The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread - Page 383

MonctonRad · #**7641** Posted **Oct 15, 2010, 1:17 AM**

On a related note, if Linen Chest is opening at Champlain, then this keeps open the possibility that Bed, Bath & Beyond could join The Brick and Best Buy as anchors of a resurrected Mapleton Power Centre.

Sony500 · #**7642** Posted **Oct 15, 2010, 3:47 PM**

Do we know for sure that its just one store being built? Or is there going to be more than one store in the expansion?

MonctonRad · #**7643** Posted **Oct 15, 2010, 3:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sony500

Do we know for sure that its just one store being built? Or is there going to be more than one store in the expansion?

I am about 99% certain that it is a single store expansion with a separate outside entrance.

Steelcowboy · #**7644** Posted **Oct 15, 2010, 6:00 PM**

Is that Mapleton Power Center a dead issue? I have never seen a construction project start and go bankrupt like that and with no one stepping in to purchase it...in a prime shopping area.

MonctonRad · #**7645** Posted **Oct 15, 2010, 6:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelcowboy

Is that Mapleton Power Center a dead issue? I have never seen a construction project start and go bankrupt like that and with no one stepping in to purchase it...in a prime shopping area.

I don't think anyone on the forum knows the status of this development for sure.

In a nutshell, the developers had at least a dozen (probably more) tenants lined up but the project was delayed by all the roadwork on Mapleton Road and then the recession hit.............those were strikes one and two. Strike three was the difficult and very steep terrain that the development was being built on. This further delayed the project and increased construction costs.

The combination of escalating costs, construction delays, the recession and prospective tenants either drifting off to other locations in the city or delaying expansion plans into the city probably led to a financing crisis and the whole thing ground to an abrupt halt.

Retailers however are beginning to look at expansion again and notable retailers such as The Brick and Best Buy most definitely want to establish a presence in the city. If you throw in the fact that construction on Mapleton Road is finally finished and I think you may see some movement on this site in the 2011 construction season.

All this of course is dependent on whether or not the developers are able to secure financing.........

BlackYear · #**7646** Posted **Oct 15, 2010, 7:52 PM**

Mapleton Power Center issue.

What about that corner location and possible land issue? I'm not an expert in this area, but could the project have been placed on hold because of a possible problem with that extremely deep run off and not having enough support land next to the newly developed 4 lane Mapleton road?

Did they construct that 1/2 finished corner building too close and or too deep into that corner?

To me, it looks like a future landslide disaster in the making.

mylesmalley · #**7647** Posted **Oct 15, 2010, 8:27 PM**

That's a pretty substantial retaining wall up there.

MonctonRad · #**7648** Posted **Oct 15, 2010, 8:58 PM**

Dieppe holds grand opening for new facility
Published Friday October 15th, 2010

Large crowd comes out to celebrate the city's new arts and culture centre
By Yvon Gauvin
Times & Transcript staff

It was a proud moment last night when Dieppe's arts patrons and city's elite joined to applaud the grand opening of Dieppe's Arts and Culture Centre, an impressive building and architectural gem celebrating the arts and artists.

VIKTOR PIVOVAROV/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT
Dance students attend a class at the Academy of Classical Ballet and Modern Dances during the official opening of the Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre last night.

VIKTOR PIVOVAROV/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT
People participate in creating a collective art piece with artist Reg Noel during the official opening of the Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre last night.

GREG AGNEW/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT
Louis Doucet , chairman of the board of directors, explains the high-tech aspects of the music theatre.

It was a long time coming, said Dieppe Mayor Jean LeBlanc as he and Louis Doucet, president of the centre's board of directors, performed the traditional ribbon cutting before 150-plus patrons and well-wishers at the centre adjacent to Dieppe City Hall.

It's a great day for Dieppe, a day long awaited, echoed Doucet who paid tribute to the many people and organizations involved in making this dream a reality.

It took seven years to realize the project, although an art and culture centre had been on Dieppe's wish list for many years prior.

The centre is a focal point for art and culture in the city and a drawing card for local artists, a place to encourage artistic creativity and the arts locally, said Doucet.

"It's a new phase in Dieppe's cultural life," he said. "Hopefully, it will become a gathering place that will assure an expanded cultural and Francophone vitality in the community."

The centre boast a 224-seat concert hall with some of the best acoustics in the region and space dedicated for various disciplines such as music, dance, pottery, ceramics, painting and sculpture, a gallery for art exhibitions, a conference room, a multi-functional area and a photography area as well as an outdoor stage.

The centre also houses an academy for classical and modern dance, a school of music, a book salon, a radio station and a private fine arts photography studio.

Doucet thanked the city, Heritage Canada and Wellness, Culture and Sport New Brunswick for helping realize this dream.

Several elected officials including past mayors, current and past members of Dieppe council and MLAs as well as Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe MP Brian Murphy were among those attending the grant opening festivities. Also in attendance were former mayor Achille Maillet, former MLA Clarence Cormier, MLA Roger Melanson and Moncton Deputy-Mayor Paulette Thériault. Paul Landry, representing Heritage Canada and Rebecca Chassée on behalf of Trevor Holder, Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport, also addressed the gathering. Landry reminded those in attendance that it was 30 years ago that Dieppe held its first art exhibition in the then town hall.

The director of the centre is Rachel Dugas, while the master of ceremonies for the evening was Isabelle Robichaud.

