[Moncton] Downtown Developments - Page 215

jonny golden · #**4281** Posted **Sep 6, 2019, 1:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Ashford is on quite a buying spree in the downtown core.

They're obviously consolidating a large parcel of property. It makes you wonder what they are planning on.

The acquisition of the old jail is a necessary precondition for the next phase of Downing Street, and the development that will line the west side of Downing. Supposedly the city wants to relocate the city market here, +/- the city library. A parking structure also seems likely, as well as a large condo/apartment building.

With Ashford now in control, I would wonder about the future of the surface parking lot behind Assumption Place. Once a new parking structure is built, then this land could be redeveloped around the proposed east/west street that the city wants to put in there. If the city market relocates, then this new street could extend further westward, at least as far as Robinson Street.

If the city library were to relocate, then Slate could redevelop their space for a Blue Cross expansion.

This spate of land sales to Ashford could be the start of quite a domino effect in the core. South of Main may be unrecognizable in 10 years time..........

Is this really going to be the future of downtown Moncton? With Ashford consolidating oodles of property, perhaps..........

The interesting thing in this mornings newspaper story was that Ashford planned to meet with city officials to discuss this development plan. They have also purchased the old Cosmo building which backs onto the parking lot. I wonder if this fits into their plans, or is this a separate deal all together. In any event you're right, we may not recognize this area in a few years.

David_99 · #**4282** Posted **Sep 6, 2019, 12:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Ashford is on quite a buying spree in the downtown core.

They're obviously consolidating a large parcel of property. It makes you wonder what they are planning on.

The acquisition of the old jail is a necessary precondition for the next phase of Downing Street, and the development that will line the west side of Downing. Supposedly the city wants to relocate the city market here, +/- the city library. A parking structure also seems likely, as well as a large condo/apartment building.

With Ashford now in control, I would wonder about the future of the surface parking lot behind Assumption Place. Once a new parking structure is built, then this land could be redeveloped around the proposed east/west street that the city wants to put in there. If the city market relocates, then this new street could extend further westward, at least as far as Robinson Street.

If the city library were to relocate, then Slate could redevelop their space for a Blue Cross expansion.

This spate of land sales to Ashford could be the start of quite a domino effect in the core. South of Main may be unrecognizable in 10 years time..........

Is this really going to be the future of downtown Moncton? With Ashford consolidating oodles of property, perhaps..........

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Just imagine if something along the lines of this conceptual plan did transpire along Downing..........

Crossing fingers.

MonctonRad · #**4283** Posted **Sep 6, 2019, 1:59 PM**

With Ashford consolidating all this property, and apparently in negotiations with the city, we are now one huge giant step closer to the dream............

jonny golden · #**4284** Posted **Sep 6, 2019, 5:00 PM**

According to a story in the Times & Transcript this morning, the $10.7 million project at 100 Cameron Street will be starting this year with a completion date estimated for the summer of 2020. The developer, Time Equities of New York, has 26 million sq. ft. of residential, office, industrial and retail space in USA and Canada. Interestingly, a 6 story addition will be constructed, the existing building being 5 stories. The new build will be 36,000 sq. ft. with 36 units.
Time Equities is a major player with 60-70 story buildings in NYC and Chicago. It would be great to see them do other projects in Moncton.

MonctonRad · #**4285** Posted **Sep 6, 2019, 5:03 PM**

Six storeys could justify yet another tower crane (#6).

jonny golden · #**4286** Posted **Sep 6, 2019, 6:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Six storeys could justify yet another tower crane (#6).

It could. And there are several mini tower cranes as well!

BlackYear · #**4287** Posted **Sep 7, 2019, 8:05 PM**

Construction fence now up. Amico Construction is the contractor. www.amicoconstruction2018.ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

L'homard · #**4288** Posted **Sep 7, 2019, 9:44 PM**

Ashford has purchased the old Paramount Theatre building next door immediately west of Assomption Place. I heard rumblings of this yesterday, and it's confirmed in a story in the T&T they just posted online.

jonny golden · #**4289** Posted **Sep 7, 2019, 9:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by L'homard

Ashford has purchased the old Paramount Theatre building next door immediately west of Assomption Place. I heard rumblings of this yesterday, and it's confirmed in a story in the T&T they just posted online.

So the Paramount Theater building, the old Cosmo building and the jail. It looks like we're in for some significant downtown development. Maybe that new east-west street?

L'homard · #**4290** Posted **Sep 8, 2019, 12:45 AM**

The possibilities are limited only by the imagination. And the budget too, I suppose.

MonctonRad · #**4291** Posted **Sep 8, 2019, 1:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by L'homard

The possibilities are limited only by the imagination. And the budget too, I suppose.

But then again, the Acquillini's own an entire city block downtown too, and not much has happened there over the last 7-8 yrs............

I don't mean to be pessimistic however. A factor in favour of more immediate action on the recent Ashford property consolidation is that the city really wants to redevelop this entire block as part of the next phase of Downing Street, and Slate really needs to find a solution for parking problems for their tenants at the Blue Cross Centre.

