The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread [Archive] - Page 50

josh_cat_eyes

May 3, 2009, 4:17 PM

I am new to the forums here, but I am quite familiar with the developments within Moncton and Atlantic Canada, despite being from Summerside PEI. Anyway, I had I few ideas as to help fix some problems I have come to notice within the city of Moncton.

Problem #1.
When the Moncton North finally gets developed all the way to the Ryan Road, that road will become a major road because it circles the intire part of that city. If this road was connected to Trinity Drive and Wheeler, that would give it a place to empty out onto, rather than have to use Evergreen Dr. or one of the other roads that go from Mountain to Ryan. See my diagram I have made.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c337/josh_cat_eyes/Picture1-3.png

Problem #2.
The the set of lights on Wheeler. I always have thought that this could be avoided, be the train track have just made it hard. Here is my plan. Extend the rail bridge so that there can be a ramp go under it. Also add an overpass over top of Wheeler. See my Diagram.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c337/josh_cat_eyes/Picture2.png
The other problelm I have is the causeway traffic circle. the rail bridges really take away a lot of visibility and the added lanes crossing over at exit "0" is dangerous. This too could be avoided. I am still trying to think up a good idea without getting too crazy. Perhaps when the causeway is replaced something can be tied in from the new bridge.

MonctonRad

May 3, 2009, 8:16 PM

:previous:

Welcome to the forums Josh, it looks like you will be giving some valuable input here! I'll look at your traffic proposals in more detail later. It'll be interesting to get Myles opinion as well as he seems to have an interest in traffic engineering. In particular, he has some well developed views on the causeway traffic circle.

BTW, I'm originally from PEI too. :)

ErickMontreal

May 3, 2009, 10:53 PM

Me and Myles took some pictures this afternoon in the Uptown Dieppe Area/Dieppe Blvd area :

Uptown Dieppe Haute-Ville :: Building E / Condos + Retail spaces

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3497805245_dac6cb2356_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3498625112_5b7bba6897_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3498614896_2788bf9abe_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3497830111_5d85c81773_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3497853633_07d8d99446_b.jpg

Uptown Dieppe Haute-Ville :: Centre Aquatique / Aquatic Center

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3498663992_8c925cb813_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3497820185_cb738fe45a_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3498648268_80f0bde23f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3497826909_02c0df1214_b.jpg

Jardins Beausoleil Gardens

Jardins Beausoleil is a brand-new development located along Dieppe BLVD scheduled to be built in different phases. Myles counted roughly more than 600-units altogether. (Apartment Buildings, Duplexs, Town-houses + Commercial spaces)

The masterplan of the project.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3497783211_8164c34f8d_b.jpg

The first building of the phase 1 ( 5-story )
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3497795019_df8b54b2d6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3498653670_cd4a765e2f_b.jpg

The land where the next phases will take place.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/3497789221_f12c122056_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3497843515_43c42d5deb_b.jpg

mylesmalley

May 4, 2009, 12:50 AM

First off, welcome Josh! It's good to see another road enthusiast on the forum.

I've dug up a few of my maps (had to redo one of them because I deleted it).

@ the causeway traffic circle:

http://www.marketingsociety.ca/maps/moncton/causewaytraffic.png
- The circle is currently 3 lanes wide on the east side (turning right onto Main St) and two lanes on the other side.
- What I propose is widening the west underpass to four lanes. From inside to out, you'd have a dedicated lane for the circle, followed by a merge lane between wheeler and those already in the circle, followed by a dedicated lane going from wheeler to the causeway (no merge needed), and a dedicated lane going from Wheeler to Salisbury Rd.
- advantage would be access from Wheeler would be greatly improved to all destinations. would eliminate the bottleneck coming down the hill at rush hour.
- downside is that it would be a pain to go from Salisbury Rd to Main or Wheeler. However it would only be tough in the evening, where most of the traffic is coming from Wheeler. In the morning, most traffic is going /to/ Wheeler so there'd be a lot more room to merge.

@ Mountain and Wheeler

http://www.marketingsociety.ca/maps/moncton/mountain_wheeler.jpg
I think the only really feasible change here would be to eliminate the off-ramp from west-bound wheeler onto Mountain, and replacing it with a loop that ends at traffic lights at trinity drive.
- Advantages: would effectively mean people could get off Wheeler directly onto trinity or mountain in the same intersection. It would allow the city to get rid of an entire set of lights at the old off-ramp. Best of all, the existing ramps wouldn't need reconfiguring and no adjustments would be needed to Trinity or Mountain. Come to think of it, traffic would actually move easier, because vehicles on Wheeler traveling west could now turn south onto Mountain - something they can't do at all right now unless they get off at Mapleton.

@ Botsford and Wheeler

http://www.marketingsociety.ca/maps/moncton/wheeler_botsford.jpg
- red line: train tracks, no change to the bridge.
- orange line: university avenue.
- yellow line: botsford, now elevated above wheeler.
- blue lines: new ramps on/off wheeler.

The new ramps allow for access to Botsford from westbound-wheeler. To make up for the lack of room at Botsford, two ramps need to be added at University. It'd mean a pretty big shift in traffic flow to University from Botsford, and it would become the main way into downtown from Wheeler. This would be pretty tough for a while, but University does have the benefit of having room to expand to four lanes at leas to Mountain and maybe to St George.

This plan really isn't ideal, obviously. But I think it strikes a reasonable balance between the poor situation now, and the huge cost of moving the rail line and building a proper full-access interchange at Botsford.

Anyway, I'm no traffic engineer, but I think those might work.

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

As for your plans, I like where you're going with them. I've only got one comment for each.

For Mountain Road, I'm not sure if extending Ryan Road to Trinity would be feasible. The residents in the area would probably be against the added traffic flow. I think in the long run, Ryan Rd from Horseman to north of the Casino will become the major thoroughfare that you describe, but I think the last section will remain a relatively minor access road into Hildergard. That said, who knows what'll happen.

My only comment on the Botsford map is, would there be enough room between Botsford and the train overpass to put an offramp? Or would it be too steep? Maybe the ramp could cross the tracks at-grade then drop down to Wheeler on the other side. There are only a half dozen trains a day there as-is so I don't see that being a huge problem.

MonctonRad

May 4, 2009, 2:01 AM

My only comment re: Ryan Road is that I think it would be nice to reconnect Ryan across Wheeler Blvd. via an overpass. Ryan had previously been cleaved in half when Wheeler Blvd. was built.

If Ryan were reconnected, this would help to relieve morning congestion inbound on Mountain Road.

Inbound traffic volumes on Mountain drop off considerably when you pass through the Wheeler interchange. If you could bypass this congestion at Wheeler/Mountain by using a reconnected Ryan Road, this would greatly simplify the morning commute for residents of the Hildegarde/Evergreen/Kingswood subdivisions. I think it would be a relatively cheap solution as well, only a single overpass with no access ramps. :)

josh_cat_eyes

May 4, 2009, 2:36 AM

MonctonRad, what you said is basically my idea in another way. It still involves the extension of Ryan Road to Mountain Road. The whole purpose, to relieve Mountain Road of a lot of traffic.

Also, Myles, your plan at Mountain and Wheeler is really what I would like to see happen. I was just messing around and thought, hey there is room to do this (my idea). The Botsford-Wheeler intersection could also probably work the way you suggested with the changes under mine. Even if it was done as a normal interchange, and just have the north side ramps go over the train tracks. Both the Botsford and Mountian Rd. plans are likely the most feasible.

riverviewer

May 4, 2009, 9:27 AM

it is sad that everyone has lost faith in the Mapleton budget-Fashion Centre. Maybe this is the breather the city needs to catch the traffic patterns up to development.

You've got some wild ideas there Josh! Not sure if I can follow where you are taking me, but I agree that the city needs more access.

Great photo tour, guys. I can't help thinking that somehow "Uptown" looks too much like a "ghost town" right now. When is it going to be ready for people?

I'm pleased to see retention pools on the Beausoleil development poster. With the in-filling of the Fox Creek watershed, removal of the forest, and paving over the bog, I have been wondering if conditions are being created for flash flooding. The retention ponds should help capture some of the run-off.

gehrhardt

May 4, 2009, 12:18 PM

- red line: train tracks, no change to the bridge.
- orange line: university avenue.
- yellow line: botsford, now elevated above wheeler.
- blue lines: new ramps on/off wheeler.

The new ramps allow for access to Botsford from westbound-wheeler. To make up for the lack of room at Botsford, two ramps need to be added at University. It'd mean a pretty big shift in traffic flow to University from Botsford, and it would become the main way into downtown from Wheeler. This would be pretty tough for a while, but University does have the benefit of having room to expand to four lanes at leas to Mountain and maybe to St George.

