[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

Naysayers: "Avenir still has no parking. Millions lost and wasted. There was nothing wrong with the Coliseum with all that free parking. They could have placed Carrabbas, Baton Rouge and the fake golfing in Highfield Square where there was plenty lease space available and lots of FREE parking. City dropped the ball."

Yup, they're drinking their Coors Light on a Saturday night and are complaining about everything. No vision for the future, no aspirations in upgrading their beer choices.

Unfortunately, I fear you are entirely correct.

Especially about the beer. Who needs Stella, Rickards or Corona if you got Moose Piss.........

Parking. It's all about the parking. When they first posted over at Retail Talk & Share on Facebook about the new Baton Rouge restaurant, the first comments were all about "where will we all park???" and "betcha there's no free parking"

You wanna see naysayers. Look no further than your typical Facebook poster.........

[MonctonRad]

New downtown vision needed, says active transportation group
Active Transportation Coalition Moncton wants city to consider a new vision for St. George Street as council plans a redevelopment project
Payge Woodard, Moncton T&T
Published Dec 06, 2023
https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/new-downtown-vision-needed-says-active-transportation-group (paywall)

While the current (redevelopment) plan does include bike lanes and crosswalks, Martini told the Times & Transcript on Wednesday that with new boutique businesses continuing to pop up on one end of the street and many of the city’s homeless population frequenting another area, there is a need to focus on pedestrian upgrades.

“This is St. George Street. This is a vital part of our unique downtown core,” Martini said.

He said a pedestrian focused plan could include a plaza, a block or two where cars cannot drive, similar to Argyle Street in Halifax, cutting an area of the street down to a one way street and daylighting intersections to increase visibility.

Personal Opinion - These activists are zealots. The current city plan would see bike lanes on both sides of the street, and the loss of at least 75 on street parking spaces. To follow this coalition's plan would see the elimination of all on street parking and the reduction of traffic on St. George to a single unidirectional lane, with the complete prohibition of traffic from several blocks. This goes way too far, and would be a hindrance to new business and residential development along the roadway. In addition, it would mean displacement of traffic flow to adjacent streets, including Main Street, leading to increased traffic congestion. Council has agreed to listen to these people and their recommendations, but, hopefully reason will prevail over passion.

[MonctonRad]

Golf bar opening in former bus terminal downtown
The 5,000-square-foot venue will serve shareable foods like pizzas and local craft beers for those wanting to use a simulator or just mingle with friends
Author of the article - Payge Woodard
Published Dec 12, 2023 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 1 minute read
https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/golf-bar-opening-in-former-bus-terminal-downtown (paywall)



The article confirms that this place will be a franchise of The Bunker, out of Ottawa.

The building has indoor seating for about 100 people and includes two patios that add another 120 seats.

“We will have the largest Main Street-facing patio in Moncton,” Broderick said.

Seating for up to 220 people is pretty massive. With the menu, it is obvious they intend to go after the Avenir Centre crowd as well as the golfing constituency. There will be four golfing simulators on site. Opening is tentatively around February 1st.

[Nashe]

I see some black, chainlink fencing is going up here at the back of Ensemble on Gordon Street. That back lot is rather... dangerous looking most days, so I'm not sure if it's to keep people out of it or make the streetscape more appealing.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Nashe

I'm not sure if it's to keep people out of it or make the streetscape more appealing.

Yes, and yes.

Moncton safe injection site adds security, fencing to 'be a good neighbour'
People no longer allowed to stay in parking lot, on front porch now that drop-in centre is open
Alexandre Silberman · CBC News · Posted: Dec 14, 2023 6:00 AM AST | Last Updated: 5 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...ubstance-overdose-debby-warren-1.7058180

[MonctonRad]

Atlantic downtowns need help from customers, gov't: report
Top challenges for downtowns include staffing, inflation, parking, online shopping and 'street issues'
Author of the article:Alan Cochrane
Published Dec 15, 2023 • Last updated 45 minutes ago • 2 minute read
https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/atlantic-downtowns-need-help-from-customers-govt-report (paywall)


T&T photo

Kelly said more than 1,700 businesses completed a survey which revealed to top five challenges of staffing, inflation/economic conditions, parking, lack of foot traffic/online shopping and street issues like homelessness, drug use, panhandling and violence. The opportunities include parking innovations, marketing support, shop local programs and more events that draw people to the downtown.

