The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[JasonL-Moncton]

oops...deleted by accident...

[mylesmalley]

City core eyes $100M casino complex
Published Wednesday April 30th, 2008
Project will attract more people, businesses to downtown, position Metro as N.B.'s entertainment hub: Allain
A1
By Jesse Robichaud
Times & Transcript Staff

Daniel Allain says the bright lights of a proposed $100-million casino complex have lit up the radar screen of downtown business people.

The CEO of Downtown Moncton Centreville says local business interests, who have grown accustomed to delays in downtown development, have found the "one big move" they have been seeking to set off a chain reaction of development in the city's core.

And it is located on the corner of Westmorland and Assumption Boulevard, in a parking lot currently leased by Rogers.

The casino, hotel, and entertainment project, which is backed by Moncton's Bernard Cyr and Ashford Properties, includes a new 150-room Marriott hotel, a destination casino, and a 20,000 square foot events/convention centre that can seat 1000 people "banquet style."

Two new restaurants would operate within the hotel, including the reemergence of Cy's -- a longtime Moncton institution.

"I think it is the only project that can be a catalyst for more development," says Allain, noting the parallel momentum created by news that a new downtown justice complex will begin construction this summer.

Allain is hoping that the government officials and independent accountants charged with selecting between the four casino bids, which are all believed to all be located in Metro, will see the same potential for development when the casino decision is expected to be made next month.

"We talk about the casino, we talk about justice facilities -- well people aren't going to be investing if government doesn't show they are going to be investing."

Allain says restaurant owners, for example, have been holding off on investing in their businesses until a clearer picture of downtown Moncton's skyline is determined.

"We will see people putting money back in their businesses, expanding them, developing them."

The project would add 1,200 parking spaces to the city's downtown, including 1000 underground spaces that will be shared with Rogers, which has a 30-year lease agreement with the City of Moncton.

The hotel would add to the $15-million Marriott Hotel currently under construction on Main Street.

Finance Minister Victor Boudreau has said that services and projects attached to the destination casino itself will weigh heavily into the province's decision, which he has said will be made independently of cabinet.

Cyr and Patrick Gillespie of Ashford met with the board of directors of Downtown Moncton to discuss how they would like to work with downtown business interests whom Allain says are supportive of a downtown casino and hotel project.

Allain says the project will attract more people to the city core and play into Metro's positioning as the province's "entertainment hub."

He says the convention space can be transformed to accommodate concert and sports events, in the 1,500 to 2,000 attendance range, that are too big and too small for the city's other venues, like the Coliseum and the Capitol Theatre.

"What's great about retail and entertainment is that it brings people here," says Allain.

"If you stick (the casino) in a field, what are people going to do? It will be just like the Coliseum, they are going to drive to the event, take their car and go back home."

In addition, Allain says the project would be the first step in building a 10,000 to 12,000 seat downtown entertainment/arena complex, noting the effects could be similar the economic spin-offs created by the Bell Centre in Montreal, which attracts many visitors to nearby hotels and restaurants.

Allain says support for a downtown complex is strong in the city, noting CityThink 2008, a survey commissioned by the Times & Transcript and conducted by Omnifacts Bristol Research, indicated that 89 per cent of people are in favour of building a complex in Downtown Moncton.

"At the end of the day we are positioning ourselves as the entertainment hub," Allain said. "We want to be known as the place that has the great concerts, the great events."

The other three casino bids are believed to be located near Magnetic Hill, Gunningsville Boulevard, and in Dieppe.

[mylesmalley]

Airport customs staffing on premier's radar
Published Wednesday April 30th, 2008


N.B. gov't has discussed issue with Ottawa

OTTAWA - Premier Shawn Graham says the need for more customs staff to process travellers arriving on international flights to the Fredericton and Moncton airports is on his radar.

He said the Liberals have already addressed the issue with the federal government and plan to do it again.

"We need to maintain an efficient travel system that will build the economy of the province," said Graham, who was in Moncton yesterday.

"We are going to be writing the Prime Minister's Office again, stressing that we need to see resolution to this issue."

Canada Border Services Agency officers staff the Moncton and Fredericton international airports weekdays during standard business hours.

That means international carriers who want to do business with the airports must try to schedule arrivals between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or pay extra fees of up to $200,000 annually to have customs officers work overtime to process travellers and goods arriving from international destinations.

Moncton airport officials have said the expensive practice recently cost the city a chance at securing a second daily flight to New York City.

Business groups have said fewer international flights mean fewer economic opportunities for the province.

Graham said it's an important issue that will help New Brunswick remain competitive with its neighbours.

Halifax airport receives 24-hours a day, seven days a week dedicated customs service, paid for by the federal government.

"This is an issue of fairness and we feel the province has a fair case to make in having these services provided by the Government of Canada," he said.

Officials with the Department of Public Safety have said a core services review, which includes a review of customs staffing levels at small airports, is currently in progress.

[ErickMontreal]

Already posted by Myles

[ErickMontreal]

:: Main Street ::
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/2449230545_8d4d0743cc_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drgnmastr/2449230545/

[ErickMontreal]

Tourism Initiatives

Statistics show that the number of tourists visiting N.B. has dropped considerably from 2002 to 2006, from two million visitors to 1.57 million - a decrease of nearly 25 per cent. While there may be a slight increase in visitors in 2007, Boudreau said it is imperative that the five-year downward trend from 2002 to 2006 is addressed, as the province needs to be strong in all sectors, including tourism, as it continues towards the path to self-sufficiency by 2026.

One way the tourism sector can be bolstered is by offering visitors more services, attractions and entertainment choices.

As such, it was also announced today that the Lotteries Commission of New Brunswick, on behalf of government, will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a destination casino in the province. This would make New Brunswick the ninth province in Canada to authorize a casino and/or racino complex.

Adding a destination casino into the variety of attractions which draw people to New Brunswick is seen a means of broadening the visitation experience choices for tourists coming to the province. It is also believed it will help keep some tourists in the province longer.

Further, the provisions for ancillary services which will be part of the proposals made on a destination casino will weigh heavily in the assessment process.

Ancillary services could include, but are not limited to: a standard-bred horse racing facility, hotel, performance theatre, meeting or trade and convention facilities, special events venues, restaurants, lounges or specialty restaurants, retail facilities, or recreation facilities.

Boudreau emphasized that absolutely no government funding will be involved in the design, construction, equipping, financing or operation of the destination casino complex. An independent third party consultant, KPMG LLP, has been engaged to oversee the development of the RFP as well as the evaluation of the bids. The company will also act as the fairness monitor for the submission and evaluation process. This RFP for the destination casino will be open to interested parties, including private entities, First Nations, and the harness racing industry.

The RFP does not specify a location for the destination casino complex. Proponents will undertake their own a market assessment and select an appropriate site for the facilities based on their analysis of the market potential.

The Lotteries Commission will enter into an agreement with the successful bidder, and it is anticipated that a destination casino complex will be in operation in 2010. It would make New Brunswick the ninth province in Canada to authorize casino or racino gaming.

"Besides creating a new destination for visitors to the province, it has been shown in other jurisdictions that the spin-offs in jobs, services, and other industries are very beneficial to a community, and province, which have a destination casino," Boudreau said.

Further initiatives to boost tourism will also be announced in the months ahead.

http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/fin/2007e1446fn.htm


Do you think the Downtown project meets the requierements ? At the first glance I would say it does.

[ErickMontreal]

Downtown is the best site for a casino
Published Wednesday April 30th, 2008
D7
By Daniel Allain
Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc.


In less than a month the Government of New Brunswick is expected to decide which of the four proposals submitted for a destination casino best meets the extremely specific criteria the commission established to be selected as the first, and possibly only, casino in New Brunswick.

All four of the proposals have a connection to the Metro Moncton area, but only one is located in our downtown and has significant local ownership.

One proponent chose downtown Moncton as the site for its destination casino because, importantly, it would generate the maximum possible economic impact to the surrounding community.

The Board of Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc. (DMCI) supports the downtown bid as we firmly believe it will be a catalyst for further development in the downtown area.

There has been a significant amount of discussion regarding a destination casino for the province for many years. The fact remains however that there is only one appropriate location for this project and that is in downtown Moncton. The reasons are varied and I will attempt to explain them here.

In the Casino Market Assessment by KPMG in June 2002, commissioned by the City of Moncton, it indicated that a gaming facility would reinvigorate the downtown core. It also explained that an active and vibrant downtown is seen as a centerpiece to stimulating the economy by providing employment and increasing tourism.

Moreover, a destination casino complex in our core would have a positive impact on the local economy by expanding the hospitality and tourism industry. Moncton's location and resident population bases make the city the logical choice for a New Brunswick gaming facility.

New Brunswick has done a good job of positioning the three largest cities in New Brunswick based on their individual strengths. Saint John is the energy hub, and well it should be; Fredericton has adopted the title of the smart city, with its university and technology base.

Moncton, I believe, is the entertainment hub and the destination casino would only help to enhance that stature, not only for New Brunswick but for the Maritimes in general. With both our indoor and outdoor concert success (Rolling Stones and The Eagles), our natural draw for trade shows, our recreation facilities, our shopping and our location, we are indeed well positioned to be a destination for entertainment.

But the key to building on our current success is to develop projects that contribute to our growing economic infrastructure, as opposed to taking from it. Putting a destination casino in a field somewhere on the outskirts of our community would do nothing to enhance the hotels, restaurants and other entertainment facilities we have in our downtown community.

In fact, we cannot see how a project on the outskirts of the city would achieve any economic stimulus for the community, outside benefitting the project itself.

Putting a destination casino complex in our downtown would assist us in building a solid critical mass of infrastructure that would support our current entrepreneurs and be a catalyst for further development in our downtown.

It is the same argument that most citizens are making about a downtown Rink/Coliseum -- they are both traffic generators and still stimulate economic growth and development in our core. I cannot walk down Main Street during any given week without being asked when we are going to move the Coliseum downtown. Wouldn't it be great to see a 10,000 to 12,000 seat hockey rink next to this development in our downtown? Last year it was exciting to see that 89 per cent of people surveyed in the City Think exercise conducted by the Times & Transcript and Omnifacts Bristol indicated that they are in favour of building an Arena Complex in Downtown Moncton.

In fact, as I understand the downtown development proposal, it is a $100 million mega project with a nationally branded Marriott hotel, a destination casino, two major restaurants, and a 20,000 square foot events/convention centre, that can seat 1,000 banquet style, as well as play host to sporting events, concerts, business conferences and major assemblies. In addition, there will be parking for 1,200 vehicles, with approximately 1,000 of them being underground, a much needed addition for our downtown.

