[Moncton] Centre Avenir Centre | 26.65m |~6 Fl | Completed

[drewber]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Another option, especially for transit, would be to have a special event route that is timed around events, that in turn runs to other areas where parking is more available. A route from the Centre to Champlain and back via downtown seems to be a no brainer; the Mall can absorb some of the parking, and it could even work to service downtown bars and such. (Get a meal or drink before/after the event, and flag down the Centre bus to go the rest of the way after).

Ultimately, the Council is going to have to take their heads out of the sand eventually. They've got this great Centre, now they need to realistically look at how they will service it; which will involve improving transit links (both temporary routes and permanant routes), and seriously looking at parking as well.

There's already a route from Centre to Champlain that runs every 15 minutes though its been adjusted due to lack of drivers. Again using parking at the Coliseum and having a bus that goes down millenium on to vaughn harvey could easily run back and forth every 30 minutes. if you do one every 15 minutes an hour and a half before and after games or events the parking issue is fixed.

[Patapouf26]

Originally Posted by SevenSquared

Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I expect a lot more people will use public transit to get to the Centre than most people think, simply because of the growing perception (exaggerated or not) that it'll be way less of a headache to bus there than trying to find a parking spot and risk getting booted. For many who live near a main route, the bus suddenly appears to be the most attractive option.

Anecdotally, a lot of people I talk to who don't live on main lines are expecting to park at Champlain Place/Trinity and take the bus from there.

I'd be shocked if there wasn't a trial run the first year such as: extend main routes to 10pm or so on regular game/event nights, extend most/all routes on the 5-10 occasions where they'll have 8k+ (huge concerts, Wildcats finals). Depending on ridership numbers, adjust after year one.

Agreed. I've been to 2 junior hockey games since my move here in 1994. I've always loved watching professional games in downtown settings and there's nothing more anticlimactic like a suburban setting (I'm thinking of the Ottawa Senators). Boring! With this new centre, I cannot wait to be able to go to games DT and make an evening of it - Be it with friends or with my family. I'm not really preoccupied with parking. Although I do agree that the plan presented by City Hall is pathetic, let's give it a year and I'm willing to bet that things should go smoothly enough.

[felip_ars]

I dont think people will enjoy waiting 45m-1h at the end of every Wildcats games before getting to their car.

Worse if it's for a concert. Show ends at 11h...get to your car at around midnight, and you still have to drive home.

[PEI highway guy]

I think the previous post/ idea has some merit, however, a full bus would carry less than 100 people with standing room so many buses would be required to get every one in place for the start of an event. My second thought is the city put the primary rink downtown so the people attending would eat on the way in/or out, go to a bar etc. They wanted to make downtown a happening spot on game night in the watering holes/restaurants. If they bus them in and out, this may not happen. I sincerely hope someone will come up with a better solution than I can think of and soon. Sept 2018 is coming fast.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by SevenSquared

Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I expect a lot more people will use public transit to get to the Centre than most people think, simply because of the growing perception (exaggerated or not) that it'll be way less of a headache to bus there than trying to find a parking spot and risk getting booted. For many who live near a main route, the bus suddenly appears to be the most attractive option.

Anecdotally, a lot of people I talk to who don't live on main lines are expecting to park at Champlain Place/Trinity and take the bus from there.

I'd be shocked if there wasn't a trial run the first year such as: extend main routes to 10pm or so on regular game/event nights, extend most/all routes on the 5-10 occasions where they'll have 8k+ (huge concerts, Wildcats finals). Depending on ridership numbers, adjust after year one.

After the lock out there where 3, or 4 bus lines that ran ti'll Midnight. There did not seem to be enough need for these runs to go ti'll that long but with Moncton Trying to expand, and compete longer hours for public transit might be a great option since it does not seem like the city knows what is, and isn't public parking. But we still need at least one parking structure in Downtown. I don't see the city being on board with any parking structure since they denied the Moncton Hospitals plans to turn there parking lot in front of the structure a 2-4 story parking garage.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by Scarface

After the lock out there where 3, or 4 bus lines that ran ti'll Midnight. There did not seem to be enough need for these runs to go ti'll that long but with Moncton Trying to expand, and compete longer hours for public transit might be a great option since it does not seem like the city knows what is, and isn't public parking. But we still need at least one parking structure in Downtown. I don't see the city being on board with any parking structure since they denied the Moncton Hospitals plans to turn there parking lot in front of the structure a 2-4 story parking garage.

When did they deny that? And why would they do that?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by felip_ars

I dont think people will enjoy waiting 45m-1h at the end of every Wildcats games before getting to their car.

Worse if it's for a concert. Show ends at 11h...get to your car at around midnight, and you still have to drive home.

It's almost as if it would be easier to live Downtown within walking distance.....hmmmmm

[PEI highway guy]

Originally Posted by JHikka

It's almost as if it would be easier to live Downtown within walking distance.....hmmmmm

The wildcats are counting on an attendance bump a new rink will bring, They and others will not be happy if this does occur just because it is too much of a hassle to and fr the rink. This parking plan needs a serious revamp.

