plenty of scuttlebutt around the water coolers at local cop shops and the courts over where the provincial government might build a new jail. Shawn Graham's crew have already announced they will be relocating the eyesore that now sits on Assomption Boulevard. It would finally remove the lovely sight that greets guests looking out their windows on the south side of Hotel Beauséjour.

But where exactly is the new jail headed? Sleuth hears there has been some intense lobbying between Moncton and Dieppe for the facility. In the beginning, it looked like the jail would be built in the Caledonia Industrial Park. But Dieppe made a big last-minute push to grab the project.

That's when Finance Minister Victor Boudreau waded into the fray, Sleuth's sources tell him, with an idea that would freeze out both municipalities. He'll put it in his own riding!

It seems there is a plan afoot to place the new jail in the Scoudouc Industrial Park. That's an idea that actually makes some sense, especially considering the province has put a pile of money into Scoudouc with new sewer lines in the park and an announcement recently to build a new interchange off Highway 15. The Scoudouc Industrial Park seems poised for some substantial growth as the forgotten little brother of the bigger parks in Moncton and Dieppe. Scoudouc is well-placed between Metro Moncton and Shediac and is just a short hop from the airport.

***

There was plenty of good gossip coming out of the City of Moncton's prolonged budget deliberations this week. Sleuth's mole in council chambers reports he had never seen such vigorous debate over a budget. Good on council!

One little item that didn't make the news was some talk about repairs to the old parking lot behind the Capitol Theatre. The lot features the smallest parking stalls in Metro and is a potholed, bumpy mess. But the debate on repairs came to a sudden halt. Could it be that council was tipped off that at least part of the lot is rumoured to be the site for some downtown development?

The rumour is that Central United Church owns part of the parking lot area. The church has been in the news recently with reports it could become the new home to a proposed peace centre. Are there plans for the centre that could develop part of the lot? Stay tuned . . .

***

Sticking with budget talk, Mayor George LeBlanc made a wise move by declining an invitation to go to Hawaii to participate in the Smart 21 Cities awards banquet. Moncton, as you may know, made the international list of the world's 21 smartest cities. It is a big deal for a city Moncton's size and Mayor George was supposed to accompany Ben Champoux, the city's economic development officer, to the land of the luau, to pick up the city's hardware. The mayor said as much as he supports the Smart 21 initiative, he couldn't justify the expense to taxpayers in these tough economic times. Cutting the mayor's trip was among $16,000 in costs trimmed from the mayor and council's travel budget.

***

Personal note: It would not displease me too much if the new provincial jail went to the Scoudouc Industrial Park. Personally, I consider Scoudouc the forgotten fourth metro industrial park and it is only about ten minutes from the city on the four lane Route 15. Still, it might make more environmental sense to have it closer to town in either the Dieppe, Caledonia (or even Moncton) parks; less gas while transporting prisoners to the new justice facility. :D

[MonctonRad]

Justice centre work to begin soon
Published Saturday January 17th, 2009

N.S. company will construct, maintain new justice complex over the next 30 years
Times & Transcript Staff

Construction on the much-anticipated justice complex will begin in the next couple of weeks, says Health Minister Mike Murphy.

Murphy, who is also the MLA for Moncton North, said it's important that work begin as quickly as possible.

"I wouldn't be surprised if contractors were literally putting gasoline into bulldozers and figuring out where to buy coffee for the workers as early as next week or even a week-and-a-half from now," he said.

Dartmouth's CitiGroup Properties has been chosen to build the $50-million structure.

The 11,970-square-metre (133,000-square-foot) courthouse will contain 15 courtrooms. Court staff, sheriff services, victim services, probation services and Crown prosecutors will all find a home within the complex.

It will feature a law library and will offer 188 parking spaces, which includes an 84-spot parking garage.

CitiGroup Properties will construct, finance, operate and maintain the complex during the next 30 years. After that, the province will assume ownership.

"There will be an announcement in regards to the justice centre and details of the agreement in the very, very near future," said Murphy.

The Liberal government is focusing on infrastructure projects to help the province weather financial troubles.

"We know full well there's a recession coming on gang-busters across the globe," said Murphy. "We're not planning on a slow reaction."

[MonctonRad]

PET Scan still in plans at Dumont
Published Saturday January 17th, 2009

Scanner detects cancer, heart disease and brain disorders
Times & Transcript Staff

A PET Scan machine is on its way to Moncton, says Health Minister Mike Murphy.

Murphy said yesterday that Metro Moncton can expect an announcement regarding the diagnostic imaging machine's future "very, very soon" -- once plans are revealed for a major expansion to its future home at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Regional Hospital.

The awaited expansion was the reason the now defunct Beauséjour Regional Health Authority decided to delay purchasing the sophisticated equipment with money raised by the Dumont's volunteer foundation.

It was decided that it would not make sense to build an area to house the large piece of equipment before a master expansion plan was developed and finalized.

"I understand why the board at the Dumont decided not to proceed with the construction of the bunker because they didn't want to have something that was out of sync with the expansion they had envisaged and which I welcomed," said Murphy.