I can see a bit of a problem, though Myles. The road you have in Orange is actually Church st, not Universite Ave. I'm not so sure the city would want an increased amount of traffic passing through the narrow street in front of Moncton High. It would provide an alternate route to Elmwood Dr, though.

JasonL-Moncton

May 4, 2009, 12:31 PM

I went up to the Casino yesterday...holy, moving right along, and that retaining wall is insane!

I agree...they should reconnect Ryan to Mountain via an overpass. I've also said that at Trinity they should put and overpass in at the light by East Side Marios and go over to Plaza Blvd. between Wal-Mart and Paderno. It would take a great deal of congestion off the one bridge even though they are widening it.

J

mylesmalley

May 4, 2009, 1:23 PM

You're absolutely right, Gerhart. I completely overlooked that. Really then, the best way the Botsford intersection could be improved would be to replace it with an overpass with a diamond-interchange. The two ramps on the north side would have to cross the train tracks at-grade then drop down to Wheeler on the other side.

When you think about it, that really shouldn't be as expensive a project as it would be if the city got really creative with the ramps and bridges.

@Riverviewer,

Uptown Dieppe is definitely still a work in progress, but I can say from personal experience, you wouldn't believe the progress they've made in just two years. Businesses are moving into the area, albeit slowly. That will pick up once the area gets a critical mass of residents, which is happening at a pretty surprising speed. The actual uptown-dieppe project is significant, but it's only one of many in the works. Phase 2/3 of Fox Creek is underway, and this BeauSoleil project is enormous. The plan there is to have around 600 units (apartments, houses, duplexes) built by 2010/2011. I'm just estimating, but I'd say it's fair to say that if all the housing in the Uptown area is built and filled, there could easily be 3-5 thousand people living in a relatively small area.

@Champlain

May 4, 2009, 2:01 PM

I don't think Dieppe needs it or that the citizens wanted the Centre Aquatique, but the building looks cool & edgy nonetheless. The city could've used that tax money for something else, go and upgrade that Paul Street area already...:slob: Welcome to New Brunswick where our roads are anything but Magnifique!

mylesmalley

May 4, 2009, 2:17 PM

No. Dieppe probably shouldn't have spent the money on an aquatic centre. The money would have been better spent on improving Paul Street and expanding the land available for development in the Dieppe Industrial Park. That said, whether or not they should have built it is irrelevant. In spite of the cost, I think they've got a very nice building for it that'll hopefully serve as a centrepiece for the huge expansion in the area.

To their credit, Dieppe has done as good a job as could be expected. There are very few cities in the country experiencing 20% growth every census. All those people need infrastructure and services. They're spending money on speculation that the growth will continue because they have to to keep pace with the demands of a growing population.

gehrhardt

May 4, 2009, 5:16 PM

Here's my take on the Ryan Rd discussion.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3500857787_6626786979.jpg?v=0

I think this would ease congestion on Mountain rd and Killam Dr both. It would connect two residential areas, so traffic congestion should not be an issue. You aren't going to see a lot of people driving on the side streets involved to take a shortcut to somewhere else. It would also potentially open up the area between Wheeler and Elmhurst Rd for development.

I think doing it this way would be preferable to having the two parts of Ryan Rd reconnected. Traffic on that stretch of Mountain rd is bad already. We don't need another street coming into the middle of it. I suppose a right turn only requirement may be all right, though.

@Champlain

May 4, 2009, 5:31 PM

All those people need infrastructure and services. They're spending money on speculation that the growth will continue because they have to to keep pace with the demands of a growing population.

But did they really need a pool? A pool, of all things! If the private sector wanted to built one, fine, but Dieppe has alot of other things to "spend" money on. Don't even talk to the people of Dieppe about their infamous pool... they don't want it & they don't want to pay for it and that's my last comment on the subject.

kirjtc2

May 4, 2009, 6:07 PM

gehrhardt

May 4, 2009, 7:31 PM

Couple problems with that interchange design:

* the two northern ramps are too close to Mountain Road to allow for effective movement....you'd have to change lanes pretty quickly. You could probably solve it by making it a parclo-type interchange like the Killam Dr one.
* If it opened up development along that new connector road, it may defeat the idea that only locals would use it. Connecting it to Ayer Avenue may be slightly better.

Overall, great idea though.

Actually, there are at least two other places along Wheeler where an off ramp becomes an on ramp (or vice-versa). They seem to work well due to the length of the lanes that are created. The people who do get stuck in the lane are usually the same people that get stuck on the traffic circle until their car runs out of gas. :haha:

I can see your point though. If they are too short, they can cause big problems. The ones off the Westmorland st bridge in Fredericton would be a good example of this.

Any future development in that area will most likely be residential, since no one wants another mall in their backyard. :)

It's all wishful thinking anyway, since Wheeler is owned by the province and the city would need to negotiate to get an overpass there. The province is busy on the Wheeler/Mapleton overpass for the next couple of years at least, so they couldn't be bothered with another one.

Jerry556

May 4, 2009, 8:34 PM

i agree with champlain about the aquatic centre, did they really need a pool thats imported from italy, give me a break,

Marchabsfan

May 4, 2009, 11:29 PM

Moncton has landed another big summer concert as rockers Bon Jovi will headline a June 27 concert at Magnetic Hill.

Event organizers and the city announced at a Monday afternoon news conference that Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings will join Bon Jovi, along with State of Shock, Mobile and Alfa Rococo.

Tickets will go on sale on May 8. General admission tickets will go for $99.50 and the grandstand seating will cost concert-goers $199.50.

The concert promoter is Donald K. Donald, who organized the Rolling Stones concert in 2005 that started a series of major summer outdoor concerts in the southeastern New Brunswick city.

Moncton has already confirmed that legendary Australian rockers AC/DC will play at the Magnetic Hill site on Aug. 6.

stephan.richard

May 5, 2009, 7:43 AM

As for the Mapleton "Fashion Centre" (sic), I've said it before; they've been moving the same pile of dirt for the past 5 years. There's a few walls up on "that strip mall thing" backing the Wheeler, but the place looks abandoned, nobody cares anymore.
Regarding the real fashion destination that is Champlain... many more exciting retailers will be coming when the "passable" tenants are gone... Stay tuned, but also keep in mind that this process will take months and even years, but things will only get better.

What did you mean by "Passable Tenants in the Champlain Place Mall and i can't wait to have more Choice and I beleive H&M is a huge leap forward in acheiving the new vision of the mall.

But as far as the "Mapleton Park Fashion Center" I hope that they can get their act together and move on that file and move forward with it :( .

On another note I was up in Bangor ME to do some shopping and I was at the Bangor Mall and there are alot of empty spaces in there, also around the plazas around the shopping district.

But I am proud to say that I have one of the better looking malls in the area .. cool investment Cadilac Fairview :tup: !!

ErickMontreal

May 5, 2009, 9:56 AM

Moncton rail firm inks $100M deal, this new work is expected to create 185 jobs

Published Tuesday May 5th, 2009
A1
By Craig Babstock
Times & Transcript Staff

Via Rail CEO Paul Cote, left, Richard Carpenter, president of Industrial Rail, and Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc look at some of the rail cars ready to be refurbished.

Richard Carpenter, president of Industrial Rail Services Inc., said if this five-year project goes well, it could lead to even bigger and better things for his company. He said governments all over North America and Europe are pumping money into passenger rail, so there's work to be done.

"We're well-positioned to get more work in that field if we're able to handle this (project)," he said.

"These contracts mean we have a solid cash flow for over five years and we'll have to learn to get into big production. We have to turn out one of these cars every two weeks after we get through the prototypes, so it's quite an undertaking."

Canada's Minister of State for Transport Rob Merrifield, Via Rail president and CEO Paul Côté and Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc all visited Industrial Rail Services' Humpyard Road headquarters, off Salisbury Road, early yesterday morning for the news conference announcing details of the contract. Many of Carpenter's staff were also present. The media event was held inside a large industrial building mere feet from some of the Via cars that have already been brought in for work. There are 19 cars already on site and work is expected to begin within the next five days.

The contract will pay Industrial Rail Services $98.9 million for a full overhaul of the 98 cars in Via's Light, Rapid and Comfortable fleet, which run between Quebec City and Windsor, Ont. Those cars were built by Bombardier and purchased by Via more than 25 years ago, making them due for an upgrade.

Côté said the cars will be stripped down to the shell, and rebuilt with new components, seats, carpet, air conditioning, wallpaper and washrooms.

"It's a completely new car you'll see when it comes out of here, including a new paint job," said Via's president.