Most importantly, the project is being proposed by a team that has international expertise as well as significant local involvement and investment.

Some people make the argument that a casino in the downtown core would attract unwanted individuals to our downtown. In fact just the opposite is true. Casino facilities are so highly regulated -- continuous video surveillance inside and out and full-time highly trained security throughout the complex -- that "unwanted individuals" tend to stay away.

From the perspective of DMCI we are convinced that the development of this project on Assumption Boulevard between Westmorland and Lutz Streets will be the catalyst our downtown core needs to invigorate it for many years to come.

The zoning is in place, the land has been assembled and we have been waiting for years for the right collection of entrepreneurs to put their own money up to make a project like this happen. Our hotels, restaurants and bars would certainly benefit from having more people in our business district. We can only hope the right and, if we can be so bold, the only decision is made.

If it happens Moncton's downtown will see unprecedented growth for years to come.

The construction of a new events/convention centre, casino and hotel is an opportunity to build on the exceptional success of our region. We need to grow our population base and proactively seek opportunities that will raise the visibility of Moncton outside of New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. This entertainment centre is one of the best initiatives to help reach this objective.

I can assure you that this project in our business district will eventually lead to potential new investments and retail growth. I am confident that if our decision-makers make the right decision to locate this project in our core, we will certainly see large chunks of downtown land which will be redeveloped. Downtown land such as the former Beaver Lumber property (behind Assomption Place), the Hollis Lincoln Mercury property (on Main Street across from the RCMP headquarters) and the Highfield Square mall are all prime spots for something new.

There is also space near the Via Rail station and behind the McSweeney Building where Club 700 is located that could be redeveloped.

DMCI is committed to the continued growth and development of our core and that is why we urge our decisions makers to take the necessary steps into making this long time idea a reality and not a missed opportunity.

n Daniel Allain is the Executive Director of Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc., a private, non-profit organization serving the interests of building and business owners in the downtown core while fostering a positive environment for people to work, shop, play, live, and invest.

[ErickMontreal]

Updates have been done on the Page 1 (Museum, Casino, Strip-Mall, Fire station, Mariott)

Thank you JasonMoncton for the new renders.

[mylesmalley]

Updates have been done on the Page 1 (Museum, Casino, Strip-Mall, Fire station, Mariott)

Thank you JasonMoncton for the new renders.

Erick, just thinking you might want to update the UdeM stadium rendering now that they've upped the seating capacity.

[ErickMontreal]

Erick, just thinking you might want to update the UdeM stadium rendering now that they've upped the seating capacity.

You`re right Myles, I fixed it. Moreover, I added Mapleton Power center, Lawton Drugs, downtown Sobey as well as Hampton Inn photos/renders.

[mylesmalley]

Just a little perspective: I did a rough count of the parking spaces at the coliseum (props to Google Earth). There's about 1750 in the front lot and probably room for about 250-350 more out back. In other words, the parking needed for the proposed Assumption casino would be approx 2/3 as big. that's a big parking garage...

[ErickMontreal]

Just a little perspective: I did a rough count of the parking spaces at the coliseum (props to Google Earth). There's about 1750 in the front lot and probably room for about 250-350 more out back. In other words, the parking needed for the proposed Assumption casino would be approx 2/3 as big. that's a big parking garage...

Thats going to be huge but well needed. I am wondering how underground levels the structure could get ? 2, 3, 4 ...

[ErickMontreal]

:: 859 Main Street (Former Hawk office)::

I passed right in front the building today, the single-story part will be history in couple days. Moreover, they are entirely destroying interior of the 2-story part.... intriguing

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/A%20Walk/DSCN1723.jpg

[mylesmalley]

Dieppe construction under way
Published Thursday May 1st, 2008


First of four buildings scheduled to open at the end of August
C2
By Aloma Jardine
Times & Transcript Staff

The next phase of development in uptown Dieppe is under way, with the construction of a commercial/residential building next to the new Co-op on Dieppe Boulevard.

The 37,000-square-foot building is the first glimpse of what's to come, with 15 two-storey loft-style apartments on the upper levels and 14 commercial units on the ground floor.

Valdo Grandmaison, president of Le Groupe Frédéric & Associés Inc., the firm behind the uptown development, says this is the first of four buildings going up this year.

All will feature ground-floor commercial space with residential units above them.

Grandmaison says the loft apartments in the building currently under construction are very high-end.

"They are going to be awesome," he says. "Part of my strategy is to put product on the market that is not comparable to anything now. We're being very creative with our designs, layout, even finishes. There are zebra wood cabinets with marble counter tops. It's all about quality."

About half the commercial space in the building is already spoken for and includes things like a beauty salon, medical offices, and a delicatessen.

"It is geared toward smaller retailers and service shops," Grandmaison says, adding they are aiming to have a wide variety of businesses located in the commercial spaces in order to service the neighbourhood.

"What has been a good surprise is about half of those interested in the (commercial) space are interested in living there. It makes it very European in feel. They can work downstairs and live upstairs, which is exactly what we wanted," he says.

Our especially snowy weather delayed the start of construction, but work began on the first building about a month ago and Grandmaison says they expect it to be ready for tenants by the end of August.

Grandmaison says the summer will be spent installing the necessary underground infrastructure and getting the retention ponds they are building in partnership with the city up and running so construction can begin this fall on the next three buildings.

A new street, Rue Principale, also needs to be built. The four new buildings will be located along either side of that street.

Grandmaison says they hope to have the other three buildings completed by next spring and then plan to start work on two more buildings.

The buildings set to begin this fall will feature two-storey apartments as well as more traditional two-bedroom rentals and bachelor suites.

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton metro centre moves forward
Published Thursday May 1st, 2008
Study to assess economic impact of entertainment complex in city core
A1
By Jesse Robichaud
Times & Transcript Staff


In coffee shops, at water coolers, and especially in the seats of the Moncton Coliseum, Metro Monctonians have spent years discussing whether Moncton can or should build a downtown metro centre.

The City of Moncton is about to take the first step in a process that will move that question past hypothetical conversations and into the public debate.

City council approved $50,000 in this year's budget to conduct a feasibility and business plan for a new downtown entertainment complex which will get under way this summer after a request for proposals is conducted by July 1.

Ian Fowler, General Manager of Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Culture Department says the study should be in the hands of the city's new council by late fall.

"What we realize is that the Coliseum is closing in on 40 years old. The building is in pretty good shape but it doesn't have the amenities of a modern facility, so it restricts some of the type so business we can do," he says.

The study will look at what would be the best size for the potential development, as well as cost to build the building and operate it, and the avenues through which the City of Moncton could fund the project.

Fowler says a new downtown centre is by no means a done deal due to the city's fiscal constraints.

However, the man renowned across the region as the city's concert czar who brought the Rolling Stones and an immense crowd to Magnetic Hill says the city's drawing power across the Maritimes allows it to see big, in fact much bigger than most cities of Metro's size.

"We need to look at a building that just doesn't meet local needs but serves as an economic catalyst that it will draw people from around the region just as the Coliseum does now," he said.

Fowler said Metro Monctonians needn't look further than the role downtown metro centres have played in Halifax and London, Ontario, in energizing the those cities downtown core.

"You look at what the hotels and restaurants do, how it is all interconnected, and that is as good an example."

While a downtown entertainment complex has generated lots of chatter, there doesn't appear to be much opposition to the project.

In fact, the Times & Transcript's CityThink survey indicated recently that 89 per cent of residents say they are in favour of building a complex in downtown Moncton.

However, it isn't known what taxpayers' appetite is for paying for a brand new facility, and the feasibility study will help compare the costs of a new facility to the economic impacts it will create.

Besides government funding, Fowler says the study will look at how much new revenue could be generated to pay for the modern facility through amenities like corporate boxes and concession stands.

"You have revenue sources that we currently can't generate much off of because of limitations," says Fowler.

"There are no corporate suites in the current Coliseum. There is limited guest amenities space because we are only on one side of the building. You look at a new facility with enhanced concessions, and there is more potential for generating revenue for the building."

Fowler notes that a new state-of-the-art arena would also allow the city to attract a wider variety of events that are difficult, if not impossible, to host due to the low ceiling of the Coliseum and the absence of dehumidification equipment.

Those who attended the Memorial Cup in 2006 may remember the lengths to which event staff went to control climate conditions within the Coliseum.

And Fowler notes that high-profile events such as the Cirque du Soleil have simply fallen off the city's radar screen because of the Coliseum's ceiling.

"We are restricted from some events because of the height of our ceiling in the old building. Some of the shows that come can't do a full set up. Others like Cirque du Soleil just couldn't even come," he said.

"Some of the sporting events like world league volleyball, which we were tying to pursue, we didn't have the ceiling clearance."

While the study is expected to put all the cards on the table to help council decide whether a downtown entertainment complex is feasible, Fowler says it doesn't mean the city will be moving ahead on such a project.

For those wondering what would become of the current Moncton Coliseum and Agrena, Fowler says the city has no intention of demolishing the building if a new facility is built.

He says the Coliseum would continue to uphold its reputation as the best trade show venue in Atlantic Canada.

"We run into a number of conflicts between entertainment and trade shows," says Fowler of the current situation at the busy Coliseum.

"By developing a new facility downtown that becomes strictly an entertainment type venue, we keep the trade shows at the Coliseum complex."

Brian Baxter, chairman of Enterprise Greater Moncton, says a new arena, along with a casino project, are the economic triggers needed in the downtown area, where business owners have waited too long for a major project to bring more people into the city core.

"I would encourage it, and get on with it, because there is a lot of interest in building a bigger and better Coliseum," said Baxter, who sits on the board of Downtown Moncton Centreville Inc. "That would put the icing on the cake for the downtown area."

Baxter says a metro centre downtown would transform the way people look at events in the city.

"People before going to an event would use the downtown area, like Halifax," he said.

"If they did it in Moncton, they could park their cars and walk. It would invigorate the downtown area."

Baxter says the complex would help enhance the economic impact of the city's wide array of festivals and events.

"People like to come to Moncton, not necessarily to go to a rock show, but to go shopping. People come to Moncton and they leave. What we want to do is get them to stay, go shopping, go to an event, go out to eat," he says.

"One of the things we have not taken advantage of is the riverside walk that goes from Dieppe to Riverview.