The scanner is a diagnostic imaging device, which detects cancer, heart disease and brain disorders. Bernard Lord, premier at the time, announced in June 2005 that the Dumont and Saint John Regional Hospital would each receive one of the scanners.

Since a PET Scan machine was installed in Saint John in 2007, the number of people who have used its specialized imaging abilities doubled from 300 to 600.

Murphy said he expects the Dumont hospital will see the same number of cases when the PET Scan is installed.

"PET Scan is the most up-to-date technology. I would be extremely surprised if anybody was in better shape than we are when it comes to PET Scans."

Once the machine is ordered, it will take a least six months to install and calibrate it.

[mmmatt]

Personal note: It would not displease me too much if the new provincial jail went to the Scoudouc Industrial Park. Personally, I consider Scoudouc the forgotten fourth metro industrial park and it is only about ten minutes from the city on the four lane Route 15. Still, it might make more environmental sense to have it closer to town in either the Dieppe, Caledonia (or even Moncton) parks; less gas while transporting prisoners to the new justice facility. :D

True, I honestly dont care where in the metro area the jail ends up, just as long as its not somewhere out of place (like right now)...Any of the industrial parks would suffice I think.

[mmmatt]

once plans are revealed for a major expansion to its future home at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Regional Hospital.


hmmm I seem to remember talk about en expansion...I wonder how "major" it will be, and when it will begin?

I doubt it will be as large as the recently completed expansion at TMH, but I have heard its in desperate need, so anything is better than nothing in this case.

[MonctonRad]

hmmm I seem to remember talk about en expansion...I wonder how "major" it will be, and when it will begin?

I doubt it will be as large as the recently completed expansion at TMH, but I have heard its in desperate need, so anything is better than nothing in this case.

I work at the Moncton Hospital, not the GDH so I am not privy to their expansion plans but, they will definitely need to expand the radiology department both for the PET/CT as well as for the proposed cardiac cath facility. The radiation oncology department is also to expand and I know they are looking for more space for the medical school.

No, it won't be as large as the new ambulatory care centre/emergency department/laboratory at the Moncton Hospital but I wager that it will be a major project easily in the $25M-$40M range.

BTW, there will be ongoing work at TMH even after the new ACC/ER opens. The old ER will be divided between the OR and radiology departments to allow for further expansion. I believe that there are plans to relocate the med/surg ICU as well. I don't know if funding for this has been arranged yet.

[MonctonRad]

Dieppe arts, culture centre gets federal cash
Published Saturday January 17th, 2009

City still waiting for provincial money for $2.6 million project that will find new purpose for former city hall
By Nick Moore
Times & Transcript Staff

Dieppe received $881,155 worth of federal money yesterday to go towards renovating the old city hall building into an arts and cultural centre.

The cash from Ottawa has already been matched at the municipal level. Mayor Jean LeBlanc hoped the provincial government would soon make up the other third of the renovation's costs, totaling $2.6 million, in order for the plan to fully take shape.

James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, made a stop in Dieppe as part of a cross country tour to make the announcement.

The main floor of what was the Chocolate River Music Conservatory (which closed last spring) will be part of the city's reformed arts and culture centre, set to include a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system inside the centre's 250-seat theatre. The renovations will also include a projection booth, dressing rooms, a green room, an outdoor stage, dance and artist studios, an art exhibition hall, administrative offices, washrooms and an electrical room.

LeBlanc said the Dieppe facility will easily be able to find its niche within Metro's different arts and culture locations.

"The plan is to have artists here working on a daily basis in the different areas and we're also looking for interaction with the public. In other words, young people or people from the community will be able to come, see the artist creating, maybe go to workshops depending on what it might be and get an idea of what it is to create, what it is to be an artist."

LeBlanc added how the arts and culture centre's diversity will be its main strength.

"It gives artists a place to create and to work," he said. "I think the big thing is going to be how the different types of artists will all be under one roof. You're going to get this sort of cross feeding and interrelation between them."

Other arts hubs in Metro are also waiting to see money from government bodies, including the Aberdeen Cultural Centre in Moncton.

Paulette Thériault, who served as executive director of centre for nearly eight years, says she knew Dieppe's funding was coming and was staying positive about what Aberdeen might see in the future.

Aberdeen is prepping itself for close to $2.5 million worth of renovations which include the installation of a sprinkler system and modernization of the centre's heating system.

"The information I'm getting is that we're getting closer," she said. "We have to wait our turn and we're okay with that."

Thériault, also a Moncton city councillor, said she expected officials from Aberdeen to meet with the federal Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) sometime next week to discuss funding possibilities.

"I think we're moving further on these negotiations."

[mmmatt]

I work at the Moncton Hospital, not the GDH so I am not privy to their expansion plans but, they will definitely need to expand the radiology department both for the PET/CT as well as for the proposed cardiac cath facility. The radiation oncology department is also to expand and I know they are looking for more space for the medical school.

