[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Feneant

Am I the only one who looks at the plan and thinks 'What city is this?'. ALC should be taking bets on the % they complete in this downtown development because we'll be lucky to see a fraction of that. And even by some crazy twist of faith their vision becomes reality, we'll be paying for it in taxes for the rest of our lives.

Well, to be fair, of everything you see in that image, the municipality would only be investing in "phase 2" construction of Downing Street, and the city market. Everything else you see would be anticipated private investment.

It's kinda like a "loss leader", similar to the events centre. With the events centre, the city invested ~ $110M to create an environment where an additional $250M of private investment in the neighbourhood is anticipated. This significantly increases the civic tax base so that the city anticipates making it's investment back. It would be the same idea for completing Downing Street and moving the market here.

In essence - "if you build it they will come"........

[Patapouf26]

Originally Posted by JHikka

I'm torn. It's a good-looking urbanization plan in theory but I feel it's too suburban in spots, especially in the residential renders.

Also trees. Lots of trees.

I had the same sentiment as you, but I suppose if you're trying to attract young families to the core, the small park areas interspersed with dense (2-3 story buildings) residential might do the trick.

[Patapouf26]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

With the library across the street, and Assumption Place in behind, it really does a lot to improve connectivity in the core. Note also the outdoor kiosks and the food trucks.

A new market here would be a roaring success.........

It was also my favorite concept that has a possibility of happening (in the short term) and that would create a superbe street vibe in the core.

The library would actually be in the same building as we can see in the render. The market would occupy the main level and the library the upper part. I like the idea of combining both.

[Patapouf26]

Originally Posted by Feneant

Am I the only one who looks at the plan and thinks 'What city is this?'. ALC should be taking bets on the % they complete in this downtown development because we'll be lucky to see a fraction of that. And even by some crazy twist of faith their vision becomes reality, we'll be paying for it in taxes for the rest of our lives.

Wouldn't you agree that there needs to be a long term plan (a vision) of what the core should look like? In what way would we, as you say, "be paying for it in taxes for the rest of our lives"?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

It was also my favorite concept that has a possibility of happening (in the short term) and that would create a superbe street vibe in the core.

The library would actually be in the same building as we can see in the render. The market would occupy the main level and the library the upper part. I like the idea of combining both.

Wait a minute - are you saying that, at the presentation, they were actually speculating on moving the library out of Blue Cross and across the street into the upper levels of the proposed new market building????

That's unanticipated and would significantly increase the cost of the project.

I know all of this is just a planning exercise and therefore purely speculative, but frequently, actual change can spring forth from such an exercise. The civic people who were present - did they seem to think this to be a real possibility???

[Patapouf26]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Wait a minute - are you saying that, at the presentation, they were actually speculating on moving the library out of Blue Cross and across the street into the upper levels of the proposed new market building????

That's unanticipated and would significantly increase the cost of the project.

I know all of this is just a planning exercise and therefore purely speculative, but frequently, actual change can spring forth from such an exercise. The civic people who were present - did they seem to think this to be a real possibility???

Yes and yes. I was speaking to one of our urban planners and that's exactly what she mentioned as we were talking in front of that exact panel showcasing the concept. In a CBC article, the senior planner also mentioned that the city "wants to see the Moncton Public Library remain at or near its current location, and the Moncton Market relocated to the nearby parking lot off Downing Street." The above concept would definitely keep to what both have said. I believe this is where they want to go.

Edit : What I find interesting, is that the MH35 concept doesn't need the public library anymore. So the above concept could go ahead, MH35 could do their thing and the new RCMP HQ could be built in the core, next to the courthouse. All is well... What are we waiting for?

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

Edit : What I find interesting, is that the MH35 concept doesn't need the public library anymore. So the above concept could go ahead, MH35 could do their thing and the new RCMP HQ could be built in the core, next to the courthouse. All is well... What are we waiting for?

This is the ideal scenario and why I hope the Bird/Terra proposal does not happen. Hopefully the province wont get in the way this time.

[Feneant]

Originally Posted by Patapouf26

Wouldn't you agree that there needs to be a long term plan (a vision) of what the core should look like? In what way would we, as you say, "be paying for it in taxes for the rest of our lives"?

I say paying tax as I assumed the city would be adding all these buildings on our dime when you consider they are showing these mock ups. Instead, I suspect what we'll end up with is more of this, which incidentally is a link from this site that I got off Google"

Jerry556
Oct 31, 2010, 8:53 PM
Well, i heard from a source that valmonds development beside staples on main st plans to open in 2012, and are starting construction in the spring. not shur about the other one near vaugh harvey

6.5 years later and it's still nothing more than a pile or dirt. Just look at the upcoming restaurant on Main St., that prime downtown location was empty for years before they started to build. I don't know, maybe I'm just more cynical than most but if the plan ever gets to a stage that is more than just pretty pictures, I will be very surprised.

