The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[mylesmalley]

Wooo. Post 500.

I just read in the Fredericton Forum that they're expecting an announcement about their convention centre soon. How is it that Fredericton can still be going after this, while Moncton needs to spend a pile of money to see if they still do.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Wooo. Post 500.

I just read in the Fredericton Forum that they're expecting an announcement about their convention centre soon. How is it that Fredericton can still be going after this, while Moncton needs to spend a pile of money to see if they still do.

Cool 500 !

I guess Moncton should go ahead and to finance by itshelf the fed share as Fredericton does. Its about 9-million.

[ElevatorGuy]

Convention centres are not very profitable and the city is going to make damn sure its worth it before they blow the cash. The Beaver lumber land is a large project for Moncton and they are going to do it right. They are waiting for the laws on casino's to change before anything is built on those lands. It will transform downtown when its all done.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by ElevatorGuy

Convention centres are not very profitable and the city is going to make damn sure its worth it before they blow the cash. The Beaver lumber land is a large project for Moncton and they are going to do it right. They are waiting for the laws on casino's to change before anything is built on those lands. It will transform downtown when its all done.

You`re right, of course, its a chance former courthouse rendering stayed on the drawing board. Furthermore, I looking foward to see Assumption multi-use projet rendering that will included courthouse look like. Like you said the downtown will change dramaticly with projects such as casino/hotel/convention center , courthouse and maybe office tower as well.

[ErickMontreal]

:: Various renderings of the Downtown Moncton vision evolution ::

2000

2001


2001


2006

[mmmatt]

They are all good visions...what I dont understand is why none of them include a new building over 6 stories? How come this idea is so lost here...Pretty much all the tall buildings (8+ stories) in NB were built in the 60's and 70's...(with a few exceptions...IE Blue Cross, Mercentile and a couple in Fredericton). What did we have then that we dont have now? I mean all 3 cities are growing...why dont we see new tall buildings going up?

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

They are all good visions...what I dont understand is why none of them include a new building over 6 stories? How come this idea is so lost here...Pretty much all the tall buildings (8+ stories) in NB were built in the 60's and 70's...(with a few exceptions...IE Blue Cross, Mercentile and a couple in Fredericton). What did we have then that we dont have now? I mean all 3 cities are growing...why dont we see new tall buildings going up?

Well, I think SJ is poised to get at least one on the next few years. I don`t understand why as Moncton has a growing population and nothing seem stopping this trend, in that case the city will be able to support couple of residential towers.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

They are all good visions...what I dont understand is why none of them include a new building over 6 stories? How come this idea is so lost here...Pretty much all the tall buildings (8+ stories) in NB were built in the 60's and 70's...(with a few exceptions...IE Blue Cross, Mercentile and a couple in Fredericton). What did we have then that we dont have now? I mean all 3 cities are growing...why dont we see new tall buildings going up?

I suspect it all comes down to economics. Why build a ten story building downtown when you can afford to build a massive three story building at the edge of town. Real estate in New Brunswick is so cheap compared to other large centers. There's just no incentive. That's not to say that it's right to build malls downtown...


HalifaxMTl666, where did you find the first and third vision plan? I've never seen those two before

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

I suspect it all comes down to economics. Why build a ten story building downtown when you can afford to build a massive three story building at the edge of town. Real estate in New Brunswick is so cheap compared to other large centers. There's just no incentive. That's not to say that it's right to build malls downtown...


HalifaxMTl666, where did you find the first and third vision plan? I've never seen those two before

You`re right, I just take a look around in my neighbour, there are four 4-stories buildings that are identical...

Check this link out.
http://www.architecture2000.ca/OurFirm.htm

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by HalifaxMtl666

You`re right, I just take a look around in my neighbour, there are four 4-stories buildings that are identical...

Check this link out.
http://www.architecture2000.ca/OurFirm.htm

Thanks for the link.

