[Moncton] Gateway Towers | 2 x 18s | Mixed Residential | Under Construction

[lirette]

The easiest counter and way for council to support this project is not only the need for high density but that this project will enhance pedestrian access to the riverfront. This area has been given zero attention in my lifetime and and was mostly a depressing looking industrial area. What he's asking to be added could easily be incorporated into this development. Some small information plaques about the riverfront can easily be added into a park space that is going to now be accessible thanks to this project.

[MonctonGoldenTri]

Originally Posted by lirette

The easiest counter and way for council to support this project is not only the need for high density but that this project will enhance pedestrian access to the riverfront. This area has been given zero attention in my lifetime and and was mostly a depressing looking industrial area. What he's asking to be added could easily be incorporated into this development. Some small information plaques about the riverfront can easily be added into a park space that is going to now be accessible thanks to this project.

Also 50-60% of the land used for this project is already used(abandoned building) the other 40-50% is a ditch. There's zero impact on the trail. This just feels like an old man yelling at the clouds! Notice of the 34 signatures, mostly all U de M Alumni or faculty, none of them are subject experts, except for the primary plaintiff.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenTri

Also 50-60% of the land used for this project is already used(abandoned building) the other 40-50% is a ditch. There's zero impact on the trail. This just feels like and old man yelling at the clouds! Notice of the 34 signatures, mostly all U de M Alumni or faculty, none of them are subject experts except of the primary plaintiff.

Write the mayor with your observations.

A letter writing campaign can be effective. If she receives 100 letters, this might effectively counteract a petition signed by 34 UdeM activists.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Write the mayor with your observations.

A letter writing campaign can be effective. If she receives 100 letters, this might effectively counteract a petition signed by 34 UdeM activists.

I'd suggest letters and other expressions of support would have more impact on a one for one basis compared to letters of opposition. People are more easily motivated to oppose things than they are to make the effort to express support. Politicians know this.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I'd suggest letters and other expressions of support would have more impact on a one for one basis compared to letters of opposition. People are more easily motivated to oppose things than they are to make the effort to express support. Politicians know this.

Agreed. Letters of support bolster the confidence of politicians to do the right thing. This is why a letter writing campaign can be effective.

A contrary minded petition however only requires a signature. Some people will sign anything. There is no effort needed to sign a petition. An actual letter (no matter how long) indicates the writer actually feels passionate about the issue.

As you say, politicians know this.

[tmacdougall]

First, let me start by saying that I'm supportive of the Gateway project and its benefits. However, I have some concerns about the limited amount of waterfront property available. As our downtown area continues to grow and attract more residents and visitors, the waterfront will likely become increasingly crowded. (Only 1,622 feet between the start of the skate park & the Starving Artist Gallery and Gifts Building)

Given this, I'm wondering if there's any possibility of relocating the baseball fields to a different location. This would open up more space along the waterfront, allowing for expanded public access and additional amenities that could enhance the area for everyone.

Are there any other ideas or suggestions that could help maximize the use of our waterfront space as we plan for the future?

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by tmacdougall

First, let me start by saying that I'm supportive of the Gateway project and its benefits. However, I have some concerns about the limited amount of waterfront property available. As our downtown area continues to grow and attract more residents and visitors, the waterfront will likely become increasingly crowded. (Only 1,622 feet between the start of the skate park & the Starving Artist Gallery and Gifts Building)

Given this, I'm wondering if there's any possibility of relocating the baseball fields to a different location. This would open up more space along the waterfront, allowing for expanded public access and additional amenities that could enhance the area for everyone.

Are there any other ideas or suggestions that could help maximize the use of our waterfront space as we plan for the future?

Extend Assumption along the river south of the rail tracks and move the ball fields on top of the old landfill. Makes the old landfill actually useful, and opens up land along assumption.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by tmacdougall

First, let me start by saying that I'm supportive of the Gateway project and its benefits. However, I have some concerns about the limited amount of waterfront property available. As our downtown area continues to grow and attract more residents and visitors, the waterfront will likely become increasingly crowded. (Only 1,622 feet between the start of the skate park & the Starving Artist Gallery and Gifts Building)

Given this, I'm wondering if there's any possibility of relocating the baseball fields to a different location. This would open up more space along the waterfront, allowing for expanded public access and additional amenities that could enhance the area for everyone.

