[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[Monctoncore]

I find that so sad, you move downtown or to a neighbourhood around the downtown and your kids have to be bussed out to go to school. I get it that there is space elsewhere, but how can our downtowns survive if families can’t live in them.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

I find that so sad, you move downtown or to a neighbourhood around the downtown and your kids have to be bussed out to go to school. I get it that there is space elsewhere, but how can our downtowns survive if families can’t live in them.

The provincial Departments of Education and Supply & Services are going to have to give more autonomy to local municipalities and DECs in terms of school site selections. This would help to depoliticize the process and prevent disasters like MHS.

This may mean that some schools will be built without the required amount of parking, or not quite enough room for sporting fields, but sometimes all you need is a properly located school within a neighbourhood that children can actually walk to. Downtown Moncton is becoming an educational desert. This needs to be addressed.

[MonctonRad]

Dalas African Cuisine is now open on Main Street.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The provincial Departments of Education and Supply & Services are going to have to give more autonomy to local municipalities and DECs in terms of school site selections. This would help to depoliticize the process and prevent disasters like MHS.

This may mean that some schools will be built without the required amount of parking, or not quite enough room for sporting fields, but sometimes all you need is a properly located school within a neighbourhood that children can actually walk to. Downtown Moncton is becoming an educational desert. This needs to be addressed.

The current Department of Education guidelines for school sites don't really support urban schools, either. They basically prioritize parking and sports fields over locating the school in a way that minimizes bussing and maximizes walking. My wife has taught in an urban school for several years and parking for staff is a bit tight and there's no sports field BUT I think that's a fair tradeoff since many of the students are able to walk to the school.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by OliverD

The current Department of Education guidelines for school sites don't really support urban schools, either. They basically prioritize parking and sports fields over locating the school in a way that minimizes bussing and maximizes walking. My wife has taught in an urban school for several years and parking for staff is a bit tight and there's no sports field BUT I think that's a fair tradeoff since many of the students are able to walk to the school.

At least Saint John is keeping a large combined K-8 in the city center, plus of course two high schools. I guess geography is in our favour, compared to Moncton.

[MonctonRad]

Apparently Actus Law will be moving from their current location on the SE corner of Main/Lutz to the former BDC location on the ground floor of the Delta Beausejour facing Main Street.

A small thing, but this move will fill up a hole in the central downtown core, while at the same time exacerbating the hollowing out of Main Street near the Subway Block.

[MonctonDowntown]

I’m hearing that Provincial funding ($30million-ish) for $250million project on Assumption Life parking lot site coming today.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonDowntown

I’m hearing that Provincial funding ($30million-ish) for $250million project on Assumption Life parking lot site coming today.

Could it be? Is this actually the beginning???

I just checked. There are no media advisories on the GNB site. We'll have to wait and see.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I'm glad to hear they found a buyer for their existing Bonaccord Street building. The structure has good bones and deserves to be preserved.

As for where Sounds Fantastic will relocate, my spidey senses are tingling over this one. I think they will want to keep a downtown location, and the fact they are planning on moving in 2023 I find intriguing.

My gut is telling me they might move to Tannery Place North after it opens next year. It would be a modern space in a high profile location. They could easily dedicate up to 50% of the ground level of Tannery Place North to house this retail business. A definite win-win.

I have no proof this is where they will be moving but my gut moves in mysterious ways, and I find I am frequently right about these things. You heard it here first!

Regarding Sounds Fantastic, there is now an online T&T article about this. While they are coy about where they are moving to, they did say it would be to a "more retail centric area, amongst established premium retailers."

I think this excludes Tannery Place. I can't imagine them moving to Champlain Place, and, there is no room in the Mapleton Centre. There is also no appropriate space presently available in the Granite Centre, so this leads me to speculate they are thinking of moving to Wheeler Park.

[L'homard]

Nakai Spa will take over Sounds exquisite space on Bonnaccord St.
I never heard of them because I'm not a spa person but wish them the very best with their new home.
SOURCE: A buddy in the property biz who is rarely wrong, if ever.
EDIT: I misspelled their name.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by L'homard

Nakai Spa will take over Sounds exquisite space on Bonnaccord St.
I never heard of them because I'm not a spa person but wish them the very best with their new home.
SOURCE: A buddy in the property biz who is rarely wrong, if ever.
EDIT: I misspelled their name.

Nakai is my favourite spa, if kind of expensive.

[MonctonRad]

The Nakai Spa move has now apparently been confirmed (via Facebook).

[PEI highway guy]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The Nakai Spa move has now apparently been confirmed (via Facebook).

Does the Three sisters have a large commercial componnent. I am just musing here. Sounds Fantastic!! A captive customer base would be right there. As I said just a thought.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by PEI highway guy

Does the Three sisters have a large commercial componnent. I am just musing here. Sounds Fantastic!! A captive customer base would be right there. As I said just a thought.

That’s an interesting idea! You could be on to something here.

[Mud]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Could it be? Is this actually the beginning???

I just checked. There are no media advisories on the GNB site. We'll have to wait and see.

How long in advance do they usually put those up out of curiosity?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Mud

How long in advance do they usually put those up out of curiosity?

This can vary of course, but typical a few days.

MonctonDowntown's post had some unusually specific details ($30M provincial contribution towards a $250M project), so there is some smoke here. We'll just have to keep an eye out for fire.

[MonctonRad]

I see they are now actively constructing the "escape route" that will connect the parking lot of the new RCMP HQ with Vaughan Harvey Blvd.

I don't know why they call it an escape route (unless they are expecting frequent protesters at the main entrance to the compound that they want to avoid). In any event, this driveway will allow rapid access from the RCMP vehicle compound to Vaughn Harvey Boulevard, and to the broader street network.

[MonctonRad]

I have just been made aware by a trusted source (who in turn heard this from an impeccable source), that another major development announcement is to be made for downtown Moncton sometime later this year.

Unfortunately, I have been sworn to absolute secrecy to prevent compromising final details of the deal. I will say however that this has nothing to do with the Ashford lands south of Assumption Place. It is something entirely different.

Stay tuned!

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I have just been made aware by a trusted source (who in turn heard this from an impeccable source), that another major development announcement is to be made for downtown Moncton sometime later this year.

Unfortunately, I have been sworn to absolute secrecy to prevent compromising final details of the deal. I will say however that this has nothing to do with the Ashford lands south of Assumption Place. It is something entirely different.

Stay tuned!

Good to know that other major developments are in the pipeline. My personal hope is to see something happen with the Rogers parking lot at the corner of Westmorland and Assomption blvd.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I have just been made aware by a trusted source (who in turn heard this from an impeccable source), that another major development announcement is to be made for downtown Moncton sometime later this year.

Unfortunately, I have been sworn to absolute secrecy to prevent compromising final details of the deal. I will say however that this has nothing to do with the Ashford lands south of Assumption Place. It is something entirely different.

Stay tuned!

It would be great if it were one of the "big three" that we've talked about on the forums on numerous occasions!