The refurbished cars will be more energy efficient and cost-effective to operate.

Industrial Rail Services, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, will also be paid $5.8 million to upgrade 21 of the Renaissance cars, which run between Montreal and Halifax, to make them more accessible to people with mobility issues.

"The issue with the Renaissance cars is these trains were built in Europe and the standards for accessibility are different," said Côté. "Now we're making those changes because funding is available. This will make our whole fleet completely accessible to all and we're very proud of that."

Merrifield said $70 million of this money comes from a $692-million investment announced in 2007 to improve Via Rail's infrastructure, while the rest is coming from the federal Economic Action Plan, designed to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

"It's been a long time since Via has really had the attention it needed with regard to walking into the 21st century in a positive way," said the minister. "We're not only refurbishing a lot of the cars, we're doing significant announcements coming shortly on engines, track... making sure the service is there for Canadians long-term.

"It's all part of a bigger plan. As a government we're saying this service is important to Canadians and we're going to do everything we can to provide it, not only as a public service, but a service that's run as efficiently and effectively as we possibly can."

Industrial Rail Services may also get help with this contract from the provincial government. Business New Brunswick communications officer Ryan Donaghy said yesterday Minister Greg Byrne visited the facility a couple of weeks ago and could have news in the near future about how the province will support the Moncton company's efforts, which could include a funding announcement.

This new work is expected to create 135 jobs at Industrial Rail Services, which currently employs 35 people, and 50 jobs at associated companies and suppliers. The new jobs include trades positions, engineers and project managers.

"We've been actively recruiting for the last month so we're pretty anxious to get people on site as soon as we can," said Carpenter.

Industrial Rail Services general manager Chris Evers said winning the bid was a lengthy 16-month process in which the Moncton company was picked over three other companies, including Bombardier. Evers said the work will start in a few days and planning sessions will be held in a couple of weeks.

Carpenter said prototypes will be built first and then be followed by four years of production.

Côté said it's fitting that this work will be done in Moncton.

"That Moncton should be playing a role in this renewal of our national dream is wholly appropriate," he said. "For more than a century, this city has been a crossroads in the operation of our railways and a centre of technical excellence."

He also said he has no doubt Industrial Rail Services, which has had a long relationship with Via, will do world-class work.

LeBlanc was delighted to see a Moncton company land more than $100 million worth of government contracts.

"It's a huge investment for the city and brings back an important segment of our workforce here, which is working on rail and train," he said. "We've moved from rails to high-tech and here we are combining the two, back in the game in a very big way thanks to Dick Carpenter and the great work he's done."

@Champlain

May 5, 2009, 12:30 PM

What did you mean by "Passable Tenants in the Champlain Place Mall and i can't wait to have more Choice and I beleive H&M is a huge leap forward in acheiving the new vision of the mall.

But as far as the "Mapleton Park Fashion Center" I hope that they can get their act together and move on that file and move forward with it :( .

On another note I was up in Bangor ME to do some shopping and I was at the Bangor Mall and there are alot of empty spaces in there, also around the plazas around the shopping district.

But I am proud to say that I have one of the better looking malls in the area .. cool investment Cadilac Fairview :tup: !!

Regarding the Bangor Mall, I'm not surprised, now that the dollar is back to around 0.80$US people are going less to Bangor or are just going to shop in Southern Maine or Boston, where selection is better anyway. I was in Boston recently and many malls over there are doing well, some have just expanded with new luxury wings and new upscale anchor stores like Nordstorm, they are also fresh from a renovation like Champlain, so not all is doomed for malls across North America, but yes some mall are going through a rough patch and unfortunately it's not over.
Secondly, I think people are expecting the world from the "Mapleton Park Fashion Centre". It won't be anything more... or less than all the mini malls behind the Walmart and next to the Future Shop.
Finally, the morphing of Champlain Place will continue over for the next 10 years, so don't expect everything to happen this year. Malls are always changing, some tenants will go and be replaced with nicer, better ones as the months and years go by.

JasonL-Moncton

May 5, 2009, 3:56 PM

But @Champlain...what did you mean by 'passable tenants'?

MonctonRad

May 5, 2009, 4:13 PM

:previous:

Yes @Champlain, what do you mean? I hope you aren't referring to Aqua Massage, I go there all the time! :haha:

@Champlain

May 5, 2009, 4:36 PM

:previous:

Yes @Champlain, what do you mean? I hope you aren't referring to Aqua Massage, I go there all the time! :haha:

Those are classified as temporary tenants, short term tenants or transition tenants. Enjoy them while they last. :D

stephan.richard

May 5, 2009, 4:40 PM

Regarding the Bangor Mall, I'm not surprised, now that the dollar is back to around 0.80$US people are going less to Bangor or are just going to shop in Southern Maine or Boston, where selection is better anyway. I was in Boston recently and many malls over there are doing well, some have just expanded with new luxury wings and new upscale anchor stores like Nordstorm, they are also fresh from a renovation like Champlain, so not all is doomed for malls across North America, but yes some mall are going through a rough patch and unfortunately it's not over.
Secondly, I think people are expecting the world from the "Mapleton Park Fashion Centre". It won't be anything more... or less than all the mini malls behind the Walmart and next to the Future Shop.
Finally, the morphing of Champlain Place will continue over for the next 10 years, so don't expect everything to happen this year. Malls are always changing, some tenants will go and be replaced with nicer, better ones as the months and years go by.
:previous:

@Champlain,
Can u speculate on what new tennants have expressed interest in the Champlain Place proprety and also to add onto my question that I asked earlier what did u mean by "Passable" Tennants for Champlain place. Also one more question what kind of tenant will take over the remaining empty "Future Shop" location next to Urban Planet? and will it have eventually mall access?

@Champlain

May 5, 2009, 4:55 PM

:previous:

@Champlain,
Can u speculate on what new tennants have expressed interest in the Champlain Place proprety and also to add onto my question that I asked earlier what did u mean by "Passable" Tennants for Champlain place. Also one more question what kind of tenant will take over the remaining empty "Future Shop" location next to Urban Planet? and will it have eventually mall access?

There is no more information available to the public at this time.

JasonL-Moncton

May 5, 2009, 7:41 PM

Those are classified as temporary tenants, short term tenants or transition tenants. Enjoy them while they last. :D

@Champlain, I hate to say it, but you come off as a bit of a 'snob' (for lack of a better word) when it comes to what you would like to see in the mall.

JL

ErickMontreal

May 5, 2009, 11:27 PM

While we're talking about Champlain Place, here's a PDF of the directory of stores (http://www.champlainplace.com/rtecontent/document/MallMap0509.pdf), we can see that they added H&M and the fact as the mall will also get Lids.

It seems A Buck or Two will close his doors, at least from what I have seen the last time I was in the mall.

michael_d40

May 5, 2009, 11:36 PM

ErickMontreal

May 5, 2009, 11:44 PM

Buck or Two here in Saint John closed their doors last week here. Must be a chain thing?

That seems very plausible. Furthermore, the rents either in Mcallister place or Champlain Place are also quite expensive for these type of stores.

MonctonRad

May 5, 2009, 11:46 PM

My youngest son has just started spring league football and I must admit, I was surprised to see the changes at Rocky Stone Field since the last time I was there in the fall. I had completely forgotten that they were going to do extensive renovations to the facility.

The parking lot by the north end of the field is gone and has been replaced with a new large clubhouse, as well as a seperate building with washroom facilities. They are replacing the grandstand and also building a new pressbox as well. In addition, there are new players benches on the sidelines, some of which have shelters and there is a new nifty looking glassed "kiosk" of some kind on the sidelines between the home and away benches. The lighting towers for the field also look new.

All in all, this must be at least a million dollar project. :tup:

michael_d40

May 5, 2009, 11:46 PM

That seems very plausible. Furthermore, the rents either in Mcallister place or Champlain Place are also quite expensive for these type of stores.

Very true. I wouldnt be surprised if the rents here already went up to match the rents at Champlain to compensate for the renovations.

stephan.richard

May 6, 2009, 1:52 AM

But i do not think that A Buck or Two fit within the mall mentality.

@Champlain

May 6, 2009, 3:13 AM

But i do not think that A Buck or Two fit within the mall mentality.
1# :) At least someone listens

2# ...regarding the rent it is 10 times the highest amount you think it is.

3# Rents inside Champlain or any mall are negociated when your lease is signed and negotiated, the term can be 3, 5, 10 years and so on. It does not go up or down unexpectedly. Please don't ask for numbers because those things cannot be disclosed publicly, sorry. A long set of factors are calculated to come to an amount. Square footage is a factor, but it's not all.

