[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[CuriousJL]

Originally Posted by LewisVillis

Wasn't it Tier Too, Doucette Holdings? I seem to recall going down a rabbithole and finding a pizza chain connected to them, but can't seem to retrace my rabbit tracks. Maybe I was just hungry.

Could this be the article you saw?

https://obj.ca/ottawas-gabriel-pizza-expands-into-atlantic-canada/

[MonctonRad]

Very interesting! Thanks for the link.

[CuriousJL]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Very interesting! Thanks for the link.

Here's another about the opening in Antigonish. The article mentions New Brunswick.

Ooops: here the link: https://www.canadianpizzamag.com/first-gabriel-pizza-restaurant-in-atlantic-canada-opens/

[MonctonRad]

Here is the link to their menu. They are more than just a pizza joint. They even have seafood and steak, and also have breakfast options. The breakfast menu is impressively extensive.

https://tap-to-view.com/jxtgvy/gabriel-pizza#/category/685

In essence, they are a full service restaurant with a specialty in Italian food and pizza.


photo of their new Antigonish location.

I think the location (Baci Italia) is a little problematic, being in a relatively neglected part of the downtown east end, right next to a vacant high school, but, looking things over, this has the potential to be a destination restaurant, and thus a driver for rejuvenation in the neighbourhood. If this is the plan for the former Baci Italia, I wish them well.

[drewber]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Here is the link to their menu. They are more than just a pizza joint. They even have seafood and steak, and also have breakfast options. The breakfast menu is impressively extensive.

https://tap-to-view.com/jxtgvy/gabriel-pizza#/category/685

In essence, they are a full service restaurant with a specialty in Italian food and pizza.


photo of their new Antigonish location.

I think the location (Baci Italia) is a little problematic, being in a relatively neglected part of the downtown east end, right next to a vacant high school, but, looking things over, this has the potential to be a destination restaurant, and thus a driver for rejuvenation in the neighbourhood. If this is the plan for the former Baci Italia, I wish them well.

Probably doesn't mean much but I got a targeted ad for Gabriel's Pizza on Facebook yesterday. I suppose it could be for the Antigonish location but you never know

[LewisVillis]

Originally Posted by CuriousJL

Could this be the article you saw?

https://obj.ca/ottawas-gabriel-pizza-expands-into-atlantic-canada/

Didn't find that article but that was the chain I'd found via Tier too - and couldn't find again. Figured my sleuthing was faulty so didn't post about it.

[jonny golden]

I really hope the Galco building at the Robinson Street parking lot gets off the ground this spring/summer. It's a file that's been dragging on since 2017 when Galco acquired the property in exchange for the Castle Manor lawn.

The original deal had a deadline of 5 years (2022) for Galco to start construction, but that was extended by a year.

Maybe the $15 million in federal funds will somehow help move this project along, and we can eliminate another one of these downtown parking lots. To me, the Robinson Street lot is an eyesore anyway.

[MonctonRad]

I really have no doubt that the Galco project is one of the 10 or so downtown projects which are "stalled.'

With this federal announcement, we may see shovels in the ground next year.

[MonctonRad]

Two things:

1) - the new staircase and entrance to 1111 Main is now complete. Workers are cleaning up the site.
2) - they are staring to put in the foundation and underground parking for 1299 Main (the Tomato Building).

[MonctonRad]

There are some structural steel elements lying on the ground at the Baton Rouge construction site.

Construction is also going full tilt at the Bunker golf simulator/bar site next door.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

There are some structural steel elements lying on the ground at the Baton Rouge construction site.

Construction is also going full tilt at the Bunker golf simulator/bar site next door.

This is prime season for the simulator business if they want to get opened this season. I heard from a friend they want to be open by January.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

There are some structural steel elements lying on the ground at the Baton Rouge construction site.

Construction is also going full tilt at the Bunker golf simulator/bar site next door.

I drove by the site twice last week and it was a beehive of activity - both projects. This block is going to deliver a much better appearance than it's run down predecessor; which is great, considering the prominent location.

