The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

According to that reputable source "The Sleuth", H&M will be located down on the Sobey's wing of the mall, occupying the space of the former "Brass Decor" and "Fairweather". Presumably Fairweather will be moving elsewhere in the mall, there is a lot of activity going on in the mall right now which is not related to the general renovations.

BTW Matt, Tabi moved into the former RW&Co location. The stores are all shuffling about. I think the general mall renovations are giving some stores the impetus to move to new locations in the mall and to renovate themselves.

Sounds good...I didn't really know what that store was but I mentioned to my g/f yesterday and she flipped out haha...guess she went there in Germany, says its a really awesome store.

The mall is nuts right now with all the activity I went there a few days ago after not going for a couple of weeks and it was like a whole new mall haha...not just cause of the renovation but stores are shifting like you said...really exciting time for Champlain.

[MonctonRad]

Moncton Hospital expansion to open in December
Published Tuesday October 14th, 2008

Health minister says delays in construction of $47M ambulatory care unit not unexpected in project of this complexity
BY ALAN COCHRANE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

Construction of the new ambulatory care unit at The Moncton Hospital may be more than a year behind schedule, but Health Minister Mike Murphy says it should be open sometime in December.

"When it opens, it will be opened right with everything working the way it should be," Murphy said.

The Moncton MLA said it has taken more than originally expected to get all the systems up and running for the new wing, which will house the amubulatory care, trauma and emergency department, modern laboratory and parking garage.

Construction of the $47-million project has been under way for over two years and was scheduled for completion in the fall of 2007. The $29-million contract for Phase 2 was awarded in August of 2006 to Maxim 2000 Inc. Construction of Saint John. At the time, then-Premier Bernard Lord said completion of the entire project was scheduled for the fall of 2007.

Murphy said he has been keeping an eye on the project but couldn't say exactly what is causing the delays. He said there are many systems -- electrical, plumbing, air conditioning and others -- which must be finished properly and tested before the building is handed over to the health authority.

Construction projects funded by the province usually fall under the Department of Supply and Services.

A spokeswoman for the department said there is no question the project is behind schedule but that is somewhat normal when dealing with the challenges of such a sophisticated project.

Pat Hanlon, a spokesman for Maxim 2000 Construction in Saint John, declined to offer any comment about the project or the delays. He referred all questions to the Department of Supply and Services.

Murphy said he doesn't see the delay as a major problem and could actually be a blessing in disguise because the health authority won't start paying for the building until it has been handed over.

However, he said space inside the hospital is at a premium and employees will be glad to be moving into the new space. Part of the provincial government's current health reforms is to reduce the amount of space through the restructuring of health authority administration, and thereby cut down on the duplication of efforts around the province.

Last week, Jeff Carter, vice-president of support services for the Regional Health Authority B, said there have been a number of delays in the process but the atmosphere remains positive with an eye toward opening it at some point between now and Christmas.

Carter said the work of checking systems will continue over the next four to six weeks. He said there were many similar delays during construction of the new $110-million Miramichi Regional Hospital a few years ago. He said the authority won't sign off on the project until everything is done according to its specifications.

The new ambulatory care unit is a massive structure attached to The Moncton Hospital with a long glass-enclosed entryway and parking garage.

It will have six major clinics, laboratories, diagnostic centres and treatment centres, including a cardiac assessment clinic. One of the goals of the centre is to allow day surgeries to be done in a different area so they can free up the major operating rooms.

[MonctonRad]

Driving into work today I noticed that the lot between the Lounsbury Plaza and Frenchy's on Mountain Road is being cleared and levelled. It definitely looks as if this is site preparation activity. Does anyone know what is going to be built here?

[mylesmalley]

Chrysler plant closure continues decline for Moncton
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | 11:33 AM AT
CBC News

Chrysler is closing a car parts distribution centre in Moncton at the end of November, leaving 16 people without jobs and signaling further decline in what was once a bustling industrial zone.

Just one of several major businesses to leave St. George Boulevard, an industrialized area located in west end section of Moncton, Chrysler announced in early October it would close the distribution centre.

"Having those big empty warehouses out on St. George Boulevard is not a positive thing," said economic development consultant David Campbell.

