[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[jonny golden]

Has there been anything said regarding a time frame as to when we'll see something made public by Ashford? I can't wait to see what they have planned.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Has there been anything said regarding a time frame as to when we'll see something made public by Ashford? I can't wait to see what they have planned.

The CBC Radio Information Morning interview intimated more information would be forthcoming sometime in Q1 of 2022, although I got the impression from the interview that this information would primarily be regarding the city's own plans for the Assumption lands, including Downing Street Phase Two and the proposed new connector street behind Assumption Place. Ashford's announcement regarding their own plans is more of a mystery, although it would appear that events are now very definitely in motion, and I suspect we should know a lot more within the next 4-6 months.

At the very least, based on what has been said in the past, it appears we are looking at a large mixed use development with a significant residential component, and an almost certainly relocation of the city market. There will be at least one substantial residential tower, and Downing Street Phase Two should be completed, as well as the connector behind Assumption to Westmorland Street.

Other components might include relocation of the city library, and there have been mutterings in the past about the city building a modern art museum. These features are much less certain.

In any event, this will likely be one of the largest building projects in the history of the city - right up there with Assumption Place and the Avenir Centre, and probably larger than 20 Record Street or the Junction Urban Village (at full build out).

I refer you to this document for potentialities:
https://www5.moncton.ca/docs/Downtown_Core_Community_Improvement_Plan_Final_Report_2017.pdf

[BlackYear]

For the history books...

St George street looking down Weldon street. The before is Google Maps Street View I can only guess 2018-2019, and my photo today Nov 2021.

[BlackYear]

View of 51 Highfield project.

[MonctonRad]

I had an interesting conversation with a contact earlier this evening.

Apparently the new entrance to SNB at Assumption Place, and the new adjacent parking lot on Westmorland are indeed necessary preconditions to allow the redevelopment of the Ashford lands to the south of Assumption Place to proceed (as I had earlier speculated).

What this means to me is that the provincial government is all in as far as this major redevelopment project is concerned. With the $32M that the city wants to invest, I am now convinced that Downing Street Phase Two, and the new connector between Downing Street and Westmorland Street are going to proceed, likely beginning in 2022.

The big question will be the mixed use Ashford development going up on the west side of Downing. How big will it be (I think really big). What will it include (I am convinced major residential and a relocated city market, perhaps amongst other things). When will construction start? Will construction be concurrent with Downing Street Phase Two, or will they wait until the roadwork is completed? Personally, I see no reason why they need to wait. I have a strong hunch that Ashford will start work next year too.

[pierremoncton]

Take this with a grain of salt re Ashford as the information shared with me was nebulous:

Apparently, this is a long-term development (think up to 20 years) that would involve about 6 significant buildings (each between 10 and 18 stories). As MonctonRad mentioned, infrastructure work is a prerequisite and should take a year or two to complete, so there's nothing imminent coming out of the ground.

Separately, Ashford has also bought more small properties recently that they'll be sitting on. From my understanding, there's just not enough labour to move quickly, and as such the Highfield project is behind schedule.

[adamuptownsj]

So I'm trying to figure out the new E-W street route between Downing and Foundry in the Ashford context, correct me if I'm wrong.

From east to west...

Middle of Downing to the bend in Westmorland following the current 'road' through the parking lots to just north of the bend in Westmorland, somewhat wrapping around the back of Assomption Place. The first Ashford project will be between this street, Sommet, and Downing, directly between Assomption Place and the Library structure.

From Westmorland to Lutz across Robinson through what is now the Market, putting the Ioob Lounge and Dennis Office Supplies on new corners.

From Lutz to Foundry through what is now a strip of grass between 150 Lutz/ALC and Heritage Court.

EDIT: thusly https://imgur.com/a/Ouz0IRN

[MonctonRad]

That's pretty close.

Essentially, there is an old rail spur along the proposed street alignment that used to serve the industrial waterfront in the city that once existed. The new street alignment will follow the old rail spur.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

Take this with a grain of salt re Ashford as the information shared with me was nebulous:

Apparently, this is a long-term development (think up to 20 years) that would involve about 6 significant buildings (each between 10 and 18 stories). As MonctonRad mentioned, infrastructure work is a prerequisite and should take a year or two to complete, so there's nothing imminent coming out of the ground.

Separately, Ashford has also bought more small properties recently that they'll be sitting on. From my understanding, there's just not enough labour to move quickly, and as such the Highfield project is behind schedule.

Do you know which other small properties they’ve purchased? They own a TON of prime properties in downtown.

[MonctonRad]

That old three storey yellow tenement at the east end of Queen Street (SW corner of Queen and Steadman) is coming down. It was under renovation, but apparently they found enough issues with the building that renovating the structure proved not to be economic. Apparently it will be replaced with a new building (likely of similar stature).

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

That's pretty close.

Essentially, there is an old rail spur along the proposed street alignment that used to serve the industrial waterfront in the city that once existed. The new street alignment will follow the old rail spur.

