[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by riverviewer

Why do I feel a strange "Hey I know that guy!" feeling every time I see an ambulance that says "Malley" even though I've never met Myles?

They're on a lot more than just ambulances these days! It's really great to hear that people notice and recognize them!

Originally Posted by riverviewer

We just need to set limits on how much junk content we want, and accept to move on when others point out the conversation has degraded into personal restaurant tastes, or worse, personal attacks because of chosen beliefs.

It's always about striking a balance. This thread is for developments in a particular part of the city, but you don't want it to be so rigid that it just comes across as a list of press releases. I think if a general theme can be maintained in the topical threads that we shouldn't be too concerned. Debates over conflicting opinions can be very productive so long as they stay on topic and stay civil.

That said you're totally right that it's easy to get way off topic. Most of those types of discussions should be happening in more general threads. And as for personal attacks, that goes without saying.

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Yes, but we know that you and Greg have our backs now when dealing with the trolls.

Just as an aside, while I know I read most threads whenever I see they've been updated and I'm sure Greg does the same, we're both only human. If anyone sees an issue, the best way to make sure it get's looked at is to PM us with your concerns.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Downtown apartment building is rising fast
Friday, January 18, 2013
Times & Transcript
By: Brent Mazerolle

Yup, nice to see the infill. The buildings aren't perfect, but they're an improvement. Great to get some feet downtown!

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It was in The Sleuth today that the Coin Cabinet http://www.coincabinet.ca/en/ is planning to move into the former CIBC branch on West Main across from the Terminal Plaza complex.

The Coin Cabinet is now open in it's new location. There was a good article in the T&T today.

The new store is very impressive looking. The showroom is considerably larger than in it's old location. I would have to say there is probably no other store like it in the Atlantic region.

Interesting that the owner of the store mentioned that one of the principle reasons for the move was because of the anticipated construction of the events centre across the street........

[Peter_johnns]

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

Yup, nice to see the infill. The buildings aren't perfect, but they're an improvement. Great to get some feet downtown!

It is about time M'ton adds something to its downtown! A while before it catches up to SJ still

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Just as an aside, while I know I read most threads whenever I see they've been updated and I'm sure Greg does the same, we're both only human. If anyone sees an issue, the best way to make sure it get's looked at is to PM us with your concerns.

There will be some days (like the past few) where I have SSP in the background refreshing every 10/15 minutes and generally around and there will be some where i'm out of town or busy for a few days consecutively. I try to be around as much as I can but, as Myles said, PM one or both of us if there is a problem.

- - -

How many apartment buildings are U/C in central Moncton right now? 4 or 5?

[mylesmalley]

The building at Dominion and Gordon is nearly done. The one at the corner of Cameron and Gordon is going up fast and I think there's one other one as well. This is traditionally the slower time of year for construction though.

There are at least 5 large (64+) buildings going up outside of downtown that I can think of too.

[BlackYear]

Looks like more than just a facelift. Back view of one of the CN Plaza building. I took the photo last week of Jan 2013...for the record.

[MonctonRad]

Indeed more than a simple facelift.

Nice pictures Budyser.

The only things not being replaced are the foundation and steel superstructure. When they finish, this will be the nicest class A office building in the city......

[David_99]

Hopefully they'er redoing the air circulation system. I taught in the other building a decade ago and the air was so stale. We removed the ceiling vent to see if any air was passing through and were surprised to find nothing but a concrete slab lol.

[MonctonRad]

Further to the above:

Building gutted for new life
Monday, February 04, 2013
Times & Transcript
By: Alan Cochrane

Total renovation of 1234 Main St., should be completed and ready for tenants in October

The former CN Terminal building at 1234 Main St. has been a landmark for 50 years, and now it is being gutted down to its concrete skeleton for a complete renovation into a state-of-the-art office building.

'It's going to be a very versatile building for anybody who wants moder n office space,' says Jeff Yerxa, leasing manager for Crombie REIT. 'When it is finished, it will be state-of-the art, no other building in Moncton will be able to touch this.' The eight-storey building was constructed in 1963-64 as a centrepiece of downtown development at the time. For many years it served as home to the Moncton offices of CN Rail. It was damaged by a major fire in 1978. It is owned by Crombie REIT and until recently had been home to a variety of tenants. It has been empty for several months as plans were made for the big renovation. The renovation project is expected to be complete and ready for new tenants in October.