I dream of the day that Aquilini decides to enter the residential market in Moncton! The question is: Is there enough empty land left in that block to build on?

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

The question is: Is there enough empty land left in that block to build on?

There sure is. Aquilini could easily buy the Times&Transcript lot and convert to a parking garage that would connect Bunker, Baton Rouge and Crowne Hotel via overhead pedway. Next, get rid of the useless old YWCA house sitting in the back corner and build a residential tower with plenty of underground parking on the back lot.

[jnaygull]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

There sure is. Aquilini could easily buy the Times&Transcript lot and convert to a parking garage that would connect Bunker, Baton Rouge and Crowne Hotel via overhead pedway. Next, get rid of the useless old YWCA house sitting in the back corner and build a residential tower with plenty of underground parking on the back lot.

The T&T building was recently sold to a trucking college and the YWCA building is a heritage building: https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=2686

Those two aside, the block itself is still pretty large and has plenty of space for further development.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jnaygull

The T&T building was recently sold to a trucking college

A friggin' trucking college???? REALLY!!!!!

I cannot for the life of me think of a more dissonant use for this property than a truck school, especially with the truck eating Main Street subway right next door. Are you absolutely certain of this????

Originally Posted by jnaygull

and the YWCA building is a heritage building: https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=2686

Yes, and I agree with the heritage designation. It's Victorian style (with the iconic onion shaped brick turret) is fairly unique in Moncton. It should be preserved if at all possible.

Originally Posted by jnaygull

Those two aside, the block itself is still pretty large and has plenty of space for further development.

I agree. There is at least room for a parking structure for the hotel and a large residential tower.

[jonny golden]

Looking at the map, the vacant land left in the Aquilini block is similar in size to the two nearby recently constructed Ashford buildings; maybe even a bit bigger.

So with underground parking, I think that a 6 floor building would be possible. The project could also include a way to densify the hotel/Baton Rouge parking situation - maybe a 2-3 level structure behind the hotel.

For years it didn't even appear that Moncton was on the radar with the Aquilini group. Since they've now decided to invest in their Moncton holdings, let's hope there is a phase two in their plans. Aquilini is a major player who are heavily into residential development in western Canada. They've produced some spectacular buildings!

[jnaygull]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

A friggin' trucking college???? REALLY!!!!!

I cannot for the life of me think of a more dissonant use for this property than a truck school, especially with the truck eating Main Street subway right next door. Are you absolutely certain of this????



Yes, and I agree with the heritage designation. It's Victorian style (with the iconic onion shaped brick turret) is fairly unique in Moncton. It should be preserved if at all possible.



I agree. There is at least room for a parking structure for the hotel and a large residential tower.

When you do a Google search of "Trans Canada College" you see that they are located at 939 Main St which would be the old T&T building. It is apparently their head office.

I thought the same thing as you, that it was a bizarre location, but when I got to thinking about it, it has garage space, a huge parking lot, and offices that would work as classrooms and for administrative purposes.

[MonctonRad]

I suppose if the campus was only used for administration and classroom work it might be OK. They would have to shuttle students off site for their practical training.

And on another note, the downtown RCMP community policing office on Robinson Court is finally going to open tomorrow.

[Monctoncore]

It’s an RCMP Christmas miracle!

[MonctonRad]

From today's T&T:

The City of Moncton is moving ahead with a long-term plan to rebuild St. George Street over several years with new sewer and wastewater pipes, designated bicycle lanes, crosswalks, lights and other infrastructure.

Lagace said a total rebuild of St. George would cost millions of dollars over several years to improve services like underground sewer and water lines. There are parking spaces along most of St. George and some of those would be lost with the installation of bike lanes, so planners would look at regaining some of that parking on nearby side streets. He said available parking space is important to business operators. People attending events at the Avenir Centre also park around the area of St. George and Highfield Streets.

Full article:
https://tj.news/city-hall/st-george-street-upgrades-will-take-several-years-city (paywall)

The entire length of St. George from King to Vaughan Harvey will be rebuilt. Work isn't expected to begin until 2026.