ErickMontreal

May 6, 2009, 4:07 AM

Mediavie Blue Cross Tower + Downtown + Aliant
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3498349015_096cd1ef36_o.jpg

H&M
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3486687001_177b78b14f_o.jpg

By Brian Branch :: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16252268@N00/3498349015/sizes/o/]

stephan.richard

May 6, 2009, 4:17 AM

1# :) At least someone listens

2# ...regarding the rent it is 10 times the highest amount you think it is.

3# Rents inside Champlain or any mall are negociated when your lease is signed and negotiated, the term can be 3, 5, 10 years and so on. It does not go up or down unexpectedly. Please don't ask for numbers because those things cannot be disclosed publicly, sorry. A long set of factors are calculated to come to an amount. Square footage is a factor, but it's not all.

Thanks man...

I try to bring in some positive feedback but I like to put in my 5 cents worth as far as suggestions. One thing that Champlain place has to focus on is try to get an exclusive retailer to the mall to draw more people in the mall and into the Greater Moncton area.

I think if champlain mall wants to become a fasion retain mall the next step would be if/when Wal Mart decides to pull out of Champlain place would be to target the Bay to open up a store there or even try to target a well known us department store like JC Pennies or even a Macy's style dept store.

As i said in my post yesterday I think that Champmain place is on the right track.

Also @Champlain we should meet on day for a cup of coffee I would like to pick your brain on a few things.

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

One more thing that I would like to touch on in here is have any of you guys heard if at the GMIA if they are reintroducing the MOncton-Paris flight as part of the Acadian World Congres in Caraquet . And I would like to see more flights into our beloved airport.

@Champlain

May 6, 2009, 2:23 PM

Lids opening on June 5, 2009.

@Champlain

May 6, 2009, 2:37 PM

Macy's and JCPenney are only in the US, so that is not a possibility, they don't have stores in Canada. The only US department store that might be coming to Canada is Lord & Taylor because they own the venerable Hudson Bay Company since last July. Secondly, Walmart recently renewed their lease & renovated the store, they are not going anywhere for a while. The Bay could do well in Champlain, however we already have Sears and unless they move out and the Bay moves in, we won't see the Bay. What we might see are more mid-sized anchors like UrbanPlanet or H&M in the future; ZARA could be a great addition.

:previous: ErickMontreal... I like the picture above, it's a nice view of the city centre and it's interesting that you see the older buildings next to the newer larger ones.

ErickMontreal

May 6, 2009, 5:45 PM

@Champlain

May 6, 2009, 6:28 PM

As the Mapleton Power center seem to fail, I think Cadillac Fairview should try to draw Jabob Connexion, even though, they likely are under agreement with Ashford/Verdiroc.

To me the next step for Champlain place would be to get stores like Esprit, Buffalo/David Bitton, Globo Shoes, Banana Republic, Club Monaco, Tristan America, Talbots, Laura Canada, Urban Outfiter as well as American Apparel.

Most of these stores wouldn't go to Mapleton for sure (Club Monaco, Banana Republic and Tristan). Club Monaco won't come here because it's been to Champlain before and it failed, it was in the Future Shop & Sport Chek wing built in the 90's. Today it is the Signal clothing store next to Eddie Bauer. You don't mention ZARA, but that would be the cherry on the sundae for Champlain (it's a very successful & well-known brand from Spain). Buffalo was supposed to come in 07-08, just prior to the renos and they backed so you can cross that one off your list; it's probably not coming. UO & AA are interesting, but that style of store/clothing is already present in the mall, we need some diversity. Banana Republic would be a great fit for Champlain, Talbots could also cater to a market in Metro Moncton, but I'm not sure if it would do well... there is plenty of business, casual, office apparel for women in the mall. The mall needs more upscale stores for men & women, hence the Banana Republic suggested.

josh_cat_eyes

May 6, 2009, 9:42 PM

That mall DEFINITELY needs a Aeropostale. Also a Holister or Abercrombie & Fitch. But for sure Aeropostale. Being only 18 myself I can assure you that those stores would really draw in a lot of the teen market because they like those stores a lot. Also, the Bluenotes could use an expansion. The one is Summerside is by far the biggest one I have seen in the area. twice as big as Charlottetown and probably twice as big as the Moncton location as well. I think that the mall could use a second level or a new addition to connect it to Crystal Palace.

Personally I really don't see it as a "fashion mall". I see it as a regional mall that is getting to specific. My girlfriend and I have been in urban planet many times, and it is reasonably priced, but there is NOTHING THERE! Neither of us liked the clothing at all, and there is a difference to liking something, and being able to wear something. Anyway, thats my little rant for today.

So, in summary the Champlain Mall is:
-Expanded to join the Crystal Palace building
-A second floor is added over the majority of the mall
-The food court roof is expanded into the second floor (see MicMac Mall food court)
-A parking structure is created on the west side of Crystal Palace adjacent to the hotel along the parking lot into where Empire Theaters is currently located.
-A new bigger IMAX Theatre is created in the expansion (should really help draw people to the mall)

@Champlain

May 6, 2009, 10:20 PM

mylesmalley

May 6, 2009, 10:43 PM

Just out of curiosity, @Champlain, what store do you own at the mall?

josh_cat_eyes

May 6, 2009, 10:44 PM

:previous:
josh_cat_eyes great ideas!

However I can confirm that A&F and Hollister Co. which is owned by A&F is not coming to Champlain and I repeat is NOT coming to the Moncton area in the near future anyway, please see the numerous previous posts regarding this subject. Aeropostale might be coming to Champlain, until then there is Bangor, Dartmouth and Saint John for your AERO shopping. The mall is not built (structure) for a second story and the Moncton area market cannot sustain a +200 super regional mall. The IMAX at the Crystal is a great idea! There is no Bluenotes expansion planned at this time. I hope the new stores coming in the future will be to your liking.
Hope this helps!
Thanks man. I was really just saying that it would be cool to see all those things happen. With that said, I think that the Sobeys on Paul st. and the one in Champlain should both move and make 1 bigger Sobeys for that market. That would free up the space where sobeys is for and expansion. Expand the building out to the end of toysRus on the front and make a big mall expansion on the back, perhaps all the way back to urban planet.

Question @champlain. Do you think the Moncton market could support a Bluenotes, twice as big, and/or the stores I mentioned earlier? And are you in a position to say what new stores are coming? Or even just the confirmed ones?

MonctonRad

May 6, 2009, 10:55 PM

Boy.....I think I'll start a new "Official Champlain Place Discussion Thread". :haha:

Seriously though, now that Champlain Place is back to near 100% occupancy, I think we could have a discussion as to future directions for growth of the mall.

I have often thought that there should be a physical connection between Champlain Place and Crystal Palace. They are only about 150m apart and are under the same management. A new wing here could be populated by some of the stores mentioned in the previous posts, like Talbots, Banana Republic, Zara and Aeropostale.

I agree that a second floor for Champlain Place is not in the cards (the mall doesn't need to be that big) but a new wing with 20 or so new stores might be. A physical connection to Crystal Palace would also boost business at both facilities. Just imagine mom and the kids arriving at the mall, with her running off to do some shopping while the kids go to the movies or the arcade, all in one hermetically sealed enclosed environment! It would be the Maritimes equivalent of West Edmonton Mall.

Also, I like the idea of locating an IMAX at Crystal Palace as part of any expansion. This could be made part of the existing Empire 8 movie theatres. Moncton is due for an IMAX.

A lot of parking space would be lost with this expansion. To make up for this, one could build a parking garage between Champlain and Crystal Palace. The value of this would be all weather parking and less asphalt. We all know how unstable the marsh is below the parking lot and how the lot breaks up each spring. If the lot was replaced with a parking garage, this spring asphalt break-up could be avoided. Much less maintenance.

I can just imagine how popular a parking garage at Champlain would be in January. No more parkas and mucklucks while shopping!! It would be a win-win situation.

There are options for Champlain's future. :tup:

mylesmalley

May 6, 2009, 11:12 PM

@Champlain

May 6, 2009, 11:24 PM

Just out of curiosity, @Champlain, what store do you own at the mall?

I'm not an owner. All I will say is that I have "interests" in the mall.

@Champlain

May 6, 2009, 11:29 PM

Boy.....I think I'll start a new "Official Champlain Place Discussion Thread". :haha:

Go for it! :tup:

Jerry556

May 6, 2009, 11:35 PM

Regarding the theaters at crystal palace, they really haft to update the seating arrangement and the theater screens, its a joke compared to the one at trinity. Just to let everybody know they are currently constructing the gang/footing forms at the justice center. new sign about mileston construction up at the Ashford office building on the corner of vaugh Harvey and main, might start excavation in the next couple of weeks.