No, it won't be as large as the new ambulatory care centre/emergency department/laboratory at the Moncton Hospital but I wager that it will be a major project easily in the $25M-$40M range.

BTW, there will be ongoing work at TMH even after the new ACC/ER opens. The old ER will be divided between the OR and radiology departments to allow for further expansion. I believe that there are plans to relocate the med/surg ICU as well. I don't know if funding for this has been arranged yet.

Thanks for the info, hopefully we will hear an official announcement soon :)

Speaking of the Emergency at TMH do they have the Emergency room situation sorted out yet? Last time I went in there you had to walk down a plywood pedway with cameras at every corner haha...felt kinda awkward.

[MonctonRad]

Thanks for the info, hopefully we will hear an official announcement soon :)

Speaking of the Emergency at TMH do they have the Emergency room situation sorted out yet? Last time I went in there you had to walk down a plywood pedway with cameras at every corner haha...felt kinda awkward.

Nope, they still haven't moved into the new ER yet, they have to replace all the flooring. There was some problem with the adhesive backing. The move was supposed to be complete in the fall but won't happen now until the spring. You still have to walk the labyrinth to get to the old ER (and then wait six hours to be seen by the ERP). :haha:

[mylesmalley]

Lots of good news today!

Pertaining to the jail. I'd much sooner see it go to Moncton or Dieppe. Where, it doesn't really matter. Jails aren't dangerous places, especially on the outside, and putting it in the city would keep jobs here, and obviously increase the tax base.

My guess is that, once the new access road to Scoudouc is built, we'll see a lot of development in the area. It's only a 5-10 minute drive from the city, and I'd wager that property costs are a lot lower there than in the city's existing parks.

I suspect that, within the next 5-10 years, Dieppe is going to make a move to expand beyond the Trans Canada in the direction of Shediac. The city has filled a large portion of it's municipal limits, and has very little room to grow it's industrial park area beyond what is there now. Creating Dieppe Blvd. did open up a fair amount of space, but already, that land is quickly filling up. If you want proof, remember a few years ago when Dieppe tried to annex Lakeville to 'create their own water supply'.

I don't think we're going to see a Dieppe-Scoudouc-Shediac conurbation anytime soon, but I do think we'll see Rt 15 see a tremendous amount of growth in the next 10-20 years.

[mylesmalley]

Premier eyes more migrants
Published Saturday January 17th, 2009

Shawn Graham wants regional immigration office in Moncton
A1
By Mary Moszynski
Times & Transcript Staff

OTTAWA - Premier Shawn Graham wants Ottawa to establish a regional office in Moncton to review and process the credentials of immigrants.

The Canadian Press

Graham raised the idea with his provincial counterparts and Prime Minister Stephen Harper during a meeting in Ottawa yesterday.

The politicians discussed the need to focus on skills, training and employment development, including how to quickly process the paperwork from immigrants who were trained in other countries.

"It's currently done on a province-by-province basis," Graham said. "I'm advocating today that we take a regional basis."

Moncton is home to the only government-mandated agency providing assessments of credentials in both official languages. Staff members review the credentials of immigrants hoping to work in Canada.

The pilot project began in 2006.

Graham, who described the Moncton project as a success, said he wants to see it become more permanent and handle the paperwork for all of Atlantic Canada.

"We're a small province and I feel it would be a duplication of services for every province in Atlantic Canada to set up foreign credential offices," he said.

"I'm going to have to continue to push my colleagues within the Atlantic region but I think there's an opportunity for the Government of Canada."

While in Ottawa, the premiers also finalized an agreement to break down trade barriers within Canada.

Governments will now recognize the training of workers in other provinces. If they fail to do so, provincial governments could face penalties of up to $5 million.

"There are now strict fines in place . . . that will force provinces to bring down these barriers to trade," said Graham. "We've made great progress."

The agreement is a continuation of the work that started in Moncton two years ago when Graham was chairman of the Council of the Federation.

"A nurse is a nurse now, whether it's a nurse from British Columbia or a nurse from New Brunswick," said Graham.

The premier refuted the idea that the change will encourage more workers to head to Alberta.

"This is reciprocal," he said. "New Brunswick is too small a province to have barriers around itself."

Hilary Howes, executive director of the Construction Association of New Brunswick, said the agreement is a good first step.

"It should make things easier. The construction industry is a mobile industry," he said. "Workers go where the large projects are."

The provinces have been talking about such an agreement for several years.

Charles Cirtwill of the Atlantic Institute of Market Studies said it's ridiculous that trained workers weren't recognized in other provinces.

"It's actually easier for lawyers and professionals, for example, to work in Washington than to work in Halifax. Does that make any sense at all?" he said.

Cirtwill also dismissed concerns the move could encourage more Atlantic Canadians to pack their bags and head West.

"They're going to go whether we want them to or not. This makes the playing field a little more even going back and forth."

[mylesmalley]

3 million dollars in renovations to be done on J Louis Levesque Arena
January 20, 2009 - 2:24 pm
By: Rebecca Davis, News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB-Over the next few months, the J Louis Levesque Arena, on the Universite de Moncton campus, will undergo 3 million dollars worth of renovations.

