Official Fredericton, NB projects thread

[Bishop2047]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

U.K. group names Fredericton traffic circle 'International Roundabout of the Year'
Designation lands Victoria Circle on page of Roundabouts of the World calendar
Aidan Cox · CBC News · Posted: Jan 06, 2022 8:00 AM AT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...ety-traffic-circle-fredericton-1.6305075



Congratulations Fredericton!

I love a good traffic circle. However, the fact that the Roundabout Appreciation Society exists worries me. Though I would love to know what is discussed at a typical meeting.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by OliverD

Wonder what this is all about? https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/media_advisories/media_advisory.2022.01.0004.html

Investment in micro-home project addressing homelessness in Fredericton https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2022.01.0007.html

[Freddypop]

Update re Namaste Bistro. Will be opening soon according to their FB post. Pics provide a glimpse of the transformation

https://www.facebook.com/namastebistrofredericton/

[Freddypop]

Originally Posted by OliverD

Agreed that this building has great presence. The brick work is very nice, as are the large windows. Much nicer than the Tony George buildings down the street. This is the same developer as the new office building on Regent. I wonder what his next project will be.

This building is called "The Promenade". The same owners, State Street Properties, built and manage the Wesrpointe apartment building further west on Queen. The new office building on Regent is called "The Waverly". They have a track record of building with class in the downtown.

No idea what their next project will be but wonder if they might be the owners of the assembled block of land immediately east of Victoria Circle?

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by Freddypop

Same owners built and manage the Wesrpointe apartment building further west on Queen. They have a track record of building with class in the downtown.

No idea what their next project will be but wonder if they might be the owners of the assembled block of land immediately east of Victoria Circle?

Is that all owned by one company now? I know that it had been listed as a package, but then some of the parcels were individually sold.

[Freddypop]

Originally Posted by OliverD

Is that all owned by one company now? I know that it had been listed as a package, but then some of the parcels were individually sold.

I was not aware that some of the parcels had been individually sold. It would make for a nice project on the western end of the downtown core. I have no idea who owns the land or what their current plans are but have to assume that whether it be one or multiple owners, that someone should reveal their intent in the not too distant future

[Taeolas]

Yeah, State Street has now a very proven trackrecord for downtown developments that densify while having a great street presence. I'd fully support any other projects they'd propose.

Looking ahead for downtown (and/or for a "Fredericton Downtown thread), I think these are the current projects:

* Promenade: Mostly complete now.
* Legion: Should be topping out in another month or so I think, and sealed up by spring weather permitting.
* Courthouse: Siteprep started
* Risteen building: Torn down, starting in the spring I think. No public details yet.
* Smythe street: Foundations poured for the small 4-8 unit buildings near the market. (I think that's the project for there?)
* Centennial Building: Renovations should be starting soon (if they aren't already) to flip it to apartments and a boutique hotel and commercial space.

And these are areas of downtown prime for development:

* TD Tower 2. IMO the city should be trying to put more pressure on whoever controls that site to get something moving there beyond a gravel parking lot.
* Queen and Northumberland: The grassy corner next to Irving. Years ago a 6 story office building was proposed there (similar to what's across Northumberland) but nothing came of it. That area could still use a nice project there. Also how much more time does Irving have on the land there? When Irving has to move out of the lot, that will be a major spot prime for development in the years to come.
* King Street @ Victoria Circle: As mentioned above, lots may have been consolidated and some have been cleared, but no word on what's going on.
* King street next to Victory: Lot was cleared and an apartment building is planned but no idea on when it starts yet.
* King street across from the Tannery: Currently a gravel parking lot; a prime location for a signature piece.
* FYEyes/old SMT parking lot: The courthouse is taking part of it, plans are for Playhouse 2.0 on the corner and commercial/residential along Brunswick street.
* Old Isaac's Way on Carleton street. When IW burned down, it was just turned to a parking lot. It would be nice to see that filled in again, maybe with a 4 story building of some sort.

Other projects:

* The new Atrium entrance of the Beaverbrook Museum is running a bit behind schedule apparently; but should be ready soon. They were going to reopen with some exhibits this month but I heard on the radio that they're putting the exhibit plans on hold due to COVID mainly.
* The Officers Square renovations should move on to the next phase this spring and hopefully move towards completion. I do like the new entrance on Queen street and the retaining wall; and will like it more when the iron fencing is added in.
* There was an article late last year about the city getting control of the brick building next to the lighthouse, which they'll be flipping to a developer to renovate and use in someway in the future. It'll be interesting to see what's done there; the synergy with the light house, Officers Square and downtown events should be very good.

