The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by kwajo

I don't doubt that there will still be some people and businesses pushing for a downtown convention centre, but the placement of the casino/hotel/convention centre at Magnetic Hill will make it more difficult to justify capital for the one downtown, or at least delay the development significantly.

Your main option - I would guess - would be to now focus on a new arena downtown and pair a hotel/convention centre with that.

Yes, the next thing to push will be a downtown arena complex the current council seemed to approve of it, and both candidates seem to push it as well...Hopefully we will see it completed within the next 5-10 years.

I guess our only chance of a crane downtown this summer is the new justice complex better than nothing I guess.

[JasonL-Moncton]

Personally I don't have a problem with this...yes, it would have been great downtown...but look at it like this.

- Now at magnetic hill you have a water park, zoo, driving range, golf course, 75K+ concert site, casino, hotel, convention venue, and entertainment venue It kind of makes sense, it's right by the highway, just miles from a lot of other hotels, just down the road from the new 'gateway to Moncton' that is being constructed. They (government) said they weren't thinking that the location was the deciding factor but the best 'overall' proposal and design was what would decide it. This one won, let's embrace it and cheer it on!

- This leaves more room downtown for a larger arena (10-12,000) that could be a architectural centerpiece for downtown, paired with a large multi-story hotel and convention center. This could be the centerpiece of the downtown, we could get the shows that skip us (cirque du soliel) because of the antiquated Coliseum. After said shows the fans would 'spill' into downtown's restaurants, bars, etc. and arena complex goes better with downtown than the casino...the casino will likely have a restaurant, bar, entertainment...no one would 'have' to leave...and likely wouldn't.

Something like:

[sdm]

This is a large blow to downtown Moncton and the province should be told. This is just terrible planning and will increase urban spawl and create a less substainable city.

With the size of the facility being proposed at Magnetic hill it will certainly capature some of the market for convention space, therefore making a convention centre downtown economically in jepordy.

[ErickMontreal]

Agree with SDM,the convention center in the subur make a downtown location irrevelant.

Sorry Jason, convention Center as well as entertainment complex dont belong to the subur. Is the convention Center in Montreal is located in Laval ? Is the major entertainment complex are in Longueil due to its proximity of highways ? The answer is no, they are all located Downtown core. Moreover, they are building it up "Quartier des spectables" right in middle of downtown in order to increase downtown experience....Anyway

[Smevo]

I can't believe it's going on Magnetic Hill! I have to agree with kwajo that the only way to get a sizable downtown convention centre now anywhere in the near future would be to group it with a hotel and arena development. Here's hoping anyway.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by Wishblade

Haha, like Foxwoods. Keep dreaming!

Prolly more like this...



or this...





Still better than a racino!

[JasonL-Moncton]

Again,


Navegante Group:

http://grandsierraresort.com/entertainment/



http://www.plazahotelcasino.com/



http://casinoniagara.com/

[ErickMontreal]

The last thing I will say about this issue : "they will regret it in a few years, just like the Moncton Coliseum."

[JasonL-Moncton]

Originally Posted by HalifaxMtl666

The last thing I will say about this issue : "they will regret it in a few years, just like the Moncton Coliseum."

But unlike the Coliseum...the 'city' did not decide on which proposal would be permitted...the province did. Essentially, as I understand it, if the city wants it, this is the proposal the province will allow.

JL

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by Helladog

Prolly more like this...

That... that... is the greatest thing I've ever seen! Buddy on the bottom in red must be the luckiest guy in the whole trailer park.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

That... that... is the greatest thing I've ever seen! Buddy on the bottom in red must be the luckiest guy in the whole trailer park.

That could be allowed by the city... its a 4-story building...(to be sure, I`m joking around)

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by Helladog

Prolly more like this...