It was announced today that the renovations will be to both interior, and exterior parts of the building, and should be done by the next hockey season in October.

The university's President, Yvonne Fontaine, says the renovations planned will make a big difference for all who use, and take in events, at the arena.

Some of the renovations include new siding, new seats for spectators, exterior sign replacement, new glass panels, a new sound system and scoreboard, and a new heating system at the level of the stands.

[MonctonRad]

Group seeks compromise on MHS future
Published Tuesday January 20th, 2009

School's PSSC recommends repairing the gym, tower entrance and auditorium, while tearing down and rebuilding the rest of the school
By Nick Moore
Times & Transcript Staff

Faced with the possibility of losing Moncton High School altogether, the school's Parent Student Support Committee (PSSC) is recommending a compromise. They suggest the government should restore some parts of the building, while tearing down the rest of the 74-year-old structure for new construction.

In a letter sent to the School District 2 Education Council (in advance of their public meeting tonight), the PSSC is recommending that renovations be made to the school's gymnasium, tower entrance and auditorium, while the remainder of the school be torn down and built brand new -- all in a bid to reduce the estimated $48 million it would take to renovate and repair the entire aged building as it stands now.

"This new structure would be constructed in the current location -- keeping the new facility as close to the Normandie Gothic style as possible," says the letter signed by PSSC chairman Bernard Savoy. Attempts to contact Savoy in person yesterday were not successful.

The PSSC also asked in the letter for the District Education Committee (DEC) to make a formal request to the Department of Supply and Services for an architect to be sent back into the school to tally a list of repairs and costs that would associated with keeping parts of the building up, while tearing down and replacing the rest.

The PSSC is recommending that Boyd R Algee Architect Ltd. be commissioned to tally any new report, the same firm which authored the school's $48-million master plan study, made public earlier this month. That study determined it would cost at least $48 million to complete repairs inside Moncton High, to get the building up to safety codes and curriculum requirements. As far as renovating the school's gym, tower entrance and auditorium alone, the master plan's study said those phases of construction would cost about $5.4 million by themselves (with a new music room included).

Construction of a brand new school for 1,350 students (minus a theatre, which isn't currently a Department of Education requirement for new schools) would cost up to $25 million to build.

The costs and nature of any demolition at Moncton High, especially considering the existence of asbestos, isn't clear at the moment.

In the letter, dated yesterday, the PSSC said their first preference was to see all renovations and upgrades, as suggested in that $48 million report, carried out completely. The committee said their "least favourable option" would be for MHS to be demolished completely and replaced with a new school. The committee said the two options of either spending $48 million or destroying the historic building left hard decisions to be made, so they figured any third option would be worthy of consideration.

"We believe this third option strikes the best balance between financial responsibility, architectural and school history and the needs of our students," the letter says.

DEC chairman Harry Doyle said the council would certainly be considering the PSSC letter and all other suggestions before them as the topic of Moncton High is planned to make up a large portion of tonight's meeting.

The DEC has been asked to eventually make a recommendation to the province on what to do with MHS. The province will ultimately have final say on the school's future.

Doyle said one important consideration coming from the PSSC's request would be to know how much it would cost to have an architect return to the school and do another report. The council chairman asked District staff yesterday to find out how much it cost for the last report to be completed and he hoped to have that information by tonight's meeting. As for the $48-million master report available now, Doyle said it was comprehensive, complete and of value to the DEC in their current decision making process.

"I've read reports all my life and I think he did a top notch job," said Doyle of Algee's report.

As far as commissioning another report, Doyle said he personally had some reservations about going in that direction.

"I'm a little nervous of asking government to do more studies, but that's the DEC's decision," he said. "I think if we went that route it would slow down the process because we'd have to have somebody look at it again."

Doyle hoped a final recommendation from the DEC on Moncton High might be decided upon by the end of tonight's meeting. However, he added that if he was betting man he'd predict it would probably carry over to next month's public meeting. The Department of Supply and Services said they couldn't comment on the idea of commissioning another Moncton High report until they had a formal request in front of them from the school district.

Personal note - This is an interesting idea. Perhaps it is possible that some form of compromise could be worked out to save the most architecturally interesting portions of the existing building while completely rebuilding the rest. The obvious question however is "what would you do with those 1400 students in the meantime?"

[mmmatt]

Pizza choices grow again

Papa John's pizzeria to open two restaurants in Metro Moncton this year; 20 in Atlantic Canada

By James Foster
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday January 20th, 2009

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bKXlng-gpg0/RzlffyRjnPI/AAAAAAAABus/AYSBEmi_39M/s1600/papa-johns.jpg
credit: Papa John's Pizza

Tim Haddad was on a business trip in the U.S. when he saw a television commercial for Papa John's pizza.

"I'd never even heard of them before," the Moncton businessman says, "but I said to myself, 'Now that pizza looks reaaaaaaaaal good."

