[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[MonctonRad]

Yes, it was mentioned, but it was kinda a drive by announcement and didn't really generate any discussion.

[MonctonRad]

Well, I decided to drive down Main Street this evening; the first opportunity to do so since the removal of the jersey barriers and the reinstitution of two way traffic flow.

The downtown seemed alive again!! The somewhat haunting desolate atmosphere of the last six weeks has disappeared. The hustle and bustle is back. Traffic was moderately heavy in both directions, and has probably increased by about 500% since yesterday. All the sidewalk patios were busy, and I think they were busier than they were during the pedestrianization experiment.

I doubt the city will ever revisit this experiment again.

[Mattyyy]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Well, I decided to drive down Main Street this evening; the first opportunity to do so since the removal of the jersey barriers and the reinstitution of two way traffic flow.

The downtown seemed alive again!! The somewhat haunting desolate atmosphere of the last six weeks has disappeared. The hustle and bustle is back. Traffic was moderately heavy in both directions, and has probably increased by about 500% since yesterday. All the sidewalk patios were busy, and I think they were busier than they were during the pedestrianization experiment.

I doubt the city will ever revisit this experiment again.

I’m not sure why but there also seemed to be fewer homeless hanging around!

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Mattyyy

I’m not sure why but there also seemed to be fewer homeless hanging around!

I agree.

[gehrhardt]

I'm sure the removal of the barriers has something to do with it, but the weather has also improved. With the heat over the past few weeks, I don't blame people for avoiding sitting outside on a patio.

[Nashe]

It may be coincidence, yes, but I was downtown last night and couldn't get into Euston Station due to how busy it was (I could have waited 20-30 mins, it's true) so went to Gahan, which had patio space. All patios down Main street looked busy.

I also commuted along main via bike this morning and it was probably faster than when the street was divided. Getting into/out of that concrete "pedestrian/bike channel" was a bit of a pain at both ends.

[MonctonRad]

Components of a tower crane have been delivered to the construction site at the Moncton Hospital where the new maternal/newborn wing is to be built. It looks as if the crane will be assembled today.

I must admit that I am somewhat surprised. I didn't't think this construction project would be large enough to justify a tower crane.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Components of a tower crane have been delivered to the construction site at the Moncton Hospital where the new maternal/newborn wing is to be built. It looks as if the crane will be assembled today.

I must admit that I am somewhat surprised. I didn't't think this construction project would be large enough to justify a tower crane.

Is that why they have that side of the main building facing the area scaffolded and curtained? I had assumed that might be fore a parallel project... like window replacement... I guess it depends on how the two sections will be joined...

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

Is that why they have that side of the main building facing the area scaffolded and curtained? I had assumed that might be fore a parallel project... like window replacement... I guess it depends on how the two sections will be joined...

That's a construction barrier. Understandably some patients might take umbrage if a piece of scaffolding crashed through their hospital room window.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

That's a construction barrier. Understandably some patients might take umbrage if a piece of scaffolding crashed through their hospital room window.

Makes sense. It's a buffer. Gotcha. That said, it's pretty high. How tall is the expansion?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Vorkuta

Makes sense. It's a buffer. Gotcha. That said, it's pretty high. How tall is the expansion?

Two floors, but with all the rooftop AC and ventilation, it would be three floors equivalent.

[MonctonRad]

Here's a photo of what's going on at the hospital:



You can see the construction curtain protecting the windows of the patient rooms in the Parlee Wing of the hospital. In front, you can see the pieces of the tower crane lying on the (former) physicians parking lot.

This is what the final result will look like:

[jonny golden]

The Ashford project on Highfield & Gordon is really progressing nicely. Driving by the site this morning, I noticed that there was a crew working.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Well, I decided to drive down Main Street this evening; the first opportunity to do so since the removal of the jersey barriers and the reinstitution of two way traffic flow.

The downtown seemed alive again!! The somewhat haunting desolate atmosphere of the last six weeks has disappeared. The hustle and bustle is back. Traffic was moderately heavy in both directions, and has probably increased by about 500% since yesterday. All the sidewalk patios were busy, and I think they were busier than they were during the pedestrianization experiment.

I doubt the city will ever revisit this experiment again.

I took I drive down Main st tonight (Saturday night around 9pm) and both side of Main was busy. There were folks at all outdoor patios, even Mama's Pizza and Pink Sushi. Lots of folks walking around. The Pump House and Gahan area was busy, really busy!

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

The Ashford project on Highfield & Gordon is really progressing nicely. Driving by the site this morning, I noticed that there was a crew working.

They are definitely not sleeping on the job on this project.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

They are definitely not sleeping on the job on this project.

True. The Kensington in Riverview is another one I happen to drive by often, and they seem to be moving a lot slower. The Ashford Group are getting their job done much quicker. It will be a really big improvement over the old houses that were on the property a few years ago.

It will be exciting to see what they come up with downtown where they demolished the old Paramount Theater.

[BlackYear]

Moncton Saturday Night Skyline

[Aging Hipster]

I noticed there’s a construction fence between the facades of Dolma Food and the vacant commercial block next to it, with a SkyJack parked in the parking lot. Any idea what’s going on there?

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by Aging Hipster

I noticed there’s a construction fence between the facades of Dolma Food and the vacant commercial block next to it, with a SkyJack parked in the parking lot. Any idea what’s going on there?

Someone had mentioned a dollar store. No idea which brand.

[jonny golden]

Here's a thought. Aquilini Group converts some of the upper floors of the Crowne Plaza into residential units. With apartments being fully leased even before the buildings are completed (Tannery Place) and competition from the new hotels under construction near by, would this make sense?

Just wild speculation, because I don't even know if Moncton is on the Aquilini Groups radar as far as doing anything at all. Unfortunately.