The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread - Page 151

MonctonRad · #**3001** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 1:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonL-Moncton

One thing no one has considered for down town that I'd love to see is an outdoor skating rink over looking the city and the river. That would bring people downtown in the 'winter' and help the businesses downtown.

Jason

I also think this would be a good idea. It would also be a more reliable skating surface than the existing outdoor skating rink at Centennial Pond. That surface is frequently closed because of thin ice and fears that skaters would fall through. On an artificial surface (not on a pond), that fear would be gone. The surface would also be easier to maintain.

Where would you put it? In the Riverfront park? What would you do with the site during the summer months?

3000th post in the thread BTW

mmmatt · #**3002** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 1:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I also think this would be a good idea. It would also be a more reliable skating surface than the existing outdoor skating rink at Centennial Pond. That surface is frequently closed because of thin ice and fears that skaters would fall through. On an artificial surface (not on a pond), that fear would be gone. The surface would also be easier to maintain.

Where would you put it? In the Riverfront park? What would you do with the site during the summer months?

3000th post in the thread BTW

ITS OVER 3000!!! haha...

I think an ideal location would be across the street from Blue Cross where that little band stand is...they may need to divert the path that goes straight through that square of grass...but it is an existing spot that already has a summer use...plus a great view of downtown to boot:

credit: copanational.org

ErickMontreal · #**3003** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 4:16 PM**

Province selects private partner for Moncton courthouse project (08/10/23)

NB 1554

Oct. 23, 2008

MONCTON (CNB) - The development firm of CitiGroup Properties of Dartmouth, N.S., has been selected as the preferred proponent to build the new $50-million Moncton courthouse under a public-private-partnership (P3) with the Province of New Brunswick.

Supply and Services Minister Jack Keir made the announcement today. CitiGroup Properties is one of the largest real estate management services companies in Atlantic Canada.

"I am very pleased to announce that CitiGroup Properties has been selected as the preferred proponent for this important infrastructure project for the Moncton region," Keir said. "The new, state-of-the-art courthouse will transform downtown Moncton, stimulate other growth and development, and help to create a more self-sufficient province."

Keir emphasized a final agreement with CitiGroup Properties will be negotiated over the next 30 days. Once the agreement is in place, construction of the courthouse will begin at the fromer Beaver Lumber site. Completion is scheduled for the fall of 2010.

"We have reached a milestone in the procurement process," Keir said. "We know whom we want to be our partner and where the courthouse will be built. The next step is to get a formal lease agreement with CitiGroup Properties to cement the deal."

Four development firms were short listed to participate in the request for proposal (RFP) process: Ashford Investments Inc. of Moncton; Bore Park Place Inc. of Moncton; Huntingdon Real Estate Investment of Winnipeg, Man.; and CitiGroup Properties of Dartmouth, N.S.

"This is a positive step forward towards a new justice complex that will bring all court activities into a state-of-the-art facility for those working in our justice system as well as the general public," said T. J. Burke, minister of justice and consumer affairs.

Submissions for the RFP went through an extensive evaluation process involving several independent committees. The names of the four developers were kept anonymous as their proposals were examined, evaluated and scored.

The developers were required to submit proposals on how their respective P3 proposals would work. They had to show how the project would be delivered in terms of time frame; construction methods and management; quality assurance; management of the operations; maintenance of the facility; financing arrangements, including operating and maintenance costs over the life of the building; and benefits to the province.

"It has been an extremely thorough and fair process," Keir said. "We have been impressed with the level of interest and the competitiveness of developers."

The P3 process to the private sector the risks associated with financing and building the courthouse as well as the responsibility and cost of maintenance for the long-term.

In establishing the partnership with the province, CitiGroup Properties must be able to construct, finance, operate and maintain the complex during the next 30 years. After that, the province will assume ownership.

The government was open to proposals to build the new courthouse at the former Beaver Lumber property in downtown Moncton or at other acceptable alternative sites in the city's downtown. The province said it would not identify the courthouse location until it selected a private-sector partner.

Four of nine potential developers that qualified under the expressions of interest step were invited to participate in the RFP.

The 11,970-sq. m (133,000 sq. foot) 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. There will be 188 parking spaces on site, including 84 in an underground parking garage.

08/10/23

MEDIA CONTACTS: Judy Cole, communications, Department of Supply and Services, 506-457-7903; Valerie Kilfoil, communications, Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs, 506-453-6543.

08/10/23

gehrhardt · #**3004** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 4:30 PM**

So, the Beaver Lumber property it is then. At least they finally made a decision and construction will hopefully begin sooner than later.

The only thing that bothers me is that they are going to be constructing underground parking and still leaving 100+ parking spaces in regular surface lots. Why not just make the structure larger? It's most definitely a money issue.

I'd love to see that huge series of parking lots downtown get replaced with buildings. ANY buildings. Or maybe an outdoor rink.