"It's the end of an era from the perspective of the auto manufacturers having retail distribution centres in Moncton, so it's a sad day," Campbell said. "Those were good paying jobs and they've been in the community for many, many years."

Peter Ford, who owns and runs a pharmacy located on St. George Boulevard, recalls the spinoff activity generated in the past by the presence in the area of companies like General Motors and Goodyear.

"There used to be train tracks. There used to be cars that came across at two in the morning to wake you up," Ford told CBC News on Tuesday.

"And then they took the train tracks out and they put in a road to Westmount Boulevard behind the drug store so there has been a lot of changes and it's gone to being a big high traffic area," he said.

While large auto manufacturers are centralizing their distribution centres in places like Montreal and Ontario, Campbell said the latest closure in Moncton isn't catastrophic like the closure of CN Shops was in the early 1980s.

Campbell said he hoped city officials will look at ways to reuse the large empty warehouses for other industries such as high-tech companies or reconfigure them to be used by several smaller companies.


_______________________________

CBC proves that they can write misleading headlines with the best of them. First, Moncton has never had a Chrysler Plant. This place was a parts warehouse. Calling it a plant closure conjures up images of Thornhill, where 1400 people just lost their jobs. This most certainly isn't the case.

Calling this a continuation of Moncton's decline is also inaccurate. Yes, that stretch of St George Blvd has seen a decline in the past few years because three or four companies have moved out, but that's hardly a sign of a city-wide decline. As we've discussed in earlier posts, this isn't a reflection of a downturn in the Moncton economy, but a downturn in the Canadian automotive sector in general.

While the city may see some slower times as the national economy slows, I don't think 16 jobs lost here is going to be the the first step towards a reversal of hte huge growth the city has seen in the last few years.

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

CBC proves that they can write misleading headlines with the best of them. First, Moncton has never had a Chrysler Plant. This place was a parts warehouse. Calling it a plant closure conjures up images of Thornhill, where 1400 people just lost their jobs. This most certainly isn't the case.

Calling this a continuation of Moncton's decline is also inaccurate. Yes, that stretch of St George Blvd has seen a decline in the past few years because three or four companies have moved out, but that's hardly a sign of a city-wide decline. As we've discussed in earlier posts, this isn't a reflection of a downturn in the Moncton economy, but a downturn in the Canadian automotive sector in general.

While the city may see some slower times as the national economy slows, I don't think 16 jobs lost here is going to be the the first step towards a reversal of hte huge growth the city has seen in the last few years.

Quite true Myles...when I read that title I was thinking the same thing...it implies that Moncton has taken a massive blow from this, when in fact the city gained like 4,000+ jobs last year...I dont think 16 will make a huge difference. The main issue here is the empty buildings. There needs to be something done to that stretch of St George...maybe once central St George is cleaned up in the next few years this area will be next.

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Driving into work today I noticed that the lot between the Lounsbury Plaza and Frenchy's on Mountain Road is being cleared and levelled. It definitely looks as if this is site preparation activity. Does anyone know what is going to be built here?

I noticed that too...I drove by one day and there was a little house surrounded by dense trees...drive by the next day and there is level ground haha...I have no idea what will go there, but I assume retail of some sort. Maybe Frenchy's expanding?

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

I noticed that too...I drove by one day and there was a little house surrounded by dense trees...drive by the next day and there is level ground haha...I have no idea what will go there, but I assume retail of some sort. Maybe Frenchy's expanding?

I'd love to see their balance sheet. How do those guys manage to stay in business?

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

I'd love to see their balance sheet. How do those guys manage to stay in business?

hahaha...I think they buy their clothes in massive bulk quantities from the States...at very low prices...they turn around and sell them for 5$ a shirt etc...from what Ive heard they make a decent profit.

I doubt they will expand, but its a possibility...who knows really...until a sign shows up.

Maybe the city bought the land to make an exit lane onto that street for quicker access to the Shoppers and surrounding neighborhood?

