The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[MonctonRad]

Nav Canada has announced that it will be hiring 100 additional air traffic controllers in Moncton over the next 5 years.

http://ici.radio-canada.ca/regions/atlantique/2015/10/19/001-nav-canada-embauche-moncton.shtml


Excellent!

All high paying jobs too........

[habs33]

Moncton aims to build new $41M police station
Moncton city council has approved in principle its 2016 capital works budget that lays out plans for a new $41-million police station to be built in 2019.

https://www.telegraphjournal.com/telegraph-journal/story/44460168/?nopromo=1

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

So that's the year following completion of the events centre. Good timing for the trades industries in the city.

If I was to guess, they will build the new police station on the NW corner of Assumption and Downing Street. They will want to build it downtown and that location would be convenient to both the court house and to city hall. It would also serve as a major anchor for the Downing Street reconstruction (although I certainly hope that the remainder of Downing Street is left for retail and residential buildings).

[MonctonRad]

Here's a good resource to while away your time with - http://censusmapper.ca

It allows you to create all sorts of different maps using census data from Statistics Canada.

Here is my first offering using this site:

Density of Trick-or-Treat Aged Children in the Greater Moncton Area

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z411/MonctonRad/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-31%20at%2011.28.52%20AM.png

Happy Hallowe'en everyone....... :D

PS - I live in one of the highest density neighbourhoods according to this map, and I can attest to the veracity of the data. I currently have 450 treats waiting in my dining room for the onslaught this evening....... :eek:

[NBNYer]

I've heard that BMM is looking seriously at 2 sites for their campus in the metro area. One is on Harrisville blvd and the other on Aviation Ave. There is also a third potential site on the southern extension of Dieppe blvd but that appears to be the least favored due to it being mainly residential and in close proximity to the site of the future new middle school.

[MonctonRad]

I've heard that BMM is looking seriously at 2 sites for their campus in the metro area. One is on Harrisville blvd and the other on Aviation Ave. There is also a third potential site on the southern extension of Dieppe blvd but that appears to be the least favored due to it being mainly residential and in close proximity to the site of the future new middle school.

In some ways I find that disappointing. I would think the Emmerson Park area would be ideal, especially given the fact it was developed as a "business park"........ :(

Aviation Avenue would be understandable, but Harrisville Blvd was supposed to be groomed as a retail area wasn't it?

[NBNYer]

In some ways I find that disappointing. I would think the Emmerson Park area would be ideal, especially given the fact it was developed as a "business park"........ :(

Aviation Avenue would be understandable, but Harrisville Blvd was supposed to be groomed as a retail area wasn't it?

I also think Emmerson would have been a better site. However, between the two, I prefer Aviation Ave. Harrisville is ideally located to become a major commercial strip at some point in the future.

In similar news, it was previously mentioned that NBCC/CCNB already have new programs tailored to BMM's requirements for their future workforce in the area and apparently they are now in talks with 2 other IT companies for similar educational program development that are looking to set up facilities in the area. I've heard of another potential 600+ jobs over the next 5 years. Still rumors for now but this sector looks to be a major up-and-coming employer in the region.

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

Good to hear.

Moncton has already developed as a hub for the gaming industry. There is considerable overlap between gaming and IT (both are heavily intensive with computer skill and programming). If what you are saying is true, Moncton is positioning itself well for the future...... :tup:

[Mapleton_Roadie]

It makes no sense to do a roundabout here unless they expand the current one for Champlain and East Main and Lewisville Rd.
The fire station's construction needed so much roadwork done that any cost savings on the land likely was lost on the grade changes. Plus the station was designed as a drive-through station so apparatus movement would be safer. I have seen the congestion the firefighters face trying to get in or out of the station and then to go add the "confusion" of a traffic circle for drivers trying make way. I dunno but sounds like a poor poor idea. So was the new stop sign down by St.Hubert's.
If a roundabout was built by intersection of tch off ramp, Hampton Inn and Mapleton road that might be OK. Traffic there is getting nuts with a lot of impatient and unattentive drivers.

[BlackYear]

So was the new stop sign down by St.Hubert's.
.

:haha:I know!:haha:

99.99% of drivers that I've seen so far are rolling right through it as well!

[NBNYer]

:haha:I know!:haha:

99.99% of drivers that I've seen so far are rolling right through it as well!

The worst thing about that area is that people don't use the double turning lanes from Mapleton southbound on to Carson. Line-ups routinely reach the overpass but it could be avoided if people just used the other lane.

[Sandbagger]

The worst thing about that area is that people don't use the double turning lanes from Mapleton southbound on to Carson. Line-ups routinely reach the overpass but it could be avoided if people just used the other lane.

Absolutely. I save about 2 or 3 lights every time with the Carson Ghost Lane (CGL).

The problem with that second lane though is that it ends inexplicably after just a couple hundred metres, if that. Pretty much the only reason you're turning onto Carson is to turn left into the shopping area or onto Wheeler and it all happens very quickly. Drivers here just don't know how to merge properly so I think they can't be bothered to use it. It's also a bit dangerous. You have cars stopping for a quick left into Montana's/HomeDepot and other cars racing around the outside to try and get in, plus other morons racing to not let them in, all in a short distance. Seems like it could be alleviated if they just extended the second lane all the way to the stop sign.

[Sunnybrae]

The worst thing about that area is that people don't use the double turning lanes from Mapleton southbound on to Carson. Line-ups routinely reach the overpass but it could be avoided if people just used the other lane.

I think the problem with the two turn lanes is that the left lane should have been dedicated to turning into the Home Depot area and the right lane for Wheeler and the dead end. Instead, they put the left lane as both Wheeler and Home Depot and the right lane as dead end. People in this town don't like to let people change lanes and will tailgate so you can't. If you get stuck in the right lane trying to get to Wheeler, you will have a hard time.

[MonctonRad]

Stats for the customer contact industry in Moncton. From the T&T today:

Contact centres - 44
Employees - 18,000 :eek:
Economic impact - $380M

[mctnguy]

Stats for the customer contact industry in Moncton. From the T&T today:

Contact centres - 44
Employees - 18,000 :eek:
Economic impact - $380M

That's about 400 per center.

[pierremoncton]

Renaissance Petitcodiac
http://www.renaissancepetitcodiac.ca/

AN AMBITIOUS STRATEGY TO ACCOMPLISH, BY 2025,
SEVEN MAJOR PRIORITIES FOR THE PETITCODIAC RIVER VALLEY.

MISSION

The Mission of the Renaissance Commission is to assist affected communities along the Petitcodiac River valley to rebuild their public river access infrastructure, renew with their Bay of Fundy maritime heritage and achieve maximum economic and social spinoffs from the River Restoration Project. The Commission will accomplish these objectives by working in close collaboration with community stakeholders and governments to achieve or facilitate the implementation of the seven Renaissance Plan priorities. Its work is expected to be completed by 2025.

