The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by C_Boy

Hey everyone !

Just wanted to introduce myself. I found this by accident but am very glad I did. I grew up in Moncton but now live just outside the city (20 minutes north), but just love the city, I work there and there all the time !

I really enjoy seeing developement, growth and new things for Moncton. For what I have read up to know, I see I'm not the only one that likes this and wants the city to be a lot more vertical. hopefully I will be able to contribute to the forum.

It's a pleasure beeing part of the group.

Welcome C_Boy. Glad to see you joining the party. Looking forward to your input.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by Wishblade

Yeah, every city in atlantic canada is far too small to support a major aquarium. Halifax was looking into one a short while back, but it was deemed that Halifax would have to have twice its current population to support one. Oh well, it'd be nice though

I've been to the aquarium in Quebec City and it is awesome but of course if we ever were to get one it wouldn't be nearly as good. Very convienient for Quebec that they have twice the pop. of Halifax so they get all the things we want... Now to get Queen's Landing back on the table...

I say HRM and Moncton join together and build all the things we want somewheres near Amherst/Sackville! Then when we start losing money stick the local county with the bill

Originally Posted by C_Boy

Hey everyone !

Just wanted to introduce myself. I found this by accident but am very glad I did. I grew up in Moncton but now live just outside the city (20 minutes north), but just love the city, I work there and there all the time !

I really enjoy seeing developement, growth and new things for Moncton. For what I have read up to know, I see I'm not the only one that likes this and wants the city to be a lot more vertical. hopefully I will be able to contribute to the forum.

It's a pleasure beeing part of the group.

Welcome from your friendly neighbours in Halifax. Don't worry our bark is worse than our bite.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by C_Boy

Hey everyone !

Just wanted to introduce myself. I found this by accident but am very glad I did. I grew up in Moncton but now live just outside the city (20 minutes north), but just love the city, I work there and there all the time !

I really enjoy seeing developement, growth and new things for Moncton. For what I have read up to know, I see I'm not the only one that likes this and wants the city to be a lot more vertical. hopefully I will be able to contribute to the forum.

It's a pleasure beeing part of the group.

Welcome to the forums C_Boy!

Glad to see we're getting some new voices on the forums.

[MonctonRad]

I know I posted a similar article yesterday from the News 91.9 website but this article re: the GMIA from the Times & Transcript today is more detailed.

Passenger traffic up at Moncton airport
Worldwide slump not evident; more flights possible in future

by dwayne tingley
times & transcript staff

Air travel is in a worldwide slump, but statistics released by the Greater Moncton International Airport (GMIA) tell quite a different story.

A record high 336,749 travellers used the airport during the first half of this year, marking a 12.4 per increase from the same period last year. In June alone, 23.2 per cent more travellers used the airport.

GMIA president and chief executive officer Rob Robichaud said yesterday increasing fuel costs have forced most airlines around the world to hike their rates, which have led to fewer passengers. Most airlines are noting one to four per cent decreases in passenger traffic, said Robichaud, who is also managing director of the airport.

"In view of the trends around the world, we are very pleased with the way things are going for us in Moncton," Robichaud said yesterday.

"With 18 to 20 scheduled flights daily, we are offer a greater choice for consumers than other airports in the region. We've been able to establish ourselves in the eyes of the consumer as an airport with a great variety of services."

"We wish to thank the community for (its) continued support of air services from New Brunswick's busiest airport. Our air service development objectives aim to increase services and offer the best travel options to link our community to the world."

He said a successful winter charter season that stretched from February to May helped boost numbers this year. Approximately seven "sun destination" flights were two or three more each day over last year.

Other improved services included WestJet's Moncton to Edmonton (through Toronto) flight and three additional Air Canada Jazz flights to Toronto and Montreal, which included business class seats.

"We had projected a six to seven per cent increase in passenger traffic this year and we're going to stick with that because we're not sure what the fall will bring," Robichaud said.

"I don't think anyone expected numbers this good so we're very encouraged with the way things are going."

Air Canada Jazz has already announced it will be making across-the-board cuts this fall and Robichaud is trying to pin down how that will impact on the Moncton airport. For now, it appears, the impact will be minimal, he said.