Are there any other ideas or suggestions that could help maximize the use of our waterfront space as we plan for the future?

Why are you only looking at that particular stretch? There are trails and parkland from the Causeway all the way to Hall's Creek.

Being right up against the water is tough with the mudflats and changes to the width of the river from erosion.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by tmacdougall

I'm wondering if there's any possibility of relocating the baseball fields to a different location. This would open up more space along the waterfront, allowing for expanded public access and additional amenities that could enhance the area for everyone.

Are there any other ideas or suggestions that could help maximize the use of our waterfront space as we plan for the future?

I don't think there is any need to look at relocating the Hal Betts Sportsplex yet.

Get the Gateway Towers built first, then maybe look at building something similarly scaled on the NB Power property next door (between Gateway and the skateboard park), and then think about future considerations.

My preference would be to densify the ocean of surface parking downtown before gobbling up any more riverfront.

This might have to be looked at at some point in the distant future, but, not right now.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

Extend Assumption along the river south of the rail tracks and move the ball fields on top of the old landfill. Makes the old landfill actually useful, and opens up land along assumption.

A redevelopment of the old garbage dump will be hampered by a desire not to disturb the toxic waste.

I strongly support the concept of extending Assumption Blvd all the way to the Brenda Robertson Bridge (old causeway), but, for the most part, I imagine this will be a parkway. There could be some limited opportunities for redevelopment on this site, but, contamination issues will make this very difficult.

Extend Assumption Blvd. Plant trees. improve the bicycle and trail network. Call it a riverfront ecopark and call it a day.

[Riberview]

I don't recall reading this in this thread recently (at least not today), but the Hal Betts Sportsplex is primarily built on an old dump site. Cannot be built on.

I wonder what remediation would cost to make the land usable once more.. I would guess extremely cost prohibitive.

Move Eastward; between Rodd's hotel and the running room is a nice parcel of land. And the strip mall located there could easily be removed and turned into something more substantial.

Also, across Main St. at the corner of King & Main. Irving must surely be willing to sell this..

There is a HUGE parcel of land between King & Steadman/Main & Rabbi Lippa Medjuck St.

And, there are already plans in the works for the lots bordered by Steadman & Lewis/Queen & Main St.

Also, what of the dirt parking lot at the northwest corner of Botsford & Queen?

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

A redevelopment of the old garbage dump will be hampered by a desire not to disturb the toxic waste.

I strongly support the concept of extending Assumption Blvd all the way to the Brenda Robertson Bridge (old causeway), but, for the most part, I imagine this will be a parkway. There could be some limited opportunities for redevelopment on this site, but, contamination issues will make this very difficult.

Extend Assumption Blvd. Plant trees. improve the bicycle and trail network. Call it a riverfront ecopark and call it a day.

Totally agree. Why move the ballfields anyway? Don't succumb to meaningless-public-plaza syndrome like SJ is. Half a dozen sports fields on the river, bounded by paths, is an asset. Perhaps convert the two near the Albert/Assomption intersection to a soccer/football/rugby field or something to mix it up, add a dog park somewhere maybe. I'm no expert on what Monctonians want for specific sporting fields of course.

Someone could do a lot with the PAN/PID-less lot NW of Assomption and Foundry. Just needs a sidewalk on both sides between Albert and Foundry, maybe a turning lane. There's a good amount of vacant lots on Waterloo that changed hands in 2021, as well.

[jonny golden]

We talk about that huge parking lot across from Heritage Court, but there's an even bigger sea of asphalt not too far away. If they'd connect Ivan Rand, that would open up a huge tract of land for development. Easily enough for an "urban village" - which could be a nice extension of The Junction if done properly.

We'd need a well financed developer to step up to the plate for something like that to happen.

And yes, the land east of Rodds Parkhouse Inn is also begging for development.

[josh_cat_eyes]

I mean the Arizona Coyotes had planned to build their whole arena district on top of an old landfill so it can be done, it just takes money. Same as the old CN yard off Vaughan Harvey. It would require a lot of engineering, remediation and a whole lot of money.