SEVEN PRIORITIES

The Renaissance Plan (2015) calls on the Renaissance Commission to accomplish, by 2025, the following seven major priorities:

1. A local Economic and Social Benefit Optimization Strategy for the $50 million Partial Bridge and $80 million Secondary Treatment projects
2. A regional River Access and Navigation Strategy
3. A regional Tidal Bore and Fundy Tide Interpretation Strategy
4. A regional Maritime Landmark Development Strategy
5. A regional Riverfront Trail Strategy
6. A Riverfront District Planning Strategy
7. A Heritage River Development Strategy

http://nebula.wsimg.com/4ade8c7202f2cc5e0ff8577784ee87bb?AccessKeyId=E2F1CB2CE1BC25CABBA2&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Priority 6 is the most exciting in my opinion:

Objective: To design and promote a Riverfront District planning strategy for the communities lining the Petitcodiac River valley.

The successful restoration of the Petitcodiac has sparked a renewed interest amongst residents of the region to live, work and spend quality time in closer proximity to the river. Over the past 50 years, riverfront planning has however largely been ignored, improvised or sporadically implemented, leaving a patchwork of retail, office, public space and residential zones often lacking cohesion and connectivity. Many riverfront property owners and developers have in the past, nevertheless, expressed the desire to see riverfront district planning strategies developed for the region, an objective to which the Commission will attend to.

A Riverfront District Planning Strategy will deliver the following results:

identify key riverfront districts suitable for riverfront living and implement solutions to promote their cohesive development, in close collaboration with waterfront property developers and owners, planning agencies and municipalities;
create new opportunities for waterfront retail, tourism development and residential living.

My comments: The bolded section (my emphasis) is 100% correct. Our riverfront is completely underutilized or misused to the point of being sad. It's disjointed and bleak.

Completing these goals by 2025 may be realistic elsewhere, but this city and province are notoriously slow in getting things done, so this timeline is pretty ambitious. If only we had politicians with the will and vision to push our communities to change, Moncton could be completely different in less than a generation; the new events centre is a single piece of the puzzle which, in my opinion, will fail to redraw anything unless we line up all the pieces together: investments in riverfront restoration; amalgamation to increase developmental cohesion; and most importantly, property tax reform to incentivize inward growth.

An article from Acadie Nouvelle: http://www.acadienouvelle.com/actualites/2015/11/16/un-plan-de-10-ans-pour-donner-une-nouvelle-vie-a-la-riviere-petitcodiac/

News release: http://www.renaissancepetitcodiac.ca/13-november-2015.html

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

Good post Pierre, I pretty much agree with everything you said.

[MonctonRad]

from the City of Moncton website:

Open House: Rabbit Brook Trail
November 17, 2015
from the City of Moncton website:

MONCTON – The City of Moncton would like to invite residents to an open house on Phase 2 of the Rabbit Brook Trail development.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 18, 2015
TIME: 7 – 9 pm
LOCATION: YWCA, 135 Kendra Street, Moncton

This trail development is part of the City’s overall Active Transportation Plan. The plan for the trail will be available for public viewing and city staff will be available to answer questions relating to location and construction timelines. Plans will also be available on the City of Moncton website.

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z411/MonctonRad/Snapbucket/Moncton%20Construction%202015/Screen%20Shot%202015-11-17%20at%2011.34.30%20PM.png

[BlackYear]

from the City of Moncton website:

Open House: Rabbit Brook Trail
November 17, 2015
from the City of Moncton website:

MONCTON – The City of Moncton would like to invite residents to an open house on Phase 2 of the Rabbit Brook Trail development.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 18, 2015
TIME: 7 – 9 pm
LOCATION: YWCA, 135 Kendra Street, Moncton

This trail development is part of the City’s overall Active Transportation Plan. The plan for the trail will be available for public viewing and city staff will be available to answer questions relating to location and construction timelines. Plans will also be available on the City of Moncton website.



Awesome! The more the merrier. I'm an active off road mt-biker during the summer and we do have some great trails around town.

From what I can see on Moncton's Active Transportation Master Plan, looks like there's more to come. :tup:
https://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Residents+English/Roads+and+Transportation/ATmasterplan.pdf

[mctnguy]

Awesome! The more the merrier. I'm an active off road mt-biker during the summer and we do have some great trails around town.

From what I can see on Moncton's Active Transportation Master Plan, looks like there's more to come. :tup:
https://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Residents+English/Roads+and+Transportation/ATmasterplan.pdf

Looks like they are planning a pedestrian overpass on Ryan Road to cross over the highway!

http://i.imgur.com/ECmGOEo.png

:tup:

[MonctonRad]

Looks like they are planning a pedestrian overpass on Ryan Road to cross over the highway!

http://i.imgur.com/ECmGOEo.png

:tup:

Good pick-up! :tup:

I didn't notice that.

[MonctonRad]

Renaissance Petitcodiac website:

http://www.renaissancepetitcodiac.ca/riverfront-districts.html

http://nebula.wsimg.com/8cd508038dfaed7b47019eac3bc6f0b2?AccessKeyId=E2F1CB2CE1BC25CABBA2&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

[NBNYer]

Renaissance Petitcodiac website:

http://www.renaissancepetitcodiac.ca/riverfront-districts.html

http://nebula.wsimg.com/8cd508038dfaed7b47019eac3bc6f0b2?AccessKeyId=E2F1CB2CE1BC25CABBA2&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Looks amazing and I hope to see something similar to this on our waterfront in my lifetime but unfortunately I'm not that optimistic. :(

[Monctoncore]

http://mhmf2016.weebly.com/

I'm not sure if anyone has saw this yet, but if this is real that's going to be a huge concert for the city. It's popping up all over the place... The website just doesn't seem legit to me, but maybe I am wrong. Anyway I though I would post this just in case that this is real.

[MonctonRad]

http://mhmf2016.weebly.com/

I'm not sure if anyone has saw this yet, but if this is real that's going to be a huge concert for the city. It's popping up all over the place... The website just doesn't seem legit to me, but maybe I am wrong. Anyway I though I would post this just in case that this is real.

Interesting.

The website seems a tad informal to me. I'm suspicious.

One things for sure, I wouldn't buy any tickets from their website yet; at least not without some confirmation from the legitimate media - that's for damned sure!!! :)

[mylesmalley]

Interesting.

The website seems a tad informal to me. I'm suspicious.

One things for sure, I wouldn't buy any tickets from their website yet; at least not without some confirmation from the legitimate media - that's for damned sure!!! :)

The ad at the bottom for setting up a free website is a nice touch :haha:

[Hogie75]

I have reported the site as it is full of misspellings and just all around seems suspicious. I invite you all to do the same. http://www.weebly.com/contact

[Nashe]

I can guarantee it's not real.

[pierremoncton]

:previous:

T&T is reporting that the city has confirmed it's not real: "to our knowledge, it is a college web development project."

[Scarface]

:previous:

T&T is reporting that the city has confirmed it's not real: "to our knowledge, it is a college web development project."

