The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread - Page 216

riverviewer · #**4301** Posted **Feb 22, 2009, 7:46 PM**

Took the family and checked out the new tobaggon run at the papal site. I'd have to say I prefer's riverview's hill, but coming home it was exciting to see the crane looming above the casino site. I also saw the render on the poster at the site. Now that I see the lighthouse theme in full, I'm willing to acknowledge it will look quite nice.

curious · #**4302** Posted **Feb 22, 2009, 9:35 PM**

I just noticed the other day there was many empty store fronts on main st, any news what will be filling these spaces. Too bad there wasn't some nice clothing, jewelry stores etc on main. I love how downtown Halifax or Fredericton have the nice little boutiques.

MonctonRad · #**4303** Posted **Feb 22, 2009, 11:27 PM**

That's why we have to build a critical mass downtown of apartment buildings, condominiums, office buildings and entertainment venues such as the proposed new arena complex.

The downtown stores, restaurants and pubs do OK in the late spring, summer and the fall but the winter months of January, February, March and April are killers. Our downtown has to become both a viable year round destination as well as a working neighbourhood in order to survive.

I honestly think that this might happen. The two new condo/apt. projects by Valmond Robichaud, the new justice complex, the new federal building on Weldon, the Ashford office building at Main/Vaughn Harvey, the new Sobey's and Shoppers Drug Mart, the Blue Cross expansion, the new Marriott, and the refurbished Crowne Plaza are all signs of a positive future. Add in the proposed arena complex and the downtown core may actually become self sustaining.

David_99 · #**4304** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 1:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by curious

I just noticed the other day there was many empty store fronts on main st, any news what will be filling these spaces. Too bad there wasn't some nice clothing, jewelry stores etc on main. I love how downtown Halifax or Fredericton have the nice little boutiques.

Nothing ever lasts between Graffiti's and Personel Search on Main, just after the train overpass. That building needs to go. It's in even worse shape on the inside. There's also no parking close by.

Edit: Maybe it could become a parking garage

mmmatt · #**4305** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 3:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_99

Nothing ever lasts between Graffiti's and Personel Search on Main, just after the train overpass. That building needs to go. It's in even worse shape on the inside. There's also no parking close by.

Edit: Maybe it could become a parking garage

no dice, its a listed historical place.

http://www.historicplaces.ca/visit-visite/affichage-display.aspx?id=3000

It just needs some TLC

Dmajackson · #**4306** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 4:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmatt

no dice, its a listed historical place.

http://www.historicplaces.ca/visit-visite/affichage-display.aspx?id=3000

It just needs some TLC

Well if you guys have as demented heritage rules as we do here in Halifax you can get it demolished in a year.

David_99 · #**4307** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 12:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmatt

It just needs some TLC

Which will never happen. No one will want to put money into it and it'll be a safety hazzard soon enough. In a few years it'll be like the Wallace building once next to Moncton High. Have you ever been up stairs? No wonder the store fronts are vacant. I wouldn't want a store under that either.

MonctonRad · #**4308** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 1:32 PM**

I'm in favour of keeping the subway block. It may be in disrepair, but there are precious few examples of late 19th century and early 20th century architecture left on Main Street. The facade of that building remains attractive. It should be preserved. I approve its historical designation.

StormShadow · #**4309** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 1:58 PM**

Condos- Preserve the facade, condos on the upper floors, businesses at street level.

MonctonRad · #**4310** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 2:03 PM**

Exactly. Parking would likely be problematic for the residents however and presumably would have to be leased nearby.

StormShadow · #**4311** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 2:16 PM**

Yes, yes. The Subway Lofts.

David_99 · #**4312** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 4:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I'm in favour of keeping the subway block. It may be in disrepair, but there are precious few examples of late 19th century and early 20th century architecture left on Main Street. The facade of that building remains attractive. It should be preserved. I approve its historical designation.

It would be great to keep it. I just don't see anyone paying for the major renovations. Maybe if the Arena takes over the Highfield lot, then that real estate could become more attractive. It's hard to see it though, with no parking.

JimiThing · #**4313** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 4:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by StormShadow

Yes, yes. The Subway Lofts.

I think the subway block is for sale. Would be nice to see someone invest into that building. Bring it back to it's origal glory.

curious · #**4314** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 5:20 PM**

How come Robinson Court? (i think that is the name) is never used. It appears to be nice in there. I think long time ago there was a store in there? It appears that the restaurants do well on Main. Anytime I go (Thurs-sat) it is busy. Too bad there wasn't a nice Full Greek restaurant.
I hope that the new metro center or arena will bring people downtown. There needs to be more of an attraction site. Too bad we didn't have a Banana Republic. Apparently, their first motto is to open stores in the downtown area to help revive the core.I wonder what other stores have that motto? Does anyone know who does the renderings for the new places going up. I notice alot of places do not have renderings.

Jerry556 · #**4315** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 6:10 PM**

isint there any parking in the back??

David_99 · #**4316** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 6:24 PM**

There's a small parking lot that can hold, what, 8 cars? But I believe it is reserved for either ING, Personel Search or Graffitis staff already. Not sure which one.

JimiThing · #**4317** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 8:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_99

There's a small parking lot that can hold, what, 8 cars? But I believe it is reserved for either ING, Personel Search or Graffitis staff already. Not sure which one.

It is a leased parking area... Pay as you go!

MonctonRad · #**4318** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 9:56 PM**

So, there is the potential for parking for loft style condos on the subway block!. You could probably build an enclosed garage in the small parking area in back. There probably wouldn't be space for more than eight condos in the upper floors of the subway block in any event. I think it could be a great place to live if you are into a downtown type lifestyle. The windows in front are huge and would be great for front living rooms!

mylesmalley · #**4319** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 10:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

So, there is the potential for parking for loft style condos on the subway block!. You could probably build an enclosed garage in the small parking area in back. There probably wouldn't be space for more than eight condos in the upper floors of the subway block in any event. I think it could be a great place to live if you are into a downtown type lifestyle. The windows in front are huge and would be great for front living rooms!

That's always been one of my favorite buildings downtown in spite of the state it's in. It has such an interesting shape and configuration in relation to the tracks and Main Street. If I actually had any money, I'd love to live there, though I'd say it's pretty obvious that it needs a significant amount of remodeling to make it livable.

BlackYear · #**4320** Posted **Feb 23, 2009, 10:15 PM**

Subway block.

Renovate into condos = who would pay $200,000+ for a condo with a major railway in your backyard? Location, location, location. Yes the block is historically nice and I'm all for saving the structure, but let's get real. To completely gut out the place and upgrade it to today's standards (codes), it's going to cost millions. Investors may not see profits coming in for a very very long time. Condo fees and retail rental income may take over 20 years before an investor sees a dime.

So what do you do? Demolish it? This piece of land has a very small footprint, so what can be done with it? You still have a major railway in the backyard. The ING building has recent renovations done. Do you keep ING or flatten this one too.

Here's an idea. Reroute the railway on the outskirts of town, get rid of that old subway which is pretty much an eyesore, and NOW we got something to work with. Subway block has now just become gold.

As far as I'm concern, T&T can go as well. The Lutz/Bonaccord/Queen block without railway is now prime for retail/condos/apartment complex/parking garage/small nature park.