I was merely suggesting if you were to want the land where the ball fields are for development, you could easily build ball fields on top of the old landfill, as that wouldn’t require digging and disturbing the site. Likely

[MonctonRad]

A reliable source has informed me that an unholy alliance is forming to thwart the Gateway Towers, as well as all other meaningful developments in the downtown core. They want a study, and they want a complete moratorium on new construction above a certain height until the study is complete. They are advocating against all tall buildings in Moncton. This fight is existential, and they seek to prevent even already approved developments like the Infinity Tower.

The cabal is encouraged by the "Gang of 34", and seeks to emulate them and their tactics. The group includes the Sandpiper Lady who spoke against the Infinity Tower. Remember her, rattling on about 15 minute cities and TORONTO EAST as she was shepherded out of city council chambers??? I would not at all be surprised if Lori Barnes has been invited to join the group.

Their intention is apparently to pack the public hearings on the Gateway Development in September, and to hijack the meeting.

My source is very reliable. If this is what he is hearing, then I am becoming quite concerned about what is on the horizon.

This fight will be existential for the city. There is now an informal alliance of anti-development types at work. This makes the letter writing campaign even more important than it was before. If you haven't written the mayor yet, please do so now. [email protected]

[Leroy321]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

A reliable source has informed me that an unholy alliance is forming to thwart the Gateway Towers, as well as all other meaningful developments in the downtown core. They want a study, and they want a complete moratorium on new construction above a certain height until the study is complete. They are advocating against all tall buildings in Moncton. This fight is existential, and they seek to prevent even already approved developments like the Infinity Tower.

The cabal is encouraged by the "Gang of 34", and seeks to emulate them and their tactics. The group includes the Sandpiper Lady who spoke against the Infinity Tower. Remember her, rattling on about 15 minute cities and TORONTO EAST as she was shepherded out of city council chambers??? I would not at all be surprised if Lori Barnes has been invited to join the group.

Their intention is apparently to pack the public hearings on the Gateway Development in September, and to hijack the meeting.

My source is very reliable. If this is what he is hearing, then I am becoming quite concerned about what is on the horizon.

This fight will be existential for the city. There is now an informal alliance of anti-development types at work. This makes the letter writing campaign even more important than it was before. If you haven't written the mayor yet, please do so now. [email protected]

Will they actually be able to cancel projects that have already been approved?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

Will they actually be able to cancel projects that have already been approved?

Not cancel. Moratorium. The intent is to delay, delay, and delay yet again until the proposed development is no longer economic, and the developer simply walks away. Whether that's legal or not, I'm not sure. It would certainly go to the courts if they tried to enforce this.

City council should be well aware of the legal quagmire if they cave in to the anti-development lobby. I imagine they will stand up against these people, but, it always helps if they think they have the backing of the electorate. Again, a strong letter writing campaign would certainly help strengthen their backbones.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I'd suggest letters and other expressions of support would have more impact on a one for one basis compared to letters of opposition. People are more easily motivated to oppose things than they are to make the effort to express support. Politicians know this.

Good point. West Saint Johners could benefit from this approach, but unfortunately we don't know what the other proposals for the Belyea Arena property actually are yet.

Hopefully far more Monctonians give their support for this project, than these anti progress morons. 34 people shouldn't rate, no matter how influential they are, if more people can express their support of the project.

[SevenSquared]

I've been told a somewhat similar version of what MonctonRad has heard.

"Unholy alliance" is dead on. I'd love to be a fly on the wall watching these people try to co-exist.

I've written an e-mail to council as well, hopefully as many people as possible will do so.

It's gonna be an interesting meeting.

[lirette]

So the 15 minute city people are jumping in?

I wish I had more kind words to describe these people but they are essentially insane. There isn't a reasonable conversation to be had with these people. There is absolutely zero reason to institute height limitations in downtown Moncton. Their goal here is to filibuster and wear everyone down. They must be shut down in a respectftul but effective way, they cannot be given an inch here.

There isn't any historical character to our downtown that needs to be preserved and there isnt any viewpoints that are being blocked due to the layout and flatness of our city. In fact our city is uniquely primed for this development over other cities.