The city has come a long way over the past decades with much of the credit for the successes due to social dynamics of the people and the cultivation of pride in their community, said long-time Dieppe councillor Jean Gaudet. Many people and organizations worked hard to achieve this success, he added.

Today, the city has a modern new city hall, spacious library, arts and culture centre and the 1604 complex to boast about, as well as claim to being the second fastest-growing community in Canada, said the councillor.

The evening included unveiling of the exhibition by Marie Ulmer entitled "Mémoire de l'ombre."

Later exhibitions will include those of artists Georges Goguen in December, Claude Gauvin in February and Mathieu Léger in August.

Today at 8 p.m. is a taste of local foods, part of the Dieppe Harvest Festival this weekend. Tomorrow, it's Art Richard and his Family Show at 1:30 p.m. and Daniel Léger and Arizona at 8 p.m.

mylesmalley · #**7649** Posted **Oct 18, 2010, 2:06 AM**

Saw a presentation for the Peace Centre yesterday. Gotta say, I like everything about this project. It's a tremendous bit of infill on an otherwise useless lot, it'll really bring the downtown feel further up from Main, it's got good height for the area, and it makes perfect sense for so many not-for-profits to be under one roof.

The final plans I saw have four floors of office space with a half-sunk floor of parking underneath that's open to the air. The project director said the city si trying to find developers to put up a parking structure in behind.

theshark · #**7650** Posted **Oct 18, 2010, 4:38 PM**

did I hear both Infill and Moncton in the same sentence????

Dmajackson · #**7651** Posted **Oct 18, 2010, 5:02 PM**

This is very preliminary right now however I think its worth mentioning.

The Halifax forum is planning to hold a forum meet during the holiday season sometime before Christmas Eve (on or around the 22nd-23rd). If it ends up happening all forumers (Halifax and other areas) will be welcome to attend. If you might be in the Halifax area around that time just speak up here or in the Halifax forum and I'll make ure your input is considered.

Oh and unfortunately there's already a few fistfights planned so we might not be able to have a "physically debate" with you guys over who should get the CFL team.

mylesmalley · #**7652** Posted **Oct 18, 2010, 5:27 PM**

I might see about making a trip down.

MonctonRad · #**7653** Posted **Oct 18, 2010, 11:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Saw a presentation for the Peace Centre yesterday. Gotta say, I like everything about this project. It's a tremendous bit of infill on an otherwise useless lot, it'll really bring the downtown feel further up from Main, it's got good height for the area, and it makes perfect sense for so many not-for-profits to be under one roof.

The final plans I saw have four floors of office space with a half-sunk floor of parking underneath that's open to the air. The project director said the city si trying to find developers to put up a parking structure in behind.

I agree, this is the sort of infill project the city really needs in order to build some density north of Main Street. A building does not have to be overly tall to qualify as quality infill, 4-6 stories will do quite nicely thank you very much!

I am also glad to here that the city is exploring the possibility of a parking garage in behind the Peace Centre. There will be a performance space in the Peace Centre and with the Capitol and Empress Theatres next door and with all the restaurants on Robinson Court, this is the perfect location for a parking structure.

NBNYer · #**7654** Posted **Oct 18, 2010, 11:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I am also glad to here that the city is exploring the possibility of a parking garage in behind the Peace Centre. There will be a performance space in the Peace Centre and with the Capitol and Empress Theatres next door and with all the restaurants on Robinson Court, this is the perfect location for a parking structure.

Seems like that parking structure is already included in one of the renderings. I thought it was included in this development.

MonctonRad · #**7655** Posted **Oct 19, 2010, 12:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBNYer

Seems like that parking structure is already included in one of the renderings. I thought it was included in this development.

Not included, no..........there will be parking underneath the Peace Centre. I think what Myles is talking about is different.

mylesmalley · #**7656** Posted **Oct 19, 2010, 12:41 AM**

Actually, an early rendering did have what looked like a little one in behind. I got the impression that the one being suggested will be a proper size. You've got a fair bit of land to work with there, and an ideal location.

mylesmalley · #**7657** Posted **Oct 19, 2010, 12:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshark

did I hear both Infill and Moncton in the same sentence????

Crazy, I know!

That said, Moncton downtown has actually seen some pretty significant development in the in-fill department. There are three or four multi-story apartment buildings going up in old parking lots U/C as we speak. Every year we get another 5 or six. The area around St George and Queen is especially looking up.

theshark · #**7658** Posted **Oct 19, 2010, 2:16 AM**

That is good, it is exactly what Moncton needs, people living downtown!! The you will see that string of empty store front diseapear.

Especially that big one in front of the Marriot, next to Pastalli.

mylesmalley · #**7659** Posted **Oct 19, 2010, 2:44 AM**

Not sure what to make of that particular building. With the exception of the Pump House, they seem to have a tough time keeping tenants in there.

theshark · #**7660** Posted **Oct 19, 2010, 3:05 AM**

Well you definatelly want to make something appealing...A store that is of quality, not too expensive, and that has a variety but still has to be a speciallity store to drive people to go there.... maybe 2 stores, 8000 to 12000 sf seems a lot for a starters unless it is a franchise of some sort.

Think about it within a 100 meters you have 2 major office building, several restaurants and a never ending turnover of clients accross the street that most of them will inevitably see your store front. So unless your store makes a very bad impression, you are almost bound for a little sucess.

I was around last week and while walking into Pastalli, I saw 2 guy's that had real estate agent printed all over them hanging around the building. Maybe something is in the works already.