I think therefore that there is extra motivation here to do something special for this block.

I betcha this will be the city's next big project after construction of the new Codiac RCMP HQ.

L'homard · #**4292** Posted **Sep 8, 2019, 2:31 AM**

I wasn't implying construction crews would be on site tomorrow morning.

But yeah, I had expected to see something on the Crowne block by now. Still I remain confident they have a few tricks up their sleeves.
As for the city's vision for the area around the new Ashford acquisitions, I'm more confident that a Crowne Block redevelopment happens first given the financial projections the city received from their Finance Dept. during their last budget meeting.

jonny golden · #**4293** Posted **Sep 8, 2019, 2:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by L'homard

I wasn't implying construction crews would be on site tomorrow morning.

But yeah, I had expected to see something on the Crowne block by now. Still I remain confident they have a few tricks up their sleeves.
As for the city's vision for the area around the new Ashford acquisitions, I'm more confident that a Crowne Block redevelopment happens first given the financial projections the city received from their Finance Dept. during their last budget meeting.

When I look at the Aquilini website I drool. These guys are major players. Their projects are really impressive and very beautiful. They could transform the Crowne block completely. It would be interesting to know where they are with any potential plans for the property. The question is, what would work at this location? Residential with ground floor commercial?

BlackYear · #**4294** Posted **Sep 9, 2019, 3:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

But then again, the Acquillini's own an entire city block downtown too, and not much has happened there over the last 7-8 yrs............

Actually did they not just put $6 million in room renovations since 2017? They have a big placard showing the internal renovations within a windows on Main st.

Tough decision on their part to just write that off, and flatten the block and start over with a $100 million dollar project.

I could however see a two phase development here. Phase one, start a new hotel tower at the east corner of Main/Bonaccord, leaving existing hotel in place. Phase two, tear down the iconic current hotel and replace it with a west end corner convention centre which will connect with the new east tower.

I'll leave these ideas and decisions with the big boys with the cash.

MonctonRad · #**4295** Posted **Sep 9, 2019, 1:12 PM**

Yes, you're quite right. I haven't been in the hotel recently, but apparently there has been a recent major interior upgrade. I agree that the Aquillini's would thus be somewhat disinclined to anything more with the building in the short term.

In the longer term, I would like to see a major façade upgrade, incorporated into whatever else they may have envisioned for the rest of the block (including the old bus station, the parking lots in behind and the YWCA building).

This is a large parcel of land. I could see ground level retail facing Main Street, an upper level convention facility, either a second hotel tower or a condo tower on top and a large parking structure in behind.

All fanciful thinking, I know, but with the hotel cluster developing in this area of the core, this would be an ideal location for a convention centre..........

BaseballFan · #**4296** Posted **Sep 9, 2019, 1:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Yes, you're quite right. I haven't been in the hotel recently, but apparently there has been a recent major interior upgrade. I agree that the Aquillini's would thus be somewhat disinclined to anything more with the building in the short term.

In the longer term, I would like to see a major façade upgrade, incorporated into whatever else they may have envisioned for the rest of the block (including the old bus station, the parking lots in behind and the YWCA building).

This is a large parcel of land. I could see ground level retail facing Main Street, an upper level convention facility, either a second hotel tower or a condo tower on top and a large parking structure in behind.

All fanciful thinking, I know, but with the hotel cluster developing in this area of the core, this would be an ideal location for a convention centre..........

A convention centre downtown....stop, you're making too much sense

I'm sure the province would, in hindsight, like to take a mulligan on the CasinoNB site.

jonny golden · #**4297** Posted **Sep 9, 2019, 3:18 PM**

Is the YWCA building a heritage property, or can it be removed?

MonctonRad · #**4298** Posted **Sep 9, 2019, 3:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Is the YWCA building a heritage property, or can it be removed?

Don't know the answer to your question off the top of my head.

It certainly is a fine old building with lots of character. It's a shame it's on the Aquillini block. I really don't know what it's ultimate fate will be, but I could see a major stink coming from the preservationist camp if a wrecking ball seems to be in the future.

In this particular case, the preservationists wouldn't be entirely wrong..........

BaseballFan · #**4299** Posted **Sep 9, 2019, 4:35 PM**

The former YWCA is known as the Peters House. It was designated as a heritage property under the zoning by-law.

L'homard · #**4300** Posted **Sep 9, 2019, 4:55 PM**

The old Y could easily be integrated into a new development, ie, part of a new entrance/lobby to a hotel or convention centre, just off the top of my head.
And to backtrack a little, indeed the millions already invested by the hotel owners into the Crowne's rooms is why I've been scratching my head and generally ignoring the talk of just ripping it all down and starting fresh. I thought the investments were well known but I guess not. The rebuild of the interior only finished, like, two or three years ago. Pocket change I suppose for billionaires, but they didn't get rich flushing millions down the crapper.