[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[MonctonRad]

This is the description for the retail plaza planned for the Franklin Yard development:

Now pre-leasing a new construction retail plaza on Millennium Boulevard in a central and rapidly growing area of Moncton.

This ±16,256 SF development will feature 12 units ranging from approximately ±1,022 SF to ±3,490 SF, with flexible configurations available to accommodate a variety of retail, service, and office uses.

Located within a high-density residential area consisting of nine surrounding apartment buildings , the property benefits from strong built-in customer traffic and ongoing growth in the immediate area. The site also offers convenient access to both Downtown Moncton and the Moncton North retail hub.

The development will feature modern construction, excellent visibility, ample on-site parking, and strong signage opportunities. Secure your space early in this upcoming project.

The unit in the front looks like a great spot for a restaurant or cafe of some kind. Great street front visibility, and it is a short walk from the Greenfoot Energy 4-Ice Centre. Lots of built in customers there from tournaments in the winter and spring. The rest of the Franklin Yards also has about 900 apartment units, so, that is another 1500-2000 potential customers there. Millennium Blvd is an increasingly popular shortcut from the northwest end of the city to the downtown core.

[Sunnybrae]

Won't be surprised if the intersection at Russ Howard and Millennium gets lights or traffic circle as time moves on. It's odd on google maps that Russ Howard Dr. turns into Sports St. right at the intersection of Millennium.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Sunnybrae

Won't be surprised if the intersection at Russ Howard and Millennium gets lights or traffic circle as time moves on. It's odd on google maps that Russ Howard Dr. turns into Sports St. right at the intersection of Millennium.

A traffic circle has been rumoured.

Millennium is getting increasingly busy. As I mentioned above it is a shortcut from the northwest end to the downtown. There are/will be a couple of thousand residents in the neighboourhood. It is the main access route to the Sportplex/4-Ice Centre. And, there will now be two moderate sized retail developments off Millennium (Franklin Yards Plaza and Emmerson Park).

[Leroy321]

One of the buildings by the subway block is now leasing:

Link: https://nbrun.mlxmatrix.com/matrix/share...zbYpNQIu4R18s_aem_cFEb4zDM4XDzYvyYFMt90w

[Leroy321]

The first floor is going up at 45 Lewis St. The first floor is concrete. I wonder if the rest will be wood. This building is on a really tight property; I almost wonder if it could even fit a mini tower crane.

[MonctonRad]

From the Moncton PAC agenda:

Conditional use application for an off-site parking lot located at 135 Albert Street, Moncton
NB (PID 70368576).
File Number: 26MC-46846

The City of Moncton has received a request for an off-site parking lot with 120 spaces to serve as overflow parking for the new Royal Canadian Mounted Police Station that is currently under construction on the adjacent property.

The portion of the property to be used for the off-site parking is zoned Central Business District (CBD).

As a property owner within 60 m of the above noted application, this notice was sent to you to seek any comments you would like to offer.

The Planning Advisory Committee will consider the above-noted request at its next monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall, 655 Main Street, Moncton.

This land is owned by Heritage Properties (quelle surprise), and is immediately to the east of the new RCMP HQ building.

Heritage is the king of derelict downtown surface parking in Moncton. This will just add to Heritage's inventory of wasted space in the core.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

From the Moncton PAC agenda:



This land is owned by Heritage Properties (quelle surprise), and is immediately to the east of the new RCMP HQ building.

Heritage is the king of derelict downtown surface parking in Moncton. This will just add to Heritage's inventory of wasted space in the core.

Yep. They'll just sit back and collect the cash. Zero interest in development, unfortunately.

[Monctoncore]

I think it’s time the city looks at creating a stipulation on empty lots in the downtown core. We have seen it in the past where they have said develop in X amount of time or sell it tot he city or X for market value. Groups like Heritage continue to buy up property and land only to just sit on it.. which the conspiracy theorist in me feels like they are run by NIMBY’s and hiding under the guise of being developers. Long story short, the city should start by setting a standard and saying.. show me a plan, if you don’t develop the empty lot in 7 years, the land must be resold to another developer who actually has plans for it.


I’m just frustrated looking at all that empty land behind assumption all the way down to the new RCMP barracks

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

I think it’s time the city looks at creating a stipulation on empty lots in the downtown core. We have seen it in the past where they have said develop in X amount of time or sell it tot he city or X for market value. Groups like Heritage continue to buy up property and land only to just sit on it.. which the conspiracy theorist in me feels like they are run by NIMBY’s and hiding under the guise of being developers. Long story short, the city should start by setting a standard and saying.. show me a plan, if you don’t develop the empty lot in 7 years, the land must be resold to another developer who actually has plans for it.


