[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[MonctonRad]

Here's the CBC article about the PAC approval of this development:

Moncton planning committee OK's 9 apartment buildings along Centennial Park
Residents voice concerns about environment, traffic, process at public meeting
Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Jul 29, 2021 8:00 AM AT | Last Updated: July 29
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-bruns...ennial-park-planning-committee-1.6121896

Nothing really new in the accompanying article.

I am surprised however to see that the developers plan to start their first phase in the west, close to Killam Drive, with subsequent phases moving eastward towards Grand Trunk and Russ Howard. I would have done it the other way around myself.

Again, hopefully Entreprises Mapoma Ltee can be prevailed upon to improve the design of this development over the course of the 8-10 year buildout time frame. The city of Moncton should demand better, and perhaps could, given that individual building permits will still be required for each phase of the development.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by David_99

Downtown development must be underway by August 2022



Galco Atlantic Investments Network must lay the foundation for a commercial project worth at least $7.5 million by Aug 8, 2022, or the City of Moncton has the option to purchase the land for $1 million. Galco informed the city that plans are in the works for the site, but city officials aren't privy to the details of what's in store for the property.

Times & Transcript

This is on the Times website today. I know we were already aware of this, but I hadn't heard all of the details regarding dates and numbers involved.

I remember this deal well. The city traded this land & cash to Galco for the Castle Manor lawn. A lot of people were against it because the assessed value of the lawn that the city received was much less than the value of this parking lot. But for me, the positive aspect was the condition that Galco must develop the parking lot or the city could purchase it back. So it's good news that the time limit is expiring, there's a $7.5 million minimum value, and that Galco is planning to develop it. I'm thinking residential would work best. I don't think ground floor retail would be a good idea. It will be interesting to see what Galco comes up with.

[MonctonRad]

The large "for sale" sign that was up on the front lawn of St. Bernard's church rectory is now gone. Does anyone know what's going on? Has it been sold, or have the original owners decided to proceed with their boutique hotel idea...........

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The large "for sale" sign that was up on the front lawn of St. Bernard's church rectory is now gone. Does anyone know what's going on? Has it been sold, or have the original owners decided to proceed with their boutique hotel idea...........

It doesn't show that it's been sold, looking on the SNB property assessment site. I have no idea how long a sale would take to show up there though. But you'd think there's a reason for the sign being removed.

[Riberview]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

It doesn't show that it's been sold, looking on the SNB property assessment site. I have no idea how long a sale would take to show up there though. But you'd think there's a reason for the sign being removed.

Takes a little while for the info to be updated..

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The large "for sale" sign that was up on the front lawn of St. Bernard's church rectory is now gone. Does anyone know what's going on? Has it been sold, or have the original owners decided to proceed with their boutique hotel idea...........

I've been informed by a reliable source that the owners of the rectory have simply taken the property off the market for the time being in order to reassess their options.

I know this building has challenges, but it is such a great representation of gothic architecture, and it is so unique a building in the downtown of the city, that I hope all efforts will be expended in order to save it.

[MonctonRad]

Moncton adding public washroom outside city hall sought by businesses
Downtown association says businesses faced issues with people damaging washrooms
Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Aug 05, 2021 7:00 AM AT | Last Updated: August 5
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-downtown-public-washroom-city-hall-1.6129349
https://i.cbc.ca/

When you have to go, you have to go. But where do you go if there's nowhere open to go?

On Wednesday, Moncton took a step toward resolving the question. Main Street in front of city hall was closed to traffic so water and sewer lines could be installed to service a new washroom in the plaza near bus shelters. It will remain closed through Thursday to complete the work.


Moncton is adding a new public washroom to the plaza outside city hall after years of requests for more public facilities, including by downtown businesses that have dealt with damaged bathrooms.

Austin Henderson, a spokesperson for the City of Moncton, said the accessible, single-toilet washroom is meant to be self-cleaning. There are mechanisms that will clean the toilet and walls with disinfectant on a regular basis, he said.

It will be regularly checked by city staff in part to ensure it remains stocked with things like soap and toilet paper.

A good idea, and certainly more attractive than the port-a-pottie that has been gracing city hall plaza since last summer.

Many European cities have public washrooms scattered along their major downtown streets. It's strange this concept hasn't caught on in Canada. It would seem an important piece of civic infrastructure. The main challenge will be in maintaining a safe and clean environment inside the washroom.

A second similar facility may be added to the plaza in front of the Avenir Centre in the future.

[BlackYear]

From the article: "The city is spending $300,000 on the project, with $200,000 of it paid by the federal government through a COVID-19 recovery program."

Like seriously, is this $300k for both washrooms, or $300k for each? That is completely insane!!!!!

There are permanent washrooms on some of the Moncton Trails, pretty sure they did not cost $150k or $300k each.

I hope they place pay meters on the doors, just like parking meters. Or, I can see a yellow tape and barricade surrounding these luxury toilet facilities because there are homeless folks inside making it their personal shelters.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

I hope they place pay meters on the doors, just like parking meters. Or, I can see a yellow tape and barricade surrounding these luxury toilet facilities because there are homeless folks inside making it their personal shelters.