XL96 has as well http://xl96.com/news.asp?mn=14&id=2493&cc=108&pg=1

[Good2go]

City of Moncton's Facebook post...

https://www.facebook.com/cityofmoncton.villedemoncton/photos/a.204119249603579.65039.174130449269126/1213329072015920/?type=3&permPage=1

[Monctoncore]

Haha I thought so, I was posting it just in case

[mylesmalley]

Looks as though the aerial imagery for the city has been updated again on Google Maps. I'd say late September. The 3-story office building at the corner of Champlain and Marché is up, as is the C-3 building on Aviation. You can see steel going up on the new dealerships across from the airport.

[gehrhardt]

Looks as though the aerial imagery for the city has been updated again on Google Maps. I'd say late September. The 3-story office building at the corner of Champlain and Marché is up, as is the C-3 building on Aviation. You can see steel going up on the new dealerships across from the airport.

I'd say Sept 5th or 6th. We built a garage in September, and I can see the progress and match it up with my own photos. :)

[Scarface]

It might have been like that for a while but I noticed today that the Rooming house across from Pizza Hut has been demolished, and the land is for sale. Anyone know what has been going on there?

[MonctonRad]

Abridged - from CBC:

Pan Am Games squash courts have a new home in Moncton
Moncton club put in winning presentation to acquire courts used at 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto
CBC News Posted: Dec 31, 2015 8:08 PM AT Last Updated: Dec 31, 2015 8:08 PM AT

The Squash Moncton club is a few weeks away from unveiling three state-of-the-art courts used at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto.

The club beat out others from across Canada to win the "Pan Am Legacy Courts".

The three courts were purchased by the federal government for the Pan Am and ParaPan Am Games, and are valued at $250,000.

Equipment and infrastructure is being re-purposed and sent across the country to help amateur sports grow.

"It rewards a community of people who have the leadership and ambition to further the growth of the sport of squash in Atlantic Canada," said Dan Wolfenden, Executive Director of Squash Canada in a news release.

"It opens the opportunity for junior leagues, women's leagues, corporate leagues, and adult leagues," said Prieditis.

The addition of the three Pan Am Games courts doubles the number of courts available to the members of Squash Moncton.

"I think it's great, the courts are beautiful, I played last year at the Master's team nationals, and it looks exactly like how the courts looked last year in Montreal. So it's really exciting,"

Squash Moncton is now the largest squash facility in Atlantic Canada, and Prieditis said the new courts will mean the club will attract the country's top players.

"This is now the national training centre for softball doubles. They're going to be putting on training camps and exhibitions and clinics, this is huge for the region," said Prieditis.

The courts were made in Germany, with mechanized moveable side walls to widen the court for doubles, and the floors have special grips.

"They had three people from Czechoslovakia and three from Toronto setting them up, so they're really world-class courts. It's really great." said club member George Colpitts.

For those who don't know, Squash Moncton is located in the old Dud James Arena next to the Kiwanis baseball field.

Moncton has really developed some nice sporting facilities over the last 10-15 years or so, including Squash Moncton, the Moncton Stadium (track & field), the velodrome and aquatic centre in Dieppe, CEPS at U de M, The CN Sportsplex & the 4-Ice Centre at the old CN shops location, the refurbished Kiwanis Park for baseball, the refurbished Rocky Stone Field for football and soon the events centre downtown. This is all good to see......

[mylesmalley]

Neat to see some of the facilities being spread around the country as well.

[MonctonRad]

So I see that George LeBlanc is not going to reoffer as mayor of Moncton.

This is sad news. I think he has represented our city quite well, both in good times and in bad. If it wasn't for him, the events centre project would never have gotten off the ground.

Any thoughts out there as to who might try and replace him?

I imagine there will be tremendous pressure on Dawn Arnold to run. She's vivacious and bilingual and has a high profile. I don't think Moncton has ever had a female mayor before.

I wonder if Brian Murphy would try again?

I hope Hicks and Bourgeois give this one a pass..........

[Patapouf26]

Any thoughts out there as to who might try and replace him?

I imagine there will be tremendous pressure on Dawn Arnold to run. She's vivacious and bilingual and has a high profile. I don't think Moncton has ever had a female mayor before.

I can't think of anyone better!

[mylesmalley]

I can't think of anyone better!

Likewise. Dawn Arnold has been an excellent councillor. She's very involved in the community and goes to great lengths to be accessible, like her booth at the market and to make the workings of city council accessible to the public, such as her detailed summaries of meetings and explanations on why she votes certain ways.

[OliverD]

Heard that the owner of TriStar Mercedes-Benz in Saint John is going to expand to Moncton with a full dealership with construction beginning this year and an opening date in 2017. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

[MonctonRad]

Heard that the owner of TriStar Mercedes-Benz in Saint John is going to expand to Moncton with a full dealership with construction beginning this year and an opening date in 2017. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

Nope, I've not heard this specifically, but I wouldn't be overly surprised. I think there's a lot of pent up interest in Mercedes here, but the default luxury cars in the city are BMW and Audi because we have the dealerships. Having to get your servicing done hundreds of kms away is a big turn off.

This could be a pre-emptive strike too, since Steele Group from Halifax is very seriously considering a Jaguar/Porsche/Land Rover dealership in the city. If Mercedes got established first, this might affect the Steele Group's plans.........

[pierremoncton]

For anyone interested in historical perspectives, I'm sharing this paper which appears to have been written in 1998: http://www8.umoncton.ca/umcm-vincent_guy/GEOG2701/Vincent%20-%20Moncton%20a%20pivotal%20city.pdf


The Greater Moncton Planning Commission produced, in 1975, a strategic development plan. That project relied on available data at that time, and data however reliable, that reflected trends of that era too. These were still booming years following World War II, an era marked by comparatively high household and family formation, fertility rates and the accompanying burgeoning of ever spreading suburbia. According to prediction derived from official data, Greater Moncton was expected to reach, what seems in retrospective a highly optimistic estimation, a population of 170,000 people by 1990. However, as was the case throughout North America, what has happened has been outrageously different: population totals about 110 000, and most significantly is the far greater variety of household arragements that now exists, and that requires different housing needs.

[MonctonRad]

The Huffington Post has just declared that Moncton is the 4th best place in the entire Dominion to be looking for a job!

If so, this is a sad indictment on the current state of the Canadian economy..... :haha:

The Huffington list is as follows:

#1 - Guelph ON
#2 - Regina SK
#3 - Quebec City QC
#4 - Moncton NB
#5 - Vancouver BC
#6 - Edmonton AB
#7 - Toronto ON
#8 - Kingston ON
#9 - London ON
#10 - Winnipeg MB

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/01/13/best-cities-for-work-canada-bmo_n_8970958.html

If someone you knew needed a job fast, where would you advise them to move? A few years ago you probably would have said Alberta without thinking about it. Today, things aren’t so clear.

But the latest edition of BMO’s regional labour market reports card gives us some idea where to look.

[josh_cat_eyes]

For anyone interested in historical perspectives, I'm sharing this paper which appears to have been written in 1998: http://www8.umoncton.ca/umcm-vincent_guy/GEOG2701/Vincent%20-%20Moncton%20a%20pivotal%20city.pdf

Good read, I enjoyed that! I laughed at seeing the Champlain Sobeys facade being the exact same for 20 years. I think it's time for an update haha.