Wow! I wish we could get something that awesome built in Moncton

[ErickMontreal]

:: In Brief - Champlain Place ::

Pseudio/Samuel&co will re-open shop in Highfield Square.
WirelessWave as well as Urban Planet will open a store in coming weeks.
Athlete world will remain open.

[ErickMontreal]

Repairs in sight for downtown Metro landmark?
Gov't to put out proposals for repairs to crumbling limestone on Main Street federal building

Published Friday May 9th, 2008
A10
BY ALAN COCHRANE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

The federal government will soon be putting out a call for proposals to repair damage and protect the stately federal building on Main Street in Moncton.

Rory Matchett, a spokesman for Public Works and Government Services, said yesterday a request for proposals will go out at the end of this month for a consultant to study the building and suggest a course of action to repair and restore the decaying limestone exterior of the building.

The building has been a fixture at the corner of Main and Highfield streets for decades, serving as a post office and now as home to several federal government agencies.

But it has been surrounded by scaffolding and construction fencing for several years. Matchett said the scaffolding is mainly there to protect pedestrians from falling chunks of limestone. He said the building was recently inspected and any loose chunks removed. The danger of falling stone is now minimal and the scaffolding remains mainly as a safety precaution. He said repair work could begin this fall.

But Daniel Allain, executive-director of Downtown Moncton Centre Ville Inc., says the scaffolding has become an eyesore and an impediment to development.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel on the other corner of Main and Highfield recently underwent a major renovation and more projects are planned. Other development in the area has moved ahead, mainly in the form of a new Sobeys store and N.B. Liquor outlet. The Tim Hortons outlet up the street is scheduled to be closed at the end of this month, which will leave the space at Main and Weldon open for development. Ashford Developments has a new office building planned at the corner of Main and Vaughan Harvey Boulevard.

Allain said there are still some key elements missing and only time will tell what will happen.

[ErickMontreal]

Delta Beausejour


Moncton’s newest restaurant and Bar is now open in the Delta Beauséjour! TRIIIO is a place where modern meets classic to create a remarkable dining experience. Their passion is Atlantic Canada, presented as trios, tasting plates and temptations from the region. Tender, savoury buffalo steak, mouthwatering Atlantic seafood, and New Brunswick's most accomplished wine list.The final phase of the Delta Beauséjour’s 6 million dollar renovation project is nearing completion with a bold contemporary look from the lobby to the top floor. Also, the popular Le Café will soon be offering a new concept. Renovations to the health club facilities will follow late this year.

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton, Dieppe report building increases
Moncton posts 26 per cent increase in residential permits

Published Saturday May 10th, 2008
A3
By Nathan Rochford
Times & Transcript Staff


According to statistics released yesterday by the City of Moncton and the City of Dieppe, both communities showed considerable increases in building development during the month of April, specifically in the residential sector.

The total number of building permits issued last month in Moncton for residential, institutional and commercial construction all increased since April 2007.

Residential permits increased 26 per cent, That's 82 permits issued in April 2008, and only 65 issued in April 2007.

Commercial construction, however, stayed the same in the city with 32 permits issued in April 2008 and 32 issued in April 2007.

Percentage-wise, institutional and government development in Moncton saw the largest increase at 133 per cent. In total, there were seven permits handed out in April 2008, while there were only three in April 2007.

"We're not surprised to see a significant increase," said Ben Champoux, business development specialist for Moncton. Champoux attributes this year's late start on the extreme winter weather New Brunswick saw this year.

"Because of the winter conditions we had we were off to a slow start," he said. "But as soon as April hit we were back on our feet."

The total dollar amount from April of one year to the next rose 50 per cent, with $15,077 being spent in April, 2008, compared to $10,013 in April, 2007.

However, despite the increases in April, the year to year changes saw 2008 at a loss with the total number of permits issued for all three sectors dropping from 233 to 224.

But, says Champoux, that doesn't change the fact that the city's development is back on its legs now, stressing the new stadium and the recently announced casino as major developments to come.