The airport is also hoping to add more "sun destination" flights in 2009 as well as new services to St. John's, N.L., Boston and New York-Newark.

Continental Airlines has decided to offer seven-day a week service from Moncton to New York-Newark. In the past, it operated just four flights per week from October to February.

"We're also working away at increasing our international cargo service and we are trying to get an overpass built at the Highway 15 exit so these are busy times for the airport," Robichaud said.

[rocyn]

We bought a house on Penrose St last fall. I cannot wait until this construction is done. Since the minute the snow melted, there has been non-stop truck traffic, noise and airborne dirt from home construction. This is not a great place for a family to be living right now.

I was getting used to this, when they rip up the road at Ryan & Hildegarde for water and/or sewer upgrades. I was looking forward to this neverending construction mess being done, when they decide to close Ryan from Penrose to Horsman for construction. Could they not have finished one project before starting another? Did they intend to do both at the same time or did the Ryan/Hildegarde project take longer than anticipated? Just seems like terrible planning.

[mylesmalley]

Casino a cash boost for Metro
Published Friday August 22nd, 2008

While Moncton won't receive revenue from operation, it will enjoy economic spinoffs
A1
By Mary Moszynski
Times & Transcript Staff

FREDERICTON - Metro Moncton will reap the financial rewards of having a casino and entertainment complex built in the community, benefits other communities would love to receive, says Finance Minister Victor Boudreau.

ENLARGE PHOTO


Boudreau
Boudreau said the casino, which is expected to generate roughly $1.5 million in property tax for the city, will create numerous jobs and economic spinoffs.

"The city is obviously going to get the economic spin-offs that come with a $90-million private sector investment in a municipality," he said. "There's close to 700 or 800 jobs during the construction, there's over 400 jobs during the operations. Hopefully some of these people will be buying homes and cars and things of the like, which is going to benefit the local economy."

Earlier this week, several city councillors suggested the provincial government should give a slice of the casino revenue to the city to cover so-called additional social costs.

Under the agreement with the province, Sonco Gaming New Brunswick will keep 50 per cent of the profits, 43 per cent will go to the province and three per cent will be put into a fund for future improvements to the facility.

The money flowing to government will go into general coffers, meaning it will be spent on projects across the province, including Moncton, said Boudreau.

"I could tell you that there are other municipalities that would certainly like to get a $90-million private sector investment," he said. "I'm positive the greater Moncton area is going to benefit from this project."

Boudreau also pointed out the casino provides Moncton with a convention centre/entertainment complex without any government funding.

Those calling on the province to share its portion with the city say a casino will lead to increased policing costs.

However, in neighbouring Halifax, a team of additional officers hired to deal with the expected surge in crime when a casino opened there was quickly disbanded because the crime rate didn't increase.

In fact, a York University study of RCMP-investigated money laundering cases suggests that if the province is thinking about adding plain-clothes officers to curb money laundering, they should be posted in banks, where the majority of laundering activities take place in Canada.

Boudreau said the city won't receive a share of the revenue -- just like it doesn't receive a share of the profit from any other business.

"These companies don't give a percentage of their profits to the municipality and I don't see why a casino development should be any different."

Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc said the city is still working out what additional costs might be incurred by the municipality.

"We're not trying to hit the jackpot here, so to speak, but if there was a good argument for sharing the revenue we certainly wouldn't be opposed to that," he said.

LeBlanc said there could be costs related to policing or roadwork, although he said council wants to do the math before speaking with Boudreau.

"I would hope this thing would be a benefit financially for the city so we don't have to worry about breaking even, that we're coming out a little bit ahead."

[mylesmalley]

City life presents conundrums
Published Friday August 22nd, 2008

D6
Brent Mazerolle
Modern life

I don't know if it's accurate, but comedian Dennis Miller usually gets credit for this one:

"A developer is someone who wants to build a house in the woods. An environmentalist is someone who already has a house in the woods."

Because of my work attending meetings of both Moncton City Council and the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission, I often find myself thinking about this in our rapidly developing city, where there have been frequent land use conflicts in recent years.

Most recently it came to mind as residents of the Palisade Drive and Jarvis Court area of Moncton were before city council opposing a decision to turn some wooded land near their homes into building lots for Habitat for Humanity.