I could guess all day haha.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Chrysler plant closure continues decline for Moncton
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | 11:33 AM AT
CBC News


CBC proves that they can write misleading headlines with the best of them. First, Moncton has never had a Chrysler Plant. This place was a parts warehouse. Calling it a plant closure conjures up images of Thornhill, where 1400 people just lost their jobs. This most certainly isn't the case.

Calling this a continuation of Moncton's decline is also inaccurate. Yes, that stretch of St George Blvd has seen a decline in the past few years because three or four companies have moved out, but that's hardly a sign of a city-wide decline. As we've discussed in earlier posts, this isn't a reflection of a downturn in the Moncton economy, but a downturn in the Canadian automotive sector in general.

While the city may see some slower times as the national economy slows, I don't think 16 jobs lost here is going to be the the first step towards a reversal of hte huge growth the city has seen in the last few years.

I agree Myles, 110%!!! "Decline for Moncton me 🞵🞵🞵🞵!!!!"

There are only 16 jobs to be lost at the Chrysler Distribution Centre. When GM closed the other year, I believe only about 35 jobs were lost. If you add in the other two distribution centres that were closed in the last several years on St. George, I bet total job losses do not exceed 100. This is easily dwarfed by the job growth that has occurred in other sectors of the Moncton economy during the same time frame!!!

What we have here in fact, is a golden opportunity; a large amount of closely adjacent real estate on a major four lane street, connected directly to downtown. This land is surrounded by schools and major sporting facilities. The area is in the process of rapidly de-industrializing and is now ripe for commercial/residential development.

The north side of St. George Blvd. therefore should be viewed as a major development opportunity. This is a good news story. Hopefully this area will catch some developer's eye sometime in the next couple of years.

[gehrhardt]

I think those warehouses would be a good opportunity for some big box retailers to swoop in and renovate. Maybe a Lowe's, Rona, or even a Sam's Club would be nice. It has to be cheaper to renovate an existing large warehouse than to build from scratch. That's assuming they're still in reasonable shape.

Not everyone likes big box stores, but they do tend to spark further development in the areas surrounding them. Look at what happened when Costco was built. That used to be a fairly rural area. Now it's one of the busiest parts of the city.

There's lots of infrastructure on St George already, so traffic shouldn't be much of an issue, with easy access from both Vaughn Harvey and Wheeler. There is no shortage of homes in that area, so it would be close to potential customers as well.

[JasonL-Moncton]

That's a good idea gerhardt...a really good idea....a Lowes down there would be awesome.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by gehrhardt

I think those warehouses would be a good opportunity for some big box retailers to swoop in and renovate. Maybe a Lowe's, Rona, or even a Sam's Club would be nice. It has to be cheaper to renovate an existing large warehouse than to build from scratch. That's assuming they're still in reasonable shape.

Not everyone likes big box stores, but they do tend to spark further development in the areas surrounding them. Look at what happened when Costco was built. That used to be a fairly rural area. Now it's one of the busiest parts of the city.

There's lots of infrastructure on St George already, so traffic shouldn't be much of an issue, with easy access from both Vaughn Harvey and Wheeler. There is no shortage of homes in that area, so it would be close to potential customers as well.

...you're probably right, but that doesn't mean I like it

The only downside to those buildings, insofar as being turned into big box stores, is the lack of parking. The GM building is pretty big, but since it only had a few staff and a couple loading docks, it doesn't have much parking. Compared to most of the industrial parks in town, those buildings are also quite densely packed, so you'd really need to demolish stuff to make any significant expansion.

It would be nice to see some local companies move in and keep them in use, but the best future for that land would be medium to high density residential. Anything higher than 1 or 2 floors would have a great view of Jones lake and the hill on the other side. The site backs onto Franklin Yard, which is being turned into parkland and dense residential, and adjoins the park trail system too.

[mylesmalley]

Actually, come to think of it, that whole stretch of road is nearly empty now. On the other side, NB Liquor moved to their new store on Vaughan Harvey and Centenial Shakers closed a couple months ago too. That's a lot of valuable land that could be substantially redeveloped...

[JasonL-Moncton]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Driving into work today I noticed that the lot between the Lounsbury Plaza and Frenchy's on Mountain Road is being cleared and levelled. It definitely looks as if this is site preparation activity. Does anyone know what is going to be built here?

