[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[lirette]

What a huge change that would be for probably the most unattractive area of downtown at the moment with very little identity. You have some well run local businesses (Chris Rock, Euston Park), government services, a shelter and the heritage court offices with the biggest parking lot in the core. Its really a frankenstein type of area and the houses in the neighbourhood aren't in the best shape.

With how close this is to the Avenir Centre, the New RCMP Station and the River this area has so much untapped potential. You also have the ball fields close by that are occupied all summer.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by lirette

What a huge change that would be for probably the most unattractive area of downtown at the moment with very little identity. You have some well run local businesses (Chris Rock, Euston Park), government services, a shelter and the heritage court offices with the biggest parking lot in the core. Its really a frankenstein type of area and the houses in the neighbourhood aren't in the best shape.

With how close this is to the Avenir Centre, the New RCMP Station and the River this area has so much untapped potential. You also have the ball fields close by that are occupied all summer.

Totally agree Lirette. When I first heard that a construction trailer had been dropped on the old Co-op property, I took a drive over there to check it out. And the thing about this area that stood out to me the most, was the massive sea of asphalt across from Heritage Court. What a prime piece of property for development! Looking at the map, it's basically adjacent to Canada Street. Since there's only one RR track now, it wouldn't be difficult to create a nice walkway over to the Avenir center & plaza. Of course there's the Heritage Court parking situation, but wouldn't a parking structure be great for them especially in the winter? Like MonctonRad said, this project could stimulate further development in the area. I hope he's right.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by benvui

Noticed this the other day when driving down Queen st. The former rectory is for sale again.

Yes, I noticed this the other day too.

Most unfortunate, and probably pandemic related. The new owners had planned to renovate the building as a boutique hotel, and now is obviously not the time.

I hope there isn't anything seriously structurally wrong with the building. It is a true Gothic gem and serves as a wonderful counterpoint to FiveFive Queen (and the soon to be built St. Bernard Place). This building absolutely deserves to be preserved.

[josh_cat_eyes]

I was looking at Google maps images of the former Co-op property and realized if that whole lot is going to get properly developed they’re going to have to move the NB Power substation. That would be a multi million dollar project and almost certainly wouldn’t happen without the City of Moncton interfering.

[L'homard]

I can't imagine NB Power moving a substantion costing millions of dollars just to make room for someone else's development, but what do I know.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by L'homard

I can't imagine NB Power moving a substantion costing millions of dollars just to make room for someone else's development, but what do I know.

I think they could build closer to Record Street, away from the sub station, and then do some kind of a nice buffer. It'll be interesting to see what Lafford comes up with. I really hope it's a sizable project.

[L'homard]

It surely would not be hard to do that.

[Fischbob]

Moving a substation isn't unheard of - in fact, Saint John Energy is currently preparing to relocate its waterfront substation on Smythe Street to free up some prime developable land. Of course, SJ has the advantage of a municipally owned power utility, so it was easy to get them on board.

Once the streetscape along Assomption Boulevard starts to develop further, Moncton may find it worthwhile to get into talks with NB Power about moving the substation. But there probably won't be a pressing need to address this for another several years.

[MonctonRad]

The remaking of the downtown west end:



Photo I took earlier this morning. In the foreground, you can see the foundation for one of the new apartment buildings under construction on Weldon Street. In the background, you can see construction cranes for two more of the new apartment buildings currently under construction. Absent from the photo is the new Ashford building at Highfield and Gordon.

[jonny golden]

I noticed some security fencing on top of the Higgins Block building. Apparently they are working on the roof. I still can't help but wonder if they'll change their plans and create residential units instead of office space. Under the circumstances in this market, I can't see there being a huge demand for more office space downtown.

[MonctonRad]

Small infill project for the NW corner of the St. George/Steadman intersection in the downtown east end.



This is currently a vacant lot, so any infill here is welcome. This is a modest looking building. Hopefully it will help fill the need for affordable housing in the downtown core. The building is supposed to have 21 residential units.

[LewisVillis]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Small infill project for the NW corner of the St. George/Steadman intersection in the downtown east end.


This is currently a vacant lot, so any infill here is welcome. This is a modest looking building. Hopefully it will help fill the need for affordable housing in the downtown core. The building is supposed to have 21 residential units.

Modest, but I like the touches with the half turret and sloped roof. Now someone needs to take care of that lot just up St. George (by the former bus terminal).

[MonctonRad]

Centennial Park improvements to include new basketball courts, skating trail
After public consultation, a list of park projects will be presented to Moncton CIty Council on Monday

Kate Letterick · CBC News · Posted: Mar 13, 2021 8:00 AM AT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...mprovements-skating-basketball-1.5947957

An improvement plan for the "lower bowl," which is the flood-prone site of the former Centennial Beach, includes several changes intended to boost the park's use.

What we're planning to do with basketball is to basically take it from that (flood prone) lower bowl area but move it up by the playground space and increase the amount of basketball playing surface," Hicks said. "And in the wintertime that will double as a better surface for the (Kaboom) hockey rink

The new plan includes a 400 metre trail in the lower bowl that would be three-and-a-half metres, or 12 feet, wide.

"We will flood [the trail] in the winter time and you can skate in a continuous loop around and along this trail," he said.

"We also have some programmable LED lighting that can change colour and have animations and really liven up the space."

This winter activities map shows the layout of the 400m skating trail, and the sledding hill.

Other plans include an improved sliding hill with a plowed return trail, a pond lookout with seating and shelter and replacement of the bridge to Colvert Trail.

[MonctonRad]

Tide & Bore Brewing on West Main Street is now open!

There are some good photos on Facebook. I might port a couple of those over to here once I get home from work.

The evening menu will be pub food. The lunch menu will be a clone of Duo Cafe. This has not started yet.

[MonctonRad]

Construction hoarding has been removed from the front of the future location of the Happy Tap Room on Main Street.

I still think this is a stupid name for a beer joint.........

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Construction hoarding has been removed from the front of the future location of the Happy Tap Room on Main Street.

I still think this is a stupid name for a beer joint.........

I agree it’s a lame name, where is this located at?

[LewisVillis]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Construction hoarding has been removed from the front of the future location of the Happy Tap Room on Main Street.

I still think this is a stupid name for a beer joint.........

Ain't no Angry Irishman. Then again I thought Tide & Boar Gastropub was a terrible name, and it seems to have done OK.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

I agree it’s a lame name, where is this located at?

Old Paramount location.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Old Paramount location.

Oh yeah, I remember seeing a permit on the door on back side of the building for a microbrewery called Happy Craft Brewery.

[MonctonRad]

Here are a few more renders of the recently approved Ashford project at the corner of Cambell & Highfield St, across from the new Hilton Garden Inn. All images are from the Spitfire Design FB page.