*Edit* Just realized we do already have a Freddy downtown thread. Copying this analysis over to it.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Yeah, State Street has now a very proven trackrecord for downtown developments that densify while having a great street presence. I'd fully support any other projects they'd propose.

State Street is just the property management company, not the developer.

* Centennial Building: Renovations should be starting soon (if they aren't already) to flip it to apartments and a boutique hotel and commercial space.

The boutique hotel has been removed from this project.

* King street across from the Tannery: Currently a gravel parking lot; a prime location for a signature piece.

There is a proposed apartment building with main floor commercial for this lot.

[Matzel_27]

Originally Posted by OliverD

The boutique hotel has been removed from this project.

Without the hotel component, is the funding in place to move that project forward? The delays make me wonder...

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by Matzel_27

Without the hotel component, is the funding in place to move that project forward? The delays make me wonder...

Not sure. The developer brought a revised design with more residential units to PAC last year.

[Freddypop]

Originally Posted by OliverD

Not sure. The developer brought a revised design with more residential units to PAC last year.

There was an interview with the proponent where he stated that they would be proceeding in the fall of 2022. Note that this interview was taking into account the revised plan. The proponents have deep pockets so not concerned

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/centennial-block-plans-changed-developer-1.6100406

Revised plan was approved and can be found here

https://www.fredericton.ca/sites/default/files/pac_july_21_2021.pdf

[Taeolas]

Article on the almost 200 units going up on Greenwood drive:

Half the units will be affordable.

They are putting up 2 99 unit apartment blocks on 168-170 Greenwood drive on the Northside, and their aiming to make sure at least half of them are in the "affordable" range, that is less then 1500$/month that the Fredericton market is. To reach that goal , they'll be keeping the apartments as simple and basic as possible.

Not much more to say, other than good luck to them. We certainly need these types of projects as well.

[OliverD]

Glad that project is finally getting some coverage. I mentioned it back when it appeared on the December PAC agenda. No underground parking and smaller unit sizes certainly contributes to its affordability. Not an ideal location in terms of amenities but at least it's on a bus route.

[Taeolas]

Yeah that's a bit more on the 'outskirts' than people might otherwise like; but it is on the bus routes which will help. And getting more density in that area might lead to a Route 8 commercial development section. Long ago I suggested that we might be due for a supermarket and some stores developed on Route 8, either on Greenwood/Pepper Creek or at Bridge Street.

I know that area is outside/on the edge of what the city wants to develop, but it is an area that is developing and could probably use a good grocery store and pharmacy anchor at some point soon.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Yeah that's a bit more on the 'outskirts' than people might otherwise like; but it is on the bus routes which will help. And getting more density in that area might lead to a Route 8 commercial development section. Long ago I suggested that we might be due for a supermarket and some stores developed on Route 8, either on Greenwood/Pepper Creek or at Bridge Street.

I know that area is outside/on the edge of what the city wants to develop, but it is an area that is developing and could probably use a good grocery store and pharmacy anchor at some point soon.

There's a large piece of Irving-owned land in Barker's Point that looks perfect for a mixed-use development. I think that area needs a higher population to justify a grocery store although Pepper Creek/Noonan helps as well. There's also vacant land to the south and east of that property that could be developed.

[Tridus]

Brookside/Ring Road Roundabout has a press release from GNB now: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/multimedia/mmrenderer.2022.01.2022-01-13_01.jpg.html

Start date in June, estimated completion of November.

Will be thrilled when that is done. That intersection is a mess, especially how badly it backs up in both directions on Brookside (and onto Douglas) at busy times.

[OliverD]

Here's the layout:

[adamuptownsj]

You'd think they'd take the opportunity to put a sidewalk in on the east side of Brookside in the areas they're digging up for this, at least.

[Matzel_27]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

You'd think they'd take the opportunity to put a sidewalk in on the east side of Brookside in the areas they're digging up for this, at least.

It looks to have a sidewalk.

[Taeolas]

On the west side, not the east side. I suspect the city and gov may want to limit pedestrians interacting with that roundabout, and there's no real need for a sidewalk on the westside past Douglas Avenue (going to the Ring road) and before the mall (or at least before the house next to Mama's Pub); and there isn't even a sidewalk on that side of Brookside until the minimall and it only goes up to the roundabout at Reynolds street.