While it may not be the first thought that strikes people when they think of a metro centre, Baxter says the project could help bolster the downtown's aesthetic appeal.

"We have all the walkways downtown and it is a beautiful city, and what it might do is help us get the old buildings restored," he said, noting, for example, the potential of the building located on the corner of Botsford and Main Street.

[JasonL-Moncton]

Study, study, advisory committee, study, new city counsel, study, study, advisory committee, study...ENOUGH!

[Smevo]

With how much money is wasted on endless studies, they could actually use it to build half these things instead, or at least repave the roads. :rolleyes:

[mylesmalley]

Study, study, advisory committee, study, new city counsel, study, study, advisory committee, study...ENOUGH!

I hear ya.
They're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

If they decide to go ahead with a major project without a study, people will complain that they are taking big risks without proof of return; that they're throwing taxpayer's money away at something we don't need etc. If they do conduct a study, people complain that they act too slowly, or waste too much money on studies.

I think in this situation a study wouldn't be such a bad idea. It's only going to cost 50 grand (which is peanuts compared to the rest of the budget) and could provide a lot of information that could save the city a fortune in the long run.

On the other hand, you're right. The city spends waaaaay too much time studying. The beaver lumber property has been studied at least a dozen times and nothing at all has happened in the past decade. The courthouse was studied and studied, but they missed the environmental concerns altogether and now we have no idea when that's actually going to happen.

[JasonL-Moncton]

I used to work in a bar that was down there before the O2 and when we were under construction the days of Beaver Lumber were just coming to an end...that was 1997!

It's ridiculous, every council, provincial government has to have their own 'study'...why can't you use the last guys study that was done a month before you took office!?

They study the River, they study the Casino, they study the Beaver Lumber Property, they study, study, and study...and very little if anything ever get's DONE.

If I had half a clue how to I would run for city council and we'd have someone pushing for more than one or two buildings downtown over 6 stories, pushing for the river to be running free and clear, pushing, pushing, pushing, instead of studying, studying, studying!

Jason

[ErickMontreal]

Franckly, about the casino compex - for the first time in a while - I don`t pay too much attention to the height of the buildings. The complex has to be located downtown, the opposite case could be a disaster. Actually, whatever the city council is claiming, the downtown core is unable to sustain a strong retail actvities, in fact the downtown core vibrancy becomes increasingly 9 to 5 oriented.

All those studies also show the lack of leadership and the lack of vision of the city as well. Of course, each projects have to be studied and then fully justified to citizens but actions should have been taken subsequently positively or negatively in order to develop a plan B.

Other than Arena, Convention Center as well as hotel, I dont understand they did not try to increase density by the construction of high-density residential complex, I`m not thinking about 4-story vinyl complex though. That could be a way to increase density, vibrancy and life around pending actions on other issues.

[mmmatt]

Good job with Page 1 Erick, looking really good :D

The Casino downtown casino proposal sounds good...the more underground parking we get downtown the better, and 1000 spaces is nothing to scoff at, thats for sure.

The arena project is an awesome idea, it will happen eventually Im sure, but I doubt it will break ground for at least 5 years.

[mmmatt]

Study, study, advisory committee, study, new city counsel, study, study, advisory committee, study...ENOUGH!

Very true. With the cost of all these studies over the past 10 years we could probably have a nice down payment on a convention center or arena...but thats politics for ya :rolleyes:

[JasonL-Moncton]

...but thats politics for ya :rolleyes:

But that's the thing...why do we, as citizens, accept that?

...like I said earlier...if I had half a clue as to 'how' to protest this absurd cycle of studying and ineffective progress...I certainly would.

Jason

[mmmatt]

But that's the thing...why do we, as citizens, accept that?

...like I said earlier...if I had half a clue as to 'how' to protest this absurd cycle of studying and ineffective progress...I certainly would.

Jason

We should start up a citizens action group like they did in Dieppe, we could try to keep the city on track with development...push them to invest in capital projects more than invest in studys...and push them to try harder to attract bussiness and new residents...we could start up a small add campaign in countries like China and Korea just small newspaper adds or something, try and get our name in there a bit. We could do it! Erick, Jason, Matt and Myles...the super Moncton Action Team! :cool:

[mylesmalley]

Politics is a lot like a game. There are players and spectators. The players start out by trying to play the game as best they can. Problem is, politics is a game that you can't win-but you can sure as hell lose. A good number of the spectators won't like their style from the minute they start playing, or they won't like them because the guy playing before didn't do what they wanted. A few people will support them regardless, but they're usually nuts. When they actually get down to playing, every decision is attacked by their opponents, often just because they play with a different colour and think that's their job. Worse, the player might know exactly what he or she is doing, and be perfectly qualified to do it, but it really isn't up to them because they have to keep a 50.1% majority of the spectators content. The spectators decide whether or not a player gets to play again in four years, so there's an incentive to not rock the boat, make every decision slowly etc.

All that said, some people play the game a lot better than others, and they rarely make exactly the right decision.

Moncton City council has of late played very conservatively. They've been badly burned by public perceptions (Mapleton Park, anyone?). They've also made some staggeringly stupid moves like with Verdiroc.

A citizen's action group to keep council on track is a good idea, but I guarantee a bigger, louder one would form just to bitch about it and council. Dieppe more or less skipped the whole study-focus group thing and it led to people protesting at council meetings and now the paper is full of articles about cost overruns at the aquatic center.

I'm certainly not trying to defend city council, but I also think they need to get some credit for getting anything done at all. I'm looking forward to seeing some newer and younger faces after the 12th.

[ErickMontreal]

In my case, I would prefer to get involved myself as promoter rather than being part citizens groups. The promoter has the leisure to show them how a better land-use could be beneficial for taxpayers. In fact, the devlopers could support his way of thinking by facts, designs or market assessment as well. Instead of complaining (the way I actually do) I would like to act in order to involve things the way I would like it be. Of course, kind of things are easy to say than to do. Moreover, about citizens groups, in the many case citizens complaint are based on selfish behaviour caused by the fact something is going to change and if it is occurring that could affect their habits on a daily basis and often for no apparent reason.

The current city council has been effective in simple things but more of less in the critical issues. I mean overall they done a good job . Finaly, I always found Moncton is thinking too small in term of building development, so maybe one day things will evolve the way I (we) expect.

[mylesmalley]

In my case, I would prefer to get involved myself as promoter rather than being part citizens groups. The promoter has the leisure to show them how a better land-use could be beneficial for taxpayers. In fact, the devlopers could support his way of thinking by facts, designs or market assessment as well. Instead of complaining (the way I actually do) I would like to act in order to involve things the way I would like it be. Of course, kind of things are easy to say than to do. Moreover, about citizens groups, in the many case citizens complaint are based on selfish behaviour caused by the fact something is going to change and if it is occurring that could affect their habits on a daily basis and often for no apparent reason.

The current city council has been effective in simple things but more of less in the critical issues. I mean overall they done a good job . Finaly, I always found Moncton is thinking too small in term of building development, so maybe one day things will evolve the way I (we) expect.

The real power is behind the scenes.

[ErickMontreal]

The real power is behind the scenes.

Are we behind the scene ?

[mmmatt]

I agree Erick that council is doing a good job overall, I really was just joking about the citizen action group...but like Erick said they do think too small in terms of development, with the growth we are experiancing (and have been for over a decade) we could be seeing some nice high end condo developments downtown and more office buildings etc and the Veridoc was the worst mistake in council history (that I know of haha)...But really at the end of the day this council can walk away knowing they did a very good job :)

[ErickMontreal]

I agree Erick that council is doing a good job overall, I really was just joking about the citizen action group...but like Erick said they do think too small in terms of development, with the growth we are experiancing (and have been for over a decade) we could be seeing some nice high end condo developments downtown and more office buildings etc and the Veridoc was the worst mistake in council history (that I know of haha)...But really at the end of the day this council can walk away knowing they did a very good job :)

Your idea was great so I think a group does not have the required power to change such things. However, we should also point out promoters, they are kind of cautious. I know it is either safer and less harder to propose 4-story buildings than high-end residential tower. Maybe they know things we don`t know about the Moncton market... hard to say.

[mmmatt]

The move is on!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/newestness/image001.jpg
Credit: Vickki Furlotte

The sign will be moved to our new building at 11 Ocean Way...we will all be moving over there on May 10 :)

[mmmatt]

Green Village opened thier new store in Moncton last week...its the only greenhouse in Atlantic Canada with this fancy roof that can completely open at the touch of a button...Also they will employ 40-45 people

http://www.greenvillage.ca/images/stories/gallery/newstore/greenhouse%20entrance.jpg
Credit: greenvillage.ca

[ErickMontreal]

The move is on!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/newestness/image001.jpg
Credit: Vickki Furlotte

The sign will be moved to our new building at 11 Ocean Way...we will all be moving over there on May 10 :)

Is the building will become completely empty ?

[ErickMontreal]

Thank you Matt for the " GreenVillage" rendering.

Today, I heard a rumor that Second Cup could fill up "Joe Moka" and the Starbucks could get empty space along "Main" within the "Crowne Plaza"...

[gehrhardt]

Does anyone know what kind of work is being done on the smaller of the two apartment buildings on Lorentz Dr (off West Main?)

I drove by yesterday and there seems to be a small crane on the roof and the roof is surrounded by safety fence. It's probably just painting, be we can dream that they're "building up", I suppose.

My family and I went into Green Village last weekend. It's quite a place. There is still a lot of work to be done, though. When it's finished, it'll be really nice.

[JasonL-Moncton]

First...as far as council...they have done a good job overall, I agree. They just have thought 'small' in my mind, but there could be reason's behind that. As far as action groups (funny one Stu) I agree that 'behind the scenes' is where the power is.

Verdiroc....blech...biggest bungle they've made.

Green village...I was in there on Saturday...very nice, but VERY pricey. I was hoping that maybe a place that was dedicated to this type of thing would be more cost-efficient...not so...I do like their Ice-Cream bar though.

[mylesmalley]

First...as far as council...they have done a good job overall, I agree. They just have thought 'small' in my mind, but there could be reason's behind that. As far as action groups (funny one Stu) I agree that 'behind the scenes' is where the power is.

Verdiroc....blech...biggest bungle they've made.

Green village...I was in there on Saturday...very nice, but VERY pricey. I was hoping that maybe a place that was dedicated to this type of thing would be more cost-efficient...not so...I do like their Ice-Cream bar though.

Where is that place? It looks fantastic!

As for Verdiroc... In less than a month, we'll hear on the casino issue. Maybe all the waiting will pay off.