The issues highlighted by this report are not a surprise, but, I would like to point out the parking issue. As much as the zealots and acolytes within the bicycling lobby would like to see cars banned form the downtown, this is still how most people travel, and I do not see this changing. Public transit is inconvenient and not an option for most people. Cars will continue to inhabit the downtown cores. In Moncton, as surface parking continues to get repurposed to higher density use, replacement parking will be necessary. This means underground parking garages and surface parking structures. There is no way around this.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Atlantic downtowns need help from customers, gov't: report
Top challenges for downtowns include staffing, inflation, parking, online shopping and 'street issues'
Author of the article:Alan Cochrane
Published Dec 15, 2023 • Last updated 45 minutes ago • 2 minute read
https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/atlantic-downtowns-need-help-from-customers-govt-report (paywall)


T&T photo



The issues highlighted by this report are not a surprise, but, I would like to point out the parking issue. As much as the zealots and acolytes within the bicycling lobby would like to see cars banned form the downtown, this is still how most people travel, and I do not see this changing. Public transit is inconvenient and not an option for most people. Cars will continue to inhabit the downtown cores. In Moncton, as surface parking continues to get repurposed to higher density use, replacement parking will be necessary. This means underground parking garages and surface parking structures. There is no way around this.

Shrill cycling zealots are the squeakiest wheel. I've wondered before how they get all these stupid projects completed at taxpayer expense, which piss off drivers and businesses, without any kind of volume study. Hell you can't get a sidewalk built in the suburbs without years of waiting and 'proof' that people are walking on the shoulder in substantial numbers. There's so very few cycling commuters but they have more clout than drivers, pedestrians, and public transit users combined. Beyond my understanding.

But yeah, Moncton needs parking garages. Maybe the lot between Albert and Foundry? You could put a gigantic one here. Street level commercial along the Foundry side could be viable. Even build a giant 4-5 floor parking podium with residential above it, like the Three Sisters, but without the townhouse style lower units, could work: it's a perfect location for Main St, Avenir, and so on. You could build pretty close to the railroad tracks with concrete, if there's no residential on the lower floors, I believe. Maybe add a pedway over the rail too.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Shrill cycling zealots are the squeakiest wheel. I've wondered before how they get all these stupid projects completed at taxpayer expense, which piss off drivers and businesses, without any kind of volume study. Hell you can't get a sidewalk built in the suburbs without years of waiting and 'proof' that people are walking on the shoulder in substantial numbers. There's so very few cycling commuters but they have more clout than drivers, pedestrians, and public transit users combined. Beyond my understanding.

But yeah, Moncton needs parking garages. Maybe the lot between Albert and Foundry? You could put a gigantic one here. Street level commercial along the Foundry side could be viable. Even build a giant 4-5 floor parking podium with residential above it, like the Three Sisters, but without the townhouse style lower units, could work: it's a perfect location for Main St, Avenir, and so on. You could build pretty close to the railroad tracks with concrete, if there's no residential on the lower floors, I believe. Maybe add a pedway over the rail too.

I would agree with all this. I'm all for finding ways to improve active transportation when it makes sense, but this needs to be done carefully.

Until there is adequate multi level parking garages downtown the street spaces are very important. We already had many naysayers who thought Avenir would be the downfall of the city and that people would be parking at the hospital and walking down or taking shuttles to events.

None of that happened of course, but the citizens have now adapted to the change we asked them to which is to find a street spot anywhere downtown and walk anywhere from 2-10 minutes to the arena. Its working well and it would be terrible to then suddenly start taking away all these spaces. We can't throw that goodwill away. Not to mention we have already seen the discussions around busses and that we dont expect to see any additional fleet added in the near term.

I'm personally surprised we've seen no movement on the lot owned by heritage. Years ago they wasted a bunch of money installing gates at both entrances of the lot, only to not use them in the end due to a disagreement with a commercial tenant. I dont foresee any scenario where this lot ever exceeds being 1/3 full. Would there be any restrictons building something here due to the traintracks?

[jonny golden]

Every time I look at the map and see that giant parking lot across from Heritage Court, I cringe. I realize that currently it's necessary for parking as during business hours it's full, but there's such an opportunity here; especially given the location. It's proximity to the Avenir Center is very convenient, and would be a great marketing advantage if this land were ever developed.

Any development would have to include a structure with enough multi level parking to replace the current spaces. And such a structure could even incorporate street level commercial to add to the vibrancy of the area.
That would free up a large chunk of land for another residential tower with underground parking, which could also include ground floor commercial.

The idea of an overhead walkway across the tracks, would land people literally right at the Avenir Center. I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for something to happen here, but it could potentially be an amazing addition for downtown Moncton.

[new kid in town]

While we're on the topic of multi-level parking, the Mocnton Hospital sorely needs one.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by new kid in town

While we're on the topic of multi-level parking, the Mocnton Hospital sorely needs one.