MonctonRad

May 6, 2009, 11:43 PM

You'd have the same problem with a parking garage as you would with a second floor. I suspect it would be prohibitively expensive to put something big enough to make it worthwhile. They'd need some pretty serious pilings driven. Plus, I suspect it would have to be at least three floors to make it cost effective.

I agree, for a new parking garage to be worthwhile, it would have to be at least three stories tall. It would also be expensive and would require some heavy duty pile-driving but it might still be worthwhile, especially if done as part of an overall potential mall expansion.

Champlain could have the potential to be a super-regional mall for the Maritimes if it were planned and marketed appropriately. Some new high quality stores, an IMAX and a direct connection to Crystal Palace might be enough to increase traffic at the mall enough to justify a parking structure.

stephan.richard

May 7, 2009, 12:29 AM

I agree, for a new parking garage to be worthwhile, it would have to be at least three stories tall. It would also be expensive and would require some heavy duty pile-driving but it might still be worthwhile, especially if done as part of an overall potential mall expansion.

Champlain could have the potential to be a super-regional mall for the Maritimes if it were planned and marketed appropriately. Some new high quality stores, an IMAX and a direct connection to Crystal Palace might be enough to increase traffic at the mall enough to justify a parking structure.

I must agree with you on this. The Champlain place mall has alot of potential and Cadilac fairview just scratched the surcafe on this. And I would see the parking garage on the side that is right next to Paul Street.

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 12:40 AM

And are you in a position to say what new stores are coming? Or even just the confirmed ones?

I do have some insider information, but I don't know everything and I can't say everything either. Once there is something I can tell, I will. Most of what I say is based on facts, people here can take it or not.

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 12:42 AM

From what I've heard, there is no planned expansion of the mall or any parkade at Champlain at this time.

BlackYear

May 7, 2009, 12:55 AM

From what I've heard, there is no planned expansion of the mall or any parkade at Champlain at this time.

Oh yes there is. Here are the official plans. :)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j303/blacquiere/Moncton/champlain.jpg

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 1:12 AM

Nice sketch, it would fit right in and complete the whole thing.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to see an expansion of Champlain with great new stores :whip: MicMac and Halifax Shopping Centre!

stephan.richard

May 7, 2009, 1:49 AM

Nice sketch, it would fit right in and complete the whole thing.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to see an expansion of Champlain with great new stores :whip: MicMac and Halifax Shopping Centre!

I could see an expansion of roughly 20-25 stores that would join Crystal Palace and Champlain Place. Also to compensate for the loss of parking spots I would see 4 parking strucutres on the proprety atleast 3 stories each.

But we can all dream to make thhis a good size mall.

mmmatt

May 7, 2009, 2:22 AM

Nice sketch, it would fit right in and complete the whole thing.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to see an expansion of Champlain with great new stores :whip: MicMac and Halifax Shopping Centre!

Champlain is already the largest mall in Atlantic Canada if thats what you are getting at...some people like to think HSC is bigger, but I dont agree that an "annex" across the street should be included in total sq ft...we dont include Crystal Palace in Champlains GLA even though they are in the same parking lot and under the same management.

If Champlain was connected to Crystal Palace with a corridor of new stores (not a new anchor, just small to mid sized stores) the mall would have a GLA of over 1,000,000 sq ft easy. It would be in the top 20 of Canada for sure, if not top 15. At 816,000 sq ft its #42 in Canada right now, but if it even grew by 100,000 sq ft it would jump to 30th since there are many malls of a similar size.

I always wondered why they don't do that...to me it makes great business sense, you have Atlantic Canada's largest indoor amusement park, a nice resturant (McGinnis), a theater, a Ramada Hotel, and Atlantic Canada's largest mall all interconnected...perfect for a winter weekend away with the kids (for tourists). They could do a big marketing campaign showing off the "all-inclusive" aspects of the setup, throw an IMAX and a few new high-end stores in the mix and you have an amazing setup.

mmmatt

May 7, 2009, 2:27 AM

Nice diagram Budyser! your glass atrium would be perfect as a second (smaller) food court.

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 2:34 AM

mmmatt

May 7, 2009, 2:37 AM

:previous: I'm very well aware of the size of all major shopping centres in Canada, not just Atlantic Canada actually. The reason of my comment (:whip:) regarding the Halifax area shopping centres is that they have many stores that we just don't have... so it would be nice for Champlain to kick their butts once and for all! Can I say butt over here?

ahhh I see, yeah they have a lot we are missing...and that will most likely continue to be the case due to the direct population base they have that we are lacking. But hey we got H&M first (not by much, but still haha).

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 2:47 AM

It's nice to dream and be optimistic, but we are lucky to have a mall of this size for the Moncton area. There's already 3 "fairly" large malls in New Brunswick and that's plenty for our size and population. All 3 malls are owned by Cadillac-Fairview, their plan is to revamp and upgrade their malls at the moment, not to expand them. The NB retail market is also only expandable to certain level, especially for a province that had practically no population growth other than inner province migration... for the past 20 years. But yes, the retail market in Moncton is very strong, which is excellent, we do need immigration though and fast; we can only empty the Acadian Peninsula for so long...

On another note, H&M spent lots of money to advertise in the Moncton area, they are everywhere, it shows that it's world class brand with lots of dough. Whether or not people like H&M, next week will be a retail milestone for the city and the province.

ErickMontreal

May 7, 2009, 5:27 AM

Today it is the Signal clothing store next to Eddie Bauer. You don't mention ZARA, but that would be the cherry on the sundae for Champlain (it's a very successful & well-known brand from Spain).

Well, Zara would be outstanding but as I am huge fan of La Maison Simons (http://www.simons.ca/), I still dream they could come up here. However, realisticly, they will likely expand in Ontario and out West prior to here.

P Unit

May 7, 2009, 11:18 AM

Well, that huge investment in the railcar facility mentioned 3 pages back was really good news. Maybe the money it generates will lead to EVEN MORE MALL STORES.

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 11:45 AM

Well, Zara would be outstanding but as I am huge fan of La Maison Simons (http://www.simons.ca/), I still dream they could come up here. However, realisticly, they will likely expand in Ontario and out West prior to here.

I don't see Les Ailes or Simons go out of the Quebec market at all, but that's just me. They've been in business for a while and would've expanded elsewhere by now, not many Quebec companies expand outside of Quebec, albeit Aldo and La Senza which is now US owned by Victoria Secret. I would predict a Forever 21 in Champlain before any of those 2 upscale mid-sized department stores from Quebec. These 3 popular international players are very hot right now and expanding worldwide; Zara, Forever21 and H&M (which we already have). They might land in Halifax area first though...

JasonL-Moncton

May 7, 2009, 12:27 PM

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 12:37 PM

Wasn't Club Monaco directly across from the food court, I distinctly remember it being there?

I don't see an IMAX ever going at Crystal Palace, but I can see it going either a) at Trinity or b) in a downtown location.

At Trinity, for obvious reason's and because really, they have the space.

Downtown...the city is attempting to get more people 'living' in the downtown and one thing the city center has lacked ever since the closing of the Paramount is a downtown movie theater. Perhaps it could be a stand alone facility or perhaps part of any new Arena project.

Jason

I have marketing pictures of the mall after the new wing was done and you see Club Monaco and Eddie Bauer next to it. That store is now Signal. Remember that the new wing was built for these first grade tenants and first to our market tenants; Disney, Future Shop, Eddie Bauer, GAP, Club Monaco and others in that wing. Ironically most are gone...

mylesmalley

May 7, 2009, 1:28 PM

Drove by the Weldon St. office building U/C. Looks like they're nearly finished with the exterior. Its by no means a huge building, but I do like it. With the 4/5 story apartment building across the street, and the new one just up the road, that whole area has a much more urban feel than it did a few years ago.

Over the next few months, that whole neighborhood is really going to be hopping. There are at least 5 construction sites and credible proposals in a 3 block area. I'm really glad to see the West end of downtown getting some much needed attention after so long.

JasonL-Moncton

May 7, 2009, 1:32 PM

I have marketing pictures of the mall after the new wing was done and you see Club Monaco and Eddie Bauer next to it. That store is now Signal. Remember that the new wing was built for these first grade tenants and first to our market tenants; Disney, Future Shop, Eddie Bauer, GAP, Club Monaco and others in that wing. Ironically most are gone...

Honestly, I swear that Club Monaco was directly across from the food court a LONG time ago, I'm talking early 90's. In the area of the current "addition-elle", I guarantee it was there at one point.