Not only did it look good, but when it arrived at his hotel room door, the pizza looked as good as it did in the advertisement, a rarity for some food products. But best of all, it tasted great.

"It was possibly the best pizza that I've ever had."

It was so good that Haddad, in partnership with brother-in-law Darren Eaton snagged the rights to Papa John's pizza for all of Atlantic Canada. Their first store opens the week of Feb. 9 at 639 Mountain Rd.

Given the fact that Metro Moncton is an extremely competitive pizza market, you might be forgiven for thinking pizza is the last business you'd want to invest in. However, Eaton and Haddad are convinced they have a product that is far superior to anything available now.

"It's not like there isn't good pizza in Moncton," Haddad says.

"But if we do our jobs right, we'll be right at the top."

Each time he visited the U.S., Haddad ordered Papa John's pizza and each time he was struck by the consistency and quality of the product.

"All of the products are of a very, very high quality," he says, noting they use fresh (never frozen) dough, portobello mushrooms, olives that are specially grown for them in Spain and tomatoes for their sauces that are processed less than six hours after they are picked off the vine.

"Better ingredients; better pizza. They live by that at Papa John's," Haddad says.

From the start, the whole idea behind Papa John's was to do things better than anyone else. It's a premise that has served the chain well since founder John Schnatter started delivering pizzas out the back of his dad's bar in 1983.

Today, there are more than 3,000 Papa John's in 29 countries. It consistently ranks number one in surveys of pizza restaurants done annually by the National Quality Research Centre at the University of Michigan Business School, and has a host of other awards from industry and business groups across the country.

The first restaurant will be for deliveries and take-out only. Subsequent restaurants might feature a seating area. The restaurant will deliver anywhere that it can drive to in eight minutes or less. Future locations will cover most of the Metro Moncton area the new restaurant can't presently deliver to. Their delivery service offers debit at your door.

Watch for special offers for those who pick up their pizzas.

Haddad and Eaton plan to open 20 new restaurants across Atlantic Canada, including a second one in Metro Moncton later this year. They will also consider equity partners in future Papa John's outlets.

[David_99]

MHS :previous:

Whatever they decide, hopefully they don't stick with that "1,350 students" number when planning the repairs/construction. I seem to recall the number of students closer to 1500 when I attended 10 years ago.

Crap, now I feel old.

[mmmatt]

MHS :previous:

Whatever they decide, hopefully they don't stick with that "1,350 students" number when planning the repairs/construction. I seem to recall the number of students closer to 1500 when I attended 10 years ago.

Crap, now I feel old.

That number may have been reduced at bit with the addition of MacNaughton High in the early 2000's which took a lot of students away from Moncton High (which was way overcrowded)...they have about 1000 students at BMHS now.

If MHS is almost back up to 1500 now it might not be too far down the road that Moncton needs a new English high school.

[mylesmalley]

The province has progressively lowered the amount of students a teacher is allowed to have in a classroom as well. i suspect they're going to get to the point at some fo these schools where there just aren't enough rooms to teach in.

[JasonL-Moncton]

Yay...Papa John's! That's some good pizza!

Dental Clinic on Mapleton is coming right along...will try and get some pics on the weekend.

[bam63]

I remember being in florida a couple of years ago and getting two "KING KONG" pizzas from Papa John's for 20 bucks!!

[JasonL-Moncton]

http://business.sympatico.msn.ca/5+Canadian+tech+smart+cities/Features/smartcities.htm?isfa=1

scroll down and see which city is first...

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

:banana: :banana: :banana:

[MonctonRad]

New justice centre officially launched
Published Wednesday January 21st, 2009

Premier, mayor celebrate important piece of downtown development
By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff

They made it official yesterday. Premier Shawn Graham and Supply and Services Minister Ed Doherty were at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel in Moncton to mark the beginning of construction of a new Moncton justice centre on land at the corner of Assomption Boulevard and Westmorland Street, part of the former Beaver Lumber properties a short distance away.

Work on the $50 million complex, the largest construction project in downtown in at least a decade and largest public works project in downtown in a generation, should begin within days. First on the schedule is pile driving, a construction activity that actually works better in winter. The goal is to have the facility open late in 2010.

"We look forward to the ribbon cutting 22 months from now," Doherty said.

Moncton's mayor said it was an important day for Metro Moncton, both from a development perspective and because of the institution.

"Justice may be blind, but a justice facility should be highly visible and iconic in the community," LeBlanc said.

Premier Graham picked up on that theme, saying it, "marks the beginning of another project that will benefit all New Brunswickers."

He also said, "this project meets a critical need," given the long inadequate facilities being used in Moncton currently, which are integrated into a larger office complex and lacking in some of the security measures a standalone facility can offer.

Architectural plans on display yesterday emphasized just how the design will stream different users of the justice centre into different parts and paths of the building.

There are separate wings, corridors and even separate elevators and stairwells to keep the public, the judiciary and prisoners all at a safe and comfortable distance outside the courtrooms. There are however layouts on a couple of floors in which only a wall, though presumably a secure one, will separate a judge's chambers from a holding cell.

