[Moncton] Downtown Developments - Page 292

MonctonRad · #**5821** Posted **Nov 3, 2021, 12:51 PM**

T&T photo showing an aerial view of the new refurbished "lower bowl" area at Centennial Park.

The article stated that the skating oval using the path layout should be ready for flooding and use this winter.

MonctonRad · #**5822** Posted **Nov 3, 2021, 3:48 PM**

Excellent image found on the Colliers Real Estate Facebook page showing the transformation of the downtown west end of Moncton with all the new apartment construction. You can see the excavation for Ashford's new building at 51 Highfield Street in the foreground.

adamuptownsj · #**5823** Posted **Nov 3, 2021, 5:47 PM**

I was surprised that older building with the interesting scalloped roof was left intact re: Highfield.

LewisVillis · #**5824** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 1:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I was surprised that older building with the interesting scalloped roof was left intact re: Highfield.

Glad they left it, too, but no surprise - has historical significance and is designated as such, I believe.

"Built in 1961-1962, the Former Moncton and Regional Public Library Building, is a two-storey Modern institutional building on the east side of Highfield Street in Moncton. The distinctive scalloped concrete roof “floats” above clerestory windows that provided natural lighting to the originally open-concept library."

jonny golden · #**5825** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 1:36 PM**

So that's 2 nice downtown residential projects for Ashford. What about all that property they purchased between Main Street and Assomption Blvd. two years ago? I wonder how long it will be before we hear any info regarding their plans.

MonctonRad · #**5826** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 1:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

So that's 2 nice downtown residential projects for Ashford. What about all that property they purchased between Main Street and Assomption Blvd. two years ago? I wonder how long it will be before we hear any info regarding their plans.

I'm holding out for phase two of Downing Street next. It would require Ashford's involvement since they own the lands along the west side of Downing that would be integral to the project proceeding. A relocated library, a new downtown farmers market and a substantial residential tower would transform the east end of the downtown core, and would complete the connection between City Hall Plaza and the Riverfront Park.

This is a major project however, requiring federal and provincial funding too, and will take lots of negotiations to move forward (think of the negotiations required for the Avenir Centre - similar to that scale). Nevertheless, the city is on board with this, and I think it will be the next big thing. I don't imagine anything will happen however for at least the next few years, but this will be the first project coming for the lands behind Assumption Place.

jonny golden · #**5827** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 4:28 PM**

Yes, there's a lot of things that have to be in place before the Downing Street project gets going. So much behind the scenes stuff happens out of the public eye. It will take time. One positive aspect of the plan would be a residential tower. I believe that the demand would be through the roof, especially if the downtown core comes back to it's former vibrant self.

If I were to guess, I think the next thing we'll see from Ashford is more residential units constructed on their Lorentz Drive property.

MonctonRad · #**5828** Posted **Nov 6, 2021, 2:21 PM**

Photo from Retail Talk & Share showing the new entrance to SNB, and progress on the new parking lot for SNB.

I know a lot of people will be up in arms over yet another parking lot downtown, and it is indeed true that the last thing the downtown needs is yet more surface parking but I am sure that Ashford has big things planned for the current surface lot south of Assumption Place. Eventually, this entire lot will be redeveloped as the city reestablishes the street grid south of Main Street.

I view this new lot as a necessary prerequisite allowing for the future redevelopment of the existing surface lot. The end product will be a lot nicer than what we have down there right now. Eventually, a whole new downtown neighbourhood will pop up behind Assumption Place. This may take 20 years or so to happen, but I think it is inevitable now that Ashford owns all the land, and an eager city hall will grease all the development wheels........

MonctonRad · #**5829** Posted **Nov 8, 2021, 3:51 PM**

A little colour for the page:

This photo of Assumption Place accompanied a T&T article regarding the company giving their employees Friday off work to make a four day weekend. I just thought it was a nice photo of the plaza on an otherwise slow news day.

MonctonRad · #**5830** Posted **Nov 9, 2021, 11:23 AM**

There is something afoot for the Ashford lands between Main & Assumption!!!!

CBC Radio just reported the city has committed $7M for infrastructure upgrades in the area (burying utilities, sewer work, adjusting roadway height and new east-west connector), with an expectation of matching federal and provincial funding.