[gehrhardt]

It's on the Lewisville Rd, next to the Ford dealership.

It seems like good timing to open that nursery last weekend, even though it is not quite completed. I'm sure the Green Village in Fredericton is under water by now, or at least closed.

[ErickMontreal]

Census data shows one quarter of province's high-income earners live in Metro
A1
By MARC HUDON
Times & Transcript Staff

OTTAWA - The latest Statistics Canada census data suggests Moncton families now have more cash in their wallets than their neighbours in Saint John, to the tune of about $1,500.

New information from the 2006 census released yesterday indicates the median income for families in and around the Hub City was $61,622, an increase from the 2001 census, when it was $57,197 when adjusted for inflation.

Families in and around the Port City took home $60,211 -- an increase from the 2001 census, when it was $57,807.

Moncton is also home to 25 per cent of the province's high-income earners -- people who make more than $100,000 -- with a total of 1,570.

John Thompson, chief executive officer for Enterprise Greater Moncton, said salaries are on the rise because higher paying jobs are moving into the Metro area.

"We're geographically blessed and we have many unique offerings," he said, adding the new Molson brewery and more jobs in the information technology sector are helping to push wages upwards.

Moncton has also become an "employees market," said Thompson, adding a shortage of skilled workers in the area has employers offering more competitive wages to attract and retain talent.

"In order to keep them here so they don't migrate to higher paying jobs elsewhere, we're going to have to continue paying those folks better," he said.

Thompson said higher wages create more disposable income, which helps drive profits and better employment opportunities in the retail sector.

The study also suggests the earnings gap between men and women is shrinking.

Median earnings for workers aged 25-29 have women earning 90 per cent of what men earn, an increase from 86.6 per cent five years ago and almost five points above the Canadian average of 85.2 per cent.

"That's a bit contrary to the Canada story where the numbers have remained stable," said Eric Olson, a senior analyst at Statistics Canada. "New Brunswick, in general, has seen that increase, too. Women are doing better."

Individuals in Metro Moncton had a median income of $25,016. Five years earlier, the median income was $23,238.

Senior citizens in and around Moncton had a median income of $20,133.

Statistics Canada also looked at how people in the lowest and highest earnings brackets fared over the five-year period.

The median earnings for lower-income workers -- those in the bottom 20 per cent of earners in the region -- increased by 3.7 per cent to $15,576. Those at the high end -- in the top 20 per cent -- saw their income increase by 7.4 per cent to $74,500.

Statistics Canada does not have a standard definition for the term "poverty line." Instead, it uses a formula that looks at families who need to spend a high proportion of their income on basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing.

In the Moncton region, Statistics Canada says 9.8 per cent of families fell into this low-income category.

Not surprisingly, the level of education has a direct impact on earnings. Among people in the Moncton area with a university education, the median wage was $54,904; those with college degrees made $35,320; trade or apprentice school grads made $36,403; people with only a high school diploma made $31,585 and those with no secondary school diploma made $28,054.

Immigrants living in the Moncton region typically had a median wage of 3.0 per cent more than the median wage of all those in Moncton.

Across the country, the census shows that immigrants made less on the job than the average Canadian -- $39,523 compared with a national median wage of $41,401.

n With files from The Canadian Press.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dieppe records surplus

Published Friday May 2nd, 2008
Annual statement says city ended year $353,661 in the black
A8
By Yvon Gauvin
Times & Transcript staff

The City of Dieppe ended the 2007 fiscal year in the black with surpluses in its operations and utility budgets.

The financial report for the city showed a $353,661 surplus on a $27.4-million budget.

Actual spending was $27.8 million and revenues $28.2 million, the auditing firm of LeBlanc, Nadeau, Bujold reported to city council.

The water and sewer department finished the year with a surplus of $861,715 in its operating budget, mostly due to the new water purchase price negotiated with the City of Moncton.

The surpluses will be added to Dieppe's 2009 operating budgets.

The municipal debt as of Dec. 31, stands at $76,855,514 of which about $60,900,000 was incurred in the operations end, $14,300,000 in the water and sewer utility operations and $1,400,000 in the Dieppe industrial Park operations.

The debt ratio was set at 24.4 per cent of the city's operations accounts.

The city spent $29 million in 2006 on a number of projects, including its new downtown complex, part of Dieppe Boulevard, Amirault Street overhaul and replacing water and sewage services.

Roger Bastarache of LeBlanc, Nadeau, Bujold said the city took advantage of low interest rates for its capital projects and repaid close to $4 million of its debt during the year.

"The statements indicate city council made a number of strategic investments to ensure its future development,' said Mayor Achille Maillet. "Our city has a new downtown image which attracts private investors. This is demonstrated by the value of our construction permits which increase every year."

The operating budget for 2008 was approved for $30.4 million, up almost 11 per cent from 2007, with the city's tax base pegged at $1.74 billion, up 10.47 from 2007.

Debt repayment for 2008 is at 23.7 per cent of the total, or $7.2 million.

[mmmatt]

Is the building will become completely empty ?

No, we occupy floors 2, 6 and 7 only...floors 1, 3, 4, and 5 are fully occupied...by Purolator mostly (floors 3 and 4) Rogers has offices on 5 and there are a few smaller agencies that fill the rest like law firms etc.

[mylesmalley]

No, we occupy floors 2, 6 and 7 only...floors 1, 3, 4, and 5 are fully occupied...by Purolator mostly (floors 3 and 4) Rogers has offices on 5 and there are a few smaller agencies that fill the rest like law firms etc.

Where are your new digs?

[ErickMontreal]

:: In Brief ::


The deforestation started in order to built the clinic/retail along Mapleton.

The work of excavation and construction as well restarted in the Mapleton Power Center, we could see digging before summer.

[mmmatt]

Where are your new digs?

The old AOL building on Ocean Ave by Vaughn Harvey. Like Erick said earlier our move is good for the city overall because our new space is 7,000 sq/ft larger than our current space, so its a posative absorption. :)

[mmmatt]

To say goodbye to my nice view Ill be losing from the move I took a nice panorama from the 7th floor window...this photo is huge in original size...Ive pasted a smaller size so I dont overload anybodys computer haha.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1d/Monctonpano1.jpg/2500px-Monctonpano1.jpg

Medium Size (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1d/Monctonpano1.jpg/3000px-Monctonpano1.jpg)

Large Size (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1d/Monctonpano1.jpg/6000px-Monctonpano1.jpg)

Very Large Size (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1d/Monctonpano1.jpg/10000px-Monctonpano1.jpg)

Original (Massive Size) (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1d/Monctonpano1.jpg)

[mylesmalley]

:: In Brief ::


The deforestation started in order to built the clinic/retail along Mapleton.

The work of excavation and construction as well restarted in the Mapleton Power Center, we could see digging before summer.

Good news all around then.

And Matt, holy shit that's a nice view! Shame your new one is going to be of a parking lot.

[ErickMontreal]

To say goodbye to my nice view Ill be losing from the move I took a nice panorama from the 7th floor window...this photo is huge in original size...Ive pasted a smaller size so I dont overload anybodys computer haha.

Awesome ! Really well done. :worship:

[mmmatt]

Thanks guys! :D

I think Ill go over and paste it in the Atlantic Skylines forum and the Canada Skylines one too :P

[ErickMontreal]

Good news all around then.

Yes, second quarter of 2008 could be the start-up of major projet :

Courthouse, Casino/hotel complex, Mapleton area, Stadium, Highfield Square and Uptown Dieppe are the highlights. Finaly 2008 could turn out to be a great year in term of development. Althought, some of them could only start in 2009.

[mmmatt]

It certainly will be, and with the arena on the horizon it truely could be the start to a great downtown revitalization :D...hopefully anyways

Also today I noticed they are starting the landscaping around the new Sobeys

[ErickMontreal]

It certainly will be, and with the arena on the horizon it truely could be the start to a great downtown revitalization :D...hopefully anyways

Also today I noticed they are starting the landscaping around the new Sobeys

Cool, they are starting the same kind of work around Marriott.

Maybe I am the only one to wonder what is going on in former "Hawk". So I`m guessing we could expect something more than 3-story down there, it ought to be a "improvement" from what it was.

[mmmatt]

Cool, they are starting the same kind of work around Marriott.

Maybe I am the only one to wonder what is going on in former "Hawk". So I`m guessing we could expect something more than 3-story down there, it ought to be a "improvement" from what it was.

Im concerned, Im just hoping they dont leave it empty! As long as they put something better than what was there (which would not be hard) Im happy. :)

[ErickMontreal]

Im concerned, Im just hoping they dont leave it empty! As long as they put something better than what was there (which would not be hard) Im happy. :)

Well, that would be quite crazy to see them spending money to get it down and then leaving it empty... so you know what, its still a possibility. I would like to see the sort of builings seen in the "Moncton Vision" for that specific corner.

[acrew79]

Im concerned, Im just hoping they dont leave it empty! As long as they put something better than what was there (which would not be hard) Im happy. :)


More than likely, they will prolly re-design the intersectoin and make a Right Trun lane. so Cube trucks can get up that street.. its a really tight squeeze.. and currently they have to go down to assumption and up lutz rather Main and Turn right.

If i had my way i would do the same thing on Mtn Road and University, Tear down the Eds up and make a right hand access lane.

[ErickMontreal]

More than likely, they will prolly re-design the intersectoin and make a Right Trun lane. so Cube trucks can get up that street.. its a really tight squeeze.. and currently they have to go down to assumption and up lutz rather Main and Turn right.

If its the case, it will simply be a "big joke". Please, suburban epidemic stay away of Main...

[mylesmalley]

More than likely, they will prolly re-design the intersectoin and make a Right Trun lane. so Cube trucks can get up that street.. its a really tight squeeze.. and currently they have to go down to assumption and up lutz rather Main and Turn right.

If i had my way i would do the same thing on Mtn Road and University, Tear down the Eds up and make a right hand access lane.

I thought they were just going to fill in the corner to have a full two story building there.

It's corrections Canada that's moving in, btw.

[mmmatt]

They better not destroy it to add a turning lane, that would be a crime

[ErickMontreal]

Acrew79, did you hear this somewhere or this is based on your own vision ?

[mmmatt]

I thought they were just going to fill in the corner to have a full two story building there.

It's corrections Canada that's moving in, btw.

Really? They occupy most of the red building on the far left of my pano.

