[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[Monctoncore]

To bad he couldn't add a second floor to it... that would be even better.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

To bad he couldn't add a second floor to it... that would be even better.

Mountain and Church is a fairly prominent corner, a single story building seems like a wasted opportunity. I thought I had heard rumors of some upper residential floors at some point, maybe it got downsized.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

To bad he couldn't add a second floor to it... that would be even better.

Maybe it'll be a "tall" one storey building (20 ft or so). This would allow for a more spacious interior, especially if there are going to be live performances like they mention in the T&T article. Also, if they are going to have video screens on the outside (again like they mention in the article), a taller facade would be helpful.

It sounds as if the new owner wants to do this right. I hope it is a nice building…….

[Mattyyy]

A piece of the article in the T & T this morning regarding the development of the 11 acres at the corner of Vaughan Harvey & Main. Just another reason why it is so important to move ahead with the Events Center as soon as possible.

Vaughn MacLellan has long wanted to get involved with a project that would allow him to spend more time in his hometown.

The native of Moncton who is now a Toronto-based lawyer and real estate developer will get to do exactly that, as his company recently acquired 11 acres of land at the southwest corner of Vaughan Harvey Boulevard and Main Street, with visions of a multi-use development that will grow to become a key city centre to complement a potential downtown events centre.

“We believe that the property is ideal for high density, multi-use office, retail and multi-residential development. Our development vision for the property is to create a high density, multi-use area that bridges the west end of the city with the city’s downtown core,” MacLellan said. “At the corner of Vaughan Harvey and Main, our hope is to put together a signature development that will encompass Class A office and retail. Other parts of the property will be targeted for a blend of commercial, retail and multi-residential development.

“At the end of the day, we want to try to create a lively, energetic area where people ‘live, work and play.’”
Moncton native excited about prospects of new development
Cole Hobson

COLE HOBSON Times & Transcript
January 8, 2014

MacLellan is president of Westmount Developments Inc., which completed the acquisition of land, previously owned by Canadian National Railway, in mid-December of 2013.

He said they had been working on the acquisition for over two years. Always interested in exploring business opportunities that could keep him connected to Moncton and the Maritimes, MacLellan said he came across the CN property, which had been for sale for a while.

“A few parties had looked at acquiring the property, but they walked away for various reasons, and the acquisition process was not uncomplicated,” he said. “We were very patient, however, and worked with CN and the city over time to resolve the issues and concerns involved in the sale of the property. The contacts at the city were very professional, thorough and helpful.”

The developer believes the multi-residential market in Moncton is over-built at the moment, but that there are opportunities for niche developments, such as higher-end seniors’ residences or modern loft-style residences for younger people.

He said retail development on the site will likely be oriented towards the smaller scale, not “big box” retail, and it would largely be incorporated into the ground level of commercial and multi-residential complexes. MacLellan added that the development will have a focus on neighbourhood uses such as restaurants/bars, coffee shops, personal services and small scale specialty retail, “all compatible with the area’s mixed-use character.”

MacLellan said they were drawn to the property due to its excellent visibility and also noted that it’s strategically located should the city move ahead with development of a new downtown sports and entertainment complex on the old Highfield Square site.

[MonctonRad]

The fact that Westmount Developments is run by an ex-Monctonian is certainly a bonus!! I approve of his vision for this property on the southwest corner of Main and Vaughan Harvey.

We now have several large properties surrounding the proposed events centre location which are primed for development:

- Westmount Developments on the SW corner of Main/Vaughan Harvey
- Crombie REIT on and behind the Terminal Plaza site
- The Aquilini Group on the Crowne Plaza block

There is also likely something brewing for the old Coast Tire location too.

Some people wonder if we can afford to go ahead with the events centre project. I would prefer to think of it in terms of can we afford to not go ahead with this project......

a $120M investment in the events centre could very well unlock $200-250M of private investment in surrounding developments. This would forever change the face of the western end of the downtown core.....

[mylesmalley]

Sign me up.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by Mattyyy

will likely be oriented towards the smaller scale, not “big box” retail, and it would largely be incorporated into the ground level

[RyeJay]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Some people wonder if we can afford to go ahead with the events centre project.

Well, no, that's not what we wonder; that's what we see.

Otherwise Moncton would have spent its own cash by now.

[L'homard]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

To bad he couldn't add a second floor to it... that would be even better.

I was chatting with the gentleman the other day. (His pizzas are damn good.)
He tells me the zoning REQUIRES that he build a second floor. Does this make sense?
Anyway, he could put residential upstairs, but doesn't want the hassle of being a landlord and will ask for a variance if the zoning REQUIRES him to build a second floor, to avoid doing so.
(Just sounds odd to me that the zoning would forbid a single-storey restaurant, but what do I know?)