[Mattyyy]

I was reading somewhere (I forget where) that there was a high probability the Feds would come through with funding to build a bridge to replace the causeway this year. It basically argued that with no major infrastructure projects occurring in the province, lack of job growth, and the especially with the closure of the mine in Sussex major infrastructure projects will likely get more attention. Thoughts?

[pierremoncton]

I was reading somewhere (I forget where) that there was a high probability the Feds would come through with funding to build a bridge to replace the causeway this year. It basically argued that with no major infrastructure projects occurring in the province, lack of job growth, and the especially with the closure of the mine in Sussex major infrastructure projects will likely get more attention. Thoughts?

Replacing the causeway would be nice, but it would provide no substantial benefit. I might be going off-topic, but I'd love to see the province think outside the box and ask for funds to build a robust shared trail network reaching all corners of the province.

Such a network would: (a) produce the initial jobs to build it (which would likely span a term longer than replacing the bridge), (b) provide long-term economic touristic spin-offs (as opposed to a bridge which would have zero returns), (c) have low recurring maintenance cost, and (d) add to our options of outdoor activities.

A few years ago, an ambitious plan to connect Acadian communities from Memramcook to Caraquet (including a link from Moncton to Shediac) had been announced, but nothing ever came out of it, and it's since been abandoned (http://www.sentierdeletoile.ca/home.html).

Cyclotourists generally spend a lot of money in restaurants, campgrounds & hotels. In Québec, la Route verte spans 5,300 km and was projected -- back in 2006 -- to generate economic spin-offs of $134M.

On PEI, a study showed that 59% of people using the Confederation Trail are from out of province, 63% of trail users are cyclists, and that trail-related spending accounts for 29% of all trip spending: http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2013-07-23/article-3325810/Study-shows-Confederation-Trail-is-making-an-impression/1

My own experience is only anecdotal, but I've cycled both the Confederation Trail and the Cabot Trail. With their vast network, I'll likely be cycling in Québec at some point as well. In New Brunswick, options are very limited: short in-city trails, and few rural roads with paved shoulders; the safest routes between the three main cities are on highways 1 & 2, which are hardly scenic or pleasant. We have hills in the Fundy region that rival Cape Breton's, and long flat terrain in other parts of the province similar to PEI, but we haven't thought to capitalize on this potential market.

It's a shame that we don't even have a safe cycling route from Moncton to Shediac. I may be biased, but I see so much touristic potential in being able to promote staying in a Moncton hotel and cycling to Parlee Beach, or staying in a Shediac motel and cycling to downtown Moncton, all on the comfort of a cool, shaded trail in the forest in the midst of summer.

I'm not suggesting that such an investment would pay off huge dividends, but unless we think Moncton will ever be a port city again, its economic and social impacts would still be far greater than what replacing the causeway could ever accomplish.

More options specifically within the Moncton area:

- build that AT bridge across the causeway traffic circle that the city proposed years ago;
- build an overpass over Hwy 15 to reconnect Highlandview Rd with Dieppe;
- build an AT bridge from Massey Ave to the Humphrey Brook Trail;
- build a trail along the railway from the Via station to Humphrey Brook;
- build the basic infrastructure required to support residences & retail along our riverfront...

[Mattyyy]

Replacing the causeway would be nice, but it would provide no substantial benefit. I might be going off-topic, but I'd love to see the province think outside the box and ask for funds to build a robust shared trail network reaching all corners of the province.

Such a network would: (a) produce the initial jobs to build it (which would likely span a term longer than replacing the bridge), (b) provide long-term economic touristic spin-offs (as opposed to a bridge which would have zero returns), (c) have low recurring maintenance cost, and (d) add to our options of outdoor activities.

A few years ago, an ambitious plan to connect Acadian communities from Memramcook to Caraquet (including a link from Moncton to Shediac) had been announced, but nothing ever came out of it, and it's since been abandoned (http://www.sentierdeletoile.ca/home.html).

Cyclotourists generally spend a lot of money in restaurants, campgrounds & hotels. In Québec, la Route verte spans 5,300 km and was projected -- back in 2006 -- to generate economic spin-offs of $134M.

On PEI, a study showed that 59% of people using the Confederation Trail are from out of province, 63% of trail users are cyclists, and that trail-related spending accounts for 29% of all trip spending: http://www.journalpioneer.com/News/Local/2013-07-23/article-3325810/Study-shows-Confederation-Trail-is-making-an-impression/1

My own experience is only anecdotal, but I've cycled both the Confederation Trail and the Cabot Trail. With their vast network, I'll likely be cycling in Québec at some point as well. In New Brunswick, options are very limited: short in-city trails, and few rural roads with paved shoulders; the safest routes between the three main cities are on highways 1 & 2, which are hardly scenic or pleasant. We have hills in the Fundy region that rival Cape Breton's, and long flat terrain in other parts of the province similar to PEI, but we haven't thought to capitalize on this potential market.

It's a shame that we don't even have a safe cycling route from Moncton to Shediac. I may be biased, but I see so much touristic potential in being able to promote staying in a Moncton hotel and cycling to Parlee Beach, or staying in a Shediac motel and cycling to downtown Moncton, all on the comfort of a cool, shaded trail in the forest in the midst of summer.

I'm not suggesting that such an investment would pay off huge dividends, but unless we think Moncton will ever be a port city again, its economic and social impacts would still be far greater than what replacing the causeway could ever accomplish.

More options specifically within the Moncton area:

- build that AT bridge across the causeway traffic circle that the city proposed years ago;
- build an overpass over Hwy 15 to reconnect Highlandview Rd with Dieppe;
- build an AT bridge from Massey Ave to the Humphrey Brook Trail;
- build a trail along the railway from the Via station to Humphrey Brook;
- build the basic infrastructure required to support residences & retail along our riverfront...

No substantial benefit and zero returns to replacing the causeway? I would argue that in detail if I had the time as I completely disagree with your view. The benefits of fully restoring the Petitcodiac are numerous and aside from the positive environmental impacts it has already attracted international attention with surfers from around the world. I believe the river take on a much more central role to Moncton's future development whereas it hasn't for the past 50 years because it was downright ugly. Building a trail network to connect the whole province in my mind would be a massive waste of money. We already have a nationwide trail, from East to West, as well as 2 National Parks in this province full of trails - and they are underutilized as is. Sure, Quebec may have over 5,000 km of biking trails however they also have over 8 million people. I could only imagine how few people would use a trail from Shediac to Caraquet, especially as you get further North. I fully support most projects that encourage physical activity however I could think of plenty of other places I would put cash earmarked for such projects.

[Scarface]

No substantial benefit and zero returns to replacing the causeway? I would argue that in detail if I had the time as I completely disagree with your view. The benefits of fully restoring the Petitcodiac are numerous and aside from the positive environmental impacts it has already attracted international attention with surfers from around the world. I believe the river take on a much more central role to Moncton's future development whereas it hasn't for the past 50 years because it was downright ugly. Building a trail network to connect the whole province in my mind would be a massive waste of money. We already have a nationwide trail, from East to West, as well as 2 National Parks in this province full of trails - and they are underutilized as is. Sure, Quebec may have over 5,000 km of biking trails however they also have over 8 million people. I could only imagine how few people would use a trail from Shediac to Caraquet, especially as you get further North. I fully support most projects that encourage physical activity however I could think of plenty of other places I would put cash earmarked for such projects.