And, to the lament of assembled members of the media yesterday, it looks like opportunities to photograph those brought before the courts as they enter and exit will be a thing of the past, as sheriff's department vans will now load and unload prisoners inside a secure garage bay sally port.

While architectural drawings were on hand to show the building from a number of different perspectives, Moncton East MLA Chris Collins offered a unique perspective of his own yesterday.

"As a former city councillor, as a current MLA, and as a citizen of Moncton, it's great to finally see something going on that piece of land that's been vacant for so many years," Collins said.

[Jerry556]

finally!!!!!

[mmmatt]

http://business.sympatico.msn.ca/5+Canadian+tech+smart+cities/Features/smartcities.htm?isfa=1

scroll down and see which city is first...

SWEET! and they used a picture I took to boot :)

Heres a link to the bigger version if anyone is interested haha.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moncton_marriott_downtown6.png

[mylesmalley]

I thought that looked familiar! Did they ask for your permission?

[mmmatt]

I thought that looked familiar! Did they ask for your permission?

Nope, they don't have to cause I released the rights by putting it on Wiki under a public domain license.

[MonctonRad]

Which roads will be fixed?
Published Thursday January 22nd, 2009

Some of Moncton's major roadwork projects outlined in city's capital budget
A1By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff

Now that the ink is dry on the City of Moncton's capital works budget for 2009, here are some of the projects citizens can look forward to in the coming year, including upgrades to some major city roadways, a new dam for the Turtle Creek reservoir and even a homely, but important, project to outfit Moncton City Hall with a backup generator in the event of a civil emergency.

Remember, of course, that though the ink might be dry on the budget, sometimes things have to get erased and scribbled in elsewhere as situations arise.

Nevertheless, citizens will see some major road construction come summer, not just on the completion of Mapleton Road, but also in the linking of Mapleton to Morton Avenue via an extension of the Crowley Farm Road. It's a plan considered key to opening a vast part of the city to in-fill residential development in what is known as the Vision Lands, 1,400 acres of wooded land bordered by Morton, Wheeler Boulevard, Mapleton Road, Highway 2 (the Trans-Canada Highway) and McLaughlin Drive.

One thing sure to be a bit of a traffic nightmare, at least briefly, is the necessary resurfacing work on East Main Street. The plan is to re-pave the eastern entrance to the city from the Dieppe boundary to Mechanic Street between the Marriott Hotel and The Blue Cross Centre.

As well, a busy but oft-forgotten arterial, Millennium Boulevard, will see upgrading from Killam Drive to Russ Howard Drive, the entrance to the Sportsplex fields and Moncton 4-Ice Centre. The rest of Millennium is expected to be done the following year.

Another key route, Vaughan Harvey Boulevard, will see work on one portion, from Collishaw Street to Mountain Road.

Less visible but still significant work will be done out in the Tower Road area of Turtle Creek, where work will be done on the second dam of the city's reservoir, which serves the needs of all three municipalities in Metro Moncton.

Also planned is further development of the Millennium Trail, to the tune of $400,000 this year, but with much more emphasis placed on trail building in the following two years.

And finally, a purchase that has been delayed for years is now in the works. The city will install a generator to power both its emergency command centre on the top floor of city hall, and the whole of city hall itself, in the event of an emergency. The command centre has been used before, most notably in the September 11 crisis and the 2003 ice storm. In the latter, it was a matter of luck that the command centre had power, since much of the region went without electricity for several days. In a similar long-term outage, the generator, which will cost about $500,000 installed, would allow key city functions beyond the command centre to continue functioning

Personal note: This is a bit of a surprise, I have known about the plans to extend Frampton to Morton at Universite via Crowley Farm Rd. for some time, but I did not expect the work to start this year. This will free up a lot of new land for development and in particular, we should see a new strip of commercial growth developing north of and parallel to Wheeler Blvd. in the next several years.

[mylesmalley]

I'm quite surprised by that. I know it's been planned for years, but there wasn't any fanfare or notice about an annoucement. Considering that'd be a 3km or so long road, you'd think the city would be making a big deal of it.

And why do we have a 'Command Centre'? What do we have the provincial Emergency Measures Organization for?

[mmmatt]

Awesome news about the road construction...that Frampton extension will open up a lot of land for development :)

Also Im very excited they will finally re-surface east main st...that spot is terrible, one of my shocks was broken from hitting a few large bumps in a row there.

[Jerry556]

anyone knows if the ashford office building on Vaughn Harvey is going to start going up(within the next month??)

[MonctonRad]

anyone knows if the ashford office building on Vaughn Harvey is going to start going up(within the next month??)

We have pictures of stakes in the ground from last fall, and this was after the stock market and financial meltdown, so I presume things are still moving forward but I have heard nothing about a start date.

[MonctonRad]

I'm quite surprised by that. I know it's been planned for years, but there wasn't any fanfare or notice about an annoucement. Considering that'd be a 3km or so long road, you'd think the city would be making a big deal of it.