[ErickMontreal]

Major projects ready to go downtown?
Perfect storm of separate events may be about to combine and finally launch downtown's ship of dreams

Published Saturday May 3rd, 2008
A1
By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff


It looks like a flood is coming to downtown Moncton, but not the kind that hit our friends and families in Fredericton this week.

For years now, the ideas about what the city could do with the vacant lands of the city core have been swirling around, but little beyond a new road network and a couple of admittedly positive private developments have come on stream.

Swirling around might be the best way to describe it, because despite a lot of activity over the years, the good intentions seem to have always hit a logjam somewhere.

Developers and civic leaders have devoted varying amounts of attention and activity to the issue over the years, but nothing seemed to change anything. As a community, our intentions were dammed if we did and dammed if we didn't.

But now after a decade of trying and talking, conditions seem right for the metaphorical dam (some might prefer a causeway) to burst open, for Moncton to be deluged with downtown development.

Within the month, decisions will be made on the new justice centre and the location of a destination casino, resort and entertainment complex which could indeed be in downtown Moncton.

Meanwhile, a consultant will begin studying the idea of a downtown metro centre, an idea that has captured the imaginations of the vast majority of Metro Moncton residents, according to public opinion polls in the past two years.

A metro centre mixed-use complex is also the sort of development that would fit the bill for what the experts from the Office for Urbanism say the city needs. They are the award-winning firm that in 2006 helped more than a hundred citizens from all walks of life develop a vision for downtown. The folks from the Office for Urbanism told residents and city hall repeatedly that one big ambitious development project has typically been the catalyst for successful downtown revitalizations across North America.

On other fronts, Ashford Properties is about to build an office complex at the corner of Vaughan Harvey and Main, a spiffy looking little four-storey octagon that should make an excellent western gateway to downtown.

Planners and idea people are also looking at more development along the west side of Vaughan Harvey Boulevard. And then there's mysterious excavation, apparent prep work for something, being done between the new Sobeys and the Via Rail Station.

Around the Gunningsville Bridge and other areas of Bridge Street and Assomption Boulevard, there is also room for development.

Meanwhile, the city is assembling land in the area to create a wetland feature, a provincially mandated condition of its destroying other wetland to build the Assomption and Vaughan Harvey extensions. What this wetland will look like is still in the planning stages, but city council and staff have expressed the desire to make it an attractive gateway for tourists entering the city via the Gunningsville Bridge from the Fundy region.

Even once faded Waterloo Street has been getting some new shine lately as a place to live close to downtown. With more people living downtown being the key to any downtown's success, that is significant. Except for that area of Waterloo-Albert Street, the senior's housing at Heritage Court and the high-rise, high-end condominium on Assomption near Mechanic Street, Moncton has no other residential development south of the curving line formed by Main Street and the CN rail line.

And forget metaphorical causeways, the planned opening of the actual causeway will have a positive impact on Moncton's riverfront downtown as well.

As a backdrop to all this is the possibility of a fresh city administration after the May 12 municipal election. No matter how people vote, four of the 11 faces on council, including the mayor's, will be new. Presumably, they and whatever other newcomers might join them will have new ideas and dreams to go along with their new faces.

Downtown Moncton Inc.'s Daniel Allain sees a fresh council as a big part of breaking through the logjam. "The last (current) council had to deal with the questions of the past," he says. "The new council will have to deal with the questions of the future."

The dam is bulging, and Gilles Maltais is daring to dream.

The owner of The Creek restaurant on Robinson Street, Maltais, like most of his fellow downtown entrepreneurs, has heard lots of talk of downtown development that has never amounted to anything. But this time, he senses something is different.

"People are skeptical," he admits. "We've been hearing it for a long time, but right now, I'm really positive," he says.

Gilles loves the talk of a downtown metro centre, because he knows all successful downtowns have draws that support restaurants and bars, and that restaurants and bars can't really be the draw in and of themselves.

A big part of his immediate hopes are, however, hinging on the possibility of a casino complex somewhere near his restaurant, and he believes the fact the downtown Moncton proposal, one of four being considered, includes established local investors, should play in the province's decision-making.

With our capital city's downtown inundated this week, the money the City of Moncton spent last year raising up Assomption Boulevard above historic flood levels is looking like a good investment indeed.

Similarly, that three-week delay last year in opening Vaughan Harvey until the pumps to keep water out of the rail underpass could be installed is also looking like a worthwhile wait these days, as we see canoeists paddling beneath the rail overpass on Fredericton's Queen Street.

But if the building of Assomption Boulevard and Vaughan Harvey Extension have prepared us for the possibility of actual flooding, they have also prepared us to flood the downtown with development. Now let's hope the province and the city and the business community open the floodgates at last.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Will N.B. be taking a gamble with casino bids?
Published Saturday May 3rd, 2008
D10

Welcome to May, Sleuth followers, a month with two juicy events that should provide plenty of fodder for watercooler gossip.

A week from Monday, we all go to the polls and use one of those fancy new vote counting machines to decide who we want to run our municipalities over the next four years. Let's hope those machines actually work!

By the end of the month, the provincial government promises to announce which one of the four bidders for New Brunswick's casino project has hit the jackpot.

A committee of government investigators is now poring over the four casino bids to determine which proposal offers the most security and best deal for New Brunswick. Finance Minister Victor Boudreau, when he announced the four consortia on the short-list, stressed the financial track record of each company would be closely checked.

If that's the case, Sleuth suspects the government committee has been spending a lot of time looking into the past dealings of Carabetta Enterprises, one of the lead partners in the bid of CEI Investments (New Brunswick) Corp. The CEI proposal also goes under the name of Chateau Royale and is rumoured to be eyeing property on the outskirts of Moncton, perhaps near Magnetic Hill.

Sleuth received a plain brown envelope this week. Inside was a clipping from The Arkansas Leader newspaper dated Oct. 4, 2007. That clipping sent Sleuth on a day-long search of other sources that revealed quite a tale about Carabetta, which is based in Meriden, Conn.

Back in 1986, Carabetta Enterprises secured the rights to a vast strip of oceanfront property in Asbury Park, New Jersey, a favourite hangout of Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band. Asbury Park had become a prime example of urban decay and municipal folks hoped Carabetta held the key to future development.

By 1992, only a shell of a condo complex had been built, Carabetta was bankrupt and for the next nine years, Asbury Park's waterfront development was stalled amid lawsuits, millions in unpaid taxes, fights over who should control the property and internal city council wrangling. Another developer finally bought out Carabetta's interest in 2001 and in recent years some actual development has occurred.

Fast-forward to 2004, when a reconstituted Carabetta and a partner formed American Eagle Communities, a company that won a huge contract from the U.S. Defense Department to build 10,000 private housing units on at least five air force and navy bases.

The Arkansas Leader clipping -- and a multitude of other online news sources back this up -- showed that by mid-2007, only 25 of the 1,200 homes to be built at a Little Rock, Ark. base had been completed. The story was the same at four other bases (only two homes out of 400 were finished in Georgia).

A year ago, Carabetta stopped work on all the housing projects amid cost over-runs and protests from sub-contractors about non-payment. The housing-privatization debacle -- as the Leader newspaper called it -- recently culminated with Carabetta and its partner selling interest in the military projects in Arkansas, Washington, Florida, Massachusetts and Georgia.

As Sleuth's mystery friend scribbled on top of the Leader clipping: "Is this who we want to build a casino?"

Sleuth is sure the government bureaucrats in charge of determining the best bidder on our casino project are exercising more than usual due diligence . . . right?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Will airport customs operations be sorted out?
Use of verb in past tense has N.B. MP scratching his head

Published Saturday May 3rd, 2008
A10
By MARC HUDON
Times & Transcript Staff

OTTAWA - A choice of verb tense by a Conservative MP about customs staffing levels at small airports has an N.B. Liberal scratching his head.

"(The Canada Border Services Agency) has conducted its review of core services at the request of the minister and options are being developed," said Tory MP Dave MacKenzie, during Question Period yesterday.

His decision to use a verb in the past tense wasn't lost on Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe Liberal MP Brian Murphy.

Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and officials from his department have repeatedly said the core services review is still in progress.

MacKenzie was responding to questions by Murphy in the House who accused the Conservatives of having no plan to use part of $75 million in customs money to hire more officers at small airports.

Officials at the Fredericton and Moncton airports have said too few customs staff is making it difficult to attract international carriers to the province.

Airlines must pay supplemental fees of up to $200,000 a year to have international passengers processed when flights arrive outside standard business hours.

"It worries me," said Murphy. "If the core services review led to the conclusion that extra staffing was feasible and doable, there might have been an announcement of that by now... So from a (Canada Border Services Agency) perspective, maybe the core services review says it's not feasible."

John Brent, a spokesman for the Department of Public Safety, said yesterday that the review is still in progress.

"Mr. Mackenzie was referring to an initial internal core services review, which was completed in the fall of 2007," said Brent in an e-mail. "As a result of the initial review, our government granted expanded, 24-hours a day, seven days a week customs service to Macdonald-Cartier International Airport in Ottawa, and to the Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport."

Murphy said the government's practice of "cherry picking" which airports in the region receive a full complement of customs staff creates inequities for New Brunswick cities vying for international business opportunities.

"In these smaller communities, this is a big economic boon to have good airports which are busy; to have more air passengers travelling," said Murphy. "It's very good for the economy overall."
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paintball store opens in SportsDome

Published Saturday May 3rd, 2008
B2
Alan Cochrane

The Dundee SportsDome, which already caters to soccer players and golfers, is opening a paintball retail store that will stock paintball markers, paint, masks, clothing, tanks, woods ball equipment, speed ball equipment, various parts and accessories. It will offer a tank filling service along with equipment repairs and servicing. The store will also sell soccer, golf and other sports supplies. SportsDome president Jules Leger said the store is a natural fit because the indoor facility offers paintball year-round.

The Dundee SportsDome is an indoor recreational facility on Russ Howard Drive next to the Tim Hortons 4-Ice Centre with two soccer fields, golf driving range and indoor paintball field.

Vision clinic opens in Dieppe

Alliance Vision Clinic is opening a fourth clinic at 211 Champlain Street in Dieppe. The clinic offers a family-friendly environment with video games for the kids and a variety of modern eyewear. A grand opening will be held Tuesday, May 6 between noon and 8 p.m. The clinic will be open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton city has launched a new website :

www.Moncton.org

[ErickMontreal]

Greater Moncton :: Shopping Destination

http://www.greatermoncton.org/userfiles/file/New%20Spread%20Cover.pdf
http://www.greatermoncton.org/userfiles/file/New%20Inside%20Spread.pdf

Beside the statistics, we learn new things as the planned projects in Riverview in term of retail as well as the Moncton estimate population in 2008 (134 000). I think they picked up some informations on UrbanMoncton about establishes stores in Moncton.

http://www.greatermoncton.org/events.php

[mmmatt]

That new web site is AWESOME! :D I was wondering when they were gonna update it, I figured new logo = new website, just a matter of time haha...looking good!