Potential Benefits to replacing the Causeway
1. Potentially stop the constant flooding in the area.
2. Potentially lowers traffic issues

those are the only 2 I can think about from the top of my head at the moment. :yes:

[David_99]

1. Potentially stop the constant flooding in the area.
2. Potentially lowers traffic issues

3. Beautifying the riverfront in the downtown area that they have been trying to reinvigorate.
4. Potentially bigger Tidal Bores would be a great tourist attraction, which would bring in more surfers, which would again increase tourism and waterfront events/activities.

[Mattyyy]

3. Beautifying the riverfront in the downtown area that they have been trying to reinvigorate.
4. Potentially bigger Tidal Bores would be a great tourist attraction, which would bring in more surfers, which would again increase tourism and waterfront events/activities.

5. Infrastructure projects are good for the local economies

[pierremoncton]

I admit I wasn't thinking about current flooding issues and potential touristic windfalls with respect to the bore. With that in mind, I realize my suggestions may appear harebrained; however:

I'm also aware that our population is much smaller than Québec's, and so is our territory, so I wasn't suggesting that we match their 5,300 km of trails. I'm withdrawing my argument that there are no benefits to replacing the causeway, but I stick to my argument that we could all benefit (socially and economically) from a solid trail network.

By definition, any spending is good for the economy. If Ottawa is looking to invest money in projects to kick-start the economy, those projects also need to provide long-term social benefit; just moving currency around by digging holes on make-work projects is silly at best.

All in all, it's disappointing to live in a province where so many projects are proposed and announced yet fail to come to fruition. In fact, the same thing happened with the causeway replacement: the first commitment was announced back in 2007.

Do we know how much federal money is available for the province, how much the causeway replacement would cost, and whether or not that would include rejigging the traffic circle? In 2007, the projected cost was $68M for a four-lane bridge; I would expect that to reach close to $100M by now.

[L'homard]

I think fixing the sewage treatment plant will come before replacing the causeway.
My prediction is that the feds will chip in at least 33 per cent on this project, with the blessing of the three mayors, with the argument being that we need a clean river before we need a freer flowing river.
I see merit to this argument.
PS This is just my own personal opinion. I have no insider info on this. But it seems logical to first worry about the 120,000 people's poop in the water. I would bet money that if you would ask the three mayors what their #1 big-ticket infrastructure item is, this would be it (with a caveat from Moncton that they need the rest of the promised federal money for the DT Centre which hasn't all arrived yet as far as I know.)

[pierremoncton]

Guadeloupe has withdrawn its bid to host the 2021 Francophonie Games, which leaves Moncton-Dieppe & Sherbrooke. Decision to be announced in October.

http://www.acadienouvelle.com/sports/2016/01/27/jeux-de-la-francophonie-de-2021-entre-moncton-dieppe-et-sherbrooke/

[Patapouf26]

I don't remember if this has been discussed previously, but according to this article, the residential vacancy rate has been improving over the last years. This is all according to the CMHC.

2013 - 9.1 %
2014 - 8.7 %
2015 - 7.4 %

So, even with all the excessive rental constructions, things don't seem too alarming. Things have slowed down during the last few years so that, now, there are less vacancies.

The article also tries to explain why constrution of these residential complexes may still be going strong. Basically, the population is still growing and more people are retiring (growing old and downsizing).

AN in french : http://www.acadienouvelle.com/actualites/2016/01/28/moncton-croit-elle-trop-vite/

[L'homard]

Now, add 250 refugee families to those rates, and 500 in total by the end of the year, and things are looking really good in the rental biz.

[Patapouf26]

According to l'AN, from a report from StatsCan published Wednesday, Moncton's population grew 1.3 % between 2014 and 2015. Population : 147 968.

Source : http://www.acadienouvelle.com/actualites/2016/02/11/le-grand-moncton-plus-populeux-que-li-p-e/

Seems like a healthy growth rate. If it continues at the same pace, Moncton should be very close to 150K by the end of the year (2016). I believe the next major census numbers will be coming out this year anyways.

[trev71]

Good to see Canadian Tire moving into the old Target slot on Mountain Road. Went to the to their old current location, one on the way to Halifax to get new wiper blades and that old store was a mess. They said all the stock was being taken to the new store. Any word what is moving into the old Canadian Tire building that looks like a decent piece of property

[MonctonRad]

Good to see Canadian Tire moving into the old Target slot on Mountain Road. Went to the to their old current location, one on the way to Halifax to get new wiper blades and that old store was a mess. They said all the stock was being taken to the new store. Any word what is moving into the old Canadian Tire building that looks like a decent piece of property

Rumour is a No Frills grocery store, but that's only a rumour.

[trev71]

Rumour is a No Frills grocery store, but that's only a rumour.

Interesting idea. Wouldn't be too bad of a location for that.

[MonctonRad]

Here is the link to the pdf of the draft document of the City of Moncton Cultural Plan (2016-26):

https://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Residents+English/RPTC/Arts+and+Culture/Cultural+Plan+Draft.pdf

As usual, this draft document is chockerblocks full of platitudes, generalizations and fuzzy feel good "goals and declarations", but stuck deep in the document I found the following quotes quite intriguing:

Guidance can be drawn from a national study of trends in cultural infrastructure in Canada undertaken by the Centre of Expertise on Culture and Communications at Simon Fraser University. The study highlighted that cultural policies and programs at federal and provincial levels are rarely sustained over a long enough period for adequate planning at the municipal, regional, or community levels.

The same study identified a growing trend across Canada away from single-purpose cultural facilities (e.g., a performing arts centre, a museum or art gallery) toward multi-purpose cultural infrastructure. One of the most admired and a successful multi-purpose cultural facility in the country is the Vancouver Roundhouse. The Roundhouse has a twofold mandate: first, to be a centre for community cultural development and secondly, a community source for cultural/recreational activities for all ages. Features of facility include a performance centre, an exhibition hall, woodworking, pottery and dance studios, a full size gymnasium, a café area, and various multi-purpose spaces. The facility serves as a community connector for the needs of Vancouver’s widely divergent and diverse communities. Other examples include the development restructuring of multi-use hubs that integrate arts, culture, heritage, and library facilities to share resources and operation costs; artist live/work space or studio complexes that focus on live/work studios, artists living spaces, and a variety space uses including rehearsal spaces, art gallery space, retail and cafes; and multi-sector convergence centres that are designed to maximize socialization and networking and thus become major connecting hubs and economic engines in communities.

Important to the conversation is the ongoing study on the establishment of a contemporary art museum in Moncton. The conversations steam from the need for professional exhibition space at a high level of standard. Preliminary discussions on the matter suggest that the contemporary art museum would have space allocated for multi-purpose functions that the community and artists can use for networking and business development.

