[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[CodiacCanuck]

I read the article in the Times-Transcript yesterday concerning this issue at Aberdeen Park. One side was saying that changes need to be made as used drug needles and condoms were being found in the park (very close to a daycare centre) and that parents were beginning to take their children elsewhere, hurting business. This is a valid point, both from an economic and safety standpoint.
What struck me as bizarre is that the other side's rebuttal was that this should be blamed on the government's lack of affordable housing.
Those two issues don't reflect each other. Are they saying that if drug addicts could afford a house, then there used needles and condoms would be in their house instead... and that would make it better.
If the government is going to use my tax dollars to fix either a) rampant drug use and illegal prostitution, or b) create affordable housing... its not a tough decision.

[MonctonRad]

Well, after having cast aspersions on the downtown core (especially St George Street), by discussing the seamy underbelly of illicit drug abuse, vagrancy and prostitution, we now return to a more upbeat note.

Apple Art Gallery has opened at 333 St George Street (the Arches) in a second floor suite.

https://www.appleart.co
https://www.facebook.com/appleartagency/...WLcWKQZAcde6E1CGNg79exMmeOVImI-k&fref=nf

Apple Art Gallery is a Fine Art Gallery in the heart of downtown Moncton, New Brunswick. Apple Art sets the stage for over twenty local artists, from up and coming to established professionals each artist and their artworks are hand selected by the quality of their creations and the beauty within the artist themselves. You will find a variety of mediums from paintings, sculptures, hand painted porcelain and original prints.
We’ve recently added a larger selection of unique items to “The Boutique” section of Apple Art that feature local pottery, ceramics, jewelry, books, greeting cards and much more.

While St. George Street continues to have it's problems, the central portion from the Arches, through to Dolma Foods and even as far east as the Cathedral continue to slowly gentrify. Not all is lost.......

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by CodiacCanuck

I read the article in the Times-Transcript yesterday concerning this issue at Aberdeen Park. One side was saying that changes need to be made as used drug needles and condoms were being found in the park (very close to a daycare centre) and that parents were beginning to take their children elsewhere, hurting business. This is a valid point, both from an economic and safety standpoint.
What struck me as bizarre is that the other side's rebuttal was that this should be blamed on the government's lack of affordable housing.
Those two issues don't reflect each other. Are they saying that if drug addicts could afford a house, then there used needles and condoms would be in their house instead... and that would make it better.
If the government is going to use my tax dollars to fix either a) rampant drug use and illegal prostitution, or b) create affordable housing... its not a tough decision.

with the Residential living facility that I mentioned they would have killed 2 birds with one stone. So I'd rather have seen the RLF then shoot up stations because at least the first option keeps them off the streets period.

[flyer99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The new fountain in Victoria Park is now functional.

That's really strange. I was at Victoria Park for a walk yesterday afternoon and the fountain was not working. No water at all. I messaged the City asking why but never received a response.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by flyer99

That's really strange. I was at Victoria Park for a walk yesterday afternoon and the fountain was not working. No water at all. I messaged the City asking why but never received a response.

I took the photo yesterday at noontime. I swear I didn't break it.

[Good2go]

This week the city cut down the trees next to the parking garage on Alma Street.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Good2go

This week the city cut down the trees next to the parking garage on Alma Street.

So what does this mean???

Are there plans afoot???

[flyer99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I took the photo yesterday at noontime. I swear I didn't break it.

I walked to the Victoria Park fountain again this afternoon and it still wasn't working. I messaged the city yet again and am awaiting a possible response (probably won't get one though as usual).

[Ammn_guy]

I heard the city lost its longtime lease on the victoria street parking lot(monthly) next to st bernards church.. thats the large lot across from the newer condos on victoria st and botsford.... maybe the owner is developing..

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Ammn_guy

I heard the city lost its longtime lease on the victoria street parking lot(monthly) next to st bernards church.. thats the large lot across from the newer condos on victoria st and botsford.... maybe the owner is developing..

Interesting. That would be this lot here:



Pretty close to FiveFive Queen (as you can see). This would be a good location for a similar development, but perhaps it's something as simple as somebody else beating out the city for the lease on the parking spaces. Still, one can hope for continued increasing densification.

[Good2go]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

So what does this mean???

Are there plans afoot???

It will be the tiniest footprint project evar!