[ErickMontreal]

Yeah, it looks good ! So the big news today is about the "Carabetta Enterprises", one of the lead partners in the bid for the Casino in Magnetic Hill. The record of the company seem to be catastrophic. ( lawsuits, bankruptcy, incomplete projects)

Thats sounds good for Downtown Casino... :)

[mmmatt]

Yeah looks like they took the list right from UrbanMoncton! haha At least that means people are lookin :)

Great pdfs all together...all info I already suspected, but its nice to see it all layed out in a good-looking way :P

[mmmatt]

Yeah, it looks good ! So the big news today is about the "Carabetta Enterprises", one of the lead partners in the bid for the Casino in Magnetic Hill. The record of the company seem to be catastrophic. ( lawsuits, bankruptcy, incomplete projects)

Thats sounds good for Downtown Casino... :)

Yes that is good news! So that means 1 less proposal to compete with the downtown "best option by far" casino

Really tension is mounting...I could cut it with a knife I swear....if they dont pick downtown we will take to the streets!!! :P

[ErickMontreal]

Yes that is good news! So that means 1 less proposal to compete with the downtown "best option by far" casino

Really tension is mounting...I could cut it with a knife I swear....if they dont pick downtown we will take to the streets!!! :P

To me Magnetic Hill is (was) the biggest opponent to Downtown complex, I could mean I feel really more confident to a Assumption/Westmorland location from now on. Actually, there is a optimistic wind in medias about Downtown... its about time.

[mmmatt]

To me Magnetic Hill is (was) the biggest opponent to Downtown complex, I could mean I feel really more confident to a Assumption/Westmorland location from now on. Actually, there is a optimistic wind in medias about Downtown... its about time.

Very true, there have been about 4 articles praising the downtown casino as the best option by far and even an article by the president of Downtown Moncton Inc hailing it as a critical centerpiece for a "downtown revival"...plus us raving it up like no tomorrow...hopefully the people choosing are seeing all thisssss :)

[ErickMontreal]

Very true, there have been about 4 articles praising the downtown casino as the best option by far and even an article by the president of Downtown Moncton Inc hailing it as a critical centerpiece for a "downtown revival"...plus us raving it up like no tomorrow...hopefully the people choosing are seeing all thisssss :)

Well said. However, I am more and more persuaded Downtown will get it, it just about common sense. Just the fact the complex will provide the overdue convention center is a unavoidable aspect. Furthermore, the downtown project seem to be more realistic while being a better fit to the Maritime context. To me, the choice ought not only be based on tourism impacts but about economic spin-offs engendered by the project itself.

We could see two or three cranes downtown by the autumn...:)

[mmmatt]

Well said. However, I am more and more persuaded Downtown will get it, it just about common sense. Just the fact the complex will provide overdue convention center is a unavoidable aspect. Furthermore, the downtown project seem to be more realistic while being a better fit to the Maritime context. To me, the choice that going to be made is not only based on tourism impacts but about economic spin-offs engendered by the project itself.

We could see two or three cranes downtown by the autumn...

Wouldnt that be just awesome?!

Just as the first Marriott in NB is finishing up the second could be be starting! haha :)

[ErickMontreal]

Wouldnt that be just awesome?!

Just as the first Marriott in NB is finishing up the second could be be starting! haha :)

Yeah, this time we could get "Marriott-Courtyard" or "Marriott-Fairfield" and even maybe "Mariott-Mariott" (unlikely).

[homebody]

Ya know you people from Moncton ( And I dont mean everbody that chooses to live there. Just the one or two that right on this forum. ) sound so full of of yourselves its funny. If you guys could only hear yourselves. You guys go on about a casino for this place or that place but your not even sure if you have it yet. It could still go to Saint John. From what ive been told there have been back room talks with one of you developers that is based in Moncton about bringing the Casino to Saint John. It would make sense because the place is booming. Look at the Cruise ship traffic from May till October Incomes are much higher in Saint John, and nobody makes a fortune working at a call centre which is the fabric of Moncton. Plus the fact is you guys are too close to 2 other gaming facilities.

[mmmatt]

Ya know you people from Moncton sound so full of of yourselves its not funny. If you guys could only hear yourselves. You guys go on about a casino for this place or that place but your not even sure if you have it yet. It could still go to Saint John. From what ive been told there have been talks with one of you developers that is based in Moncton about bring the Casino to Saint John. It would make sense because the place is booming. Look at the Cruise ship traffic from May till October Incomes are much higher in Saint John, and nobody makes a fortune working at a call centre which is the fabric of Moncton. Plus the fact is you guys are too close to 2 other gaming facilities.

Hello homebody and welcome to our forum!

We talk about the casino in *hopes* that it will be located downtown, nobody ever said that we know it will be in downtown Moncton or that we were 100% SURE it would be in moncton, however 3/4 proposals are in in the Moncton area for sure, and the fourth is highly likely here as well.

In regards to the cruise ship stats yes that is true, however as it has been mentioned before most crusie ships already have a casino on-board.

Statscan released info just this week which stated household incomes are about 1,500$ higher on average in Moncton than SJ.

I dont mean to start an arguement with you, I just thought Id lay out some facts for you to consider.

[ErickMontreal]

Ya know you people from Moncton ( And I dont mean everbody that chooses to live there. Just the one or two that right on this forum. ) sound so full of of yourselves its funny. If you guys could only hear yourselves. You guys go on about a casino for this place or that place but your not even sure if you have it yet. It could still go to Saint John. From what ive been told there have been back room talks with one of you developers that is based in Moncton about bringing the Casino to Saint John. It would make sense because the place is booming. Look at the Cruise ship traffic from May till October Incomes are much higher in Saint John, and nobody makes a fortune working at a call centre which is the fabric of Moncton. Plus the fact is you guys are too close to 2 other gaming facilities.

Yes maybe we show overconfidence but whether you like it or not, we are in a position to do so. Don`t get me wrong, this is not against Saint John or something, we are just glad things progresses in downtown issue. Its all about speculation and yes we have the right to speculate.

Moreover, since when visitors income are took into account in this specific statitic... ?

[MonctonGoldenFlames]

Ya know you people from Moncton ( And I dont mean everbody that chooses to live there. Just the one or two that right on this forum. ) sound so full of of yourselves its funny. If you guys could only hear yourselves. You guys go on about a casino for this place or that place but your not even sure if you have it yet. It could still go to Saint John. From what ive been told there have been back room talks with one of you developers that is based in Moncton about bringing the Casino to Saint John. It would make sense because the place is booming. Look at the Cruise ship traffic from May till October Incomes are much higher in Saint John, and nobody makes a fortune working at a call centre which is the fabric of Moncton. Plus the fact is you guys are too close to 2 other gaming facilities.

People being positive and proud of Moncton in a Moncton thread, who'd have thunk it?

[mmmatt]

Does anyone know the current status of the "place d'evangeline" condo project in downtown dieppe?? I passed by the sign for it yesterday and it looks really huge...maybe 5 or six floors and a very large footprint...maybe its on hold? I dunno much about it.

[ErickMontreal]

Its official, Urban Planet is taking over former Future Shop space, I saw an add of it.

[mmmatt]

Its official, Urban Planet is taking over former Future Shop space, I saw an add of it.

Thats gonna be one huge clothing store! haha...it is clothing right?

[kirjtc2]

It is. Same company that owns Stitches.

[ErickMontreal]

Thats gonna be one huge clothing store! haha...it is clothing right?

Yeah, I think it is part of Suzy Shier/Stiches/Bluenote company, its not really a high-end store but like you said its gonna be really huge.

[mylesmalley]

Saw the mayoral candidate debate this afternoon. Peter Michaud vs. George LeBlanc. They have pretty similar talking points, except LeBlanc is hugely pro tax cuts and Michaud isn't. They both want downtown coliseums, blah blah. Interestingly, LeBlanc is a big proponent of a 'downtown catalyst project'.

[mmmatt]

Saw the mayoral candidate debate this afternoon. Peter Michaud vs. George LeBlanc. They have pretty similar talking points, except LeBlanc is hugely pro tax cuts and Michaud isn't. They both want downtown coliseums, blah blah. Interestingly, LeBlanc is a big proponent of a 'downtown catalyst project'.

Good for Leblanc then! haha, basically which ever mentions the word "downtown" the most gets my vote :P

[JasonL-Moncton]

The fact that Leblanc is pro tax cuts & downtown is a huge plus for me!

Just checked and according to the Urban Planet web site there I already a store in Saint John? (No mention of a new store in Moncton)

Jason

PS> The NB Gov. just announced $1.2M for the Magnetic Hill Concert site!

[mylesmalley]

The fact that Leblanc is pro tax cuts & downtown is a huge plus for me!

Just checked and according to the Urban Planet web site there I already a store in Saint John? (No mention of a new store in Moncton)

Jason

PS> The NB Gov. just announced $1.2M for the Magnetic Hill Concert site!

LeBlanc has my vote, but that has a lot to do with Michaud really putting me off at the debate. He really went on the attack at the end of the debate and there was really no reason to do that.

Leblanc, on the other hand, seems way too focused on taxes, or how to reduce them. He seems quite determined to cut revenue and yet increase spending with his catalyst project.

And really, though everyone loves to complain about taxes, they really aren't that bad here. Compared to some municipalities in Canada, our tax rate looks quite reasonable. We get what we pay for, too. It costs a lot of money to pave the roads, plow the sidewalks, and open new parks.

[MonctonGoldenFlames]

Tax cuts are a great way to get votes and errode City revenue at the same time! Let's spend more, take in less as long as I get voted in. Short term gain for long term pain.

[ErickMontreal]

Just checked and according to the Urban Planet web site there I already a store in Saint John? (No mention of a new store in Moncton)


I found it out, they are just looking for staff thus far.

http://jobview.monster.ca/GetJob.aspx?JobID=71453276&JobTitle=Retail+Fashion+Assistant+Manager+%26+Shift+Leader+-+Champlain+Place&cnme=moncton&cy=CA&vw=b&AVSDM=2008-05-02+09%3a03%3a00&pg=1&seq=11

[ErickMontreal]

George LeBlanc, Pierre Michaud show differing views on taxes, downtown development
A1
By Aloma Jardine
Times & Transcript Staff

Moncton's mayoral candidates squared off in front of a joint luncheon meeting of the Moncton Rotary Club and the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce yesterday.

