[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[MonctonDowntown]

Originally Posted by MonctonDowntown

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

Well, my post above was about two months premature and a few million off but the announcement today regarding downtown infrastructure is what my source was referencing back in June.

Here is another post about this funding announcement.

https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2022.08.0470.html

[jonny golden]

The time line on these projects is interesting. Ashford will be busy building the Lorentz Street apartments while these upgrades are being made. I hope market conditions are strong when they're ready to execute on their major plans for the Assomption lands.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

The time line on these projects is interesting. Ashford will be busy building the Lorentz Street apartments while these upgrades are being made. I hope market conditions are strong when they're ready to execute on their major plans for the Assomption lands.

That’s been my concern as well, but right now I would just like to see their detailed plans and maybe a timeline. Sadly we have ti be patient, well I have to be patient

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by PEI highway guy

thank you. I knew a podiium was being built, but did not thinkp it was being built tthere.

It will be a common podium for all three towers. That's why it seems offset.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

That’s been my concern as well, but right now I would just like to see their detailed plans and maybe a timeline. Sadly we have ti be patient, well I have to be patient

It's rather hard to keep our enthusiasm under control when you know these detailed plans already exist, but that they are under lock and key and surrounded by armed guards.

- The infrastructure upgrades to Lutz/Robinson/Westmorland will take three years (until 2025).
- Sometime in the next 1-2 years, they will start phase two of Downing Street, and will also cut the new east/west street through the Ashford lands south of Assumption Place.
- It is only after all this that construction will begin on whatever Ashford has planned. It would appear that 2025/26 is the likely start date.

It will likely be another couple of years before we see the plans, but I suspect at least one (and likely more) large residential towers, a relocated city market on Downing Street, possibly a new Moncton City Library building, perhaps a Museum of Modern Art and new retail/commercial space.

This project will be hundreds of millions of dollars and will forever change downtown Moncton.

[MonctonRad]

Aerial view of the Highfield Street/Avenir Centre neighbourhood:


source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/23907018...52650&notif_t=group_highlights&ref=notif

[tmacdougall]

Wasn't the 6 story building on Highfield originall supposed to be an L-shaped building?

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Aerial view of the Highfield Street/Avenir Centre neighbourhood:


source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/23907018...52650&notif_t=group_highlights&ref=notif

[MonctonRad]

Yes and no. The "L" shape was to be due to a short above ground parking structure. It does not appear they have started working on it yet.

[jonny golden]

This picture clearly shows the great location and potential of the Aquilini property. Knowing what they're capable of, and seeing it sitting there undeveloped is frustrating. Maybe some day.

[MonctonRad]

A mini tower crane is now up at the Lorentz Apartment site. Lots of digging going on too.

[Mud]

I thought the old Deluxe location on St George was meant to be demolished but the sign now has a stylised elephant on each side.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Mud

I thought the old Deluxe location on St George was meant to be demolished but the sign now has a stylised elephant on each side.

There's a rumour on another site that Taj Mahal may be moving there from Main Street.

The stylized elephant signage is interesting in this regard, but, there is no confirmation to this rumour.

The only advantage I can see for Taj Mahal in making this move would be in terms of closely available parking.

[jonny golden]

If Taj Mahal are going to move to that site, I'd rather see them be a ground floor tenant in a much bigger development. Whoever purchased the property in April, also purchased the other adjacent vacant lots. It's a sizeable chunk of land that extends over to Robinson Street.

[MonctonRad]

Work continues on the new Obstetrics, NNICU and Maternal/Fetal Medicine wing at the Moncton Hospital:


Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690502684515770/user/776298210/

This construction process seems to have taken forever, especially if you include the entire process of lobbying for, planning and design phases, let alone construction, but it will be complete next year. Some of the physician advocates for this wing have retired already, so they won't have a chance to enjoy the fruits of their labours, which is sad.

Apparently a new cardiology wing at the hospital is still in the works. It will be built in the back (staff) parking lot behind the hospital, but construction won't begin until this project is complete, meaning late 2023 or sometime in 2024. This means that my parking spot will be relocated to the physician lot in front of the ACC for at least a few months before I myself also retire.

[jonny golden]

880 Main Street (Old Vien Dong location) for lease.



Cushman & Wakefield listing:

https://cwatlantic.com/listings/880-main-street/

[Monctoncore]

Imagine how nice it will be when that street is redone and electrical underground!

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

Imagine how nice it will be when that street is redone and electrical underground!

Indeed. The renaissance awaits.

There are still hurdles however - addiction, homelessness, patty theft, economic issues (will there still be a virtuous growth cycle in 3-4 years time when the work is complete), inflation, interest rates, labour shortages etc..........

Still, this is the best shot we have at getting the downtown that Moncton really wants.

I say damn the torpedos and full speed ahead!!!

[Monctoncore]

I stayed downtown this weekend at the Delta and honestly outside a few small areas of downtown there wasn’t that many homeless visible. Not at the rate that I continue to see people saying online. Downtown was clean, restaurants were busy, even the side streets leading towards St. George were active with people.

All of those issues mentioned are problems and have to be resolved, it’s a situation that will take all levels of government and of course actual affordable housing. The federal government spend $30 billion yearly on social services etc., but it needs to be used wisely to properly help those in need. We forget that not everyone who is homeless is homeless due to drug addiction, especially now. The city investing $6 million in rising tides to offer housing is huge and there are a lot who will take up those units. Regarding the petty theft, the key to that is having a police presence in and around the areas that it’s happening. That visibility can be a enough to stop some from doing those things.

Economically, I think Atlantic Canada is going to continue booming, I’m not concerned about that.

[MonctonDowntown]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

I stayed downtown this weekend at the Delta and honestly outside a few small areas of downtown there wasn’t that many homeless visible. Not at the rate that I continue to see people saying online. Downtown was clean, restaurants were busy, even the side streets leading towards St. George were active with people.

All of those issues mentioned are problems and have to be resolved, it’s a situation that will take all levels of government and of course actual affordable housing. The federal government spend $30 billion yearly on social services etc., but it needs to be used wisely to properly help those in need. We forget that not everyone who is homeless is homeless due to drug addiction, especially now. The city investing $6 million in rising tides to offer housing is huge and there are a lot who will take up those units. Regarding the petty theft, the key to that is having a police presence in and around the areas that it’s happening. That visibility can be a enough to stop some from doing those things.

Economically, I think Atlantic Canada is going to continue booming, I’m not concerned about that.

I was downtown everyday over the long weekend. Main Street is fine from a homeless perspective (still pretty dead though) but the three churches at Church and Queen each had homeless people lying around along with some tents.

Also went to La Factrie for a coffee on Albert Street. They’ve done a wonderful job with the interior and the coffee was good. Need to have some music playing, however, as it was quiet as a church despite there being about 8 people there. Looking out the window at the Nazareth House parking lot was pretty depressing though with approx 10 down-on-their-luck individuals sitting around. The Three Sisters development and the work on Lutz/Robinson/Westmorland can’t happen soon enough.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

Imagine how nice it will be when that street is redone and electrical underground!

I hadn't noticed that until you pointed it out, but those overhead wires in the picture are a real eyesore. It'll look so much better when they're buried. And we really need more people living downtown, especially since so many of the office employees are now working from home. I'm with MonctonRad, full speed ahead.