When I read this, it really screamed to me that this might be what they are planning to do with Moncton High School. It's obvious. MHS has a first rate auditorium which could be used as a performance space. There is also a relatively new gymnasium (which the Vancouver Roundhouse has), and oodles of other space that could be occupied by various studios, galleries, exhibition spaces, craft shops and small cafes. A Museum of Contemporary Art could also easily be included in any MHS redevelopment.

Yup, my spidey senses are tingling right now, and I have a very strong suspicion that this is the way forward for MHS, and that the announcement that is expected later in the spring on the future of the old MHS might confirm this.

If so, this is potentially a very exciting development for the city..... :yes:

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

Vancouver Roundhouse website:

http://roundhouse.ca

[BlackYear]

Here is the link to the pdf of the draft document of the City of Moncton Cultural Plan (2016-26):

https://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Residents+English/RPTC/Arts+and+Culture/Cultural+Plan+Draft.pdf

As usual, this draft document is chockerblocks full of platitudes, generalizations and fuzzy feel good "goals and declarations", but stuck deep in the document I found the following quotes quite intriguing:

When I read this, it really screamed to me that this might be what they are planning to do with Moncton High School. It's obvious. MHS has a first rate auditorium which could be used as a performance space. There is also a relatively new gymnasium (which the Vancouver Roundhouse has), and oodles of other space that could be occupied by various studios, galleries, exhibition spaces, craft shops and small cafes. A Museum of Contemporary Art could also easily be included in any MHS redevelopment.

Yup, my spidey senses are tingling right now, and I have a very strong suspicion that this is the way forward for MHS, and that the announcement that is expected later in the spring on the future of the old MHS might confirm this.

If so, this is potentially a very exciting development for the city..... :yes:

If this happens, I'll stand up and applaud. I live downtown and love living downtown. Having this multi cultural center in the heart of Moncton would be huge.

Moncton's diversity culture has grown tremendously in the past few years and I think it's growing beyond anyone's expectations.

With the recent and ongoing immigration of Syrian families, the rapidly growing Chinese and Asian culture, I'm also seeing a growing African presence at UdeM and around the city. plus the Moncton Flight College always had students from around the world, and when you add the French & English among the mix, you don't have to think very hard that the old Moncton High School would fit very well as the pride and joy the city's center spot for a cultural event center.

:)

[MonctonRad]

This is excerpted from a city of Moncton document on their website. It shows the value of the health field to the regional economy. I think this is pretty accurate (my comments are in brackets).

Greater Moncton and health in numbers...
• 40 (university) study programs
• 1,600 students (including 125 in medicine, and not all of this is on the francophone side. UNB-Moncton allows you to obtain training in nursing and medical x-ray technology in English in Moncton. Also, between 3rd & 4th year clinical clerks, family practice residents and other specialty residents, there are usually 20-25 anglophone physicians in training at the Moncton Hospital)
• 75 medical researchers (hospital based and ACRI).
• 5.5 million $ per year in R&D funding
• 600 physicians (largest concentration in NB)
• 150 physicians involved in teaching medicine (both anglophone and francophone)
• 2 major teaching hospitals
• 6,000 jobs in the public health related fields (5000 at the two hospitals alone)
• 1100 jobs in the private sector (I think this includes Medavie Blue Cross)
• Approximately 10% of (the regional) workforce

[mmmatt]

This is excerpted from a city of Moncton document on their website. It shows the value of the health field to the regional economy. I think this is pretty accurate (my comments are in brackets).

Greater Moncton and health in numbers...
• 40 (university) study programs
• 1,600 students (including 125 in medicine, and not all of this is on the francophone side. UNB-Moncton allows you to obtain training in nursing and medical x-ray technology in English in Moncton. Also, between 3rd & 4th year clinical clerks, family practice residents and other specialty residents, there are usually 20-25 anglophone physicians in training at the Moncton Hospital)
• 75 medical researchers (hospital based and ACRI).
• 5.5 million $ per year in R&D funding
• 600 physicians (largest concentration in NB)
• 150 physicians involved in teaching medicine (both anglophone and francophone)
• 2 major teaching hospitals
• 6,000 jobs in the public health related fields (5000 at the two hospitals alone)
• 1100 jobs in the private sector (I think this includes Medavie Blue Cross)
• Approximately 10% of (the regional) workforce

Nice list...nothing that overly shocks me but its nice to see it stacked up like that in one place!

"usually 20-25 anglophone physicians in training at the Moncton Hospital" <- my brother in law happens to be one of those folks at this very moment so I can attest to the fact that its an excellent program :)

[MonctonRad]

Organigram to create 113 new jobs in Moncton

MONCTON, N.B. – A total of 113 new jobs will be created in Moncton as a local company is expanding to meet growth in the medical marijuana field, Premier Brian Gallant announced today.

Moncton-based OrganiGram is one of only 30 producers licensed by Health Canada.

OrganiGram specializes in the production of medical marijuana under license from Health Canada. The company is subject to the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulation, including the Good Manufacturing Practices of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as the security directives as defined by the Office of Controlled Substances.

“Our industry has the potential to be a once in a generation opportunity for growth and economic development as we move towards a recreational marketplace,” said Denis Arsenault, CEO of OrganiGram. “We are from New Brunswick and we are excited to invest at home where the advantages of a well-educated workforce, low-power rates and a competitive cost of living make New Brunswick and Moncton a logical place for our future.”

Opportunities NB will provide a payroll rebate of up to $8,761 for each position created and maintained, with a total value not to exceed $990,000.

The incremental annual payroll for 113 positions will be $5.1 million at full ramp-up and will increase the GDP by $9 million per year.

full article:
http://www.sackvilletribunepost.com/news/2016/3/30/medical-marijuana-facility-expansions-will-mean-100-new-jobs.html

[pierremoncton]

:previous:

And WestJet to open a call centre in Moncton according to Radio-Canada, creating "hundreds" of jobs. Announcement at the airport tomorrow.

http://ici.radio-canada.ca/regions/atlantique/2016/04/03/006-acadie-westjet-moncton-nouveau-brunswick.shtml

[Scarface]

Organigram to create 113 new jobs in Moncton

MONCTON, N.B. – A total of 113 new jobs will be created in Moncton as a local company is expanding to meet growth in the medical marijuana field, Premier Brian Gallant announced today.

Moncton-based OrganiGram is one of only 30 producers licensed by Health Canada.

OrganiGram specializes in the production of medical marijuana under license from Health Canada. The company is subject to the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulation, including the Good Manufacturing Practices of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as the security directives as defined by the Office of Controlled Substances.

“Our industry has the potential to be a once in a generation opportunity for growth and economic development as we move towards a recreational marketplace,” said Denis Arsenault, CEO of OrganiGram. “We are from New Brunswick and we are excited to invest at home where the advantages of a well-educated workforce, low-power rates and a competitive cost of living make New Brunswick and Moncton a logical place for our future.”

Opportunities NB will provide a payroll rebate of up to $8,761 for each position created and maintained, with a total value not to exceed $990,000.

