[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[Riberview]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

Agreed. I'm a bit disappointed that the city is even entertaining this. This is the most prominent intersection downtown. Where else can you build tall if not here?

I'm a little nervous that the nimby mindset has appeared here. If this project is altered or cancelled it would set a sad precedent.

But I feel the developers have done their due diligence. As seen in the shadow photos (what other development has ever included something like this?)

I think we'll still be a go. Looking forward to it!

[MonctonRad]

Loli Cafe & Lounge will be opening January 28th in the former Sound's Fantastic on Bonaccord Street. It will be a sister business to Nakai Spa

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

Agreed. I'm a bit disappointed that the city is even entertaining this. This is the most prominent intersection downtown. Where else can you build tall if not here?

They interviewed a neighbourhood resident today on the CBC morning show. Her main concern was the shadow cast by the building, and the effect it would have on her tomato crop.

It would appear that the neighbours intend for the building to be reduced to six storeys from ten, despite the fact such a move would render the project uneconomical.

Some of the arguments this lady was using were completely baffling. For example, she was concerned that having such a large building across the street would cause a spike in crime in the neighbourhood. Really!!!. The current alternative is an empty overgrown lot which has a history of being used for homeless encampments. It would seem to me that converting the empty lot to an apartment complex would actually decrease the crime rate in the neighbourhood.........

[bam63]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

They interviewed a neighbourhood resident today on the CBC morning show. Her main concern was the shadow cast by the building, and the effect it would have on her tomato crop.

It would appear that the neighbours intend for the building to be reduced to six storeys from ten, despite the fact such a move would render the project uneconomical.

Some of the arguments this lady was using were completely baffling. For example, she was concerned that having such a large building across the street would cause a spike in crime in the neighbourhood. Really!!!. The current alternative is an empty overgrown lot which has a history of being used for homeless encampments. It would seem to me that converting the empty lot to an apartment complex would actually decrease the crime rate in the neighbourhood.........

She was also concerned about her foundation being damaged during construction. I wonder what she and the city will do when the Junction drops a 7-10 story directly across the street from her. Omg think of the children!! The neighbours are fully aware that at six floors it would kill the project. That’s the plan, to kill it. This is what nimbys do. The city has to be careful how they handle these situations. They must do what’s best for the community as a whole as well as the developers who bring investment, tax money, jobs and clean up the empty lots that dot our downtown. Be careful how you handle this city of Moncton. The only reason this is getting any traction is the great Katherine Barns has sided with the tomato lady. Otherwise this project would have its green light to proceed by now.

[SevenSquared]

One of the things that's appealing about Moncton - especially in contrast to much of the maritimes - is the overall lack of NIMBYism and the collective desire to have this city evolve and modernize itself compared to what it has been for the last couple of generations.

It's disturbing to see these kinds of issues start to pop up... at the edge of downtown no less. Hopefully common sense will prevail and a compromise can be reached, rather than a desperately needed 150-unit project getting shut down over irrational paranoia and a few dozen tomatoes.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

They interviewed a neighbourhood resident today on the CBC morning show. Her main concern was the shadow cast by the building, and the effect it would have on her tomato crop.

It would appear that the neighbours intend for the building to be reduced to six storeys from ten, despite the fact such a move would render the project uneconomical.

Some of the arguments this lady was using were completely baffling. For example, she was concerned that having such a large building across the street would cause a spike in crime in the neighbourhood. Really!!!. The current alternative is an empty overgrown lot which has a history of being used for homeless encampments. It would seem to me that converting the empty lot to an apartment complex would actually decrease the crime rate in the neighbourhood.........

I was also listening. I did get the impression that the interviewee was grasping at straws. The building also fits well into the definition of a "midrise", despite what she is saying.

[MonctonRad]

The State of the Tri-Communities breakfast was held this morning.

Lots of self congratulation regarding the metro areas impressive growth over the last five years or so.

This excerpt is from the T&T article regarding the event. https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102052821 (paywall)

"Since 2017, in the downtown alone, there has been $267M in new construction, including 850 housing units, three new hotels and a housing development on Ivan Rand Drive (across Vaughan Harvey Boulevard from the Sobeys)," Arnold said, noting that more downtown development projects will be announced soon.

I imagine one of these new projects is the Ashford/Downing Street project.

