[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[MonctonRad]

Thanks for posting the picture.

If I recall the article correctly, I don't think Manhattan is part of the deal.

Yes, each bar will have a different theme and I think Ziggy's was supposed to target the over 30 demographic.

[David_99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Thanks for posting the picture.

If I recall the article correctly, I don't think Manhattan is part of the deal.

Yes, each bar will have a different theme and I think Ziggy's was supposed to target the over 30 demographic.

Thanks! I didn't get to read the article. My buddy sent me the photos a few days ago.

[JasonL-Moncton]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Thanks for posting the picture.

If I recall the article correctly, I don't think Manhattan is part of the deal.

Yes, each bar will have a different theme and I think Ziggy's was supposed to target the over 30 demographic.

The Ziggy's section will be 25+

Overtime stays under the current ownership (the guys that owned the Oxygen) but could be sold later as the new owners would like to own it too.

The Manhattan IS part of the deal and that will become 'The Old Rodeo', the Oxygen will be Cosmo/Spankys/Ziggys.

Cut Throat pizza is completely different ownership and will remain as it is.

[David_99]

Moncton has disclosed documents showing the Highfield Square property, where the city may build a $100-million arena and convention complex, is contaminated with heavy metals and hydrocarbons.

The revelation is contained in a report by the city's director of environmental planning which was obtained by a citizen using the new provisions of the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Graham Decarie lives within walking distance of Highfield Square, the proposed site of the new arena and convention centre.

The land is close to the CN Rail line and Decarie said he thought the property could be contaminated and filed a request with the city to find out.

cbc.ca

Apparently the City knew about it and have money set aside for the cleanup.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by David_99

Moncton has disclosed documents showing the Highfield Square property, where the city may build a $100-million arena and convention complex, is contaminated with heavy metals and hydrocarbons.

The revelation is contained in a report by the city's director of environmental planning which was obtained by a citizen using the new provisions of the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Graham Decarie lives within walking distance of Highfield Square, the proposed site of the new arena and convention centre.

The land is close to the CN Rail line and Decarie said he thought the property could be contaminated and filed a request with the city to find out.

cbc.ca

Apparently the City knew about it and have money set aside for the cleanup.

Unfortunately, yet another hurdle.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

Unfortunately, yet another hurdle.

Yes indeed, and this on top of other news recently about the city wanting to stay close to the original budget of this project.

I'm beginning to get a little worried.

[MonctonRad]

Quoted from mmmatt from last week:

- The last lot on Flanders ct. (off VH where Oultons relocated) has been sold. The land has been cleared already...could this be the rumored residence for Oultons? Or perhaps just more parking...went by there today and all the streets were lined solid with cars!

They are definitely moving earth here now. I imagine that this lot is indeed being prepared for a residence for Oulton's as they had sought a variance for this from the GMPDC several months ago.

As far as the parking is concerned, the medical clinic on Flanders complained about the on street parking at city council last month and on street parking on Flanders (and War Veterans) has now been banned. Ther is still one empty lot on Flanders immediately behind the main Oulton's building. Perhaps the college should look at making a new parking lot here.

[MonctonRad]

The foundation for the (presumed) residence for Oulton's College on Flanders Court has been poured.

[MonctonRad]

According to the T&T today, the deadline for submissions for the RFP discussing the "repurposing" of the existing Moncton High School building has passed.

Only one submission has been received, from an Ontario company called OMH Holdings. There is no indication whether or not this company is affiliated with Romspen Corporation.

No other information is currently available.

[drewber]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

According to the T&T today, the deadline for submissions for the RFP discussing the "repurposing" of the existing Moncton High School building has passed.

Only one submission has been received, from an Ontario company called OMH Holdings. There is no indication whether or not this company is affiliated with Romspen Corporation.

No other information is currently available.

Oddly enough the only thing I can find about OMH Holdings online is a company based out of Singapore. Either give me a corporate website for this supposed Ontario company or I call foul.

[BlackYear]

On my way home from work, I noticed the Wesley Memorial United Church at the corner of St-George & Cameron was half demolished. Sad news. Here's hoping for something better than a 4 story wooden frame apartment building.

[MonctonRad]

Sad news indeed, we used to attend there. A nice old church with an impressive sanctuary.

The fate of this church will be similar to a number of other older churches in the central city, overly large, expensive and difficult to heat. With aging and dwindling congregations, they just can't be maintained any more.

