[Moncton] Downtown Developments - Page 95

David_99 · #**1881** Posted **Feb 25, 2016, 4:35 PM**

Here's a 4th image from CBC.ca

Patapouf26 · #**1882** Posted **Feb 25, 2016, 5:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_99

Here's a 4th image from CBC.ca

I like the idea of creating an enclosed plaza, but I find that the glass addition hides the main architectual focal point of the Old MHS.

MonctonRad · #**1883** Posted **Feb 25, 2016, 5:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

I like the idea of creating an enclosed plaza, but I find that the glass addition hides the main architectual focal point of the Old MHS.

I was about to make the same point. The most gothic part of the MHS façade is the main entrance. Do we really want to be enclosing it in a glass box???

Perhaps if a glass box is desired, they should consider enclosing the central courtyard.

Scarface · #**1884** Posted **Feb 25, 2016, 5:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

I like the idea of creating an enclosed plaza, but I find that the glass addition hides the main architectual focal point of the Old MHS.

I was about to say the same... The reason people wanted the building to be save from seeing a demolition crew is in fact because of the architecture. This seems to be blocking it from view more then anything.

habs33 · #**1885** Posted **Feb 25, 2016, 8:02 PM**

Didn't see this posted so...
U-Haul bids on old Moncton High School
https://www.telegraphjournal.com/times-transcript/story/45977512/u-haul-bids-on-old

Quote:

U-Haul has bid to buy the former Moncton High School to turn the historic property into a storage facility and retail store.

Mattyyy · #**1886** Posted **Feb 25, 2016, 8:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by habs33

Didn't see this posted so...
U-Haul bids on old Moncton High School
https://www.telegraphjournal.com/times-transcript/story/45977512/u-haul-bids-on-old

This sounds like an absolutely brutal idea - I would be more content if they just decided to destroy the building.

Taeolas · #**1887** Posted **Feb 25, 2016, 8:22 PM**

I sometimes wonder if U-Haul makes a point of doing things like that; trying to set up in locations that just don't make sense. While not a heritage building like MHS, U-Haul tried to buy the old Crappy tire building on Main street in Fredericton for the same purposes. Thankfully everyone, including Business Freddy North, came out and said "No, that's not really a good idea."

BlackYear · #**1888** Posted **Feb 26, 2016, 4:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by habs33

Didn't see this posted so...
U-Haul bids on old Moncton High School
https://www.telegraphjournal.com/times-transcript/story/45977512/u-haul-bids-on-old

From a business perspective with the only vision of making money, sure, why not. The salvage dollars of the wood, copper and stone blocks alone may be worth $500k. Flatten the whole thing, build a fence around the perimeter and build self storage right downtown.

I can't see anyone within city hall voting for approval of such a ridiculous project. I'd be the first in line to move away from the downtown core. The whole East End property value would plummet.

MonctonRad · #**1889** Posted **Feb 26, 2016, 12:25 PM**

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm beginning to get the idea that the city of Moncton is being strong armed by the province into moving the civic library into the MHS project, or else. The "or else" being a U-Haul storage facility.

I'm not sure I appreciate these tactics. I'm not sure how much warning the city got on all this, but this has certainly been sprung on the public without any warning.....

The province seems to feel it can run roughshod over it's municipalities. They moved MHS to the boondocks over strong civic opposition. Now it's about to attempt the same thing with the redevelopment proposal for the old MHS building......

HanSoloCup · #**1890** Posted **Feb 26, 2016, 1:02 PM**

Looks like there is some action starting at the Events Centre site, a couple of backhoes and a hough playing around in the dirt.

Taeolas · #**1891** Posted **Feb 26, 2016, 1:07 PM**

I'm not sure it's necessarily strong arming. As I mentioned earlier, this isn't the first time UHaul's tried to shoehorn itself into an inappropriate location. Fredericton shut them down when they tried that up here, and I'm sure the Moncton City Council can shut them down just as easily in the Hub city.

Admittedly, the timing does seem a bit strange, but maybe UHaul wants to get their offer out there before the Cultural proposal comes out, maybe in the off chance that they catch everyone sleeping and can get it through or something.