JL

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 1:43 PM

Honestly, I swear that Club Monaco was directly across from the food court a LONG time ago, I'm talking early 90's. In the area of the current "addition-elle", I guarantee it was there at one point.

JL

Anything and everything is possible. Maybe it moved around while it was struggling and then exited Champlain... :shrug:

MonctonRad

May 7, 2009, 1:51 PM

Honestly, I swear that Club Monaco was directly across from the food court a LONG time ago, I'm talking early 90's. In the area of the current "addition-elle", I guarantee it was there at one point.

JL

Yes Jason, you're right. I remember that as well. It was located exactly where you said it was and then moved to the new wing after it was built. It then left the mall about 1-2 years later.

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 2:04 PM

Yes Jason, you're right. I remember that as well. It was located exactly where you said it was and then moved to the new wing after it was built. It then left the mall about 1-2 years later.

Sure glad we have you here, is there something you don't know about Moncton? :)

MonctonRad

May 7, 2009, 3:16 PM

ErickMontreal

May 7, 2009, 3:27 PM

I don't see Les Ailes or Simons go out of the Quebec market at all, but that's just me. They've been in business for a while and would've expanded elsewhere by now, not many Quebec companies expand outside of Quebec, albeit Aldo and La Senza which is now US owned by Victoria Secret.

There are Reitmans, Addition-Elle, Cassis, Dynamite, Garage, Tristan, Spring, La Vie en Rose, Jacob, Dans un Jardin, Fruit et Passion, Bikini Village, Maryse Petite, Mexx Canada, Laura ect

ErickMontreal

May 7, 2009, 3:30 PM

Yes Myles, you're quite right. In many ways excessive height is the enemy of density. I would rather have a neighbourhood with numerous 5-6 storey buildings than a downtown dominated by a single (cough) 20 storey (cough) office tower. :D

A mix of both is great, Halifax comes to my mind.

ErickMontreal

May 7, 2009, 3:46 PM

Group hopes to create Community Peace Centre
Open house scheduled in Moncton this afternoon to outline plan

Published Thursday May 7th, 2009
A4
By Yvon Gauvin
Times & Transcript staff

Five non-profit organizations and a Moncton church group are working in partnership to create a Community Peace Centre to provide a positive social, economic and cultural impact on southeast New Brunswick.

Partners in the project are Early Childhood Stimulation Inc., Family Service Moncton Inc., Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area Inc., United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick Region Inc., Volunteer Centre of Southeastern New Brunswick Inc. and the Central United Church of Moncton.

An open house is scheduled for today from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church, located at 150 Queen St., to outline the project and its goals. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Community Peace Centre would affect change through services, strategies and education "aimed at supporting a peaceful, inclusive, and environmentally responsible society," said the organizing group.

It would strengthen the not-for-profit sector and work to develop a unique centre serving as a real symbol and a catalyst for peaceable living, the group said. It will also help foster development of cross-sector alliances as well as act as an incubator for emerging not-for-profit agencies,

It will provide a one-stop resource as well as be an educational and inspirational example for the community, said the planners.

At the centre of this vision is an 80,000 square feet complex made up of office and community space for the organizations along with an atrium, meeting rooms and kitchen and catering services. There will also be an events venue and training facility made available to the community.

The Central United Church of Moncton is providing two of the three structural piers for the centre. The church and the former manse building will be joined by an atrium to the new building to be built on Church Street south of Queen Street.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Airport upgrades security screening area

Published Thursday May 7th, 2009
C2
BY GREG WESTON
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

Construction of an expanded passenger-screening area began at the Greater Moncton International Airport yesterday.

The renovation project will add an extra security line to the pre-boarding area, bringing the total number up to three.

Chris Farmer, airport director of operations, said the upgrade will allow more passengers to be screened and reduce line ups.

"There's been an increase in more stringent screening processes post-9/11 and we're looking to improve passenger flow," he said.

Passenger traffic at the airport reached record levels in 2008 after increasing by 10.8 per cent over the previous year. Farmer said the construction shouldn't have a significant effect on passengers since most of the work will be done after hours, but he advises travellers to arrive a few minutes earlier than normal.

The airport authority is paying for the $200,000 expansion. Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of June, in time for the peak summer travel season.

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 4:19 PM

There are Reitmans, Addition-Elle, Cassis, Dynamite, Garage, Tristan, Spring, La Vie en Rose, Jacob, Dans un Jardin, Fruit et Passion, Bikini Village, Maryse Petite, Mexx Canada, Laura ect

We do have most of those in the mall and they are from Quebec, but most Quebec brands are not even present outside of the province of Quebec. Some of them are not very popular or sought after brands either, and then some are. Some made it out of Quebec and even in the US, where retail is even more ruthless and competitive than in Canada, that's great. However, Mexx is not a Quebec-based company, and they are not doing too well if you look at their financial reports anyway.

ErickMontreal

May 7, 2009, 4:33 PM

Mexx is not Quebec-based company, and they are not doing too well if you look at their financial reports.

Mexx Canada is managed by Liz Clairbone which is headquartered in Montreal since 2008, but you're right, this is basicly not a Quebec-based company. Furthermore, I can not really talk about english-canada retail companies, I know very few of them.

Anyway, we are out of topic. :tup:

@Champlain

May 7, 2009, 4:43 PM

Mexx Canada is managed by Liz Clairbone which is headquartered in Montreal since 2008, but you're right, this is basicly not a Quebec-based company. Furthermore, I can not really talk about english-canada retail companies, I know very few of them.

Anyway, we are out of topic. :tup:

Just checked it out online and Liz Claiborne is headquartered in NYC, with their Canadian offices in Ville Saint-Laurent, Quebec.
Indeed let's change the subject, unless we get a Champlain Place thread as proposed by MonctonRad! :) I do not want to monopolize the Moncton thread with retail topics. The Moncton retail market is so busy and strong, it could be very interesting to have a thread for it.

MonctonRad

May 7, 2009, 10:43 PM

A mix of both is great, Halifax comes to my mind.

I agree, a mix of both would be very good but the downtown Moncton skyline is so dominated by Assumption Place (and the Aliant Tower), that other significant buildings seem dwarfed (eg Blue Cross, Marriott, Crowne Plaza). This situation will not be corrected until another one or two larger towers get built.......something that I fear that I will not see in my lifetime.

Perhaps the Moncton skyline would have been more coherent if Assumption had built a couple of 8 and 12 storey buildings rather than a single 20 storey tower..........just a thought.

ErickMontreal

May 7, 2009, 11:37 PM

Perhaps the Moncton skyline would have been more coherent if Assumption had built a couple of 8 and 12 storey buildings rather than a single 20 storey tower..........just a thought.

I agree but, at the end of the day, Blue Cross center has been built twenty years after Assumption Tower. I mean, 265,000 square-foots on 9-story was a bit conservative to me. I understand all the floorplate issue but this building should have get at least 12-story high, hence the skyline would have been a bit more coherent.

Without Assomption-Vie, Moncton would not had a real skyscraper, by the definition of it. (Office/12-story +)

ErickMontreal

May 8, 2009, 10:40 PM

It seems the office building at the corner of Vaughan and Main is ready to get started, a board appeared on the site with the name of the contractor on it.

MonctonRad

May 9, 2009, 1:04 AM

:previous:

Yes, it will be nice to see construction start on this property. I know that the building will only be 3-4 stories tall, but this is an important bit of urban infill in the west end of the city and will really change the appearances of the Main/Vaughn Harvey intersection.

mylesmalley

May 9, 2009, 2:30 AM

It's definitely being built this year. One of the tenants is expecting to move in by november.

mylesmalley

May 9, 2009, 1:27 PM

Metro economy sees gains
Published Saturday May 9th, 2009

Unemployment rate drops in April, continues to buck national trend
A1
By Mary Moszynski
Times & Transcript Staff

Metro Moncton's economy remains red hot as Statistics Canada suggests the region's unemployment rate continues to drop.

The latest monthly job figures suggest the region's unemployment rate dropped to 5.9 per cent last month, down from 6.2 per cent in April 2008.

The statistics also show 73,400 residents in Metro Moncton, which includes Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview and the communities of Salisbury, Hillsborough, Memramcook and Dorchester, were working last month.

That's an increase of more than 3,000 jobs from April 2008 when 70,100 residents were working.

Kevin Silliker, the City of Moncton's business development officer, said the region is leading the way when it comes to job creation.

"Definitely we continue to buck the trend of certainly what we're seeing across the nation and within New Brunswick," he said. "If you take a look at the employment growth there, 3,300 more jobs than the same period last year, no other region in New Brunswick can boast those kinds of numbers."

Silliker said recent construction and job creation announcements for the region have helped Metro Moncton's economy remain strong.