Aside from those two projects, the city is looking at further development of the area between Université de Moncton and Costco, near Crawley Farm Road, most of which will be residential.

"There's a lot of land there," Champoux said. "It's very strategically located. The potential is significant."

The city expects to meet with developers within the next couple of months, with completion of the project known simply as "Vision Land" estimated at 2015.

"You're going to need to fasten your seatbelt," he said. "Change breeds change. Growth attracts even more investment and we can feel it."

Meanwhile, Dieppe recorded permit values worth $7.9 million in April. Eighty-two of the 86 permits it issued in April were residential, leaving the city with a residential sector worth $7.8 million.

The city's real change came in the four months preceding April when the residential sector saw an increase in value from $14.6 million in 2007, to $28.5 million in 2008.

As far as future developments are concerned, Dieppe Mayor Achilles Maillet said the city is in the process of building a new apartment and condo village valued at $100 million.

[ErickMontreal]

Sonco Gaming

Founded in 1995, Halifax-based Sonco Gaming owns, operates and develops gaming properties. It is active in joint ventures and has developed and managed Great Blue Heron Charity Casino on the Scugog Island First Nation in Ontario and the Grey Eagle Casino, the latter opening in December of 2007 in Calgary, Alberta. Sonco and its offshoot companies also own, develop and manage various office buildings and parking garages. Sonco's CEO, Michael Novac, has a long history in real estate development.

The Navegante Group

The Navegante Group, founded by Chairman Larry J. Woolf, has been in the business of casino development and management since 1995 after winning the bid to develop and manage Casino Niagara. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Navegante currently manages the Casino Fandango in Carson City and the Las Vegas-based Plaza Hotel and Casino, the Goldspike Hotel and Casino, as well as several others also in Las Vegas. Woolf has also created Amazing Taiwan Co. Ltd., which is planning to develop and manage a casino in the Penghu Islands, Taiwan, pending legalization and gaming approval.

Clairvest Group

Founded in 1987, Clairvest Group Inc. is a publicly-listed provider of equity financing with an invested capital of $195 million and about $600 million of equity capital under management. Earlier this year, Clairvest became an investor of Casino Marina Del Sol in the city of Concepcion, Chile, as well as Kubra, an electronic billing and payment company. Clairvest has fellow casino proponent Sonco Gaming as a client in the financing of the Grey Eagle Casino and Resort southwest of Calgary, Alberta.

2050631 Ontario Inc.

According to a corporation profile report, the corporation 2050631 Ontario Inc. is registered to James Baxter Warren, 37. Warren graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McMaster University in 1994. He was a manager of corporate affairs with the Royal Bank, and was head of corporate communications for Magna International and Magna Entertainment. Warren served as executive director of communications for Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and was deputy chief of staff for former Toronto mayor Mel Lastman. He was also vice president of strategic relationships with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. He left the OLG in September of 2007.



After reading this, I have to admit they are heavyweight and I understand why they got it.

[ErickMontreal]

The work restarted on 777 Main Street building, they are adding black plastic (or metal) strips over metal fixtures. I suppose they will start to change glasses on the otherside in the next few weeks.

:: 777 Main Street ::

[mmmatt]

Lots of good news today...

So glad they will finally be repairing that beautiful stone building downtown Its had those scaffolds up for far too long.

Good to hear Pseudio/Samuel&co will be sticking around...kinda crummy they are going to Highfield, but still haha.

I cant wait til 777 Main St is all done its facade change over...Ill finally be able to update that picture I took of it looking up from the corner

And finally its nice to hear building permits are back up after this foolishly long winter.

[mmmatt]

On mountain rd work has begun on one of the small strip malls.

Mapleton power center is a hive of activity, with most lots looking fairly prepared and they are laying pipes on the Brick lot...which is huge BTW.

And the news of my day today is that Asurion is fully moved! We are now fully up and running at the old AOL building...much nicer digs I might add.