[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[MonctonRad]

Apparently the old BDC location on the ground floor facing Main Street in the Delta Beausejour building is in the throws of major renovations.

Any idea out there what this might be about? Is it the hotel expanding???

[David_99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Any idea out there what this might be about? Is it the hotel expanding???

I was sure I saw a For Lease sign on the side of the building as I drove by this morning.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by David_99

I was sure I saw a For Lease sign on the side of the building as I drove by this morning.

I drove by this morning too, and noticed the same sign. I guess the renovations are just being done to prepare the space to be leased out then........

[Scarface]

They might be dividing the space into smaller units. I think it's a larger space, and that would make it harder to lease out then smaller Units would be. I seen lumber being brought in today.

[ElevatorGuy]

The space has a very pesky bank vault within and is currently being removed to make the space more desirable for lease. It’s a slow process because the vibrations can be felt all over the complex and therefore can only be done at certain times.

[L'homard]

I remember them taking apart a vault in Champlain Place a few years ago. Most of the work was done at night because the vibrations drove everyone nuts. It also kept setting off the alarms. I seem to recall them finally blowing it up, but take that with a grain of salt as my memory ain't so good. I can't even recall what part of the mall they were removing the vault from though BNS would be the logical location.
Then there was the adventure at 55Queen as the demolition crew tried for more than a month to destroy the old vault in the former Brinks building.
I guess they call them "safes" for a good reason.

[riverviewer]

Originally Posted by L'homard

I remember them taking apart a vault in Champlain Place a few years ago. Most of the work was done at night because the vibrations drove everyone nuts. It also kept setting off the alarms. I seem to recall them finally blowing it up, but take that with a grain of salt as my memory ain't so good. I can't even recall what part of the mall they were removing the vault from though BNS would be the logical location.
Then there was the adventure at 55Queen as the demolition crew tried for more than a month to destroy the old vault in the former Brinks building.
I guess they call them "safes" for a good reason.

There's a CIBC branch hidden in the old Riverview mall. I once asked the manager why they didn't move the branch, his answer was they couldn't move the vault. It's the same reason why they don't have a direct entrance to the parking lot. The exterior wall is blocked by the vault.

[MonctonRad]

Maybe they should leave these bank vaults in place.

You never know, they could be a really nifty decorative feature, perhaps doing double duty as a planter, or as a snug little bar space in the middle of a restaurant. Given the secluded nature of these vaults, I could see them being used as safe spaces for time outs, or a snoozalon room., a prayer space for Muslim employees or a space for quiet meditation for other employees. Given worsening climatic conditions due to global warming, it could even be a selling feature if the space you are trying to lease has it's own dedicated tornado shelter.

There could be oodles of potential uses, given a little imagination.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Maybe they should leave these bank vaults in place.

You never know, they could be a really nifty decorative feature, perhaps doing double duty as a planter, or as a snug little bar space in the middle of a restaurant. Given the secluded nature of these vaults, I could see them being used as safe spaces for time outs, or a snoozalon room., a prayer space for Muslim employees or a space for quiet meditation for other employees. Given worsening climatic conditions due to global warming, it could even be a selling feature if the space you are trying to lease has it's own dedicated tornado shelter.

There could be oodles of potential uses, given a little imagination.

The Ri Ra pub in Portsmouth NH is in an old bank. You can actually sit in the vault to have a meal with 6-8 of your friends.

[L'homard]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Maybe they should leave these bank vaults in place.

You never know, they could be a really nifty decorative feature, perhaps doing double duty as a planter, or as a snug little bar space in the middle of a restaurant. Given the secluded nature of these vaults, I could see them being used as safe spaces for time outs, or a snoozalon room., a prayer space for Muslim employees or a space for quiet meditation for other employees. Given worsening climatic conditions due to global warming, it could even be a selling feature if the space you are trying to lease has it's own dedicated tornado shelter.

There could be oodles of potential uses, given a little imagination.

I've never quite understood why that isn't the case.

[hoser111]

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

The Ri Ra pub in Portsmouth NH is in an old bank. You can actually sit in the vault to have a meal with 6-8 of your friends.

Same thing at Chives on Barrington St. in Halifax although it seems only for four. The rest serves as their wine cellar.

https://www.chives.ca/private-dining/

[ElevatorGuy]

The newly renovated stantec building on main has a conference room in the old vault.