The residents say they will lose some of their quality of life as the woods are a favourite recreation area for them and a habitat for a number of small animals. Because of our society's current concern for the environment, protecting the environment of the area was a key point made several times by residents.

I have every sympathy for them. I know just how they feel. In fact I know exactly how they feel because I remember when the woods I played in as a boy got cut down to make way for houses. In fact it was their houses, the ones where the folks on Jarvis and Palisade live today.

The first moose I ever saw was right about where today Palisade and Jarvis meet. The first time I strapped on cross country skis with my Dad and set off on a wilderness expedition, we entered the woods not a hundred metres from the land in question. I understand the despair as you see your forest threatened.

When I was very small, our family home on Drummond Street was at the edge of the area's developed land. My father and uncle and grandfather used to leave our front yard on their snowmobiles and journey all the way to Bouctouche, crossing only a handful of roads to do so.

The development of Palisade Drive made that a lot trickier. Today, the Caledonia Industrial Park just about cuts those trails off, and the creation of the Irishtown Nature Park has sure put the kibosh on the massive snowmobile gatherings that used to happen on the ice of the reservoir each winter.

Some of course would say that's all a good thing.

Similarly, when my ancestors first settled on Drummond Street (I believe I was fourth generation there), I'm sure there were people nearby who lamented yet more sprawl.

My current home in Riverview is on what was once lovely fertile farmland, and before that it was probably woods. The first white settlers to the Moncton area, not to mention the shipbuilders who quickly followed, were attracted by the massive pines that lined the river around what is today downtown Moncton. Perhaps you've seen these remarkable pines?

No? Nah, me neither. So what's to be done?

The folks on Palisade and Jarvis are going to lose trees in their immediate vicinity (there are assurances most trees will remain, but we'll see), but they still live at the edge of one of the largest remaining wooded areas within Moncton, an area around Humphrey Brook which runs out to Harrisville. But like that other large parcel of wooded land north of Morton Avenue across from the Université de Moncton, the Humphrey/Harrisville area is already getting pencilled in on developers' maps.

People want their houses at the edge of the woods and developers will continue to give them that. At least all these lands in question are within the city's serviceable boundaries, meaning infilling them is more economical and eco-friendly than sprawling the city ever further outward.

And here's the Catch-22. Those of us who appreciate the natural world most are the ones who want to live at the edge of it or right smack-dab in it. But if we really cared about the environment, we would abandon our cars and move into high density housing in the city core or close to our work. But I spent the first working years of my adult life trying desperately to get out of apartment buildings, so that's no answer.

While we bought our new home last year largely because our kids could walk to school for the whole 13 years and we could walk to grocery stores and just about everything else, we still chose a single family house that offers living on three floors for four people. It's hardly eco-friendly to heat.

And when I need to get out in the woods and remember what the world is all about? I hop in my car and burn a bunch of fossil fuel to get to the Irishtown Nature Park.

How are we going to solve these conundrums of modern life? Beats me. But I think it's time we all tried to come up with some creative ideas.

Surely it doesn't always have to be a matter of homes versus trees.

n Brent Mazerolle composts and is a staff reporter for the Times & Transcript. He tries to keep the two activities separate.

[mylesmalley]

Address traffic now, not later
Published Thursday August 21st, 2008

The City of Moncton merits praise for recognizing the increased traffic on Ryan Street and Horsman Road as well as the need for a traffic light at Horsman and Berry Mills Road, and for beginning to address it before it becomes a major safety issue. Moncton has not always shown such foresight in the past.

ENLARGE PHOTO


Unfortunately, the New Brunswick Department of Transportation is demonstrating bureaucratic myopia and sticking to a time-worn formula on the question of a traffic light on Berry Mills, saying that the traffic doesn't warrant one yet.

This neither shows foresight nor an appreciation of the realities today at that intersection, which is already busy enough that it poses a considerable safety hazard. The city knows that, and so do drivers who use Berry Mills Road. It is beyond any doubt that the traffic volumes are increasing and will continue to increase, particularly once the work on Ryan and Horsman is completed.

And that leaves but one question: which is more important to the provincial authorities, an artificial formula that will soon tell them a light is needed (but hasn't yet) or ensuring improved public safety now when improvements are clearly needed?

