[Moncton] Downtown Developments - Page 237

MonctonRad · #**4721** Posted **May 14, 2020, 2:09 AM**

Here are a few images from the May PAC agenda regarding the new Codiac RCMP Headquarters on Albert Street.

Site Plan:

Elevation:

Render

Not much new here beyond what we already knew, but the render is of better quality, and I think gives a better idea of the external appearances of the building. Also, the connection between the parking lot of this building and Vaughan Harvey Blvd is revealed to be an emergency escape route for RCMP cruisers, and will be controlled by an electronic gate.

theshark · #**4722** Posted **May 14, 2020, 12:51 PM**

I suspect the city will also cut the median on V-H at the emergency exit to facilitate left turn for responding units. It would just make sense.

Looks like the holding cells will be to the right. Small high windows on the facade and two garage doors for the drop off area.

Is it the plan to have all the cruisers and equipment in an underground garage?

MonctonRad · #**4723** Posted **May 14, 2020, 1:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshark

Is it the plan to have all the cruisers and equipment in an underground garage?

Good question. There appears to be abundant surface parking, but there are 150 RCMP constables on the force, and then there are all the support staff. There are garage entrances on both sides of the building, so underground parking certainly be included.

jonny golden · #**4724** Posted **May 14, 2020, 1:45 PM**

Excavator is digging up the grass in front of City Hall this morning for Gerald LeBlanc park.

jonny golden · #**4725** Posted **May 15, 2020, 5:17 PM**

Driving down Main Street today I noticed that there were several windows open on the front of the Higgins Block building & that the lights were on inside. Seems like they're doing some work on the interior.

Nashe · #**4726** Posted **May 21, 2020, 11:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Driving down Main Street today I noticed that there were several windows open on the front of the Higgins Block building & that the lights were on inside. Seems like they're doing some work on the interior.

And the exterior! Windows going into the front now. Either that or they're just using the lift to move drywall and stuff in... though they have a lot of openings for it to be that, and main street wouldn't be the best side for it.

theshark · #**4727** Posted **May 21, 2020, 12:15 PM**

Wow! Night and day! ^^^

MonctonRad · #**4728** Posted **May 21, 2020, 12:26 PM**

Indeed.

The simple act of putting new windows in the Higgins Block is going to do just as much to improve the overall look and feel of the downtown as a new 15 storey office tower would.

Nashe · #**4729** Posted **May 21, 2020, 12:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Indeed.

The simple act of putting new windows in the Higgins Block is going to do just as much to improve the overall look and feel of the downtown as a new 15 storey office tower would.

Not to mention that EVEN if there weren't immediate plans to renovate much inside, new windows keep the building from going downhill further, at least, by sealing the weather out better.

jonny golden · #**4730** Posted **May 21, 2020, 12:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Indeed.

The simple act of putting new windows in the Higgins Block is going to do just as much to improve the overall look and feel of the downtown as a new 15 storey office tower would.

Agreed. Any downtown building with boarded up windows creates a bad image. The Higgins block and the one on the corner of Main & King were real eyesores, but now they'll both look so much nicer.

Eventually when these buildings are full of tenants, they'll really add to the vibrancy of downtown. The Higgins building when fully leased will contribute a lot more downtown workers for the surrounding businesses.

I hope the virus doesn't negatively impact downtown expansion too much. Love to see Ashford start something on the Paramount site!

jonny golden · #**4731** Posted **May 21, 2020, 5:00 PM**

I noticed today that there is a sign on the Keating's Tobacco building: "Now under construction, MacGillivary Law". We knew they were coming. Not sure exactly how many, but more employees will be working in the core of downtown.

MonctonRad · #**4732** Posted **May 22, 2020, 1:34 PM**

Current status of the Hilton Garden Inn

photo from Mayor Dawn Arnold's FB page

josh_cat_eyes · #**4733** Posted **May 22, 2020, 2:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Current status of the Hyatt Place Hotel

photo from Mayor Dawn Arnold's FB page

Isn’t the Hyatt Place the one on the corner of main? This one is the new Hilton is it not?

905er · #**4734** Posted **May 22, 2020, 2:59 PM**

i was about to comment that I'd buy a unit in one of those thinking it was a trendy new condo. That looks really sharp for a Hyatt or Hilton... well done Moncton!!

NBNYer · #**4735** Posted **May 22, 2020, 3:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

Isn’t the Hyatt Place the one on the corner of main? This one is the new Hilton is it not?

Yes, this is the Hilton Garden Inn. The one just out of view and at the intersection with Main street is the Hyatt Place.

MonctonRad · #**4736** Posted **May 22, 2020, 3:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

Isn’t the Hyatt Place the one on the corner of main? This one is the new Hilton is it not?

Yes, my bad, I had a brain fart. It is indeed the Hilton Garden Inn.

jonny golden · #**4737** Posted **May 22, 2020, 5:29 PM**

Apparently there were planners with paperwork inside the building on the corner of St. George & Archibald. Could we see another downtown building being redeveloped?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...xpTXVL6S&ifg=1

josh_cat_eyes · #**4738** Posted **May 24, 2020, 8:46 PM**

The more I see pictures of Hyatt place and Junction Village, the more I think they made big mistakes by underestimating the size of the market. Hyatt place easily could have had 2-3 more floors if they were condo units. And Junction Village probably could have been 8-10 storey buildings instead of 6. Seeing that new development on Twin Oaks so easily dwarf these downtown developments is discouraging. Awesome for the city, but it still creates sprawl which is the opposite of what the city is going for. Fingers crossed for the developments behind assumption place.

jonny golden · #**4739** Posted **May 26, 2020, 1:33 PM**

Apparently the city of Moncton is looking into making a portion of Main Street one way. It would allow for a bike lane and more space for outdoor patios. The idea was presented to city council on Monday. Mayor Arnold has said that she thinks it's a great idea.

MonctonRad · #**4740** Posted **May 26, 2020, 2:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Apparently the city of Moncton is looking into making a portion of Main Street one way. It would allow for a bike lane and more space for outdoor patios. The idea was presented to city council on Monday. Mayor Arnold has said that she thinks it's a great idea.

Very bad idea. Main Street needs to be two way. If necessary, I could see getting rid of the on street parking on Main Street to create room for expanded patios, or to make things easier for cyclists.

Hopefully if the city does this, it will only be a temporary measure to help downtown bars and restaurants during the pandemic crisis. As a permanent measure however, this will be a disaster.

As I said on a related thread, I have nothing against pedestrianizing certain downtown streets to improve ambience, but these should be side streets, or at least not major thoroughfares. Main Street is just too vital as a cross town connector to make any sense for this move however.