Read more:
http://22864.vws.magma.ca/index.php?&article_id=10582

[ElevatorGuy]

State of the art with 50 year old elevators lol! They are getting a minor retrofit with this Reno but if your gonna gut the building don't cheap out with the life blood of any office building!

[BlackYear]

Does anyone have a link or information on Moncton's downtown bylaws concerning the type the cladding is allowed for new and reno constructions in the downtown area?

Apparently there's a bylaw where homeowners and businesses can no longer use vinyl siding in the downtown zone. Apparently you are limited to a small number of certain approved materials, which are much more expensive than vinyl siding.

Argument here is, most homeowners 7 businesses in this downtown zone may not be able to afford to upgrade their houses because of it.

[mylesmalley]

That bylaw has been around for quite a while now.

http://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Residents+English/By-Laws/Z-202+-+Zoning.pdf

It doesn't say they have to use more expensive materials, just that 'traditional' types of finishes are required. It lists them off:

“traditional materials” means materials consistent with
construction techniques and architecture of the pre-World War
Two era, including brick, masonry, brick or masonry veneer, glass,
wood, shingle or stucco; and for the purposes of this By-law
includes modern “Hardi-plank” and generic equivalents and
insulated stucco-type panels; but specifically excludes vinyl,
plastic, tar paper, asphalt shingle, metallic or enamelled metallic
finishes;

As to your latter point, i really don't know what the price difference is between vinyl and the listed alternatives. But my counter argument would be that not only is vinyl cheap, but it looks cheap. It doesn't age well like stone or brick. If the community is serious about improving the look and quality of developments in the core, we have to be conscious of the materials being used.

Compare and contrast the developments along Gordon St and Archibald St. Archibald saw several large apartment buildings go up. Frankly, they're pretty ugly and are cookie cutter copies of what you'd expect in suburban parts of the city. Gordon has seen much more recent development and is 100% better looking in my opinion. And they aren't all expensive buildings either.

[NBNYer]

The city is again looking into upgrading the downtown Codiac RCMP HQ.

It was reported by RC that the city has hired a consultant to look into the possibility of either renovating the existing building or building a new one altogether.

link

[mylesmalley]

When was their current station built? I can only imagine how their space requirements have grown along with population.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

When was their current station built? I can only imagine how their space requirements have grown along with population.

The article says it's 33 years old. Also, a similar study in 2007 recommended renovating the existing building at a cost of $400,000.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

The article says it's 33 years old. Also, a similar study in 2007 recommended renovating the existing building at a cost of $400,000.

The study performed in 2007 was deemed flawed, in part because at the time of the study, the city was still sparring with the feds over the standard subsidy available for municipal policing that almost every city in the country was getting besides Moncton. Because Moncton was not getting the rebate, there was a very real possibility that the city would revert to an independent municipal force.

The city is now getting the subsidy, and as such, the future of the RCMP is secure. As a result of this change, a new study was felt necessary to again look at whether a new police HQ should be built as apposed to extensive renovations to their current building.

Given the rapid growth rate of the metropolitan area, and the lack of space in the existing building, I think there is pretty good odds that the new study will recommend a new regional police HQ building. As such, we may very well have our own Moncton version of Peel Plaza in the next 5-7 years. Apparently a project of this magnitude would likely cost $40-50M.

The obvious choice for a location for the a new police HQ would be on the site of the former provincial jail on Assomption Blvd next to the new lawcourts.

[theshark]

According to a notice from the province on the municipalities borrowing act, Moncton is planning to make a request for $10 Million for purchase of land downtown.

[MonctonRad]

Interesting.

This is no doubt for the purchase of the Highfield Square site. Regardless of the ultimate fate of the events centre, it only makes sense for the city to buy the land anyway. It's just too large a piece of land in too prominent a location for the city not to want to have influence and control in how it is developed.....

[Taeolas]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Interesting.

This is no doubt for the purchase of the Highfield Square site. Regardless of the ultimate fate of the events centre, it only makes sense for the city to buy the land anyway. It's just too large a piece of land in too prominent a location for the city not to want to have influence and control in how it is developed.....

And it keeps Moncton from being in a situation like Freddy is with the old Canadian Tire location on Northside Main Street. (Crappy Tire owns the old land and building, and is strictly limiting who they will take over the property, leaving it abandoned for 4 years and counting now)