[SevenSquared]

Originally Posted by PEI highway guy

The wildcats are counting on an attendance bump a new rink will bring, They and others will not be happy if this does occur just because it is too much of a hassle to and fr the rink. This parking plan needs a serious revamp.

They'll get a substantial attendance bump, a sustained one at that. I'd bet serious money on it.

There are lots of people in town who outright refuse to go the Coliseum for various reasons. It's easily the worst mid-sized venue I've seen in North America, for hockey at least. It's a sauna in there 8 months per year, making for sloppy ice and ugly hockey. Sight lines and lighting are awful and there's very little leg room. Not a fun place to watch a game, and that's without even mentioning the location.

Yeah the parking situation is being handled poorly at this early stage, and for those who are all about parking right in front of the door (the less mobile folks certainly won't miss that ramp) the new routine will take some getting used to, but at the end of the day, tens of thousands go downtown for Canada Day/Santa Claus parade. Hockey fans will gladly adapt once they finally get a chance to see hockey in a real building with proper ice quality, much better quality hockey at that... Jakob Pelletier will eventually be worth the price of admission alone.

[Good2go]

Originally Posted by JHikka

It's almost as if it would be easier to live Downtown within walking distance.....hmmmmm

Downtown Moncton is a hive of scum and villainy. There is a reason anybody who can afford to live elsewhere does (hence the need for all that parking).

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Good2go

Downtown Moncton is a hive of scum and villainy. There is a reason anybody who can afford to live elsewhere does (hence the need for all that parking).

Scum and villainy is a stretch, vagrants and panhandlers though I would agree with.........

And the whole point of this exercise is to gentrify the downtown in any event.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

When did they deny that? And why would they do that?

If you're referring to a parking garage at the Moncton Hospital, then yes, Scarface is correct.

Back at about the time that planning was going on for the new ambulatory care centre at the Moncton Hospital, a proposal was floated to build a parking garage across the street in the public parking lot on the other side of MacBeath, and connect it to the hospital via an elevated pedway.

Unfortunately, the neighbours on Edgett avenue took great umbrage to the idea of a parking garage across the street from them, and petitioned city hall to prevent a building permit from being issued.

[MonctonRad]

Here is what I would do about the parking situation at the new events centre:

1) - on events nights, run special Codiac Transpo shuttles between the events centre and the coliseum parking lot along the Millennium Blvd/Vaughan Harvey corridor at q5minute intervals, depositing people directly at the bus lay-by in front of the centre. This service should be provided free, or at a significant subsidy so that off site parking is encouraged. The shuttle service should continue for at least one hour following the end of the event.

2) - for those people who would rather park in the core, develop a plan clearly identifying which parking lots are available for events centre parking (after hours), and which are not. Blatantly clear way finding signage should be erected directing traffic to the appropriate parking lots. Each lot should have clearly marked signage specifically indicating that events centre parking is welcome.

3) - a second plan should be developed so that all private booted parking lots are also clearly identified with day-glo signage and flashing lights at the entrance to the lot (not some obscure spot on the back end of the lot) blatantly stating that the lot is private and that all other cars will be booted and immobilized at the owners risk and expense. The signage should be garish, unequivocal and graphic - perhaps showing a drooling cowering lout grasping a booting device, perhaps with a maniacal grin on his face.

4) - there should absolutely be a pedway or tunnel connecting the events centre to the majority of the surface parking on the south side of the CNR tracks.

5) - I agree with what the city plan has to say about improved sidewalks and improvements to the lighting in the CNR subway. If they want to build 50 bicycle stalls at the events centre - fine; just don't expect too many people to use them (except in July and August).

6) - have a comprehensive plan to clear streets and sidewalks in a 5-6 block radius around the events centre in the wintertime. After a major storm, these streets can become so narrow that on-street parking becomes completely impractical. If the city is serious about people using on-street parking, aggressive snow clearing is an absolute necessity!!!

7) - develop a task force to see if there is any opportunity for the rapid construction of a public/private partnership multilevel enclosed parking garage in reasonable walking distance to the events centre. This is not a luxury; this is an absolute necessity in a climate such as ours. Enclosed parking is guaranteed to be available, no matter how high the snow drifts are outside. I just can't fathom why city council seems to be so down on a parking garage. To solve the issues of parking for the events centre, it's the only way to go........

[flyer99]

Originally Posted by Scarface

More like how can they come up with any transportation plan when there ideas are all outdated based on Transit Mapping, and the fact they listed private lots as viable options to park. The city can't force companies to allow people to park, and I agree with you on those lots marked that are only for Montly parking pass holders.

I'm just surprised they din't mark out Driveways, and apartment building parking as viable options as well.