[MonctonRad]

Current status of the Tire Shack Brewery expansion project:


Infinity Aerials photo

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

All this talk about the $50M mystery project including retail and residential components as well as "parking garages" is beginning to produce information from generally reliable sources.

I just received this communication from a source who has been a valuable conduit of information in the past:

The plan for the first building is 14 stories - but, each floor is planned to be taller than average and apparently this building will be almost as tall as the 20 story Assumption building.

Now, there is no absolute guarantee that the Ashford plans refer specifically to the $50M mystery project, but this seems logical. We know that phase one for Ashford includes a residential tower and a relocated city market (retail component). The need for enclosed parking structures is a given, since the ultimate plan is to completely eliminate the surface parking behind Assumption Place. The Ashford project therefore ticks all the boxes.

These are some early conceptual drawings of what the city has in mind for Downing Street.





Even though these drawings are from five years ago, and were commissioned by the city (not the developer), I actually think this will be very close to the eventual product. The tower in these drawings is nearly the height of Assumption Place, and the floor count is 14-15 storeys.

Hmmmmmmmm...................

I have received information there has been further movement on this project. Unfortunately I am not at liberty to make any further comment.

[jonny golden]

So the new east/west street will likely just run between Downing & Westmorland for now. That way the existing market would be able to remain open while the new one is being built.

And if the retail component of the first Ashford building is the new market, does that mean that the city would be leasing the space from Ashford?

In any case, it's all very exciting. Major change (for the better) is coming to downtown Moncton.

[MonctonRad]

Bayside Barbers in the Flat Iron Building adjacent to the subway overpass is now open.

They have done an excellent job in rehabilitating this building. Lets hope something similar can happen with the Subway Block next door.

[MonctonRad]

The next 2-4 weeks could be very interesting for downtown Moncton.

The next city council meeting is Monday night (February 6th), and the fate of 1333 Main will be revealed during the meeting. Will the "tomato lady" be successful in thwarting this badly needed 10 storey apartment building on the NW corner of the most prominent intersection in downtown Moncton? I would hope not. I am about as confident as one could be that this project will go ahead. If it doesn't, well, this would put a deep chill on many other potential projects of stature that could be coming to the downtown core. The NIMBYs had better not win this fight!

The next meeting of the Moncton PAC is scheduled for February 22nd. Usually the agenda and companion planning documents are made available on the internet two weeks beforehand, which would be February 8th. There are two substantial and or character changing development in the core whose announcement is imminent. Will we see information regarding these two developments on the 8th, or will we have to wait another month. I'm bursting at the seams to let you know what's on the horizon, but I am sworn to secrecy. Hopefully all will be revealed next week.

[PEI highway guy]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The next 2-4 weeks could be very interesting for downtown Moncton.

The next city council meeting is Monday night (February 6th), and the fate of 1333 Main will be revealed during the meeting. Will the "tomato lady" be successful in thwarting this badly needed 10 storey apartment building on the NW corner of the most prominent intersection in downtown Moncton? I would hope not. I am about as confident as one could be that this project will go ahead. If it doesn't, well, this would put a deep chill on many other potential projects of stature that could be coming to the downtown core. The NIMBYs had better not win this fight!

The next meeting of the Moncton PAC is scheduled for February 22nd. Usually the agenda and companion planning documents are made available on the internet two weeks beforehand, which would be February 8th. There are two substantial and or character changing development in the core whose announcement is imminent. Will we see information regarding these two developments on the 8th, or will we have to wait another month. I'm bursting at the seams to let you know what's on the horizon, but I am sworn to secrecy. Hopefully all will be revealed next week.

I cannot imagine this project being scuttled or significantly altered. this street/area needs an upgrade or renos to the older homes. Drive up Enterprise and you will see. Even the house I moved from in 1975 needs significant improvements, as most in this area do.. This project must go through.

[riverviewer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Will the "tomato lady" be successful in thwarting this badly needed 10 storey apartment building on the NW corner of the most prominent intersection in downtown Moncton?

A compensation could be a community garden to support the neighborhood as it morphs into high density and loses sunlight. The tomato lady could be granted use of a lifetime parcel in the new garden equal to the square footage she will lose to shade.

[MonctonRad]

T&T photos of the current status of the new Codiac RCMP headquarters building:





Actually, I would say these photos are over a month old, but whatever.