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=124495&size=265x0
Moncton mayoralty candidates Pierre Michaud, left, and George LeBlanc went head-to-head yesterday.

Taxation and environmental sustainability were two of the hottest topics as the forum progressed, with both George LeBlanc and Pierre Michaud taking the time to outline their views on those issues.

LeBlanc reiterated his plan to establish a committee to review taxes and spending in the city that would have to report back within four months -- before next year's budget is worked out. The committee's mandate would be to determine if tax cuts are achievable while maintaining the city's growth and services.

"It is very clear in my action plan that I intend to make (lowering taxes) my first priority," he says. "But it has to be done in a responsible way."

Michaud says the provincial government is already looking at reforming the tax system and sees no need to duplicate that exercise.

"There are things you can influence and things you can control and there are other things you can have no effect on. One of them is taxes," he says.

He says the city should be looking at how it can modify its budget to be more cost effective.

"We need to look at revenues and then adjust the services we provide," he says. "...It's hard to lower taxes because of things that are out of our control like oil."

Both candidates also expressed strong views on the environment after they were asked when the city will take a stand on the Kyoto Accord and pressure the federal government to implement it.

Michaud says Kyoto is important and something the city could take a stand on, but suggested it would be more beneficial for the city to put its efforts into areas where it has more influence, such as uranium exploration in the region.

LeBlanc says environmental sustainability is a necessity and says he has already been speaking with Université de Moncton professor Yves Gagnon about how to make Moncton a city that places a high priority on the environment.

LeBlanc says he would like to restructure the city's environment committee to include experts like Gagnon. He would also like to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides in the city, reduce the amount of paper used at city hall, and create a better transit system.

The tone of the forum remained polite throughout as the candidates largely refrained from making digs at one another.

At one point LeBlanc suggested Michaud's platform was not clear on where he stood on the issue of reducing property taxes; later Michaud took a shot at LeBlanc for not attending council meetings and budget sessions as he has been for the past six months.

Michaud is new to municipal politics; LeBlanc served three terms on Moncton City Council from 1995 to 2004.

Each candidate had five minutes to outline his platform, then five questions submitted from those attending the luncheon were chosen and LeBlanc and Michaud took turns answering each one. The forum ended with each candidate getting 2 1/2 minutes to wrap up his position.

The first question the candidates were faced with is one Moncton mayors have been trying to answer for years: how do you plan to move convention centre plans forward and what are you going to do with the former Beaver Lumber site?

"We have a large area in the downtown that has not been developed for 10 years," LeBlanc says. "What we need is a catalyst, something to get things moving forward."

LeBlanc believes a standalone convention centre is not the right answer for the city. Instead, he envisions a multi-purpose building that would house convention space, but would also serve other needs, possibly including an arena.

"A multi-use facility that will include convention facilities could be just the thing we need to get things moving in the downtown," he says.

Neither candidate directly addressed the Beaver Lumber property question and Michaud sidestepped the convention question in favour of talking downtown development in general.

Michaud says the downtown area needs increased density, with more people living and working downtown. He pointed out the empty second and third storeys of many buildings along Main Street and says the city needs to take advantage of the asset it has in the Petitcodiac River and develop around it.

Michaud says the city needs to bounce back from a reliance on call centres and suggests that with three universities in the area, a centre focusing on research in health and the environment would be a perfect fit.

LeBlanc believes the people of Moncton want a mayor with a vision not just for the next four years, but for the next 10 or 20.

"I have a vision. That vision is based upon fundamental pillars," he says: enhancing our quality of life and aggressively pursuing opportunities for prosperity.

"If we focus on those two fundamental things, in 10 to 20 years we will have a Moncton that is even greater than it is today... Vision, however, is not enough. We must set priorities and take action."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

N.B. puts $1.2M into concert site
Investment will help Moncton hold reputation as best place to stage outdoor shows

Published Tuesday May 6th, 2008
A1
BY ALAN COCHRANE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

The Magnetic Hill Concert Site's drawing power as a tourist attraction got a $1.2-million boost yesterday as Finance Minister Victor Boudreau officially announced the province's investment in Moncton.

Boudreau said the provincial government wants to help Moncton become the first choice of concert promoters and continue bringing big shows to the venue. The money announced yesterday will go toward enhanced power sources, backstage buildings, washrooms, crowd control barricades and capital items. Boudreau said the figure of $1.2 million was agreed upon after discussions with the city and it works out to a cost-sharing agreement.

"Our investment in infrastructure enhancements at Magnetic Hill will strengthen the concert site's competitive advantage and result in major economic benefits for the Moncton area and New Brunswick," Boudreau told a news conference at City Hall yesterday afternoon.

He said previous concerts -- the Rolling Stones in 2005 and two Country Rocks the Hill events in 2007 and 2007 -- have proved that Moncton can draw big crowds of music fans from all over the country, which translates into money spent here.

Officials say 78 per cent of the people attending the Rolling Stones show were from out of town, and they spent about $239 per person. That translates into $13 million in projected spending at campgrounds, restaurants, shopping malls and other businesses in the region.

City spokesman Ian Fowler said yesterday nearly 50,000 tickets have been sold for the Aug. 2 concert featuring the Eagles, John Fogerty, K.T. Tunstall and the Sam Roberts Band. Tickets are $124.50 for regular admission; and $249 for VIP grandstand seats, (prices do not include taxes and service charges). Fowler said the VIP tickets are nearly sold out.

Fowler said the $1.2 million investment from the province will help the city begin the process of building permanent washroom facilities at the concert site.

This will include about 30 flush units for the ladies and a men's facility. But it won't eliminate the need for the long lines of porta-potties that have become a fixture at outdoor concerts.

"We're concentrating on the backstage this year, and move out from there," Fowler said yesterday.

Boudreau said the number of visitors drawn in by concerts can't help but be good for tourism in the southeast region and around the province.

The province is hopeful that people who come for the concert will decide to stay for a while, plan a return visit or go home and tell people about New Brunswick.

Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton, who is stepping down at the end of this term, said developing the site has been a key objective for the city in recent years.

"These concerts are a significant economic generator for our city, our region and the rest of the province. The ongoing investment is a lasting investment that keeps us ahead of the competition."

Boudreau said the province's investment is directly tied to the construction of a new sports stadium at l'Université de Moncton for the 2010 World Junior Track and Field Championships. Once finished, the stadium will become a multi-use facility also capable of hosting concerts.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MEET show to attract 5,000 visitors
Published Tuesday May 6th, 2008
C2

Organizers expect almost 5,000 visitors from all over Canada and the United States to attend the Mechanical Electrical Electronic Technology (MEET) show tomorrow and Thursday at the Moncton Coliseum.

The closed trade show will feature more than 400 booths displaying the very latest equipment available to the mechanical and electrical industries.

In addition to the wide-ranging exhibits, the highlight of the show will be the plumbing and electrical wiring skills competition tomorrow morning. These competitions bring students together from across New Brunswick to complete projects that will be judged based on skills and accuracy. The industry-related contests show hands-on expertise, talent and determination showcasing the many promising futures to be found in trades and technology.

The winning students from these provincial events will be invited to be part of Team New Brunswick which will compete at the 14th annual Canadian Skills Competition in Calgary later this year.

Education is a major component at the MEET show, with a full lineup of seminars scheduled.

The industry dinner is set for tomorrow night at the Delta Beauséjour.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Big 'tailgate party' set for Eagles show
City to enforce strict permit regulations for campgrounds

Published Tuesday May 6th, 2008
A1
BY ALAN COCHRANE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF


With a little more than 80 days to go, the operator of a campground near the Magnetic Hill Concert Site is gearing up for a big tailgate party on the weekend of the Eagles show.

Moncton businessman Troy Boudreau says he hopes to pre-sell as many of the spots on the 60-acre campsite as possible before the event. He said the site, formerly known as King's Camping, will have up to 5,000 spaces available near the Magnetic Hill site.

The campground operator said he is following all the rules and regulations being set out by the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission and promises a safe, secure and fun place for concert fans to stay during the weekend.

Advertisements placed in Halifax newspapers for EaglesCamping.com., are billing the site as a three-minute walk from the concert site for "Canada's largest two-day tailgate party." The site will include a party zone with music, food and supplies. The ads offer packages of $40 per person for two nights of camping and admission to the tailgate parties. Parking passes are $25 and admission to the tailgate party is $10 per person.

Boudreau said tailgate parties are a big thing in the United States, especially at concerts and large sporting events like the Superbowl, and hopes the idea will be popular here.

"The whole idea is to create an atmosphere that goes along with the Eagles concert where people get together and have fun and meet people." He said a Jimmy Buffett tailgate party at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., drew 85,000 people and was almost as big as the actual concert.

He said the ads have already resulted in many calls from Halifax from people looking for a place to stay during the concert weekend.

The big outdoor shows draw thousands of people to Metro Moncton and result in a bit of an underground economy during concert weekends as local people make a bit of money on the side by renting out their lawns as parking lots, or even setting up barbecues on their properties.

But after some campgrounds slipped under the radar at previous concerts, the city stepped in with tougher regulations. In past years, there were complaints from campground owners who invested money to upgrade their facilities, only to be undercut by others who hadn't.

City spokesman Ian Fowler said yesterday all campgrounds must meet certain standards before they are issued with a permit. And those that don't have permits can be shut down.

"There is a process where temporary campsites need to get approval and need to meet minimum requirements that have been established by the city in conjunction with town planning and if they fail to do so the site will not be allowed to operate."

Bill Budd, executive-director of the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission, said Boudreau's application is among those to be dealt with at the next meeting and will likely be approved if it meets the required conditions.

He said temporary campgrounds must file an application showing a detailed site plan and a pledge to meet public health and safety issues such as water, sanitary facilities, trash, vehicle traffic and security. The applications are reviewed by a committee including representatives from the city, RCMP, fire department and provincial health department. Budd said the regulations are mainly to ensure that people who stay at these campsites are well cared for. Besides sanitary conditions, one of the main conditions is that the parking lot is separate from the campground.

Meanwhile, Fowler said the many committees are now beginning their job of ironing out the many details associated with the August show.