4 four story buildings is better than four streets of suburban sprawl.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

They are all good visions...what I dont understand is why none of them include a new building over 6 stories? How come this idea is so lost here...Pretty much all the tall buildings (8+ stories) in NB were built in the 60's and 70's...(with a few exceptions...IE Blue Cross, Mercentile and a couple in Fredericton). What did we have then that we dont have now? I mean all 3 cities are growing...why dont we see new tall buildings going up?

I just noticed. If you look at the newest renderings (the two part one), it almost looks like they want to put larger buildings towards the areas of Vaughan Harvey and St George, which is a neat concept.

[ErickMontreal]

9 contractors vie for Metro courthouse job
Gov't to establish a shortlist before process moves to next level of asking for proposals





Published Friday October 12th, 2007
Appeared on page a3

The deadline for contractors to submit expressions of interest in building a new $47 million justice complex for Moncton passed yesterday afternoon, with nine different submissions coming in from interested parties across the country.

Local developers included Ashford Investments Ltd., Giffels Partnership Inc. and Bore Park Place Inc. (Heritage Development Group), all of Moncton. The other New Brunswick company to express interest was Gretzky Construction Ltd. of Shediac.

Pomerleau Inc. of Montreal, Sonco Group Inc. of Halifax, Citi Group Property Ltd. of Dartmouth, Plenary Justice of Toronto, and Huntingdon Real Estate Investments (Shelter Canadian Properties Ltd.) of Winnipeg rounded out the list.

Earlier this year, the Liberals announced they would seek a public/private partnership to build the justice centre.

The province is seeking a private developer to build, own, operate and lease the facility back to the province.

The Department of Supply and Services had initially received 35 requests for information on the project. These nine submissions will now be evaluated by the department and short-listed before a second-stage request for proposals is issued at the end of November to selected proponents for construction of the new courthouse at approved sites. Only those proponents who have been qualified under the expressions of interest will be invited to proceed to the second phase.

Supply and Services Minister Roly MacIntyre has said government is open to proposals to build the new courthouse at the former Beaver Lumber property in downtown Moncton, or at other acceptable alternative sites within the city's downtown core. Interested developers will be able to submit their proposals for the project based on the design that has been developed for the current site, or they have the option to propose moving the courthouse and, modifying the design, to suit another acceptable downtown location.

The list of companies to make submissions is as interesting for one name that is missing. It has long been assumed that Assomption Vie, the landlord of Moncton's current court facilities in the company's flagship Assumption Place complex, was interested in partnering on the construction of new justice centre.

However, the company did not make an expression. The two men who could have commented on the decision not to take part, Kenneth Losier, the vice president responsible for real estate development, and Denis Losier, Assomption's president and CEO, were both travelling last night and could not be reached.

The courthouse will house 15 courtrooms and court staff as well as Sheriff Services; Victim Services; Probation Services; Family Support Services including mediation; Crown prosecutors and a law library.

The previous provincial Conservative government had gone so far as to hold a sod turning ceremony at the corner of Assomption Boulevard and Westmorland Street back in the summer of 2005, but concerns raised about security and the site led to delays in the project, which was initially supposed to be opened by now. At the time of the 2005 announcement, that completion date had been moved to spring 2008. The new, more extensive facility is now expected to break ground in the spring of 2008 with completion planned for 2009-2010.
______________________________________________________________________________________

I am really surprising as Assumption is not there, anyway, I just hope they will change the current design. Moreover, Pomerleau from Montreal has a strong portforlio with project like 1000 de La Gauchetière in downtown Mtl for increase. http://www.pomerleau.ca/


Government rendering

[mmmatt]

Wow, thats sweet that there is a lot of interested developers from outside Atlantic Canada.

As much as I would love to see a local firm at the helm perhaps it might be better to leave it to someone with a better portfollio (like Pomerleau etc).

But these are just the companies that are looking to build it, not design it, so its probably not that critical.

I REALLY hope they come up with a new design...not that I dont like the old one, because deep down I dont mind it that much...I just hope they make it a bit taller

I can dream haha

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

I just noticed. If you look at the newest renderings (the two part one), it almost looks like they want to put larger buildings towards the areas of Vaughan Harvey and St George, which is a neat concept.