A little more common sense and a little less slavish adherence to a formula, particularly in a situation involving a rapidly growing populace demonstrating unmistakable trends, is in order. The cost is minuscule; public safety is paramount.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by rocyn

We bought a house on Penrose St last fall. I cannot wait until this construction is done. Since the minute the snow melted, there has been non-stop truck traffic, noise and airborne dirt from home construction. This is not a great place for a family to be living right now.

I was getting used to this, when they rip up the road at Ryan & Hildegarde for water and/or sewer upgrades. I was looking forward to this neverending construction mess being done, when they decide to close Ryan from Penrose to Horsman for construction. Could they not have finished one project before starting another? Did they intend to do both at the same time or did the Ryan/Hildegarde project take longer than anticipated? Just seems like terrible planning.

Probably not what you want to hear but apparently there is money in the city budget for upgrading Ryan/Horseman to be spent over the next five years. Mind you, the construction will gradually progress westward so hopefully you'll be in the free and clear soon.

It is the destiny of Ryan/Horseman to become collector roads funnelling commuter traffic from Evergreen Park/Kingswood Park towards Berry Mills Road and away from Mountain Road.

There will be increased traffic on Ryan but Ryan will be getting proper stormsewers, is being widened and curbed and will have sidewalks on both sides.

And so a country lane becomes a city street. The times they are a changing.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Probably not what you want to hear but apparently there is money in the city budget for upgrading Ryan/Horseman to be spent over the next five years. Mind you, the construction will gradually progress westward so hopefully you'll be in the free and clear soon.

It is the destiny of Ryan/Horseman to become collector roads funnelling commuter traffic from Evergreen Park/Kingswood Park towards Berry Mills Road and away from Mountain Road.

There will be increased traffic on Ryan but Ryan will be getting proper stormsewers, is being widened and curbed and will have sidewalks on both sides.

And so a country lane becomes a city street. The times they are a changing.

It's probably only a matter of time before Ryan is 4 lanes and as busy as mountain... boy, the locals will loooove that.

[rocyn]

I have no real problem with Ryan becoming busier - I just want not to be trapped in between two street construction zones with no alternative escape route. I want to assume that the two construction zones happening at the same time on either side of our street was some sort of accident and not intentional. Having some sort of estimated time table for when they will finish this year's work on the Hildegarde end OR the Horsman end of Ryan would make this less frustrating.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by rocyn

I have no real problem with Ryan becoming busier - I just want not to be trapped in between two street construction zones with no alternative escape route. I want to assume that the two construction zones happening at the same time on either side of our street was some sort of accident and not intentional. Having some sort of estimated time table for when they will finish this year's work on the Hildegarde end OR the Horsman end of Ryan would make this less frustrating.

I understand your frustration and, watching Kingswood Park growing around me for the last 19 years, I know where you are coming from.

Sometimes the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing (split brain syndrome). How many times have we seen city streets freshly paved only to be dug up again in two weeks time for sewer work. It doesn't make any sense.

[mylesmalley]

Retail still booming in Metro
Published Monday August 25th, 2008

Increased presence of power centres, changes to Champlain Place indicative of a strong retail market
A1
By Cole Hobson
Times & Transcript Staff

While shoppers may disagree with recent policy changes at Champlain Place or be inconvenienced by the mall's ongoing renovations, Eric Pelletier with Enterprise Greater Moncton says the changes are a sign the retail industry is alive, well and continuing to boom in Metro Moncton.

ENLARGE PHOTO


VIKTOR PIVOVAROV/TIMES & TRANSCR
Shoppers walk through Champlain Place on Saturday.
"It shows that they're investing in our locality and the company (Cadillac Fairview) has shown that Champlain Place is a major asset to them," says Pelletier, manager of investment attraction and community relations with Enterprise Greater Moncton. "It's very positive that they're reinvesting in their infrastructure in their mall to better suit their clientele and to remain the leading shopping centre in Atlantic Canada."

The $14-million in renovations is being undertaken at Champlain Place to give the shopping centre a facelift and to make for a better shopper experience, but also perhaps to rejuvenate a mall that is seeing increased competition of late from "big box store" shopping centres like the Trinity Power Centre.