I know where you're coming from, and I sympathize to a degree, but this public toilet facility is being built partially with the downtown homeless community in mind (and at the request of downtown merchants tired of the homeless using and damaging their own facilities). Making the new public toilet a pay facility is not an option.

The public toilet will have to be inspected at least several times per day. No homeless person will be allowed to set up a permanent encampment on the inside. Public vagrancy in the downtown should be actively discouraged, but, while it exists, these people deserve access to lavatory facilities as a basic human right.

Vagrancy and panhandling in the core is a stain on the community and should be suppressed as much as humanly possible, but I support the public toilet as a necessity. I just hope that it doesn't get damaged by the homeless within the first month, and that all efforts are made to ensure that needles are disposed of properly by the druggies that use it.

[adamuptownsj]

Most expensive crack shack in town. I do not envy the city employees and contractors who will have to deal with it.

[Monctoncore]

The washrooms are self cleaning, which is where the expense comes in. It will make it much easier for staff as they will have less to do in the washrooms.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

The washrooms are self cleaning, which is where the expense comes in. It will make it much easier for staff as they will have less to do in the washrooms.

Unless it can self clean permanent occupants, needles, and feces from non-toilet locations, good luck.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I know where you're coming from, and I sympathize to a degree, but this public toilet facility is being built partially with the downtown homeless community in mind (and at the request of downtown merchants tired of the homeless using and damaging their own facilities). Making the new public toilet a pay facility is not an option.

The public toilet will have to be inspected at least several times per day. No homeless person will be allowed to set up a permanent encampment on the inside. Public vagrancy in the downtown should be actively discouraged, but, while it exists, these people deserve access to lavatory facilities as a basic human right.

Vagrancy and panhandling in the core is a stain on the community and should be suppressed as much as humanly possible, but I support the public toilet as a necessity. I just hope that it doesn't get damaged by the homeless within the first month, and that all efforts are made to ensure that needles are disposed of properly by the druggies that use it.

I completely understand and agree, however, why place this right in the core of downtown Main st right in front of city hall? Why not locate them on a side street or somewhere more out of sight?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

I completely understand and agree, however, why place this right in the core of downtown Main st right in front of city hall? Why not locate them on a side street or somewhere more out of sight?

Good point. I suppose it is being placed on city hall plaza because it is already publicly owned land. Also, as a public lavatory, it should be available for adventurous tourists and residents to use as well (at their own peril of course), and therefore should be visible to these other potential clients.

Also, there would likely be a public safety issue if the lavatory was placed in a darkened alley somewhere.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

I completely understand and agree, however, why place this right in the core of downtown Main st right in front of city hall? Why not locate them on a side street or somewhere more out of sight?

Wouldn't placing this out of sight lead to it being more likely that a homeless person would encamp themselves in there ?

I understand that a development forum is going to have a general distain for homeless people. But there Is a serious lack of understanding on how to handle some of these issues. If this same mentality is with some of out political leaders the homeless population will just continue to grow.

In general, homelessness is a mere symptoms of a larger problem in society. Whether it be low wages, lack of mental health services, veterans with ptsd, domestic abuse survivors, a lack of self worth.

Having a self cleaning washroom that is easily accessible sounds like a more than reasonable solution to appease business owners. It Also provides an option for tourists in the area who would be otherwise have to go into a private establishment where they may not want to use a facility without purchasing something.

300K doesn't seem like something to get outraged over in my view. We see statues, small playparks and other infrastructure built for similar or more money.

Hiding the homeless problem is just not going to solve anything. I've watched this same mentality over 5 plus years of working downtown only to see the problem become worse.

[Leroy321]

I saw behind town hall today there was a larger mobile crane

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

I saw behind town hall today there was a larger mobile crane

I wonder if they are going to set up a tower crane for the St Bernard’s project?

Someone with a drone should try and get a picture of the downtown tower cranes together. I tried taking some pictures from Riverview but it’s hard if they’re not facing the right way when you’re there. With a drone I’m sure the angles you could get would be much better.

[Colouratura]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Unless it can self clean permanent occupants, needles, and feces from non-toilet locations, good luck.

If it's like the ones I've been in on my travels, the entire washroom cleans itself. The floors, everything. And if someone stays in there longer than 20min, the door will automatically open.

Not sure if it will stop damage or needles left about etc. Plus the person I guess could go back inside after the door opens.

[MonctonRad]

As part of the refurbishments to the lower bowl area of Centennial Park, the pedestrian bridge over Jonathan Creek has been replaced:


Photo found on Facebook, therefore it is likely to "disappear" within the next 10-14 day.

The new bridge is wide enough and strong enough to allow park maintenance vehicles passage.

[MonctonRad]

Bernard Chocolates is planning on opening a chocolate factory and retail outlet in downtown Moncton.

https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/101639731 (paywall)

Previously they have operated a popular booth in the Dieppe farmers market.

Online sources indicate the new location will be somewhere on the continually gentrifying Saint George Street. Apparently a name change for the brand is also planned.

There is a job listing on Indeed.com for a manager for Adorable Chocolat Ltd, so I would imagine this will be the name for the new branding and retail outlet.

https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=Retail&l=Moncton%2C%20NB&sort=date&start=40&vjk=b7f653606f0ec335