Now we just need a render.

mmmatt · #**3005** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 4:55 PM**

Excellent, Thanks Erick

Glad to finally have some solid progress on this project...The location is not perfect, but I'm not disappointed, I know it will really clean up the look of that area of Assumption. I really hope they don't build MORE above ground parking...with the amount of spaces surrounding that site it would be nuts...

The city should really take this as an opportunity to partner with the developer and perhaps Assumption and Blue Cross to build a large above/underground parking garage in that area...open up that land for development.

MPSE · #**3006** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 4:55 PM**

I guess I didn't jinx anything... great news on the courthouse announcement!!!

now let's move on to something else... big

mmmatt · #**3007** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 4:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPSE

I guess I didn't jinx anything... great news on the courthouse announcement!!!

now let's move on to something else... big

METRO CENTER

that big enough for you? haha

ErickMontreal · #**3008** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 4:59 PM**

I think we could get a upgraded version of this :

mylesmalley · #**3009** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 6:18 PM**

Glad to see some movement on the courthouse! Not my preferred spot, but better than at the edge of town!

As more buildings are put up along Assumption, the number of parking spaces will begin to drop, but the demand will continue to rise. hopefully before too long, either the city or a private corporation will seize the opportunity and put up a structure. The best spot would really be that corner behind the Beausejour Hotel, across the street from the Blue Cross building. At five levels with 2-300 parking spaces each, you could eliminate the need for all that surface parking behind Assumption.

mmmatt · #**3010** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 6:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

I think we could get a upgraded version of this :

I personally don't mind that render...its not the best building ever...but I think it would look very nice in that spot.

I wonder if the new developer will just modify this one a bit or make a new design from the ground up? Because really it could go either way, I dunno which would be better...the new design they make could be 10x worse...who knows.

course it could be 100x better too, like this new courthouse of a similar size in Eugene, Oregon.

not likely though haha

mylesmalley · #**3011** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 6:39 PM**

It's going to look somewhat different regardless. They added a lot to the project since that rendering was released, including that law library and underground parking. They might go the lazy route and just add another floor or two though haha.

mmmatt · #**3012** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 6:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

It's going to look somewhat different regardless. They added a lot to the project since that rendering was released, including that law library and underground parking. They might go the lazy route and just add another floor or two though haha.

Yeah, that might make it nicer looking depending on how they would do it...for example making it six floors and staging the top floors back might make it look cooler...who knows haha...

All I know is they need to release a render pronto...the suspense is killing me!

JasonL-Moncton · #**3013** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 6:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

They might go the lazy route and just add another floor or two though haha.

That's ok, they can make it as tall as they want...not the ideal location, but...at least we know.

Jason

PS> Glad I'm not alone in think a downtown rink would be great!

FireEyedBoy · #**3014** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 7:12 PM**

The render that was released before is fine, its not the best ( also reminds me of City Hall building), something more like the one above in Oregon would be great.

ErickMontreal · #**3015** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 7:17 PM**

I just dont like the flat big-box style of it. I mean 133,000 suqare foot on 4(5) story is clearly a waste of space.

Just to give you a example, the Terminal building is 120 000 s/q on 8-story.

mylesmalley · #**3016** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 7:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireEyedBoy

The render that was released before is fine, its not the best ( also reminds me of City Hall building), something more like the one above in Oregon would be great.

Welcome to the forums, FireEyedBoy!

Four people in four days!

mylesmalley · #**3017** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 7:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

I just dont like the flat big-box style of it. I mean 133,000 suqare foot on 4(5) story is clearly a waste of space.

Just to give you a example, the Terminal building is 120 000 s/q on 8-story.

I hear ya. But as I've said in the past, I'd much sooner see a large 5 story building, than a 10 story building with a massive parking lot around it.

MonctonRad · #**3018** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 7:32 PM**

So, if the new courthouse is going at the Beaver Lumber site, I presume this means that there would be insufficient land behind Assumption for the proposed "Metro Centre". Does this spell the "kiss of death" for Highfield square, with the Metro Centre going there?

ErickMontreal · #**3019** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 7:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

I hear ya. But as I've said in the past, I'd much sooner see a large 5 story building, than a 10 story building with a massive parking lot around it.

Of course. So the remaning land could serve for further development in order to create a sort of urban continuity.

mylesmalley · #**3020** Posted **Oct 23, 2008, 8:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

So, if the new courthouse is going at the Beaver Lumber site, I presume this means that there would be insufficient land behind Assumption for the proposed "Metro Centre". Does this spell the "kiss of death" for Highfield square, with the Metro Centre going there?

Highfield's kiss of death came years ago when they built Trinity Drive. It's just taken them a long time to keel over.

I still think people are jumping the gun on this Metro Centre thing. Best case scenario is it wouldnt' happen for five years. There's been no site work, designing, or even debate at council about it. I can't wait for it to happen though