Although he admits power centres are "growing and taking more space" in Greater Moncton, Pelletier doesn't believe the increase in one type of retail will be at the expense of shopping malls like Champlain Place.

"I think it's a mix -- different venues work for different stores. There's definitely a good reason for retailers to set up shop in a shopping mall and the model for other big box stores works better in a power centre setting," he said. "I think we're going to keep growing the power centres and attracting unique retailers to the shopping malls at the same time. I don't see them necessarily competing, I see them fulfilling two separate needs."

While locations all around the Atlantic provinces have seen a growth in the number of power centres and big box stores, Pelletier says the most marked increases have been in the Moncton area.

"If you look at the tourist numbers, there's as many people who when they're in Greater Moncton they will be going to Champlain Mall and to the power centre -- I don't see a problem with number of visits on that side," he says. "For us regionally, the total retail offering works better than one shopping mall or one power centre."

Retail in Metro has continued to grow at a staggering pace in recent years and is expected to gross roughly $2.25-billion in sales in 2008, according to FP Markets-Canadian Demographics data. By comparison, that number is up from the retail sales estimates of $1.79-billion in Moncton in 2007.

As of April 2008, New Brunswick had amassed $803-million in retail sales, an increase of 2.2 per cent from last year at this point, according to Retail Council of Canada data.

Similar data from 2007 shows that retail made up 12.2 per cent of New Brunswick's labour force and 11.3 per cent of the province's total number of establishments.

Neil Mattson, general manager of Champlain Place, says the mall's recent changes and renovations have the goal of trying to create more of a complete experience for the areas shoppers.

"Today's sophisticated mall shopper is looking not only for a variety of merchandise or selection of stores, but more and more they are looking for a heightened shopper experience," he said. "This includes increased guest services, comfortable soft seating areas, state of the art washrooms, a relaxed atmosphere and ambience. The current renovation will ensure that Champlain Place has the amenities that the modern shopper is looking for."

Although there has been controversy surrounding Champlain Place's decision to disallow shopping carts within the confines of the mall, it's par for the course for Cadillac Fairview, the company which owns and operates Champlain Place.

A representative with the company said all of their shopping centres outside of New Brunswick do not allow shopping carts, limiting their use solely to grocery stores and large department stores.

Mattson says the mall's new ServiCentre, which is scheduled to open in February 2009, will hopefully alleviate some of the concern over a lack of shopping carts, by offering additional services such as a coat and parcel check.

Meanwhile, Pelletier says the key for malls, power centres and Metro Moncton alike to stay on top in the world of retail is to continue to reinvest in their product and offer unique shopping experiences for all types of consumers.

"As long as the mall keeps attracting the unique retail experience and unique retailers to their destination, I think you'll see as much business to one as the other," he said. "Some major retail brands are coming back to shopping malls actually . . . We can't forget that we live in Canada and in winter and snow and so on, shoppers like to be inside as well."

[MonctonRad]

Re: Champlain Place

The renovations are coming along nicely right now and one thing I have noticed is that the mall is a lot brighter now than it used to be. It should be a definite improvement.

New stores that have opened include Urban Planet, Boathouse, Wirelesswave and Virgin Mobile. RW & Co. is moving across the hall. There are new washrooms in the food court area.

Does anyone else have any tidbits re: new retailers or services moving into the mall? It looks like they are starting renovations in the old Disney Store location.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Re: Champlain Place

The renovations are coming along nicely right now and one thing I have noticed is that the mall is a lot brighter now than it used to be. It should be a definite improvement.

New stores that have opened include Urban Planet, Boathouse, Wirelesswave and Virgin Mobile. RW & Co. is moving across the hall. There are new washrooms in the food court area.

Does anyone else have any tidbits re: new retailers or services moving into the mall?

I try to avoid the mall as much as possible. Dec. 24th at 3 pm is more than enough of Champlain Place for me in a year.

[MonctonRad]

Scoudouc interchange project to go ahead

However, minister says Greater Moncton International Airport interchange will have to wait for now

By James Foster
Times & Transcript Staff

land acquisition and surveying is well underway for a new interchange linking Highway 15 (Veterans' Highway) directly with the Scoudouc Industrial Park.

In contrast, a key overpass that would allow traffic that is leaving the Greater Moncton International Airport far easier access to Moncton via Highway 15 remains in limbo.