The 'rail spur' seems to be three things in PAOL, which I should have checked:

A pair of lots that seem to be long-dead street or alignments currently incorporated into larger parking lots
-PAN 05293577 between Downing and Westmorland that runs from 3/4 down Downing to the point I had indicated
-PAN 05870002 between Lutz and Robinson

Part of lots with structures
-ALC
-Market (presumably to be demolished)

And lastly, there's the former spur is PAN 05561019, which would connect this new street to Assomption, which I don't believe is planned.

That makes Ashford project #1 50 Downing, PAN 01864237. I wonder if they intend to use parts of PAN 01866085 behind it as well.

[MonctonRad]

The plans to convert the old Marine Atlantic offices at 100 Cameron Street (NW corner of Cameron and Gordon) into a seniors apartment complex have been shelved. McKenzie College, which had temporarily moved to the old Atlantic Lotto Building on St. George Blvd have now moved back to 100 Cameron Street. I gather that the entire building will be spruced up a bit to make it more attractive to additional commercial tenants.

I am not really too upset by this change in plans. The current office building on this site is not bad looking, and the plans to build a second adjacent residential tower looked kinda slipshod in the renders. This might be a better outcome in the long run.

[MonctonRad]

This was posted in Mayor Dawn Arnold's Facebook feed. This was discussed at the city council meeting yesterday:

In “Reports from Administration” we voted to enter into an agreement with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for an accessible multisport court in the east end (basketball, tennis, ball hockey, volleyball, pickleball and badminton)

This sounds like a fantastic facility to assist in engaging special needs individuals in sporting activities, both as participants and spectators. Kudos to Canadian Tire for assisting in funding this facility. Apparently it will be going in the "east end" of the city. I wonder if it will be built adjacent to the pre-existing public swimming pool in this neighbourhood?

[MonctonRad]

Further to the above, there is more information on "let's Chat Moncton"

The new accessible sports complex will indeed be in the East End Park off of Fergus Street, and immediately next to the east end swimming pool. There will be direct trail access to the newly completed adjacent segment of the Panacadie Trail.

With the East End Pool, the East End Youth Centre and the newly-constructed Panacadie Trail, the East End Park will be an even greater place for the neighborhood (and the entire City!) to gather and play! The upgrades to the park consist of two primary elements:

The new Jumpstart Multi Sport Court Moncton in partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities;
Planned upgrades to the park and playground equipment including new design features, a new playground, and new landscaping.
This project will create a neighborhood social hub for families and friends to enjoy a wide range of accessible activities!

Here's a YouTube video of the new accessible sports facility:

• Video Link

[MonctonRad]

Land clearing for the new anglophone k-8 school next to BMHS (replacement for Bessborough and Hillcrest schools) will commence in December. Actual construction should begin in May, with an expected opening in September 2024.

No renders as of yet. Design work is not yet 100% complete.

[SevenSquared]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Land clearing for the new anglophone k-8 school next to BMHS (replacement for Bessborough and Hillcrest schools) will commence in December. Actual construction should begin in May, with an expected opening in September 2024.

No renders as of yet. Design work is not yet 100% complete.

Still just as infuriating as when it was announced. Imagine replacing two urban schools with one that's nearly 5 kilometres away from the middle of downtown, in a location with extremely little population within a 20-minute walk.

I'm assuming you posted this in the downtown thread as a dig at the province?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by SevenSquared

Still just as infuriating as when it was announced. Imagine replacing two urban schools with one that's nearly 5 kilometres away from the middle of downtown, in a location with extremely little population within a 20-minute walk.

I agree that the location is not ideal. Personally, I think they should have built the new (expanded) school where Bessborough is now. They could have constructed it on the existing playing field and continued to use the old school during construction (much like the francophone district did with Ecole Ste. Bernadette), but convenience and rationality seems to have no bearing WRT provincial decisions regarding the location of anglophone schools in greater Moncton.

Originally Posted by SevenSquared

I'm assuming you posted this in the downtown thread as a dig at the province?

Not really. There are only three neighbourhood threads for Moncton proper, and, by default, anything in the west end of the city is considered "downtown".

[pierremoncton]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

Do you know which other small properties they’ve purchased? They own a TON of prime properties in downtown.

Derelict and/or empty small lots on Gordon near their new apartment building. Apparently one will be used as a surface parking lot (not a parking garage) for the apartments.

[David_99]

It appears BrainWorks is the new tenant of the newly renovated brick building on Main & King.

Times & Transcript

[MonctonRad]

Photo of the new entrance to SNB at Assumption Place, and the new elevated parking lot that will serve the SNB clientele.



The new elevated parking lot will help make SNB much more accessible to people with mobility issues. SNB will now be fully wheelchair accessible.

And, as previously noted, this new entrance and parking lot are necessary preconditions for Ashford's ambitious plans for the lands in behind Assumption Place.