Horizon is aware. They are looking at possibilities, but, don't hold your breath for anything imminent.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Horizon is aware. They are looking at possibilities, but, don't hold your breath for anything imminent.

...considering they just (likely) spent a pretty penny on the new entrance/exit/gate of the existing log, along with new light standards along MacBeath.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Nashe

...considering they just (likely) spent a pretty penny on the new entrance/exit/gate of the existing log, along with new light standards along MacBeath.

Indeed.

The CEO gave us an update on parking on a site visit to the TMH last week. In the short term, they have secured some more off site parking for staff which will require a shuttle to transport employees to the hospital (they have done this for years from an offsite lot at UdeM, this is just more of the same).

Horizon however realizes that the only real solution is a parking structure located on the current staff/visitor parking lot across from the main entrance. This is a long term goal, requiring negotiations with the city and province, and will take years to accomplish. The last time they got close to this (in the early 1990s). residents on adjacent Edgett Avenue raised quite a stink. I'm sure this will happen again.

I'm convinced nothing will happen for 10 years, probably longer. I will likely be dead before this project even starts.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Indeed.

The CEO gave us an update on parking on a site visit to the TMH last week. In the short term, they have secured some more off site parking for staff which will require a shuttle to transport employees to the hospital (they have done this for years from an offsite lot at UdeM, this is just more of the same).

Horizon however realizes that the only real solution is a parking structure located on the current staff/visitor parking lot across from the main entrance. This is a long term goal, requiring negotiations with the city and province, and will take years to accomplish. The last time they got close to this (in the early 1990s). residents on adjacent Edgett Avenue raised quite a stink. I'm sure this will happen again.

I'm convinced nothing will happen for 10 years, probably longer. I will likely be dead before this project even starts.

The next time they need to expand the hospital, build the expansion in the parking lot, and that give you a reason to build a parking structure where the parking lot is located.

[new kid in town]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Horizon however realizes that the only real solution is a parking structure located on the current staff/visitor parking lot across from the main entrance. This is a long term goal, requiring negotiations with the city and province, and will take years to accomplish. The last time they got close to this (in the early 1990s). residents on adjacent Edgett Avenue raised quite a stink. I'm sure this will happen again.

I want to give those people a piece of my mind. The parking lot or the hospital bricks wouldn't be much different view. With our population steadily increasing, this problem will be magnified as the years go by. I bet the loudest voices are those renting out their driveways to hospital employees and they don't want to miss out on the extra buck. Selfish.

[MonctonRad]

When the new parking structure is finally built (?2035-40), I imagine it will include an elevated pedway across McBeath Avenue.

[MonctonRad]

And in other news, apparently Hynes Restaurant on Mountain Road has been sold. This business has been in family ownership for over 80 years. The current generation of owners are planning to retire.

The buyers are from Halifax. Conditions of sale stipulate no name change for the restaurant, no changes to the menu, and retention of the current staff. As such, casual diners won't notice anything substantially different.

[jnaygull]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

And in other news, apparently Hynes Restaurant on Mountain Road has been sold. This business has been in family ownership for over 80 years. The current generation of owners are planning to retire.

The buyers are from Halifax. Conditions of sale stipulate no name change for the restaurant, no changes to the menu, and retention of the current staff. As such, casual diners won't notice anything substantially different.

Just out of curiosity. How could they enforce that in a sale? Couldn't the new owners just close the shop and re-open under a new name and menu?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jnaygull

Just out of curiosity. How could they enforce that in a sale? Couldn't the new owners just close the shop and re-open under a new name and menu?

You can put anything you want in a sales agreement. The terms of sale have to be abided by.

Now, I'm sure there are ways around any such covenants. The new owners for example are probably free to sell the property at any time, and, the covenants may not extend to the subsequent new owner. If you wanted to be Machiavellian, this "subsequent new owner" could sell the property back to the initial new owners without the covenants in place. This of course would be a bad faith move, and could lead to a lawsuit by the original owners if they so wished. They might not want to do so however given the cost of litigation.

[jnaygull]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

You can put anything you want in a sales agreement. The terms of sale have to be abided by.

Now, I'm sure there are ways around any such covenants. The new owners for example are probably free to sell the property at any time, and, the covenants may not extend to the subsequent new owner. If you wanted to be Machiavellian, this "subsequent new owner" could sell the property back to the initial new owners without the covenants in place. This of course would be a bad faith move, and could lead to a lawsuit by the original owners if they so wished. They might not want to do so however given the cost of litigation.

Yeah, I figured there are ways around this. However, to appease their clientele and reduce questioning and rumors, I get why they would announce such covenants.