The incremental annual payroll for 113 positions will be $5.1 million at full ramp-up and will increase the GDP by $9 million per year.

full article:
http://www.sackvilletribunepost.com/news/2016/3/30/medical-marijuana-facility-expansions-will-mean-100-new-jobs.html

:previous:

And WestJet to open a call centre in Moncton according to Radio-Canada, creating "hundreds" of jobs. Announcement at the airport tomorrow.

http://ici.radio-canada.ca/regions/atlantique/2016/04/03/006-acadie-westjet-moncton-nouveau-brunswick.shtml

Both of these announcements will be good news for Monctonians looking for work.

[NBNYer]

:previous:

And WestJet to open a call centre in Moncton according to Radio-Canada, creating "hundreds" of jobs. Announcement at the airport tomorrow.

http://ici.radio-canada.ca/regions/atlantique/2016/04/03/006-acadie-westjet-moncton-nouveau-brunswick.shtml

I've heard as many as 400, but no confirmation.

Just from recent memory of new job announcements for the coming few years:
1. WestJet: ''hundreds''
2. NavCan: over a hundred
3. Organigram: over a hundred
4. BMM: up to 1000

WestJet will likely be low paying jobs but the other 3 are likely to be well-paying.

[NBNYer]

The announcement was moments ago at the airport. The main takeaways are:

1. 400 jobs over the next 4 years (two thirds of which are full-time)
2. $2.5 million payroll rebate and $1 million forgivable loan by the province
3. $24 million estimated economic impact
4. the centre will open in semptember and hiring starts in mai
5. The purpose of the centre is to enhance services to french-speaking guests of WestJet

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

Good news for the local economy.

As you've pointed out, that's at least 1,500 new jobs (over and above natural increase) in the local Moncton economy over the course of the next few years.

Add that to the major construction projects planned around town and this really should give a boost to local consumer confidence, and should help spur further retail and commercial expansion. :tup:

[MonctonRad]

The announcement was moments ago at the airport. The main takeaways are:

1. 400 jobs over the next 4 years (two thirds of which are full-time)
2. $2.5 million payroll rebate and $1 million forgivable loan by the province
3. $24 million estimated economic impact
4. the centre will open in semptember and hiring starts in mai
5. The purpose of the centre is to enhance services to french-speaking guests of WestJet

- Moncton won this at the expense of the Calgary call centre. It sounds like there will be a proportionate share of jobs at the other call centre which will be gradually phased out.
- Full time jobs will pay $40,000 per year, not too bad at all.
- Virtually all the jobs will be home based. WestJet's only physical presence in the city will be administrative offices and a training centre.
- I gather that essentially all the jobs will be designated as being fully bilingual positions.

[NBNYer]

- Virtually all the jobs will be home based. WestJet's only physical presence in the city will be administrative offices and a training centre.


I'm not sure I get this part. Couldn't you theoretically stay in Calgary and keep your job even if this training and administrative centre moves to Moncton? Is there a limit as to how far away from the centre you can work from?

[mctnguy]

The Calgary jobs will remain in effect and only be phased out by attrition.

I'm not sure I get this part. Couldn't you theoretically stay in Calgary and keep your job even if this training and administrative centre moves to Moncton? Is there a limit as to how far away from the centre you can work from?

[tmacdougall]

Can someone provide me a link to a press release about the 100 or so jobs at NAV Canada that was mentioned above?

I've heard as many as 400, but no confirmation.

Just from recent memory of new job announcements for the coming few years:
1. WestJet: ''hundreds''
2. NavCan: over a hundred
3. Organigram: over a hundred
4. BMM: up to 1000

WestJet will likely be low paying jobs but the other 3 are likely to be well-paying.

[MonctonRad]

Can someone provide me a link to a press release about the 100 or so jobs at NAV Canada that was mentioned above?

I vaguely recall this discussion.

I believe these weren't "new" jobs, but merely the expected number of vacant positions over the next few years requiring replacement.

[mmmatt]

I do recall the Nav Canada jobs as "new" but I cant find anything to back up that memory haha

[pierremoncton]

Moncton-Dieppe has officially been announced host of the 2021 Francophonie Games.

http://ici.radio-canada.ca/breve/51381/conseil-permanent-francophonie-attribue-a-moncton-

[KnoxfordGuy]

:previous: fantastic news! :previous:

[MonctonRad]

According to the T&T, at an (unrelated) funding announcement in Sackville yesterday, federal government house leader Dominic LeBlanc stated that they were very close to finalizing a federal contribution to replacing the Petitcodiac River causeway with a bridge.

Apparently this is a pet project for Dominic. He feels a bridge replacement is more important to the overall river ecosystem than upgrading the wastewater sewage treatment plant in the city.

The article made it sound pretty clear that the days of the causeway are numbered.

Here would be the plan:

http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/televox/photo/2007aug7_1.jpg

And this would be the hoped for result:

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5230e2e7e4b03288c7512abb/t/55db7644e4b0d2c6e6e6f36a/1440446021999/

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Perfect!! I've been tracking this and waiting for this for so long, since the early 2000's. It's about time it's been cleaned up. It'll help out so much by removing the bottleneck and the silt that is removed from the river will now flow more downstream rather than settling upstream where the lake used to be. Next will be to secure funding for the wastewater treatment plant for the 2020 deadline. I'm certain that government will come forth will funding for that as well to meet the deadline in the future.

[Hogie75]

Perfect!! I've been tracking this and waiting for this for so long, since the early 2000's. It's about time it's been cleaned up. It'll help out so much by removing the bottleneck and the silt that is removed from the river will now flow more downstream rather than settling upstream where the lake used to be. Next will be to secure funding for the wastewater treatment plant for the 2020 deadline. I'm certain that government will come forth will funding for that as well to meet the deadline in the future.

I certainly hope this is true, but I am not holding my breath, we have been hearing bout this for a while now.

[Scarface]

According to the T&T, at an (unrelated) funding announcement in Sackville yesterday, federal government house leader Dominic LeBlanc stated that they were very close to finalizing a federal contribution to replacing the Petitcodiac River causeway with a bridge.

Apparently this is a pet project for Dominic. He feels a bridge replacement is more important to the overall river ecosystem than upgrading the wastewater sewage treatment plant in the city.

The article made it sound pretty clear that the days of the causeway are numbered.

Here would be the plan:

http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/televox/photo/2007aug7_1.jpg

And this would be the hoped for result:

http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5230e2e7e4b03288c7512abb/t/55db7644e4b0d2c6e6e6f36a/1440446021999/

Glad the Causeway seems to be replaced with a bridge but it sucks that there saying it's one project, or the other versus both projects needing to be done...

[Hogie75]

Glad the Causeway seems to be replaced with a bridge but it sucks that there saying it's one project, or the other versus both projects needing to be done...

I have not found any links to any RECENT articles online on this issue other than this post. Do you have any further information or a link?

[Scarface]

I have not found any links to any RECENT articles online on this issue other than this post. Do you have any further information or a link?

It was in the Times & Transcript.