Actually I'm thinking the trees were beginning to intrude on the parking garage.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Good2go

It will be the tiniest footprint project ever!

Just the right size for an ice cream stand.

[David_99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Just the right size for an ice cream stand.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Thanks for the info Budyser, that helps.

I must admit, over all the years that I have been involved with this forum, my biggest and most exclusive scoops have come from chatting up restaurant servers and store clerks. So, to hear that this info comes from a server at Station 42 immediately means to me that there is a lot of truth in what may be happening just north of West Main Street starting this fall.

- a major hotel project on the current V Hotel (and probably Scotia Mcleod Building) site - possibly Hilton branded, possibly attached parking garage.
- Possible commercial/residential project across on the north side of Gordon Street west of Highfield.
- Station 42 restaurant maybe relocating to 1111 Main Street.

Add that onto already confirmed projects:

- Hyatt Place Hotel & signature restaurant
- Tannery Place South apartment building in the Junction Urban Village.

It's going to be an extra busy few years in the west end of the downtown of the city (with more to come in the future, especially as the Junction Urban Village fleshes out).

Station 42 is own by someone who own many other eateries around town, including in house mini cafeterias within different business districts around town.

I asked the question to one friendly staff member within one of these cafeterias, "Hey, I heard that Station 42 is moving because of some large development?". Staff responded, "Yup. The whole corner is being demolished starting December. It's been a plan for the past year and now it's happening".

So now there are 2 sources to confirm this possible project. And just to confirm, I know for sure this staff is not the same as the other.

Question is now, why is this game changing project on Highfield street still a mystery or rather, not publicly announced yet, 4 months before the wrecking ball?

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by Good2go

It will be the tiniest footprint project evar!



Actually I'm thinking the trees were beginning to intrude on the parking garage.

That yellow house on the right has recently gone through a very expensive complete renovation/remodel.

I assume their property line is right on the edge of their driveway. That 20' gap is probably own by the city/parking garage. With everything that's going on within the Aberdeen park, maybe there's a similar problem going on here.

Clear the brush and beatify the area to deter from unwanted activities.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Big changes in store for Parc du Sommet in front of the Centre Culturel Aberdeen

from the mayor's FB page:



Here is an "after" photo (following renovations)






.[/COLOR][/I]

I'm loving this new clean look 1000% better than the current. No complaints from me!

Victoria Park area has had its fair share of unwanted activities as well with condoms, needles and the rest. Maybe the scum (sorry to use this term) moved to a more isolated hidden area of Aberdeen park.

St-George street still has its regular 3-4 hookers between the CN railway and
High street. I know because I live in the area and travel to and from work on SG 4 times a day. It's not too bad yet. We are very close in making St-George street a very beautiful multi cultural downtown artery which can be the pride and joy of the province. It just needs some minor tweaks and adjustments from the city, business and home owners to get there.

I have confidence we will get there. Probably the reason why I still live in the downtown area.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Budyser

With everything that's going on within the Aberdeen park, maybe there's a similar problem going on here.

Clear the brush and beatify the area to deter from unwanted activities.

I dare say you've hit the nail on the head Budyser. Expect all the overgrown areas in the downtown core to receive the same treatment in the next couple of weeks.

[gehrhardt]

According to the CBC, St. Pat's is being shut down...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/st-patrick-family-centre-moncton-closing-1.4740501

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by gehrhardt

According to the CBC, St. Pat's is being shut down...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/st-patrick-family-centre-moncton-closing-1.4740501

George Dumont will gobble that up and turn it into a desperately needed parking lot.

I also heard that the entrance to the old Moncton Curling Club off Mt Rd will also be used as public hospital parking.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Budyser

George Dumont will gobble that up and turn it into a desperately needed parking lot.

Very likely. Also, the old CBC building next door is being converted into a medical office building. They wouldn't mind having additional parking too.

I could see though, a hue and cry developing over the loss of yet another recreational facility from the east end of the downtown of the city. There could be pressure on the city to take over the property and maintain it as a recreational complex.

This could in fact give the city an "out" regarding their foot dragging on the east end pool. If they applied the cost of rebuilding the east end pool into purchasing Saint Pat's (about a million bucks), this could allow year round access to a pool complex in the east end of the city (rather than two months for the (outdoor) east end pool).