They DID mark out apartment building parking as a viable option. For example, if you blow up the map and look closely at it you can see that the the Killam Properties - owned 40 Weldon Street outdoor parking lot as marked as available for parking. There will be some furious vehicle owners returning from an event if they park there. And there are many others, I am just using this one as an example.

I am a member of the Moncton Press Club on Assomption Blvd. They have our 40 spaces marked as available for event centre parking even though these are private spots with 20 of them rented out on a monthly basis to permit holders who work downtown.

What were these "consultants" thinking when they tallied these 4,000 spaces???

[stephan.richard]

The main question when it comes to parking at the new rink is why isn't the city buying the lot next to the events center on Main and build a parking structure and then charge to dollar for folks who want to park close lets say 10-25bucks a spot per game or event. But I am sure this plan here is in its early stages.

I am sure that many people that will want to have the prime down town spots will come to the game ahead of game time to have a nice meal and take on the sights and sounds downtown. I am sure once people adapt to the new arena it will change the downtown core.

And one more thing guys is come on we will have a Cadilac for a new arena lets go out and support the Wildcats and other events that will go to the events center.

[BlackYear]

I posted this last year in this thread...point is...Coliseum has 1,995 parking spots. So even if these so called "consultants" estimates are half incorrect, we still have equal parking as the Coliseum.

Originally Posted by Budyser

Let's not forget, the Coliseum has 1,995 official parking stalls front and back of the Coliseum.

So if 1,500 parking spaces are reality south of the tracks, then you can easily add 500 more side street parking spots north of Main street. Not even counting downtown Main.

Look like we may have that parking issue resolved!

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by Budyser

I posted this last year in this thread...point is...Coliseum has 1,995 parking spots. So even if these so called "consultants" estimates are half incorrect, we still have equal parking as the Coliseum.

I completely agree, there is still a lot of parking and I'm sure the private owners will not pass up an opportunity to make money. I also think with the lot across the tracks that will be the majority of people's choice of parking. Which will lead to the city building something over the tracks.

[MonctonRad]

Interesting discussion on CBC radio this morning between Johnna Brewer and a couple of city hall staffers regarding the parking study that was released Monday night.

Impression - a lot of bafflegab, double talk and evasion by the city hall people. Virtually no direct answers were given. Lots of talk about ongoing discussions with private lot owners and comments to the effect of "the public will figure out their own parking options", or "our seniors are pretty fit, so they won't mind walking another 5-10 minutes to get to the centre", or "people will have to get used to leaving 30-45 minutes earlier so they can drop Grandpa off at the door and then go find parking".

In other words, there really isn't any parking plan developed yet!!

I think all the consultants did was enumerate all the "potential" parking spots in the area and recommend traffic flow patterns (all information the city should have had anyway). Most of these "potential" parking spaces are commercial (Sobeys, Shoppers) or private bootable lots which will remain unavailable to concert and events goers.

We are no further ahead.........

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by Good2go

Downtown Moncton is a hive of scum and villainy. There is a reason anybody who can afford to live elsewhere does (hence the need for all that parking).

Yes there are some rougher people who live in and around downtown, but there are a lot more families, seniors and young "entrepreneurs" who live downtown. Your baristas, waiters/waitresses, chefs, dishwashers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, bankers the list goes on, live in the downtown area. Obviously not all, but there are some. You come across the homeless and panhandlers on main st. but every city has that and we are no better than they are just because we own a home in the suburbs. I have never felt pressured, nervous or even bothered by anyone while walking downtown and that's between Main and Mountain road. I have heard my fair share of stories from female friends in the downtown who have a concern about sexual harassment etc., but this happens all over the city, not just downtown and it is a very serious matter.

As for the parking, the average hockey game usually has around 4200 people, which would need enough parking between 1700 and 2100 spaces if they all drive. Which means there should be enough spaces on the other side of the tracks to almost fill that need, add in the on street parking around the arena that seniors can use and you are all set. Also don't forget the people who work downtown, that may stay around after work and have dinner then go to the game. Plus we have a year until it opens and I think all the kinks will be worked out by then.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Interesting discussion on CBC radio this morning between Johnna Brewer and a couple of city hall staffers regarding the parking study that was released Monday night.

Impression - a lot of bafflegab, double talk and evasion by the city hall people. Virtually no direct answers were given. Lots of talk about ongoing discussions with private lot owners and comments to the effect of "the public will figure out their own parking options", or "our seniors are pretty fit, so they won't mind walking another 5-10 minutes to get to the centre", or "people will have to get used to leaving 30-45 minutes earlier so they can drop Grandpa off at the door and then go find parking".

In other words, there really isn't any parking plan developed yet!!

I think all the consultants did was enumerate all the "potential" parking spots in the area and recommend traffic flow patterns (all information the city should have had anyway). Most of these "potential" parking spaces are commercial (Sobeys, Shoppers) or private bootable lots which will remain unavailable to concert and events goers.

We are no further ahead.........

I would say fire these consultants and bring in someone who actually wants to work out a proper plan for this. Though they have lots of time 6-7 months to figure all this out.