[Scarface]

Land on Ayer Avenue has just been clear this past week to make way for a new semi detached the Property is a Habitat for Humanity project addresses are 24 – 26 Ayer Avenue, Moncton, NB. Also like to Point out Ground breaking for this new project will be tomorrow: Monday May 2 10 AM if anyone wants to go. All the info plus the plans for the semi can be found here: https://www.habitatmoncton.com/builds/ayer-avenue-groundbreaking-ceremony/#lightbox/0/

[MonctonRad]

from the City of Moncton website:

Moncton has strongest start to building permits since 2011
May 5, 2016

MONCTON – Moncton’s first quarter results are setting a positive pace for development in 2016, particularly with commercial projects. The year-to-date value of permits for the period ending March 31st came in at $42 million, up from just $9.1 million during the same period in 2015. The total number of permits for March alone was 66, nearly double the 34 that were issued in the same month last year.

“Moncton continues to be a great place to invest and build,” commented Mayor George LeBlanc. “We are pleased to see a good deal of this planned work coming to fruition with much more to come throughout the building season.”

Commercial building permits led the way for a combined total of $28.6 million of projects in the first quarter of 2016. Institutional permits accounted for $10.5 million, or 25 per cent, of the quarter’s activity, with the largest portion coming from the Shannex special care facility project located on the campus of l’Université de Moncton. Residential permit values for the quarter came in at $2.5 million, down slightly from last year’s $3 million.

“It’s great to have a strong start on the commercial side,” said Kevin Silliker, Director of Economic Development. “To have the private sector investing so much in our community speaks volumes of the incredible opportunities that exist here. Our team continues to actively seek out new business prospects with both local and foreign investors and entrepreneurs.”

On top of the $16.5 million foundation permit issued for Phase 1 of the Downtown Centre, commercial activity accounted for another $12.2 million. Some of the large projects include $2 million in renovations at the Delta Beauséjour, interior fit-ups at the new RBC Advice Centre worth $2.7 million, a new $1.7 million NB Liquor store on Elmwood Drive, and $500,000 in fit-ups for the new Giant Tiger store at 165 Main Street. Commercial permits from the first quarter alone represented nearly two-thirds of the commercial activity throughout all of 2015.

[Monctoncore]

Since today is Election Day, who does everyone think will be the next Mayor of Moncton and if you want to post why.

I for one would want to see Dawn Arnold become the next mayor I feel like she just had that spark and vision to make the city a better place, her love for the Arts, nature and architectural eye would be great for the city, I think we could see a lot more events, parks and nicer approved architecture in the city.

As for Hicks, I think he would make an okay mayor, but his constant questioning of every project, just makes me fear nothing would get done. I could be wrong, but I feel like Hicks is just best fit in a position as a councillor, the city needs someone with vision and I just don't see it being Mr. Hicks.

[MonctonRad]

:previous:

I believe Dawn would be the superior mayor. She has the "vision thing", is bubbly, effusive and likeable, and would do a very good job as being the public face and persona for the city. Her skills and talents will serve the city well, particularly at this point in the city's history where the potential of the city is being unlocked. We want to maintain our momentum.

Brian Hicks is an honourable man, and would also be a good choice for mayor, but he comes across as an accountant, and there is no question his main concern is the civic tax rate. This is important, and he has served an important role in past city councils as the fiscal conscience of the city. I wish him well, but I would rather that he had run again for a council seat. His voice on city council will be missed........

[Monctoncore]

Congratulations to Dawn Arnold for becoming the new Mayor of Moncton!

[NBNYer]

Congratulations to Dawn Arnold. Good job Monctonians on an excellent choice! :tup:

Here in Dieppe, it wasn't much of a race at all. The best candidate, in my opinion, came up on top; Yvon Lapierre.

[MonctonRad]

Final results in the Moncton civic election:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CiDr0JCWsAALjDr.jpg:large

Brian Hicks put up a surprisingly vigorous fight. I voted for Dawn, but Brian is an honourable man. Congratulations to him as well.

As for city council, I would say that it looks to be an effective mixture of quality returning and newly elected candidates. I am encouraged by the results. :tup:

[Monctoncore]

http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/10012560?

Posting this link.... I have a feeling they are way off on cost of living for Moncton... It says the average house cost is more than Halifax and almost the same as Montreal, that can not be true... Shows that Moncton is the most expensive city east of Quebec and second most expensive outside of Ontario.... Mentions the average house cost is $323,000

[Scarface]

http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/10012560?

Posting this link.... I have a feeling they are way off on cost of living for Moncton... It says the average house cost is more than Halifax and almost the same as Montreal, that can not be true... Shows that Moncton is the most expensive city east of Quebec and second most expensive outside of Ontario.... Mentions the average house cost is $323,000

Take those numbers with a grain of salt I've been trying to keep track of home prices, especially when they build new golf communities in, and around Moncton, and I think I might have found something that might make the numbers so high. Real estate agents who are selling properties as a package but instead of making 1 post with the addresses included they will make 1 post per property with the package price. So you get a lot of properties seemingly listed at half a million, or more. I think they may have taken there prices from listed prices, and not sales prices as well... A large number of properties seemingly being priced well over what they are worth make the real estate market seem more costly to an outsider, and as an insider I tend to see that the properties price will be reduced way to many times instead of one price reduction to what the properties actual worth is. :yes:

[L'homard]

http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/10012560?

Posting this link.... I have a feeling they are way off on cost of living for Moncton... It says the average house cost is more than Halifax and almost the same as Montreal, that can not be true... Shows that Moncton is the most expensive city east of Quebec and second most expensive outside of Ontario.... Mentions the average house cost is $323,000

That is laughably inaccurate.

[monctonian]

The questionable info-graphic is from RentSeekers.ca

The chart below, covering the City of Moncton, would be an accurate benchmark price for a detached residential dwelling:

http://blogmoncton.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/benchmark_detached_2016_04_tiny.jpg

[Mikeee]

properties as a package but instead of making 1 post with the addresses included they will make 1 post per property with the package price.

Hey Scarface is that for vacant lots or for properties with structures on them?

[Scarface]

Hey Scarface is that for vacant lots or for properties with structures on them?

there are package deals with properties on the lots. (ex: 23-25 Germain, 19 Germain Street, 108-110 Lewisville Road) If you are just scrolling, and don't know any information on these properties would think they are 3 properties for sale each at 524,900, and not a package deal of the 3 properties at 524,900 for all together. there where a few other package deals but Majority where either Duplexes/Semi Detached, and there listed as (Ex 1 Fake St. Instead of 1-3 fake street)Despite the 2 being sold together. Not sure if you get what I mean.

[MonctonRad]

Moncton's new city council and mayor (Dawn Arnold).

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3602767.1464344802!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/moncton-council.jpg

I have fairly high expectations of this group. Hopefully they will work well together. I don't think there will be a Hicks/Bourgeois type "official opposition" this time around. We'll see how consensus politics works......

[ErickMontreal]

According to multiple sources, one of the top six banks is planning to open a call-center in Moncton. One line of business of that very bank has a major operation in Saint John.

Moncton was apparently chosen as opposed as to Saint John due to the bilingual workforce. (it should come as no surprise)