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by Feneant

I say paying tax as I assumed the city would be adding all these buildings on our dime when you consider they are showing these mock ups. Instead, I suspect what we'll end up with is more of this, which incidentally is a link from this site that I got off Google"



6.5 years later and it's still nothing more than a pile or dirt. Just look at the upcoming restaurant on Main St., that prime downtown location was empty for years before they started to build. I don't know, maybe I'm just more cynical than most but if the plan ever gets to a stage that is more than just pretty pictures, I will be very surprised.

1. I don't think you understand what a "vision plan" is...it's just a guide for future development (public and private, but mainly private) the city of moncton is not getting into condo development...

2. Valmont waited and missed the boat...now we have 55 Queen and Horizon Place...he will have to wait a bit to allow demand to rebuild.

[Taeolas]

Yeah, Cities develop these vision plans to guide how development will happen for the decades to come. (Freddy and SJ both recently completed/are completing theirs as well). Most of the work to implement those plans will be purely private sector. The city says "We will allow a building up to X stories tall here." and then they wait for someone to decide to build it.

The exception being of course the things the city is responsible for... building the roads and sidewalks, creating parks, locating local government services in particular buildings and so forth.

But as far as the plan goes, cities will pick stock photos/CG Renderings of buildings similar to what they are looking for to flesh out the plans for people to dream with; and then they sit back and hope a developer will decide a building is better than a parking lot at that location.

[Patapouf26]

Originally Posted by mmmatt

1. I don't think you understand what a "vision plan" is...it's just a guide for future development (public and private, but mainly private) the city of moncton is not getting into condo development...

Thanks for answering that. Now private developers can get a feel of what the city wants as it goes forward.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Feneant

I say paying tax as I assumed the city would be adding all these buildings on our dime when you consider they are showing these mock ups.

That's not how municipal planning works. The city lays out a vision of what it would like to see, sets out guidelines and rules for contractors and developers to develop within those rules, and then lets them have a go. This isn't some publicly funded community housing project.

[Feneant]

Ah, thanks for the explanation! I admit I didn't know what it was and did assume it was our mayor deciding to bankrupt Moncton and its citizen with all kinds of development.

[MonctonRad]

Updated renders for the proposed brew pub and yoga studio on the NW corner of Main & King:





They are now planning on large LED billboards on both sides on the building (same company that owns the double wide LED board on the building at the corner of Main & Lewis). This should brighten up this area quite nicely, and no neighbours to annoy either!

[MonctonRad]

Proposed new bike shop on the south side of Mountain Road between Weldon & Birch:

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Updated renders for the proposed brew pub and yoga studio on the NW corner of Main & King:





They are now planning on large LED billboards on both sides on the building (same company that owns the double wide LED board on the building at the corner of Main & Lewis). This should brighten up this area quite nicely, and no neighbours to annoy either!

My question for this one is where are they planning to have the Yoga Studio. Are they planing on evicting the residents who live upstairs to fit in a Yoga Studio? If so there goes some more affordable rentals.

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Proposed new bike shop on the south side of Mountain Road between Weldon & Birch:

It they build it the way it's planed it should look good in that area, and maybe push the attempt at rejuvenating of the area further out then the original rejuvenation plans from Church to University Ave.

[Monctoncore]

I don't know if anyone lives in that building anymore.

[Shift]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Updated renders for the proposed brew pub and yoga studio on the NW corner of Main & King:

That patio looks great. Will do wonders for that corner - a key gateway to the downtown.

[KnoxfordGuy]

The building downtown with it's third floor windows all boarded up...what's the deal. It's very unattractive. They could atleast be painted black.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by KnoxfordGuy

The building downtown with it's third floor windows all boarded up...what's the deal. It's very unattractive. They could atleast be painted black.

If you mean the Building where Freshii, Mexicali Rosa, and Japan Go are. I do agree with you it's not the best look for the building. I thought there where plans to restore the building But I guess they fell threw.


Personally I would like to see Downtown from King to Vaughan Harvey be spruced up. Windows, and doors fixed, stairs, and/or ramps repaired. I personally hate buildings that are boarded up, or partly boarded up. It makes the area look almost like you crossed the wrong side of the tracks.

I would also like to see West main tie into the refurbishment of are downtown core.

I know people seem to like vandalizing like the smashed windows at the building by the Subway where Graffiti Restaurant used to be, or the actual Graffiti on the building.

At least the Graffiti at 844 Main Street a little ways down will be hidden behind the wall of the new building curently being constructed next door.