Yeah, youre right Myles...never noticed that. Its a great idea...however I would rather see more of a developed downtown core than a new strip of buildings on Vaughn Harvey. But it would be cool nonetheless.

[mmmatt]

October 12, 2007 - 11:15 am
By: Darrell Quann - News 91.9 Staff

KENT HILLS, NB - Energy Minister Jack Keir and representatives from TransAlta Corporation marked the construction of a 96-megawatt wind farm in Kent Hills yesterday with a sod-turning ceremony.

TransAlta signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with NB Power earlier this year.

The Kent Hills wind farm will have 32 wind turbines, which will provide 280,000 megawatt hours of power per year - roughly enough to meet the electricity needs of 17,300 homes.

Keir explains the electricity generated from this site will go into the New Brunswick power grid.

NB Power will buy this from TransAlta.

The project, at a capital cost of $170 million, marks a significant step forward in New Brunswick's renewable energy program.

__________________________________________________

A nice little investment just outside Moncton

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

Wow, thats sweet that there is a lot of interested developers from outside Atlantic Canada.

As much as I would love to see a local firm at the helm perhaps it might be better to leave it to someone with a better portfollio (like Pomerleau etc).

But these are just the companies that are looking to build it, not design it, so its probably not that critical.

I REALLY hope they come up with a new design...not that I dont like the old one, because deep down I dont mind it that much...I just hope they make it a bit taller

I can dream haha

All the way with you Matt but I will be a bit more incisive in regard to the design.

The design is not that bad but I find the building a bit low-rise, a bit boxy, the footprint is too huge, the setback from the street makes it suburban as well as there is not pedway system. In my mind its a misuse of that prime land so the project has changed since 2005. The new project is 20-millions higher.

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by HalifaxMtl666

All the way with you Matt but I will be a bit more incisive in regard to the design.

The design is not that bad but I find the building a bit low-rise, a bit boxy, the footprint is too huge, the setback from the street makes it suburban as well as there is not pedway system. In my mind its a misuse of that prime land so the project has changed since 2005. The new project is 20-millions higher.

Yeah...I definitely think it needs to be taller (Id say 6 stories would be great!) and closer to the road, with nice landscaping (IE trees, fountain, brick paths, benches etc.) To fill in some more of that undeveloped space untill another project comes along.

The original plan was to have underground parking, and that better be part of the new design...the last thing we need is another massive parking lot downtown

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

Yeah...I definitely think it needs to be taller (Id say 6 stories would be great!) and closer to the road, with nice landscaping (IE trees, fountain, brick paths, benches etc.) To fill in some more of that undeveloped space untill another project comes along.

The original plan was to have underground parking, and that better be part of the new design...the last thing we need is another massive parking lot downtown

Oh que oui! 6-stories could be perfect and the new project now included room for the Probation Services; Family Support Services including mediation; Crown prosecutors, a law library and 10 % of extra office space.With that, If we are lucky we could see six stories.

[ErickMontreal]

By chance, I find out some old renderings of multi-use project that has been built in cities roughly the same size than Moncton. I am aware those projects are a bit eyesore but there are a great example of urban multi-use project that could be emulate to Moncton.


Delta Trois-Rivières, Qc


Delta Sherbrooke, Qc


Delta Valleyfield, Qc

:: Nice looking projects that could fit in Moncton market::


Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS


St-Foy, Qc


Montreal, Qc


Université du Quebec, Chicoutimi, Qc

http://www.pomerleau.ca

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by HalifaxMtl666

By chance, I find out some old renderings of multi-use project that has been built in cities roughly the same size than Moncton. I am aware those projects are a bit eyesore but there are a great example of urban multi-use project that could be emulate to Moncton.


Delta Trois-Rivières, Qc


Delta Sherbrooke, Qc


Delta Valleyfield, Qc

:: Nice looking projects that could fit in Moncton market::


Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS


St-Foy, Qc


Montreal, Qc


Université du Quebec, Chicoutimi, Qc

http://www.pomerleau.ca

I really like the look of that building at Dal.

On the matter of parking for the courthouse. I'm not at all concerned. There's no land left downtown to put another parking lot.