[David_99]

Since we're discussing this neighbourhood, I was talking to the owner of Roy's Convenience the other day. He owns the empty land across the street (where his old store used to be) and has wanted to build apartments there for years but, according to him, he can't because the taxes for a small building like that make it not worth it for him, not to mention the vacancy rate is currently terrible. So don't expect anything built on that land anytime soon.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by David_99

Since we're discussing this neighbourhood, I was talking to the owner of Roy's Convenience the other day. He owns the empty land across the street (where his old store used to be) and has wanted to build apartments there for years but, according to him, he can't because the taxes for a small building like that make it not worth it for him, not to mention the vacancy rate is currently terrible. So don't expect anything built on that land anytime soon.

I wish this guy would care more about the neighborhood and remove that gawd ugly rusty large medal eyesore sign off his unfinished piece of land. And would it be so hard to at least landscape the land a bit so it doesn't look like a forgotten ghettoland?

End of rant.

[David_99]

Originally Posted by Budyser

I wish this guy would care more about the neighborhood and remove that gawd ugly rusty large medal eyesore sign off his unfinished piece of land. And would it be so hard to at least landscape the land a bit so it doesn't look like a forgotten ghettoland?

End of rant.

Yeah, he was actually complaining how the neighbourhood is declining.

He also made a point how the club wasn't the best type of business but their clients and staff would come over give his store business over the years.

[MRL]

I just heard from 2 people today that crystal palace was closing. Havent seen anything on here about it so I was surprised. Anybody got anything on this?

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by MRL

I just heard from 2 people today that crystal palace was closing. Havent seen anything on here about it so I was surprised. Anybody got anything on this?

First I've heard of it lately, but there have been rumours for years that it was going to be closing. Given that the building holds the biggest theatre in town, Chapters, McGuiness' Landing and the Ramada hotel in addition to the amusement park, I can't see the building going anywhere.

What could replace the rides is another question though...

[MonctonRad]

I agree with Myles. The rumour of impending closure of Crystal Place crops up every 2-3 years, but the place keeps on ticking. I would put this in the realm of unsubstantiated rumour, bordering on "urban myth".

This probably should have been posted in either the [Moncton] Dieppe or [Moncton] Retail threads.

Welcome to the forums BTW.......

EDIT:

Who actually owns and operates the rides at Crystal Palace? Is it Cadillac Fairview? I think it probably is. Does anyone know for sure?

[stephan.richard]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I agree with Myles. The rumour of impending closure of Crystal Place crops up every 2-3 years, but the place keeps on ticking. I would put this in the realm of unsubstantiated rumour, bordering on "urban myth".

This probably should have been posted in either the [Moncton] Dieppe or [Moncton] Retail threads.

Welcome to the forums BTW.......

EDIT:

Who actually owns and operates the rides at Crystal Palace? Is it Cadillac Fairview? I think it probably is. Does anyone know for sure?

I would say its is Cadilac Fairview that owns and manages the amusement park building and confrence center.

[habs33]

If you go to https://www.crystalpalace.ca/, there's a link at the top for Cadlliac Fairview. So that would confirm it

[josh_cat_eyes]

I think that what is needed, is an overhaul, take out the outdated rides, I still think that it would be awesome to connect the building to the Champlain Place. I hate how they are reducing the number of retailers inside the mall to make room for bigger ones. Like H&M, Tommy Hillfiger, The Gap, West 49 and now this new one on the corner. If Sobeys was removed and a hall was built north to the west side of H&M you could get quite a few stores in there. I think the mall has out grown it's current size. I have made my point known before. But like MonctonRad said this probably should have been added to the Moncton Retail thread.

In something actually related to downtown, is there any new on the events centre or any big dates coming up?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by habs33

If you go to https://www.crystalpalace.ca/, there's a link at the top for Cadlliac Fairview. So that would confirm it

Crystal Palace is owned and managed by Cadillac Fairview. My question was more to the point of "who runs the amusement park at Crystal Palace"?

If it is a private operator who runs the amusement facility, then there is the chance that closure might occur if the park were not profitable. If on the other hand it is Cadillac Fairview who runs the amusement park, then there would be little likelihood that the amusement park would close, since the park is integral to the operations of the entire building. In particular, the Ramada Hotel and McGuinness Landing would be in big trouble without the amusement park as an anchor. Cadillac Fairview would likely be obligated to keep the park running to satisfy any leasehold agreements.

I think CF does indeed run the park, therefore I think the park is safe. The only way CF would close the park would be if they have other plans for the facility. That is always a possibility, but I have heard no rumours suggesting such. I imagine Crystal Palace is here to stay. I agree with Josh though, it would be nice if they refurbished the facility some…….

[MonctonRad]

Sale of former Moncton jail fails to attract buyer
CBC News Posted: Jan 20, 2014 7:18 AM AT| Last Updated: Jan 20, 2014 7:18 AM AT

The provincial government is still looking for a buyer for the former Moncton Detention Centre.

The property in downtown Moncton has been on the market for months, but has not attracted any offers.


Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams. (CBC)
The asking price is $700,000.

read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunsw...on-jail-fails-to-attract-buyer-1.2503215