But that's not to say there's no action on the file, provincial Minister of Finance Victor Boudreau said yesterday. Boudreau said he recently met with airport CEO Rob Robichaud to discuss a study that lays out the costs and advantages of building an overpass to serve traffic leaving the airport and heading for Moncton, and that report is now in the government's hands.

The airport finds itself in an odd situation. Built alongside Highway 15 (popularly known as the Moncton-Shediac four-lane highway,) traffic travelling from Moncton to the airport can use an efficient four-lane highway to get there.

However, on their return trip into Metro Moncton, traffic must either use much slower Dieppe city streets or head north on Highway 15 for several kilometres and then double back towards Moncton.

Those who cry out that the lack of a proper overpass is hampering development of the entire airport area as a key regional economic cog point to the new interchange slated to start serving the Scoudouc Industrial Park (population: 16 businesses) in the fall of 2010 and wonder if the province has its priorities in the right place.

Boudreau defends the new interchange, however, pointing out that it will take 50,000 large trucks off the semi-rural Highway 132 (the Scoudouc Road) and surrounding streets, making those streets safer, quieter and longer lasting. It will save those trucks approximately 10 kilometres or six miles of travel, making the park a more attractive place in which to do business and removing greenhouse gas emissions from the air.

Actual construction should begin next year, Boudreau said, predicting it will be a catalyst for future growth in the park, which boasts an ample supply of low-cost, low-taxed, well serviced land suitable for a wide variety of industries and manufacturing.

Still, that doesn't change the fact that since the new airport terminal opened at its new location in 2002, development has been hampered by the lack of an overpass or proper interchange to serve traffic flowing both north and south to and from the airport, instead of just north.

Boudreau said cabinet will be looking at the issue in the coming months.

For those not familiar with where this is, the overpass and interchange will be located about 8-10 km north of the TCH on route 15/11 on the way to Shediac.

[mylesmalley]

Nothing would put a bigger smile on my face than seeing a new overpass allowing access to the Dieppe Industrial Park. The traffic at Adeilard-Savoie and Dieppe Boulevard is unbelievable at times.

That said, the city of Dieppe is also looking at expanding the park to the other side of the airport. A new overpass would make it a much more attractive area for development.

Question is, what kind of overpass? I think they really have two options:

1) Create a trumpet or diamond interchange onto Rt 15 and have the road end there.

2) create a road that runs from the new overpass to shediac road, like harrisville blvd further down the highway.

Personally, I prefer the second option. It would create another collector road for the growing Shediac road area. Not to mention, it would be very convenient if Irving went ahead and built another Big Stop at the Shediac Road exist off the TCH, as the rumour goes.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Nothing would put a bigger smile on my face than seeing a new overpass allowing access to the Dieppe Industrial Park. The traffic at Adeilard-Savoie and Dieppe Boulevard is unbelievable at times.

That said, the city of Dieppe is also looking at expanding the park to the other side of the airport. A new overpass would make it a much more attractive area for development.

Question is, what kind of overpass? I think they really have two options:

1) Create a trumpet or diamond interchange onto Rt 15 and have the road end there.

2) create a road that runs from the new overpass to shediac road, like harrisville blvd further down the highway.

Personally, I prefer the second option. It would create another collector road for the growing Shediac road area. Not to mention, it would be very convenient if Irving went ahead and built another Big Stop at the Shediac Road exist off the TCH, as the rumour goes.

Another thing they should consider, especially if there is going to be new retail (eg Sobey's) on Harrisville Blvd. is to widen the Harrisville/Dieppe Blvd. overpass over Route 15. The traffic there can be atrocious at times.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Another thing they should consider, especially if there is going to be new retail (eg Sobey's) on Harrisville Blvd. is to widen the Harrisville/Dieppe Blvd. overpass over Route 15. The traffic there can be atrocious at times.

I've heard that that's already in the pipes. So far though, Dieppe has been more concerned with finishing Dieppe Blvd down to fox creek.

[gehrhardt]

There's a lot of activity along Harrisville Blvd between Shediac Rd and Rt 15 anyway. It looks like they're putting in sewer or water pipes, but the ground has been leveled off quite a bit on one side. Kind of like what gets done when a road is widened...