I agree that this lot needs better than a four storey wooden apartment building. I suspect that the lot might remain vacant for some time.

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by Budyser

Here's hoping for something better than a 4 story wooden frame apartment building.

I think a 4 storey wooden-framed apartment building would be very fortunate for this site, which will likely be turned into another parking lot for many years, if not just simply left to remain empty.

There is clear market demand for urbanised living in Moncton, but the framework of the city isn't marketable toward urban living since most jobs are located in business parks, and the city has few public transit options even when Codiac Transit is operational. These business parks are quickly expanding, so the downtown will likely struggle for a while yet.

The removal of Moncton High School will add momentum to the de-centralisation of the core as well. I'm hopeful, despite how the province is somewhat toying with Moncton with regardings to following the city's urban planning, that the federal government will help fund the downtown events centre to help bring some...any source of new jobs to the core. This new source of jobs will help bring downtown residential.

I also wish there was an opportunity to volunteer for the city to improve public spaces, to help attract core residential. I would totally sign up for that! I have quite the green thumb.

I wonder how many people on the Moncton page are involved with municipal and/or provincial politics in some form?...

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by RyeJay

I think a 4 storey wooden-framed apartment building would be very fortunate for this site, which will likely be turned into another parking lot for many years, if not just simply left to remain empty.

I'm pretty sure it was mentioned here several months back that the church was to be torn down to make way for an apartment building. Although a 4-story wood-framed structure wouldn't surprise me... but you never know

Originally Posted by RyeJay

There is clear market demand for urbanised living in Moncton, but the framework of the city isn't marketable toward urban living since most jobs are located in business parks, and the city has few public transit options even when Codiac Transit is operational. These business parks are quickly expanding, so the downtown will likely struggle for a while yet.

Downtown actually has a fairly sizable workforce, it's residential options that are missing to bring more life to the area. Especially larger mixed-use commercial/residential developments like the Westmorland/Assomption proposal and the East-Main condo/office project. I agree, there must be some demand for this kind of higher density DT housing. When you consider the huge amount of new semi-detached housing starts in the past few years, certainly more than a few of those would have considered downtown living if better options existed. It is unfortunate that those projects keep getting downsized and delayed but Moncton is a small city, even by Canadian standards, you can't expect things to change overnight. Once a few of those projects get started, combined with the events centre, I suspect you'll start to see a significant change in mindset regarding the downtown core. More people will consider it a viable option.

As for business parks like Emerson. You can't blame a developer to chose a large, cheap vacant lot to build an office building with plenty of space for cheap surface parking, minutes away from the core. Those lots will fill up eventually. When that happens, increased density will follow.

[MonctonRad]

Regarding Wesley Memorial United Church:

On CBC this morning, they mentioned in passing that the developer plans a seniors complex or condo building with ground floor retail/commercial.

We were already aware that this was the general plan here on the forums, but the time frame remains nebulous and I remain concerned that we will be saddled with another vacant lot downtown for several years before anything happens.

On the bright side, given the developer's vision, I am hopeful that it won't be yet another four storey wood frame building.

[brod3211]

So I have been emailing back and forth with killiam asking about there apartment/condo plan for St.George and they said that they are getting close to breaking ground on there building!!

My only fear is they say that, but chances are soon could be anytime between a month and 4 years or that seems to be how things get built..

[MonctonRad]

Well, they have already removed the house on that site so you never know....

My bet is that they will break ground next spring.

[JasonL-Moncton]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Sad news indeed, we used to attend there. A nice old church with an impressive sanctuary.

The fate of this church will be similar to a number of other older churches in the central city, overly large, expensive and difficult to heat. With aging and dwindling congregations, they just can't be maintained any more.

I agree that this lot needs better than a four storey wooden apartment building. I suspect that the lot might remain vacant for some time.

Really sad to see...can't believe that more people didn't make a stink about this...all we do is destroy our old buildings here. Sheer stupidity.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by JasonL-Moncton

Really sad to see...can't believe that more people didn't make a stink about this...all we do is destroy our old buildings here. Sheer stupidity.

To be fair I don't think there was any mention of it on this forum until it was being torn down.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

To be fair I don't think there was any mention of it on this forum until it was being torn down.

We had talked about Wesley on the forums about six months ago and we knew the plans were for a mixed residential/commercial development. We also knew the sanctuary was doomed. We just haven't talked about it recently.

Still, the demolition was rather abrupt and I assume it was planned this way, to flatten the building before any organized protests could occur.