This is in support of a "transformative" urban development by the Ashford Group. This probably includes Phase Two of Downing Street, including relocation of the city market.

More details will be made public in Q1 of 2022, with potential ground breaking next year. The buildout will be over the next 4-5 years. The interviewee on the radio intimated this will create a downtown experience "similar to Halifax or to Charlottetown"

It may be happening folks - stay tuned........

Ashford development, 20 Record Street, St. Bernard Square, Junction Urban Village - Will downtown Moncton be recognizable in five years time????

MonctonRad · #**5831** Posted **Nov 9, 2021, 12:36 PM**

News item regarding the above:

Moncton eyes spending $32M tied to 'transformative' downtown development
Ashford Group planning 'very large development,' city says
Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Nov 09, 2021 5:00 AM AT | Last Updated: 3 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-downtown-ashford-market-1.6240946

I guess the city envisages spending $32M over the next four years on this project. The $7.9M in the city's current budget is only for the first year of the project.

Quote:

The city's capital budget forecasts spending $7.9 million related to "Ashford's downtown development plan" in 2022. A further $10.2 million is scheduled in 2023, with $8.1 million in 2024 and $5.7 million in 2025.

This tidbit was also included in the article:

Quote:

Moncton's capital budget also calls for overhauling Lutz Street south of Main Street at a cost of $7 million next year. The work has been delayed from previous budget years. The city has budgeted to cover $2.4 million of that with funding from other levels of government.

This would be separate from the monies allocated to service the Assumption lands, and could be viewed as being in support of the 20 Record Street project.

pierremoncton · #**5832** Posted **Nov 9, 2021, 2:29 PM**

I knew about the first Ashford project ahead of time (Gordon), the second one as well (Highfield) and the upcoming Lorentz development. I didn't want to say anything about downtown, but I was told by the same source a few weeks ago: "just wait until you see what we have planned".

MonctonRad · #**5833** Posted **Nov 9, 2021, 2:38 PM**

It is fantastic that Moncton now has a cadre of homegrown developers (Ashford, Lafford, Thrive, Groupe Frederic) willing to take a risk on innovative transformative projects in the city. This is how a city moves forward!!

Mattyyy · #**5834** Posted **Nov 9, 2021, 2:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

I knew about the first Ashford project ahead of time (Gordon), the second one as well (Highfield) and the upcoming Lorentz development. I didn't want to say anything about downtown, but I was told by the same source a few weeks ago: "just wait until you see what we have planned".

When do you actually think they will start buliding?

jonny golden · #**5835** Posted **Nov 9, 2021, 3:12 PM**

It's great news that Ashford is moving forward with this project now. It will go a long way towards bringing the downtown vibrancy back to where it once was. So many downtown employees are now working from home, and it's had a big impact. This is the kind of exciting development that could create an atmosphere where many people will now prefer to work downtown instead of at home. The next 4-5 years are going to be really exciting.

Riberview · #**5836** Posted **Nov 10, 2021, 11:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

I knew about the first Ashford project ahead of time (Gordon), the second one as well (Highfield) and the upcoming Lorentz development. I didn't want to say anything about downtown, but I was told by the same source a few weeks ago: "just wait until you see what we have planned".

Exciting.

jonny golden · #**5837** Posted **Nov 10, 2021, 1:39 PM**

No doubt there'll be a significant residential component in the development. What I can't wait to see is the height of the tower(s). Could it match the Assomption building?

MonctonRad · #**5838** Posted **Nov 10, 2021, 1:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

No doubt there'll be a significant residential component in the development. What I can't wait to see is the height of the tower(s). Could it match the Assomption building?

I'm expecting at least 16 storeys. Ashford can't let Lafford win the downtown height competition.

pierremoncton · #**5839** Posted **Nov 10, 2021, 9:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyyy

When do you actually think they will start buliding?

I haven't asked yet but I'll share if I find out (and as long as I'm not breaking secrets).

Monctoncore · #**5840** Posted **Nov 11, 2021, 12:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

I haven't asked yet but I'll share if I find out (and as long as I'm not breaking secrets).

Ouu Pierre is such a tease