In today's paper:





Mount Pleasant Plaza will be home to five new retail outlets
By Aloma Jardine
Times & Transcript Staff

A new retail development is under construction on Mountain Road. The Corey Craig Group began work on the structure, located on the north side of Mountain Road at the corner of Mount Pleasant Road, this past week.

Brian Foster, director of real estate and development for Corey Craig, says the 8,000-square-foot (745-square metre) building will house five individual retail outlets.

Foster says they are not yet in a position to release the names of any of the tenants who will take up residence in the development, which is known as Mount Pleasant Plaza.

Although Corey Craig is synonymous with Tim Hortons outlets in Metro Moncton, Foster did confirm a Tim Hortons will not be one of the businesses in the new building.

Foster says the structure is built to look like a little village, with each of the five outlets having its own individual colour and facade.

"It is going to look really nice," he says. "We wanted to do something different, make it different and make it stand out."

The estimated cost of the development is $800,000. Foster says they expect it to open sometime early in the new year.

Jason

[ErickMontreal]

Regional Minister reaffirms support for Metro Centre

October 16, 2008 - 10:38 am
By: Cathy LeBreton, News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB - Moncton's Mayor says he's pleased to hear the new Harper Government intends to make good on a pre-election pledge to help with a Metro Centre in the city.

Just days prior to Tuesday's election, local Tory candidate Daniel Allain secured a promise from Regional Minister Greg Thompson to support building a Metro Center in the Hub City.

Yesterday, Thompson re-affirmed that pledge, saying he in no way would ever punish Moncton for voting Liberal.

Mayor George LeBlanc says he's pleased to hear that and says the city's next move is to conduct a feasibility study.

He says once the study is complete, it will be up to the city to make the case to the Federal Government.

LeBlanc says the city will fund the study using money that was previously set aside for a downtown convention center.

Development of a convention centre was rendered moot as plans for a casino in the city's North End will boast a large convention facility.

[ErickMontreal]

NEW STORE OPENING 2009! Greater Moncton Area, New Brunswick

Job Title Location
Visual Merchandiser Greater Moncton Area, NB, Canada
Department Manager Greater Moncton Area, NB, Canada
Cash Office Manager Greater Moncton Area, NB, Canada


https://hm.recruitmax.com/main/careerportal/Job_List.cfm?szSearchType=Advanced

With that kind of stores Moncton will, without a shadow of a doubt, set in stone his own position as the retail hub of the province.

[P Unit]

Big box stores? On St. George, across the street from one of the most desireable neighbourhoods in the city? Next to the best park in the city? Really?

Tear the buildings down, along with that tractor trailer dealership. They're hideous and completely out of character with the rest of the area. Build something of actual benefit to the city... Christ.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by P Unit

Big box stores? On St. George, across the street from one of the most desireable neighbourhoods in the city? Next to the best park in the city? Really?

Tear the buildings down, along with that tractor trailer dealership. They're hideous and completely out of character with the rest of the area. Build something of actual benefit to the city... Christ.

I couldn't agree more. However I'd much sooner see that stretch of land get ruined by big box stores than the area along Vaughan Harvey that's being power-centerized as we speak.

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

NEW STORE OPENING 2009! Greater Moncton Area, New Brunswick

Job Title Location
Visual Merchandiser Greater Moncton Area, NB, Canada
Department Manager Greater Moncton Area, NB, Canada
Cash Office Manager Greater Moncton Area, NB, Canada


https://hm.recruitmax.com/main/careerportal/Job_List.cfm?szSearchType=Advanced

With that kind of stores Moncton will, without a shadow of a doubt, set in stone his own position as the retail hub of the province.

Indeed...a great retail accomplishment to attract international stores like H&M

I think the last point has been set in stone for quite a while now

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by JasonL-Moncton

In today's paper:

nice! man Mountain is really moving this year with the strip malls, this is the third in the last few months...I guess everyone is trying to get their piece of the pie for when the traffic increases around there due to the casino.

Nice thing is the three new strip malls have very distinctive designs...one is stone, the other has a unique roof design...and this one with its colours etc.