Completion is still two years away, which seems ridiculous, but the building is being built to be durable and hardened to withstand any form of natural disaster (National Building Code Post Disaster Standards).

So, when the zombie apocalypse occurs, you know where to go.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The next 2-4 weeks could be very interesting for downtown Moncton.

The next city council meeting is Monday night (February 6th), and the fate of 1333 Main will be revealed during the meeting. Will the "tomato lady" be successful in thwarting this badly needed 10 storey apartment building on the NW corner of the most prominent intersection in downtown Moncton? I would hope not. I am about as confident as one could be that this project will go ahead. If it doesn't, well, this would put a deep chill on many other potential projects of stature that could be coming to the downtown core. The NIMBYs had better not win this fight!

The next meeting of the Moncton PAC is scheduled for February 22nd. Usually the agenda and companion planning documents are made available on the internet two weeks beforehand, which would be February 8th. There are two substantial and or character changing development in the core whose announcement is imminent. Will we see information regarding these two developments on the 8th, or will we have to wait another month. I'm bursting at the seams to let you know what's on the horizon, but I am sworn to secrecy. Hopefully all will be revealed next week.

The 1333 Main Street building will be a very nice addition to that corner. I'm also confident that we'll see something from Aquilini regarding the Baton Rouge restaurant soon; if not this meeting then the next one. And Ashford could also be on the agenda at this meeting.

What I'd really like to see though, likely won't happen any time soon; at least it doesn't appear that way. It's the Crombie eyesore at 1222 Main Street. What a fantastic addition to the downtown it would be if they redeveloped it. Just a pet peeve of mine.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

What I'd really like to see though, likely won't happen any time soon; at least it doesn't appear that way. It's the Crombie eyesore at 1222 Main Street. What a fantastic addition to the downtown it would be if they redeveloped it. Just a pet peeve of mine.

1222 Main is no longer being actively leased on the Crombie website. This means to me that Crombie is either looking to sell the building, or is actively considering redevelopment options for the property. I think more likely the latter.

Residential or hotel conversion could be possible, including the development of the adjacent empty lot between this property and the Avenir Centre. This is one of the more attractive redevelopment opportunities available in the downtown.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

1222 Main is no longer being actively leased on the Crombie website. This means to me that Crombie is either looking to sell the building, or is actively considering redevelopment options for the property. I think more likely the latter.

Residential or hotel conversion could be possible, including the development of the adjacent empty lot between this property and the Avenir Centre. This is one of the more attractive redevelopment opportunities available in the downtown.

Yes, they had that large "For Lease" sign in front of the building for ages. I'm sure they realize that the commercial/office space market has now evaporated, and that the Moncton residential market is beyond strong with many buildings being fully leased even before they're completed.

When Crombie does residential space, it's usually part of a "mixed-use" development. It would be tremendous if they were currently working on plans for this property. Who knows what's going on behind closed doors! And with the location, this is indeed one of the finest redevelopment opportunities in the city. I cringe every time I drive by this downtown blemish, especially knowing what Crombie is capable of. But I'm not holding my breath on this one.

[MonctonRad]

T&T article regarding the expected decision by Moncton city council concerning 1333 Main Street:

https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102058461 (paywall)

They are waiting with baited breath like everyone else. Tomatoes vs. needed housing in the downtown area. Who will win? We find out tonight............

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

T&T article regarding the expected decision by Moncton city council concerning 1333 Main Street:

https://tj.news/times-and-transcript/102058461 (paywall)

They are waiting with baited breath like everyone else. Tomatoes vs. needed housing in the downtown area. Who will win? We find out tonight............

So, this is the nugget that Dawn Arnold gave us regarding the city's decision:

Council then made the decision to go ahead with the rezoning at 1333 Main Street to permit a 6-10-story building.

So, the city's decision appears to be a non decision. The tomato lady still has hope!!!!

I won't disguise the fact that I am disappointed by this. Presumably the developer and the tomato lady are still negotiating, but I can't imagine that lopping off four floors from the building makes any economic sense.

We still don't know what the final solution will be here. The rezoning is complete, but with the developer not knowing exactly how tall he can build, I imagine that there will be further delay (perhaps significant) before we see shovels in the ground.