"There's always ebb and flow, of course. To date though, we have not been hit drastically by any kind of economic downturn; we're fortunate there."

The unemployment rate in New Brunswick is 8.9 per cent, down from 9.5 per cent in March. However, the province's labour force also dropped as 400 fewer New Brunswickers were working.

Manitoba was the only other province to see its unemployment rate drop.

Nationally, the unemployment rate remained at eight per cent, although employment grew by 36,000 jobs.

"New Brunswick and Manitoba were the only provinces in Canada to experience a slight decrease in the unemployment level in April," Donald Arseneault, the province's labour minister, said in a statement. "This lower rate was fueled by a large decrease in the number of unemployed in April. In times of economic concern, I am hopeful that capital investments, combined with our recent budget and federal initiatives, will help the province regain its momentum."

Statistics Canada said the majority of the new jobs created nationally were in the self-employed category.

The Canadian dollar surged by more than one cent, rising over 86 US cents for the first time since early November.

"Now that's a green shoot," said economist Douglas Porter of BMO Capital Markets, referring to the currently fashionable term for recent encouraging signals in economic indicators. "This report is clearly good news, but it's premature to send the all-clear signal."

n With files from Canadian Press

____________________________
Dieppe building permits go up
Published Saturday May 9th, 2009
A13
Times & Transcript staff

The City of Dieppe continues to maintain a torrid pace in the construction sector with April officially the ninth best month in the city's history.

Sixty building permits were issued last month for projects worth an estimated $9,776,833, with 50 of those permits for new housing units.

The report released by Dieppe's Building Inspection department showed the total worth of new housing projects at $4,480,520.

A single permit under the institutional category was valued at $4,753,313, while six commercial permits totalled another 532,500.

To date in 2009, the department has issued 102 permits to build 57 new units worth $13,296,772.

"Residential construction continues to grow and is a phenomenal motor of development for us," said Mayor Jean LeBlanc. "Dieppe is certainly a city of choice to live and work in, given an excellent geographic location and dynamic downtown," he added.

mylesmalley

May 9, 2009, 1:41 PM

Apartments go up in downtown Moncton
Published Saturday May 9th, 2009

$4.9M building will have affordable housing units for low-income, disabled persons
D2
BY JAMIE ROSS
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

The provincial and federal governments yesterday announced the construction of a $4.9-million apartment complex near downtown Moncton for low-income and disabled persons.

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=291126&size=500x0
VIKTOR PIVOVAROV/TIMES & TRANSCR
Construction is underway at 430 High St. on a $4.9-million project, a 50-unit affordable housing apartment building.

Tannery Court Co-operative Ltd. will build the units, which are expected to be completed by January 2010 and will be located at 430 High St.

At a news conference yesterday, Minister of Social Development Mary Schryer said building the apartments addresses the ongoing need for affordable housing in the city and around the province.

"We know in the province we have about 4,000 persons still waiting for affordable housing, that would be classified as being in housing need," she said. "In Moncton, the number is still fairly high, but we've made big gains."

The units will be available to people with disabilities and non-elderly singles who earn less than $22,000 per-year. Rent will be based on income.

Residents won't pay more than 30 per cent of their net income toward the cost of rent.

The cost of construction will be covered by the Canada-New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement, which provides funding for construction of affordable rental housing by private entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations.

MLA for Moncton West Joan MacAlpine-Stiles said she's ecstatic about the announcement because the housing will be convenient and will provide for those who need help and would otherwise be homeless.

"If you are a person with a handicap, who has an inability to travel any great distance ... If you're in the downtown core, you're close to all of the amenities so you don't have to travel a long way," she said of potential tenants. "A lot of the people are in wheelchairs and aren't particularly mobile."

She said those people aren't looking for a hand out, but a hand up.

The project will also receive $2.1 million from the New Brunswick government in rent supplements.

Schryer said affordable housing is a government priority and expects to see more low-income housing in the Moncton area.

Miramichi MP Tilley O'Neill-Gordon and Bill O'Neill, president of Tannery Court Co-operative, were also on hand for the announcement.
____________________
I have to say I'm impressed. That looks like a surprisingly large footprint for a 50 unit apartment building-especially one for low income housing. I'm very glad to see the gradual densification of central Moncton continuing, and not just in the newer areas to the North. Hopefully this is just one project of many to come.

I guess you could say I've taken a special interest in this place, being right next to Myles St. :D

Jerry556

May 9, 2009, 5:04 PM

did anybody notice that they are starting to build some optician office in front of the veterans residence.(near beausejour curling club)

MonctonRad

May 9, 2009, 6:17 PM

:previous:

I thought that was supposed to be the new Jehovah's Witness Church ( if we are talking about the same site on War Veteran's Avenue)

Jerry556

May 9, 2009, 6:57 PM

well this is prob just something else

MonctonRad

May 9, 2009, 8:02 PM

I found a link to a .pdf file for a brochure for the new Transportation Discovery Centre at the Moncton Museum.

http://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Residents+English/RPTC/Museums/Moncton+Museum+English/Transportation+Discovery+Centre+Brochure.pdf

It sounds like this project is going to proceed expeditiously. They have about $5.6M in government funding out of a total overall $7.6M budget. They plan to break ground next year with an anticipated opening in the summer of 2011.

This sounds like an ambitious project. The rendering of the renovations and expansion of the Moncton Museum contained in the brochure look quite nice. :)

MonctonRad

May 10, 2009, 12:47 AM

Building Permit Values YTD (Jan/Feb/March) for Atlantic Canadian CMA's

St. John's (pop 181,000)..........$144.7 million
Halifax (pop 373,000)...............$104.8 million
Moncton (pop 126,000)............$ 95.2 million
Saint John (pop 122,000)..........$ 47.3 million

St. John's seems to be red hot. Moncton is doing pretty good as well, Our building permit values are almost as high as Halifax's; a city three times our size. :)

Jerry556

May 10, 2009, 12:58 AM

hopefully that museum project actually gets realized, the glass is really nice

josh_cat_eyes

May 10, 2009, 3:16 AM

I have been holding of saying this since I joined, but now I think I will. My uncle, who is the manger of Carlton Cards for Atlantic Canada, along with some partners, including the Jelly's who own Magic Mountain, have a plan to develop Lutes Mountain. I don't really think I should say a whole lot other than; It is going to be a luxury subdivision, extending from the end of Timberline Road, but being totally separate from that subdivision. It has one planned entrance from Front Mountain Road and I believe will cover the whole mountain. They are currently in the process of buying their last piece of land and hopefully construction can start within the next year. This is all that am going to say at this time buy if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

mylesmalley

May 10, 2009, 3:42 PM

That's a big chunk of land, Josh. Any hint on the number of units?

josh_cat_eyes

May 10, 2009, 4:30 PM

That's a big chunk of land, Josh. Any hint on the number of units?

Not sure. The piece of land the are working on now is 80 acres. They already own the rest. I seen his plans. The side of the mountain will be retained because it is not suitable for development, but the rest is going to be an upscale subdivision. I am not sure on the number of units, but it will be more dense than timberline road. I am thinking, perhaps 1-2 acre lots. The ones with the better views would be bigger. I think there is also some condos planned. This is the website: http://www.viewofmoncton.com/

EDIT: I just seen on the website that there is only 8 lots and they are 5 acres each. Yeah don't know where that is coming from, but I am pretty sure its more than that.

MonctonRad

May 11, 2009, 8:45 PM

H&M to open Metro location this week
Published Monday May 11th, 2009

Trendy Swedish clothing retailer opens doors to Champlain Place store Thursday
BY GILEAN WATTS
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

The arrival of clothing giant H&M to Metro Moncton this week is another indication that the local economy is chugging along while other parts of North America are hurting from financial difficulties, says a city spokesman.

"At a time where people are talking about the recession and job cuts and companies closing down, we are clearly breaking the trend and that's a very positive message at a crucial time," economic spokesman Ben Champoux said. "It's a sign that we're doing well."

The Swedish-born clothing company is slated to open its only location east of Montréal in Champlain Place Thursday at noon.

"It sends a message to other retailers that if H&M has opted to be located in Greater Moncton then they should also be in Moncton. It reconfirms that we are the retail hub of the Maritimes."

Champoux said the store could change the city's dynamics and reputation as a shopping mecca, drawing in masses of eager shoppers.

"Anytime we have a unique retailer coming into the city that's great news for the community," he said. "People will travel to the city to shop here."

And travel they will. Charlottetown resident and UPEI student Ashleigh Allen said she is counting down the days until the famed store opens its Moncton store.