"We're getting ready to pull all the organizing committees together to talk about things like camping, transportation, medical services and everything else that needs to be done," city spokesman Ian Fowler said yesterday. "We'll have everything lined up and ready to roll."

Organizers rely on a large number of support workers and volunteers to look after people at the show, including security and medical staff.

The city is also in negotiations with a co-ordinator of concessions and food service inside the concert site. Fowler said organizers have learned valuable lessons during the previous shows and are using those lessons to improve services the next time.

Fowler said fans planning on attending the show can keep checking the official website at www.magnetichillmusicfestival.ca for details on rules, regulations and other information as the big weekend draws closer.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dieppe to discuss Paul St. options
Published Tuesday May 6th, 2008
A3

Options for the renewal of Paul Street will be the highlight of the agenda when Dieppe city council meets for a special session at 12:30 p.m. this afternoon.

One of this region's busiest streets, Paul Street which skirts around the west side of busy Champlain Place shopping mall, will see a new configuration, new underground infrastructure and a complete rebuild in the months to come. Dieppe has for a number of months been considering its options for carrying out the work and now those options will be on the table for discussion by council at today's meeting.

The meeting will be held in Dieppe council chambers and residents are invited to attend.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Moncton tenders awarded

C103 NEWS UPDATE

Moncton city council has awarded tenders for some multi-million dollar projects set to get underway. Phase-one of the widening of Mapleton Road, this year from Trinity to the Aliant entrance near the T-C-H, will be done by Modern Construction who submitted a quote of just shy of 4.3-million dollars. Meantime, the contract for phase-one of the new track stadium at U-de'M goes to Acadian Construction with a bid of nearly 5.9-million. This covers site work, underground infrastructure, the field, and a portion of the bleachers. The successful quote for the synthetic track comes from Mondo American at close to 1.4-million dollars.The phase-two call for tenders will come at the end of this month.

[ErickMontreal]

:: Moncton Downtown ::
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/2471406653_b0e76ae41e_b.jpg

:: Moncton - Jone Lake ::
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2039/2464305129_53c3d6fb4b_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/2462413965_ca4e397f44_b.jpg

By Drgnmastr :: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drgnmastr/

[JasonL-Moncton]

HalifaxMtl...too bad that in that first pic everything in the foreground 'used' to be water...they really need to fix the river...

[ErickMontreal]

Paul St. to be fixed - in three years
Five lanes, decorative lighting, underground wiring planned for busy Dieppe street

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=124996&size=465x0
Dieppe's busy Paul Street is about to undergo renovations.

Published Wednesday May 7th, 2008
A1
By James Foster
Times & Transcript Staff

The first phase of the reconfiguration and reconstruction of Paul Street will start this year, with most of the work taking place next year, Dieppe city council decided yesterday.

"It has to be done," Mayor Achille Maillet said after a special mid-day council meeting.

"It's past due, when you consider that about 12 million people go to the (Champlain Place) mall every year."

The total makeover of Paul Street and the municipal infrastructure underneath the street will cost about $10 million. Phase one will take three years and $6 million, with about $1 million being spent this year.

It will begin near Highway 15 (Veterans' Highway) and proceed southerly to Sunset Street. Phase two will extend from there to Champlain Street. Phase three will involve the area around the intersection of Champlain and Paul streets, possibly including access to lands behind the existing Irving Mainway store that is not currently accessible for development.

Staff told council and this newspaper that the exact future configuration of Paul Street depends on how negotiations end with landowners along the busy commercial street.

However, residents can expect new intersections, new entrances and exits from retailers and services along Paul Street, a median down the middle and an additional, fifth lane from the four-lane highway between Moncton and Shediac leading into Champlain Place and Crystal Palace.

Land negotiations continue with property owners along the street.

Councillor-at-Large Jean Gaudet challenged council to be visionary when it comes to sidewalk and crosswalk safety as well as to the environment, pushing for a roundabout rather than a traditional intersection at the reconfigured street's major traffic crossing as, he said, they are far more safe and efficient in moving traffic along and thus more environmentally sound.

While the exact look of the new road won't be known for some time yet, it is clear that the current mishmash of entrances and exits into and out of the relatively short street's more than 100 businesses will be changed to promote efficient movement of traffic.

The street surface has seen much better days, with council recently opting not to spend money paving it in the knowledge it was about to be completely transformed, something Maillet termed "responsible and prudent."

The third year of phase one will be mostly cosmetic in nature, with lighting, a top coat of pavement, trees and shrubbery installed.

When finished, the entire street will be transformed, including the underground infrastructure, which is also due for replacement. Decorative lighting akin to what exists now on Champlain Street is being considered for Paul Street and the plans call for extending Dieppe's popular riverfront trail along one side of the new street so that people can walk, bicycle or even rollerblade their way to the shopping district.

One side of the street will feature a more traditional concrete sidewalk along its full length.

Overhead wires would be buried to add to the area's aesthetic appeal.

Council's resolution yesterday approves only the first phase of the project.

A number of candidates in Monday's municipal election were in the public gallery yesterday, some of whom thought the timing of the announcement was politically suspect. One asked to publicly address the meeting but was turned down on a point of procedure: where public council meetings in Dieppe routinely entertain questions from the public, the rules of order state that at special meetings, such as yesterday's, only topics on the agenda can be dealt with, and there was nothing on the agenda pertaining to taking questions from the public.

That rule could be overruled, however, with a motion from a council member to do so, though only if it received unanimous support, a point that proved moot since no motion was forthcoming.

[ErickMontreal]

HalifaxMtl...too bad that in that first pic everything in the foreground 'used' to be water...they really need to fix the river...

You`re right Jason, the river has to be fixed asap.

[ErickMontreal]

Metrovision

Heres a short video of the second digital billboard in the Moncton area, it is located in the Trinity Drive Power Centre on the corner of Mapleton Road & Trinity Drive.

XlH_pQ7gC0o

http://metrovisionsigns.com/

Electronic Advertising Systems - Located along Champlain Street

http://electronicads.ca/

[ErickMontreal]

WirelessWave/Tbooth will open its first location within NB in Moncton. Altogether, they already have 160 locations throughout Ontario, Québec, Alberta, Manitoba and BC as well.

There is advertising for stores in Dieppe, Moncton and Halifax.

http://www.wirelesswave.ca/index.asp
http://www.tbooth.ca/

[JasonL-Moncton]

Metrovision

Heres a short video of the second digital billboard in the Moncton area, it is located in the Trinity Drive Power Centre on the corner of Mapleton Road & Trinity Drive.

XlH_pQ7gC0o

http://metrovisionsigns.com/

Electronic Advertising Systems - Located along Champlain Street

http://electronicads.ca/

I dislike those things a LOT, they are very distracting to drivers...like we don't have enough distraction to drivers in this city

[mylesmalley]

I dislike those things a LOT, they are very distracting to drivers...like we don't have enough distraction to drivers in this city

A friend and I were walking downtown last weekend at about 11 pm. When we got to about the skate park on assumption, she pointed out how you could see the sign in front of sears from all the way over there!

[kirjtc2]

Geez...and I thought the Wham board in Fredericton was tacky enough.

[ErickMontreal]

Geez...and I thought the Wham board in Fredericton was tacky enough.

I wonder what would be your reaction in either Toronto or Montreal where those kind of advertisements are everywhere.

[mylesmalley]

Geez...and I thought the Wham board in Fredericton was tacky enough.

You mean the sign at the top of the hill? I love that thing! That hotel is so unique.

[kwajo]

Metrovision

Heres a short video of the second digital billboard in the Moncton area, it is located in the Trinity Drive Power Centre on the corner of Mapleton Road & Trinity Drive.

XlH_pQ7gC0o

http://metrovisionsigns.com/

Electronic Advertising Systems - Located along Champlain Street

http://electronicads.ca/
So anyone want to take bets on how long these things last before someone from Hillsborough shoots it with their rifle during deer season?

[SJTOKO]

So anyone want to take bets on how long these things last before someone from Hillsborough shoots it with their rifle during deer season?


lol!

[ErickMontreal]

Dieppe choosing its spending priorities: mayor
Paul Street reconstruction spread out to ease financial burden, says Achille Maillet

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=125431&size=465x0
Redesigning and reconstructing Paul Street, the city's next big project, has been broken down into three phases, the first of which is planned over three years.

A7
By Aloma Jardine
Published Thursday May 8th, 2008
Times & Transcript Staff

Dieppe Mayor Achille Maillet says it is about priorities.

Maillet says the move is necessary in order to finance the $10 to $11 million project without putting the city on shaky financial ground.

Arguably, the city could have set aside one of the other large projects it has carried out in the past few years in favour of the Paul Street development, but Maillet says all of the other projects the city has undertaken -- a new city hall, an aquatic centre, the creation of Dieppe Boulevard, redoing Amirault Street -- are equally important.

"Which project would we have cut down? Dieppe Boulevard, Amirault Street, city hall, they all add to the quality of life in Dieppe," he says. "We are building to ensure the future of this city and all the economists are saying do it now."

Maillet says some of the projects that were completed during this term were inherited from the previous council ­-- though it was made up of a good number of the same people as the current council. He says Paul Street was only made a priority by the current council. ­ ­­­

The city has been advised by the municipal capital borrowing board not to borrow more than about $4 million a year for the next few years while it pays down its debt and Maillet says that is advice council has chosen to follow.

Although the city has been heavily criticized for its recent spending, in particular over the brickwork around the new city hall and the stainless steel pool it has purchased for its aquatic centre, Maillet says the city is in good financial shape at the moment.

"I want to keep it that way," he says. "We have to be disciplined. We have a plan for the next few years, we have a limit and we will not invest more."

Unlike the Amirault Street fix, Paul Street doesn't qualify for funding from the provincial government, so the city needs to bankroll the entire project itself, although Maillet says they will be applying for funding for the project from the gas tax.

Maillet says phase two and three of the project shouldn't take as long because they are not as complex as the first phase, which will see the complete reconstruction of Paul Street from near Highway 2 (the Trans Canada Highway) to Sunset Street.

Maillet says the city is trying to plan the project to cause the least amount of disruption to traffic as possible.

With this year's work set to be largely planning, with some possible underground preparation work, Maillet expects traffic shouldn't be held up too much.

"We have to work so we don't cause that many inconveniences for the public," he says.

The real construction will begin next spring.

"Next summer we are going to have to go through short-term pain to arrive at long-term gain, but we are going to try to do it when it is not peak driving season," he says.