I’m just frustrated looking at all that empty land behind assumption all the way down to the new RCMP barracks

I doubt they're 'NIMBYs'. Most NIMBYs are, to their credit, not fans of gigantic surface parking lots. Property tax is low on vacant land and values are up on everything. Makes sense to just sit on it. JDI does this in Saint John (IOL seems to be selling some stuff, at least).

I was talking to a certain NB politician who said an elimination of the 'double tax' would be paired with a revenue-neutral tax increase on vacant serviced land. This was a while ago, and nothing has happened yet (to be honest, not much has happened with this government good or bad).

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I was talking to a certain NB politician who said an elimination of the 'double tax' would be paired with a revenue-neutral tax increase on vacant serviced land. This was a while ago, and nothing has happened yet.

This would be excellent if it happened. It would both stimulate new multi-unit residential construction and put pressure on downtown land owners to either sell or develop their land holdings rather than just grow weeds and occupy space.

Let's git'er done!!!

[jonny golden]

This contentious double tax issue has been brought to light multiple times. Eliminating the double tax would make a serious impact on property development.

Bill Hennessey, the managing director with Colliers did an excellent presentation to Moncton city council about this very issue 2 years ago. Here are a couple of points from his presentation:

Some solutions suggested include removing the HST, eliminating the double tax, and reducing the property tax rate to have parity with Halifax.

The thing that really freaked me out quite candidly, was the 3,897, the stuff that’s sitting on people’s desks that they’re not mobilizing because they can’t make it commercially viable,” Hennessey told City Council.”

[lirette]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

This contentious double tax issue has been brought to light multiple times. Eliminating the double tax would make a serious impact on property development.

Bill Hennessey, the managing director with Colliers did an excellent presentation to Moncton city council about this very issue 2 years ago. Here are a couple of points from his presentation:

Do I understand this statement right, that we are supposed to feel bad for land owners because they are sitting on land that isnt profitable to develop? Buying land isnt some charity, there is always an assumed level of risk. I am not even really sure I believe them. Maybe these land owners should think more outside the box, I don't see Mr Lafford whos transforming our city spending much time complaining about land that isn't commercially viable.

Now in saying that I am perfectly fine eliminating the double tax and and putting through the option above. But theres no way I am gonna be guilted by land owners. Seems like they love capitalism when it works for them but when it doesnt they come begging and pleading to big government.

If I were to guess theres more developers in the "heritage management" type category then there are Lafford and Icon unfortanutely.

[MonctonRad]

I think the point is that removal of double taxation on non owner occupied residential units should make it more attractive for developers to actually build more rental units.

At the same time, if some form of taxation penalty could be applied to unimproved properties in the core, then it would make it less attractive for developers to sit on their properties and live off of parking revenues.

Knowing Heritage, they are not interested in development anyway, but, this could incentivize them into selling some of their land to an actual development company so that something could get built.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I think the point is that removal of double taxation on non owner occupied residential units should make it more attractive for developers to actually build more rental units.

At the same time, if some form of taxation penalty could be applied to unimproved properties in the core, then it would make it less attractive for developers to sit on their properties and live off of parking revenues.

Knowing Heritage, they are not interested in development anyway, but, this could incentivize them into selling some of their land to an actual development company so that something could get built.

According to CMHC we've made progress in unit availability in greater Moncton. (3.8% down from 1.5%) Still vacancy rates are relatively low, so the market remains strong. We need the housing. The increase in tax revenue would benefit the city, and a vibrant downtown with more people living in the core has been a goal for the city for several years.

Yes we've made progress, but there's still massive untapped potential. Another big downtown project that actually comes to fruition would create a lot of excitement.

[MonctonRad]

Cranes for Buildings 8 & 9 at the Franklin Yards:

[jonny golden]

Franklin Yards build out means more potential customers for the upcoming Emmerson Park retail development. These two projects are a great example of developing vacant land in the heart of the city. And there's still a lot of vacant or underdeveloped land in central Moncton.

[Leroy321]

I seen a large mobile crane from a distance and it looked to be near the subway block area anyone see it or have any idea where and what for?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

I seen a large mobile crane from a distance and it looked to be near the subway block area anyone see it or have any idea where and what for?

I went downtown for an errand today and didn't see anything untowards.

[Photo1]

Originally Posted by Sunnybrae

Won't be surprised if the intersection at Russ Howard and Millennium gets lights or traffic circle as time moves on. It's odd on google maps that Russ Howard Dr. turns into Sports St. right at the intersection of Millennium.

Totally wouldn't be surprised at a "circle" in that location, then one on both ends of Russ Howard...will slow traffic on Millennium without stopping it too.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

I seen a large mobile crane from a distance and it looked to be near the subway block area anyone see it or have any idea where and what for?

It wasn't on main street, it was behind ALC.