I've been thinking further about this announcement this afternoon. If you remember from a couple of pages back, I alluded to "plans" for another commercial development (a mini Dartmouth Crossing) directly to the east of the Mapleton Power Centre that would be accessed from the Frampton extension. Perhaps this is the impetus for the sudden interest by the city in doing this roadwork. Perhaps this development is more than a mere rumour.

[mylesmalley]

If you build it, they will come.

[mmmatt]

Curling event turns world spotlight on Moncton

Men's World Championships April 4-12 will draw competitors, media and visitors from all over the globe

BY ALAN COCHRANE
Published Thursday January 22nd, 2009


Opening and closing ceremonies for the 2009 Ford World Men's Curling Championships April 4-12 will showcase home-grown talent as Metro Moncton makes the most of its time in the world spotlight, event chairman Jim Lockyer said yesterday.

"A successful event of this size says to the world that Greater Moncton can do it, but what it takes is for everyone to get involved."

Full-event passes for the nine-day curling tournament range from $250 to $400. Corporate Elite packages are available for $1,140. These limited packages include four tickets in silver-level seating for the entire event, along with the opening and closing ceremonies. The Times & Transcript incorrectly listed the price as $1,285 in Wednesday's newspaper.

Besides the competition, organizers are planning stupendous opening and closing ceremonies that will showcase Atlantic Canadian talent and pay homage to 50 years of world championship curling history.

The opening ceremonies will take on the air of a military tattoo as marching bands from Moncton, CFB Gagetown, Shearwater and Stadacona in Nova Scotia take part. Other performers include the Neil Michaud Choir, Isabelle Pelletier, Samantha Robichaud and DancEast. The opening will include a parade of competitors and a tribute to 50 years of international curling competition with people in period costumes. Competitors will also march into the Moncton Coliseum carrying their national flags in the same way they do during Olympic opening ceremonies.

Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies are priced at a family-friendly $12. The 2-1/2 hour shows will be directed by Moncton's own Jac Gautreau, who has produced many shows, including the East Coast Music Awards broadcast and a gala for the Sommet de la Francophonie in Moncton.

After the opening ceremonies, the Agrena trade show buildings of the Coliseum complex will become a party zone with food, beverages, live music and a mixture of cultures. In the curling world, the social centre of a big event is known as "the patch," and it promises to be an ongoing event to remember.

"We're going to have the best bands in Atlantic Canada, but we can't say any names just yet because the list isn't complete," Lockyer said. "The patch will be open to the public and should serve as a celebration of Greater Moncton and its success."

There will be all kinds of beverages, food, lobster, live music, socializing and trading of memorabilia among the different countries.

"Once you start dancing, you won't want to stop."

The Moncton event marks the 50th anniversary of the men's world curling championships and the last chance for teams to qualify for the Vancouver Olympics, so the calibre of play will draw attention from many nations.

So far, 11 of the 12 teams have qualified for the event. Teams from Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Scotland and Switzerland have already qualified to appear in Moncton. The last qualifier, between the United States and Brazil, will be held later this month. This means there will be reporters, TV crews and fans from those nations, along with former champions.

"That means 60 hours of live national TV coverage on TSN, coverage on the world curling TV networks and coverage on the Japanese national network and the Chinese national network," Lockyer said. "One complete end of the Coliseum will be the media bench with broadcast booths."

Lockyer noted that when Russ Howard's Canadian team played Finland in the gold-medal game the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy, the match was watched by some 70 million people around the world, including 11 million in Italy.

Lockyer said a number of former world champions and members of the International Olympic Committee have been invited to attend the Moncton event.

"This speaks volumes about our own area and our success. This is an opportunity for Moncton to shine and show itself to the curling world."

Lockyer says he expects a number of "pond-hoppers," to make their way to Moncton in April. The "pond-hoppers" are a group of hard-core curling fans who attend matches all over the world. Some of them have been to 30 consecutive world championships around the globe.

The last time Moncton hosted a curling event of this magnitude was the 1980 Silver Broom men's championships, which still has a legacy of a world-class event.

"The Silver Broom really branded us for 20 years and the legacy of this championship will live on for the next 20 years."


- Its always nice to have some international media attention

[mmmatt]

Moncton a finalist for 'most intelligent' city
Published Thursday January 22nd, 2009

Canadaeast News Service

Moncton was listed yesterday among the final seven contenders for the title of the world's most intelligent city.

The finalists were announced yesterday in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Intelligent Community of the Year award is presented to a community with a demonstrated strategy for generating prosperity and increasing inclusion using broadband and information technology to attract leading-edge businesses, create jobs, improve skills, drive economic growth and improve the delivery of government services.

And Moncton isn't the only New Brunswick city vying for the title. Fredericton was also named to the shortlist released by the Intelligent Community Forum, a New York-based think tank dedicated to growing the broadband economy.

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside, who was on hand for the announcement, said the hub city's success in joining Fredericton on the Top Seven list shows the potential in this region.

