[Moncton] Downtown Developments - Page 349

jonny golden · #**6961** Posted **Jun 11, 2023, 12:47 AM**

There's a lot of downtown projects in the pipeline that haven't broken ground yet. It would be nice to see some activity! Thank goodness for Lafford and Ashford, or things would be quite slow downtown.

Monctoncore · #**6962** Posted **Jun 11, 2023, 12:57 AM**

.

riverviewer · #**6963** Posted **Jun 11, 2023, 10:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco401

Just looked up the buildings you're referring to. In what way are they white elephants? Just curious.

I always thought they looked out of place being the only two high structures amongst the single family homes. Now with the new development they'll feel more at scale with the neighborhood.

MonctonRad · #**6964** Posted **Jun 11, 2023, 1:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco401

Just looked up the buildings you're referring to. In what way are they white elephants? Just curious.

My own personal take:

They have long since been the tallest buildings in the neighbourhood, hence are perceived as being very large.

They are also white in colour.

They are large and white therefore it is not inconceivable they may have simply been nicknamed the White Elephants.

I don't think their name is pejorative in any sense whatsoever.

josh_cat_eyes · #**6965** Posted **Jun 11, 2023, 4:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

The ICON developments sign is gone from the (next to) Staples property on Main Street. Hopefully it doesn't mean anything.

But there's an overall lack of activity on a few of these major downtown projects. Tomorrow being June 1st, I thought we'd see some of these buildings getting under way by now.

There is orange wood stakes along the property. This could be another good sign that construction could be coming.

Leroy321 · #**6966** Posted **Jun 11, 2023, 6:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

There is orange wood stakes along the property. This could be another good sign that construction could be coming.

Why would they wait this late in the year though?

MonctonRad · #**6967** Posted **Jun 11, 2023, 7:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leroy321

Why would they wait this late in the year though?

It'll be a multiyear project. It doesn't really matter.

I imagine any delay is related to financing, securing trades, hiring a general contractor, getting proper equipment like a crane etc. There are lots of hoops to go through.

jonny golden · #**6968** Posted **Jun 11, 2023, 8:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It'll be a multiyear project. It doesn't really matter.

I imagine any delay is related to financing, securing trades, hiring a general contractor, getting proper equipment like a crane etc. There are lots of hoops to go through.

So if they're getting ready to start, when do you think we'll see what they're planning? 20 floors would be great.

Monctoncore · #**6969** Posted **Jun 11, 2023, 8:39 PM**

I think that will become more common with new developments. We will see developments starting anytime of year based on worker availability etc., hopefully we will get some renders, but until we do I would say they aren’t starting soon.

Mud · #**6970** Posted **Jun 12, 2023, 12:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

So if they're getting ready to start, when do you think we'll see what they're planning? 20 floors would be great.

There's a PAC agenda coming up soon. Let's all cross our fingers the last one of the spring will be big.

David_99 · #**6971** Posted **Jun 12, 2023, 12:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mud

There's a PAC agenda coming up soon. Let's all cross our fingers the last one of the spring will be big.

Are there any tomato gardens on Harper Lane?

jonny golden · #**6972** Posted **Jun 12, 2023, 1:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mud

There's a PAC agenda coming up soon. Let's all cross our fingers the last one of the spring will be big.

Yes, the 28th of June. There hasn't been anything exciting lately, so it would be nice to see something major on the agenda.

MonctonRad · #**6973** Posted **Jun 12, 2023, 1:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Yes, the 28th of June. There hasn't been anything exciting lately, so it would be nice to see something major on the agenda.

Of course, anything "as of right" won't necessarily go to PAC, but, if the Harper Street building is 20 storeys as rumoured, a change of zoning might be necessary.

In any event, Mayor Arnold usually posts on her FB page any significant development coming up.

josh_cat_eyes · #**6974** Posted **Jun 12, 2023, 3:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_99

Are there any tomato gardens on Harper Lane?

I don’t think there is too much of anything on Harpers lane.

jonny golden · #**6975** Posted **Jun 12, 2023, 8:03 PM**

I've often wondered about the land next to (west) of the ICON lot. It's considerably larger, and would be prime development property. You never hear anything about it, but eventually there could be a nicely developed downtown block here.

MonctonRad · #**6976** Posted **Jun 12, 2023, 8:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

I've often wondered about the land next to (west) of the ICON lot. It's considerably larger, and would be prime development property. You never hear anything about it, but eventually there could be a nicely developed downtown block here.

No recent sale of this property (I just happened to check the other day). It is currently zoned commercial, but, I'm sure the city would be happy to oblige if someone came along with a plan for a high rise residential or mixed use development.

I would certainly presume that a high rise structure next door on Harper Street might spur development of this land too.

MonctonPerson · #**6977** Posted **Jun 12, 2023, 8:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny golden

I've often wondered about the land next to (west) of the ICON lot. It's considerably larger, and would be prime development property. You never hear anything about it, but eventually there could be a nicely developed downtown block here.

Owned by Irving (Commercial Properties Limited).

MonctonRad · #**6978** Posted **Jun 12, 2023, 9:47 PM**

Bad news. Irving has a history of buying land and holding onto it forever.

This parcel has property taxes of $81,283.00/yr, which is little more than a rounding error on the ledger for the Irving Empire.

This land is effectively blocked from future development.

jonny golden · #**6979** Posted **Jun 12, 2023, 10:05 PM**

Too bad, because that whole corner along King Street and Main Street could be a real jewel for the eastern end of downtown Moncton.

adamuptownsj · #**6980** Posted **Jun 13, 2023, 1:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Bad news. Irving has a history of buying land and holding onto it forever.

This parcel has property taxes of $81,283.00/yr, which is little more than a rounding error on the ledger for the Irving Empire.

This land is effectively blocked from future development.

Why do they not spin up a development company? They could do almost everything in-house already. They sit on a ton of land in Saint John along Union and elsewhere too. I get acquiring and holding, but now seems like the time to make money off it.

As someone who owns vacant land and will buy more, it is stupidly under-taxed in primary development areas at least. There should be an extra zero on vacant land assessments.