[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[Ifyoubuildit]

Originally Posted by Photo1

I understand the need for security and such with the station however adding yet another 'shoe box' with windows in a prime piece of real estate downtown is horrid planning on the city's part. Especially with the planned growth in that corridor in the near future.

I've said all along it should have been connected directly to the courthouse in the location of the old jail and went "up" instead of "out" in its design.

With a $46M price tag I was hoping for a structure with far more character in such a visible location.

Renderings at this level of detail, never do anything to help or show the true look of the building. Depending on the exterior materials and combinations used, it may look decent. RCMP should have an excellent facility, but I do agree that 46mil just seems excessive. Hopefully, it is a 30yr investment life or more.

[flyer99]

Originally Posted by Photo1

Perhaps, most modern architecture doesn't appeal to me. Let's build a box, slap a few doors and windows on it and be done.

We'll see, but even the old building had more character.

I totally agree and I have posted about this before. This building is another example of what I call a "LEGO" building. Just build some squares and combine the squares beside and on top of one another. There is no architectural thought here at all. I like buildings with character. This building has absolutely none. It looks more like a prison or jail than a police headquarters. I also agree with the statement that the current building has more character than this one. And for the price tag, the city could do better.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by flyer99

I totally agree and I have posted about this before. This building is another example of what I call a "LEGO" building. Just build some squares and combine the squares beside and on top of one another. There is no architectural thought here at all. I like buildings with character. This building has absolutely none. It looks more like a prison or jail than a police headquarters. I also agree with the statement that the current building has more character than this one. And for the price tag, the city could do better.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the old building when the RCMP are fully moved to the new location. Do they demolish it and open up the site for a new development? It's a prime downtown location.

[billy1]

Originally Posted by flyer99

I totally agree and I have posted about this before. This building is another example of what I call a "LEGO" building. Just build some squares and combine the squares beside and on top of one another. There is no architectural thought here at all. I like buildings with character. This building has absolutely none. It looks more like a prison or jail than a police headquarters. I also agree with the statement that the current building has more character than this one. And for the price tag, the city could do better.

Here is a real life example of a LEGO building in Charlottetown.
This was built about 5-6 yrs ago. Box sections roughly 12 * 24 were constructed offsite, hoisted one on top of the other by a crane and then fastened together. It is the ugliest "newer" building in town.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@46.2561093,-...F9R81nt0GQSKnRP80XfYQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

It will be interesting to see what happens to the old building when the RCMP are fully moved to the new location. Do they demolish it and open up the site for a new development? It's a prime downtown location.

I'm sure the old RCMP property will be quickly redeveloped, lying as it does at the intersection of Main & Assumption. Since it is city owned land, I hope the city holds out for a quality development that helps to anchor the east end of the downtown core.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I'm sure the old RCMP property will be quickly redeveloped, lying as it does at the intersection of Main & Assumption. Since it is city owned land, I hope the city holds out for a quality development that helps to anchor the east end of the downtown core.

I agree 100%. There's going to be a big opportunity to stimulate this part of the downtown with a top notch development there.

This whole area could become much more dynamic in a few years. Although the building at the corner of Main & King isn't large, it's going to be a big improvement over the run down structure that was there before. And if the vacant land next to Staples ever gets developed, the east end will be much improved.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I'm sure the old RCMP property will be quickly redeveloped, lying as it does at the intersection of Main & Assumption. Since it is city owned land, I hope the city holds out for a quality development that helps to anchor the east end of the downtown core.

I would support a development that includes everything from bendview court over to assumption. This could be a significant development for east main, and hopefully could get Valmond Robichaud to get off his ass and finally develop his Harper building.

[L'homard]

I don't believe Val will do anything until he has a major, major tenant, something like a significant government department, renting several floors.
A little birdie told me so.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

I would support a development that includes everything from bendview court over to assumption. This could be a significant development for east main, and hopefully could get Valmond Robichaud to get off his ass and finally develop his Harper building.

I'm not sure where I saw it, but a few months ago I read where there was a significant development planned for the east end, starting this year. It wasn't specific, but at the time I thought about the Harper land. I don't know if the virus will put the kibosh on it, but it would be a major boost to east downtown if we finally see something happening there. Such a prime location that's been vacant for too long.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

I'm not sure where I saw it, but a few months ago I read where there was a significant development planned for the east end, starting this year. It wasn't specific, but at the time I thought about the Harper land. I don't know if the virus will put the kibosh on it, but it would be a major boost to east downtown if we finally see something happening there. Such a prime location that's been vacant for too long.

It was Councillor Greg Turner who was hinting there was something "big" coming to the east end later this year.

I agree though that, with an expected recession due to the COVID crisis (especially in the tourism/hospitality sector), that there could be a significant downturn perhaps lasting a couple of years that might scupper whatever this was for some time.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by L'homard

I don't believe Val will do anything until he has a major, major tenant, something like a significant government department, renting several floors.
A little birdie told me so.

Yeah, all those grand rendering we saw a few years back likely amounted to nothing more than a grandiose flight of fancy (and a potential marketing tool) that will ultimately come to naught. I have very low expectations for the final outcome of the Harper Street project.

I image there will be quicker movement on the soon to be former RCMP property at Main/Assumption.

[jonny golden]

They have removed the construction fence from the building at the corner of King & Main, as they've mostly completed this project. It's a big improvement over the eyesore that it was before, especially since it's a gateway to the downtown. Kudos to the developer.

[MonctonRad]

Work is beginning for the new Parc Gérald-Leblanc Park at Moncton city hall.



Artists conception:

the grass area in front of City Hall, which has been used as a small outdoor skating rink, will be removed and replaced with paving stones and 25 metres of granite and concrete seating.

"We have a large plaza space that has informal, make your own seating so tables and chairs that you're able to move and adapt — do it any way you want." A piece of public art, at a cost of between $2,500 and $3,000, is also planned for the park

[flyer99]

Just a note on the 170 Victoria Street apartment development. There is a "Now Renting" sign on the fence surrounding the construction. It appears that the opening date has been moved from June to July.

Here is the website for more info.

https://www.170victoria.com/

[BlackYear]

An interesting article on GetPocket.com. I think they could have easily title it "Why America and Canada". There is mention of Canada though in the article. Enjoy!

Why America’s New Apartment Buildings All Look the Same
Bloomberg Businessweek Justin Fox

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/why-a...l-look-the-same?utm_source=pocket-newtab

[josh_cat_eyes]

They always all looked the same. They just look more modern now than they used to. I’d much rather the ones shown above than a bunch of four storey vinyl clad buildings.

[jonny golden]

There are a lot of workers on site this morning at Gerald LeBlanc park in front of city hall. I was thinking that it will be a nice gathering spot for the future office workers from the Higgins block building. I can see them spending their lunch hour there on nice days. When these two projects are finished, it'll be a nice addition to the city hall area.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Work is beginning for the new Parc Gérald-Leblanc Park at Moncton city hall.

This looks nice. It reminds me of some of the sitting areas you bustling areas of NYC. I'd love to see a food truck or two parked on botsford during a summer day.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by lirette

This looks nice. It reminds me of some of the sitting areas you bustling areas of NYC. I'd love to see a food truck or two parked on botsford during a summer day.

I agree. The end product should be very nice. My only concern is that this may end up being a hangout for vagrants and panhandlers downtown. I certainly hope not........

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by lirette

This looks nice. It reminds me of some of the sitting areas you bustling areas of NYC. I'd love to see a food truck or two parked on botsford during a summer day.

Yeah I think a food truck would be great, and it would do well here. City Hall & Blue Cross workers are right there. Does someone know the expected completion date for the park project?