BlackYear · #**1892** Posted **Feb 26, 2016, 2:20 PM**

Why wouldn't the city just simply buy the land at $1million from the province and be done with with? I'm sure they can find the cash in a filling cabinet somewhere!

David_99 · #**1893** Posted **Feb 26, 2016, 2:45 PM**

STILE Fashion Accessories will be moving from the Champlain Parking lot location to the corner of Main and Oak Lane, in the newly renovated Empire Block, where Isaac Clothiers used to be (next to the Capital, opposite side of The Third Glass).

Edit: Added Photo (Times & Transcript)

MonctonRad · #**1894** Posted **Feb 26, 2016, 2:58 PM**

Good stuff! I like this a lot. We have lots of restaurants and pubs in the core. We need more retail. Retail on Main can work quite well (Colpitts Mens Wear proves this). This is a welcome addition.

BTW, I think the refurbishment of the Empire Block is first rate.

MonctonRad · #**1895** Posted **Feb 27, 2016, 3:06 PM**

So, the MH Renaissance Group's plans to renovate and repurpose the old Moncton High School will purportedly cost about $21M, and will entail completely new HVAC and air exchange systems, necessary interior renovations and at least two atriums.

They do not expect to receive significant provincial or municipal funding, and the plans are heavily dependent on having at least two anchor tenants.

The Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada is already on board, and is quite enthusiastic. MH Renaissance however really requires the relocation of the Moncton Public Library to make this thing work. They expect the current provincial and municipal monies paid to the management of the Blue Cross Centre (somewhere around $700k per year) to be used as rent at the MH35 Centre, and this would be the principle financing for this project.

As for the Moncton Library space at the Blue Cross Centre, apparently it is large enough for about 200 Blue Cross Atlantic employees to work, and there is every expectation that Blue Cross might take over this space (either from workforce expansion, or by relocation of Blue Cross employees working elsewhere in the metro area).

I'm beginning to get more enthusiastic about this project. I really like the idea of a "cultural precinct" in the city, and with the MH35 Centre, Theatre l'Escaouette, Aberdeen Cultural Centre and Resurgo Place all within a couple of blocks of one another, a certain critical mass starts to develop. Throw in the Zio's development project across the street, and I could see this area of east Moncton beginning to take off with even more trendy cafes for the apres theatre crowd.

BlackYear · #**1896** Posted **Feb 27, 2016, 3:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Throw in the Zio's development project across the street, and I could see this area of east Moncton beginning to take off with even more trendy cafes for the apres theatre crowd.

You might say, there already is a presence of trendy cafes/bistro/restaurants. But definitely more would be awesome!

- Manuka Resto on Schools st
- Calactus on Church st
- Cafe Archibald on Mt-rd
- Guacamole on Mt-rd
- Zen Gardens on Mt-rd

Scarface · #**1897** Posted **Feb 27, 2016, 6:22 PM**

we can always take inspiration from other cities, and have coffee shops, Cafe/Bistros, and Restaurants spread out in the downtown core. But we can't forget about potential traffic (Vehicles, and pedestrian), and Parking issues. If downtown was to be revitalized in this way if may actually be a boost for the downtown housing market to push forward as well. Hopefully if these potential projects do happen it will push for growth in other areas of the city even if it is at a slower pace. We would not want to force long time residents out of there homes.

theshark · #**1898** Posted **Feb 27, 2016, 7:14 PM**

Plus add the new zio's location just accross the street!

Phil_5 · #**1899** Posted **Feb 28, 2016, 6:12 PM**

I took a few photos last night of the 104 M$ expansion project at the Dumont Hospital.
It looks like it will be a two-story building plus a basement. According to a news release the basement will house 100 parking spots.

Has anyone come across a rendering for this project?

MonctonRad · #**1900** Posted **Feb 28, 2016, 7:02 PM**

The Dumont is getting this (small) underground parking garage as part of it's new addition in order to compensate for the fact that the Moncton Hospital has a similar underground parking facility as part of the ACC expansion which was built several years ago.

Meanwhile, a plan to have a (much larger) enclosed parking garage behind the new oncology clinic at the Moncton Hospital was politically thwarted, even though it would have been part of a privately funded expansion of the Professional Arts Building attached to the hospital.

Such is the pettiness of medical politics between the two hospitals in Moncton.