"I went on the H&M website as soon as I heard they were coming," she said. "There was maybe a little bit of OMG (oh my God)...cries of happiness."

Allen said she looks forward to seeing what other stores will follow in H & M's footsteps.

"It's going to attract some of the bigger companies to come set up in Moncton," she said. "If H&M sets up here and it takes off, then the other companies see that and it will be an example for them, and they'll be more willing to set up here...stores like Lululemon and some of the bigger clothing giants."

Allen isn't the only one excited about H&M's choice for its first Atlantic Canadian location.

"Champlain Place is such an important mall for Atlantic Canada and we wanted to get in on that," H&M spokeswoman Emily Scarlett said. "I think it's important for us to bring the H&M brand to Atlantic Canadian customers."

Scarlett dismissed any rumours of Metro Moncton competing with Halifax for the store.

"It comes down to timing," she said. "We were able to confirm a location in Moncton, so that was just an issue of timing, signing the lease, and getting started on building the store."

Plans are under way for H&M to open another Atlantic Canadian store in the fall, with Nova Scotia's Mic Mac Mall as their second location.

The company anticipates a huge response from Atlantic Canadians, Scarlett said.

"We've received countless inquiries," she said. "It was really exciting how many people were excited to work in H&M. There's a whole Facebook group dedicated to it."

The total retail sales for the hub city in 2008 was estimated at $2.3 billion, 32 per cent higher than the national retail average.

"The fact that there's so many new restaurants, the fact that H&M is here, is an indication that we must be doing something well in promoting the region," Champoux said.

And the numbers are only getter higher. With the likes of retail giant H&M coming, sales are expected to jump 25 per cent by 2013.

"We are working very closely with all of the big retail associations," Champoux said. "We're raising our profile, we're showing all the key retailers across North America that there's no recession here in Moncton."

Moncton hosts the annual International Council of Shopping Centres conference in June.

This will be the first time the conference has been held in Atlantic Canada. Champoux said this is more proof the city is becoming the Maritimes' shopping mecca.

"We are the retail hub and we are currently breaking the trend and they chose to host the event here for those reasons," Champoux said.

"There's a connection to H&M wanting to open a store here and ICSC wanting to host an event here."

Personal note - It's interesting that Moncton will be hosting the International Council of Shopping Centres conference in June. I'm sure there will be lots of networking going on here! Are you going to be a delegate @Champlain?

@Champlain

May 11, 2009, 10:40 PM

Actually read this article in the paper at lunch. It's a great networking event, but the T&T didn't get their facts straight on this event...
The 2009 ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) RECON global convention will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 17-20. NOT Moncton, New Brunswick. The event held in Moncton at the Capitol Theatre on June 2nd, 2009 is The Moncton Next Generation program and reception. This is one of the many events held by or in collaboration with the ICSC throughout the year across North America and the world. ICSC, the city of Moncton and others are presenting the event, with a keynote speaker from Université de Moncton; Pierre Marcel Desjardins. For more info or to register please go to the ICSC website in the Events & Programs section.

mylesmalley

May 12, 2009, 11:47 AM

NBers top national average in consumer spending
A1
By Mary Moszynski
Times & Transcript Staff

FREDERICTON - New Brunswickers continue to spend more money shopping than other Canadians, despite the economic downturn.

Figures from Statistics Canada suggest New Brunswickers spend more per capita on shopping than the national average.

Spending in 2008 increased in nearly every category as New Brunswickers scooped up everything from home appliances to gardening supplies.

New Brunswickers spent $13,211 per capita last year compared to the national average of $12,789.

Overall spending jumped to $9.87 billion, up from $9.32 billion in 2007.

"The retail market is a $2.3-billion industry in Greater Moncton alone so it is significant and one area that industry is alive and kicking and vibrant," said Ben Champoux, business development specialist for the City of Moncton. "It's a clear indication that consumer confidence is strong, that the economy is going well and that apparently there's a recession somewhere but not in our backyard."

One reason for the increased spending could be that New Brunswickers have a higher level of disposable income due to more affordable living costs such as housing, he added.

Spending on home electronics and appliances jumped $13.8 million from $190.6 million to $204.4 million. Spending at home centres and hardware stores jumped from $505.2 million to $528.6 million.

John Chandler, owner of Terra Verde on Main Street, said he's not surprised New Brunswickers are continuing to spend, particularly when it comes to household items.

Moncton offers a diverse mix of shops to local residents and travellers, he added.

"There's a lot of shopping here to tempt people," he said, adding sales at his shop are up this year.

New Brunswickers spent less on clothing last year as the figures dropped from $282.3 million to $274.9 million. However, spending on clothing had climbed significantly over the past few years.

The numbers for Metro Moncton are even better. Statistics from FPmarkets Canadian Demographics 2009 suggest retail spending in the area is 26 per cent higher than the national average.

Eric Pelletier, manager of investment attraction for Enterprise Greater Moncton, said Metro Moncton is still benefitting from its development of niche stores and by emerging as an early leader on issues such as Sunday shopping.

The city has continued to attract new businesses, including clothing store H&M that opens this week.

"Because of our catchment area I think that's probably why we have higher retail sales than most other places in Atlantic Canada," he said. Halifax posts roughly $4 billion in retail sales compared to Moncton's $2 billion in sales, Pelletier added.

"Halifax is roughly three times the size of Greater Moncton but they only do twice as much retail sales as we do. So we're very, very well positioned."

_______________________________________

Premier, mayor tour track stadium
Published Tuesday May 12th, 2009

Construction begins for another season
A3
By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff

New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham dropped by the Stade Moncton 2010 Stadium yesterday to check on the progress of construction. The stadium is being built for Moncton to host the 2010 IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships next July.

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=292384&size=500x0
GREG AGNEW/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT
Workers are shown at the site of the $23-million track and field stadium at the Université de Moncton yesterday.

Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc, local organizing committee chairman Larry Nelson and Moncton East MLA Chris Collins were on hand to welcome the premier and tour the facility.

Work has resumed at the site after a winter hiatus and Phase 2, which will include the grandstand at the west side of the track and a fieldhouse beneath it connected to the CEPS Louis-J-Robichaud building, begins this week. The province has contributed $6.5 million to the $23.5-million project and the premier said the province and the City of Moncton are discussing the possibility of an added provincial contribution.

The synthetic track, the same type used for the 2006 IAAF games in Beijing, will be laid in Moncton in August, the first track of its type in North America.

Graham said the stadium will be a worthwhile investment years after the games have come and gone, establishing a regional centre of excellence for athletics, and providing a significant venue for sports like CFL football, concerts and other large events.

MonctonRad

May 12, 2009, 9:02 PM

Dieppe approves $1.3M for pool's parking lot
Published Tuesday May 12th, 2009

BY GREG WESTON
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

Dieppe city council approved a $1.3-million plan for a parking lot and landscaping at the new Aquatic and Sports Centre last night.

The designs include some changes from the original May 6 report, including two access points off Pascal Street and Aquatic Street. The revised roadways provide greater access to the facility for cars and emergency vehicles. They should also shorten visitors' drive to the centre and save residents gas in the process, a move city manager Marc Melanson said was consistent with Dieppe's Green Plan.

"I think the planet thanks you," Councillor Roger LeBlanc agreed.

But not all of the green aspects of the plan received the same approval, with Councillor Jean Gaudet questioning the need for a planned tree in the lot.

"I would think that planting a tree in the middle of a parking lot is not completely necessary," he said, adding that an extra 12 to 18 parking spaces could be created in its absence. The parking lot and landscaping project is one of the last two major components of the centre awaiting completion, the other being the installation of a children's swimming pool.

The council also passed a motion from Councillor Jody Dellaire creating an advisory committee with a mandate to enhance equality between women and men.

"There's a democratic deficit in our society when it comes to representation by women, so I thought it was important to form this committee to correct this," she said, pointing out that more than half of Dieppe's residents are women, yet only three sit on the council. Female representation in provincial and federal government is equally unbalanced.

"We really have a lot to do, even in 2009," added Councillor Hélène Boudreau. The motion passed to a round of applause from councillors and members of the public.

A network of bicycle lanes on Dieppe streets was also given council's stamp of approval. Although the exact route is yet to be finalized, Melanson said the plan should be implemented by this summer.

Building permit figures for April were released and Dieppe continues to grow despite global economic difficulties, with 60 permits reaching a total value of $9.7 million being approved that month.

"This makes it one of the biggest Aprils ever and it looks like it will continue for months," Melanson said.

Finally, Émile Landry, president of last summer's Canada 55 Games, presented the event's final report. He announced that the games turned a profit of $75,000, which will be donated to the city and used to create a park for seniors.