"When you think about the fact that two are from the same province in Eastern Canada, that is an incredible accomplishment."

Rounding out this year's Top Seven list are Bristol, Va.; Eindhoven, Netherlands; Issy-les-Moulineaux, France; Stockholm, Sweden; and Tallinn, Estonia.

Judges from the Intelligent Community Forum are looking for the development and expansion of broadband networks, and efforts to educate citizens of all ages on the use of computers and the Internet.

[mylesmalley]

Still no development deal for city lands
Published Friday January 23rd, 2009

Moncton mayor says it's time for 'good, hard look' at prospects for former Beaver Lumber property
A1
By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff

One vacant lot down, one to go.

Greg Agnew/Times & Transcript
http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=238100&size=500x0
Now that the Courthouse project is set to begin, questions are being raised about when this piece of the former Beaver Lumber property will be developed.

Now that the pilings are about to be driven for a long-awaited courthouse in downtown Moncton, it's time to look across Westmorland Street at another chunk of badly under-used downtown real estate -- the city-owned land currently housing the Rogers call centre parking lot, a scrap of the old Assomption Boulevard, and a bunch of barren ground.

That parcel was once going to be either a convention centre or hotel or casino or entertainment centre or all of the above, depending on which year of the past 10 you were looking at it.

And while there has been much evolution of thought on what to do with this remaining chunk of the former Lockhart's/Beaver Lumber land in the decade since the City of Moncton bought it in a bid to have some say in downtown development, there has been precious little progress made.

Not that the city itself hasn't seen plenty of progress since 1999. Marriott has indeed built a new downtown hotel a couple of blocks away. Sonco Gaming has stepped forward to build a casino, convention centre and another hotel, under construction at this moment, but many miles from downtown.

The City of Moncton has managed to spur one significant development on the Beaver Lumber lands in the form of the Rogers contact centre. Though it's been widely criticized from an architectural perspective, it has been a Beaver lands success story, bringing 600 workers into downtown.

To date however, that has been the city's sole tangible success from its foray into land development. Moncton council veteran Brian Hicks has long been a vocal critic of aspects of the Beaver Lumber lands file, often as a lone voice in the wilderness.

Last week, as council pondered this year's $28,000 property tax bill for the land it still retains, essentially the Rogers Parking lot at the northwest corner of Assomption Boulevard and Westmorland Street, he mused aloud that, "the city shouldn't get involved in land development in the future. We're really bad at it."

The difference this time was there were a lot of other councillors nodding their heads as Hicks made his comment.

Nevertheless, with an agreement in place between then City of Moncton and Ash-Verd, a partnership of Moncton's Ashford Properties and Toronto's Verdiroc, the city looks destined to remain in the land development business for a while yet.

Against that backdrop, Mayor George LeBlanc said this week it's time for the new council, now well into the first year of its mandate, to take the issue by the horns.

He said the discussions he's had with Ash-Verd's Patrick Gillespie have been "very informal," and there's currently no concrete proposal in the works.

Asked if he thought the site would be suitable for the multi-purpose metro centre he's envisioned for Moncton, the mayor said he hadn't ruled out any downtown location for such a facility.

As for the land, which is owned by the city but has an option on it held by Ash-Verd in a sort of a legal limbo, "council will be having a good hard look at it in the coming months," LeBlanc said.

Patrick Gillespie could not be reached for comment this week.

A requirement of any development on the land is that Rogers have its lost parking replaced in some way, part of a deal largely reached in secret in 2002 that promises Rogers parking for up to 25 or even possibly 30 years, depending on certain conditions.

While he said Rogers has been a fantastic addition to downtown, Daniel Allain, the general manager of Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville Inc. said yesterday, "I think we're all in agreement surface parking isn't the best use of the land."

Allain, however, remained confident the city and Ash-Verd will come together to develop the land soon.

What that development might be is a question. He for one isn't convinced the development of meeting space at the Casino New Brunswick complex in Magnetic Hill will completely negate the need for more meeting space downtown.

Meanwhile, Allain said the Beaver property would be a big enough parcel of land for a metro centre, which he identified as the number one priority of DMCI's members, the business community of downtown. Allain said there were other options for that in the downtown as well.
_____________
That whole situation is embarrassing. The city caved, gave a huge peace of prime real estate to a developer with no requirements that anything actually get built, and worst of all, WE'RE PAYING THE TAXES ON IT! I think it's more than high time for the city to ditch Verdiroc. They haven't done a damned thing in ten years. Either use the land for something, or sell it to a local developer so that somebody actually uses it.

And for the record. Rogers could have been just as significant a project in downtown if it was half as big and twice as tall.

[benvui]

I curse that parking lot at the Rogers call-center every time I drive by it.
I think that is prime land and if you added the property that Oultons is on (I'm sure Oulton's wouldn't object if someone gave them a nice sum of cash to move) you would have a really good size lot that would be a great spot for a new arena type development (please stop calling it a Metro Center there is already one of those in the Maritimes, some originality would be nice). Having that building in the downtown core would be great for local businesses.