[69Beetle]

Any idea what Ashford plans on building on the corner of Gordon and Highfield yet?

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by 69Beetle

Any idea what Ashford plans on building on the corner of Gordon and Highfield yet?

I thought it was purchased by Killam Properties but either way It's going to be a temporary parking lot if it isn't already, and then I do believe they have plans for an apartment building if it's the North-West corner you're talking about.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by 69Beetle

Any idea what Ashford plans on building on the corner of Gordon and Highfield yet?

Welcome to the forums!!!

As indicated in the image below, potentially three of the four corners of the Gordon/Highfield intersection may be in play (depending on whether or not the old YMCA is included in the proposed hotel development.



Which of the three rumoured projects are you referring to?

At least two (and possibly all three) of these consolidated parcels of land belong to Ashford.

The proposed hotel development on the site of the "V Hotel" was the source of some hot and heavy rumours last summer, but things have been quiet recently.

The recently consolidated parcel of land (comprising six building lots) on the NW corner of Gordon/Highfield definitely belongs to Ashford, and is likely going to be a mixed use development with a large residential component (commercial on the ground floor).

The land on the SE corner of Gordon/Highfield was the subject of a temporary variance request before Moncton PAC recently, allowing a temporary parking lot on a portion of the property for one year only. This might indicate that there are plans for this land in 2020.

All in all, these are exciting times for this neighbourhood, but development plans tend to move forward at a glacial pace, and it will likely be five years or so before all of these potential projects begin to pan out........

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The Aquillini Block there was a plan with the Old YMCA/YWCA building but I think some people jumped the gun in complaining about what might come of it.

Also in your plans you forgot the Midtown Motel, and Suites.

[Scarface]

Old Keating's Smoke shop location is going to be a Smoked Meat Restaurant.

[drewber]

Originally Posted by Scarface

Old Keating's Smoke shop location is going to be a Smoked Meat Restaurant.

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Article in the T&T confirming our previous rumour. Applewood Smoked BBQ will indeed be opening in the old Keatings location, possibly as early as February.
https://www.telegraphjournal.com/telegraph-journal/story/100813611?source=daily-digest (paywall)



The restaurant will open for both lunchtime and evening meals, and will feature smoked BBQ and "poke" (apparently a traditional Hawaiian food). A quick review of Wikipedia suggests poke is essentially "Hawaiian sushi" and can be served as an appetizer or main. There are many different types of poke, depending on the ingredients or the type of fish used.

With Pizza Girls/Katch Seafood next door, and the Rouge lounge, the Furnace Room bar, Tokai Ramen and the Third Glass wine bar in the same building, this will create an interesting little clustering of quality entertainment related businesses only a few blocks from the Avenir Centre.

Already confirmed!

[MonctonRad]

The noose is tightening:

Lawyer takes Moncton booters to court
No companies are permitted to use a boot to immobilize a vehicle in the city
Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Jan 14, 2019 4:33 PM AT | Last Updated: January 14
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-booting-court-lawyer-1.4977173

since no companies have registered with the city, boots can't be applied in the municipality.

He said the city is gathering evidence of illegal booting to bring to court to stop the company from booting without a licence.

Robichaud said anyone booted should call the police before paying a release fee and notify the city. He said those seeking to recoup their payments would likely need to go to small claims court.

"Frankly, what they're doing is theft," Blois said. "They're stealing your car for money, so police are going to have to get involved at some point."

Codiac Regional RCMP did not return a request for comment Monday.

PSI Parking Solutions is not a "normal" company - no company uniform, no name tags, no official receipts, no customer service, no company address, and it is virtually impossible to track anyone down affiliated with the company to register a complaint or file a grievance. They have no license from the city to conduct their business, and even if they did, they are charging fees above the legal maximum the city allows. They are essentially engaging in illegal and criminal activities. This is an extortion racket.

The lawyer taking them to court is seeking punitive damages in addition to return of the monies stolen from him. Here's hoping the judge who hears this will give damages high enough to put this "company" out of business for good!!!!!!

[Taeolas]

Being in the know, if for some reason I was booted in Moncton, probably the first thing I would call would be the cops (non-emergency line of course) and then see how things go from there.

But sadly, most folk, especially visitors, don't know the situation in Moncton with the booters, giving that 'company' a gray area to thrive in.

Hopefully the city can crack down on that and shake the booting reputation it's gained.