[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[jonny golden]

There's a lot of vacant land between Staples and King Street.

[MonctonGoldenTri]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Anything is possible, but I'm just pleased as punch that Moncton may see 2-3 new buildings downtown in the 20 storey range.

There have been wild rumours flying around of something as tall as 30 storey, but I don't believe it, and I'm not sure that it would be preferable in any event. I would rather see a cluster of downtown towers in the 15-20 storey rather than another phallus like the NB Tel tower sticking up into the air.

I'm with you with multiple 15-20s buildings would be preferred over a single building, but a modern 22-25s that's at minimum 10-15m higher than Assumption would be nice! I agree 30s would stick out like a sore thumb.

[Sandbagger]

Originally Posted by BlackYear

Nah, since they haven’t found any gold on Oak Island yet, they’re trying their luck here. History Channel producers will be here next week, along with that annoying announcer who keeps repeating everything in a form of a question.

Could it be? Mysterious fragments of an ancient Crystal Palace token on the property of former developer Valmond Robichaud? For Marty and the team, this could be an important discovery that leads them closer to the fabled pirate crew who first built the ancient mini putt course at McGinnis Landing, decades ago.

[MonctonRad]

I wouldn't get too excited unless we see Gary Drayton wandering around with his metal detector.

[jonny golden]

So would they be drilling to see if there's contaminated soil the needs to be dealt with?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

So would they be drilling to see if there's contaminated soil the needs to be dealt with?

They would need to assess the substrate to determine the load carrying capability of the soil - especially important if you are thinking about building a 20 storey building.

Any soil contamination issues would be a nightmare.

[David_99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I wouldn't get too excited unless we see Gary Drayton wandering around with his metal detector.

You mean Metal Detection Expert, Gary Drayton? What if he finds a bobby-dazzler, top-pocket find?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by David_99

What if he finds a bobby-dazzler, top-pocket find?

Indeed. That would be the fabled Crystal Palace token - an indication of the fabulous riches to come!

Actually, a few months ago a metal detectionist found a WW1 medal at the site of 1333 Main and returned it to the soldiers family. I saw this on CTV.

You never know................

[josh_cat_eyes]

This all reminds me of the 22 minutes but they did on Oak Island. They find a button that says Marks Work Wearhouse. It’s hilarious. https://youtu.be/zqSFTfKeU_U

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

They would need to assess the substrate to determine the load carrying capability of the soil - especially important if you are thinking about building a 20 storey building.

Any soil contamination issues would be a nightmare.

So the fact that they're drilling indicates that it'll be a considerable sized building?

A 20 floor tower would make quite the statement as one enters downtown Moncton!

[PEI highway guy]

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenTri

I'm with you with multiple 15-20s buildings would be preferred over a single building, but a modern 22-25s that's at minimum 10-15m higher than Assumption would be nice! I agree 30s would stick out like a sore thumb.

Ifu there were a couple of 28-30 Storey buildings close together it would not be too bad. I agree one woulld be out of place. I am not sure where these would go though..

[josh_cat_eyes]

Who’s to say we won’t get several of both sizes. We all know there is more than enough space in downtown Moncton for several 15-30 storey buildings.

[adamuptownsj]

I'm for a 30-storey building. It would be fun. Why not? Someone has to go first.

[JHikka]

Moncton's downtown sorely needs more density and more activity before it starts growing upwards. A 20s+ build would look out of place compared to everything else. Focus on livable areas, urban neighbourhoods, walkable areas, and eventually the height will come. Even if it doesn't, downtown will be better served by more right-sized urban developments. A 30s building doesn't directly do any of this and will simply look odd from afar.

[MonctonRad]

I agree. We need to increase density with midrise buildings first, before trying to compete with larger cities like Halifax in terms of real skyscrapers.

This is the way we are going anyway.

- 10 storeys at the Junction Urban Village
- 10 storeys (hopefully still) at 1333 Main
- 3 x 15 storeys at the Three Sisters
- 20 storeys at the 4th Sister on the other side of Assumption.
- 14 storeys (rumoured) on Downing Street.
- 20 storeys (maybe) on Harper Street & East Main.
- 12 storeys (perhaps still) at St, Bernard Square (if it gets revived)

That's not bad, and provides for a homogeneously dense city than a couple of 25-30 storey buildings.

[jonny golden]

I've been thinking about the Galco project at the Robinson Street parking lot. I wonder if the requested delay could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for downtown Moncton.

Mr. Blakney (1333 Main Street) stated that if you took their building down to six storeys it wouldn't be financially viable, and that it wouldn't to work.

Could the same be true for the 6 floor Galco project? I wonder if they're now considering adding floors to their building to make it more financially viable?

[MonctonRad]

I'm still expecting them to break ground this spring. Why? Have you heard otherwise?

[MonctonPerson]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

I've been thinking about the Galco project at the Robinson Street parking lot. I wonder if the requested delay could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for downtown Moncton.

Mr. Blakney (1333 Main Street) stated that if you took their building down to six storeys it wouldn't be financially viable, and that it wouldn't to work.

Could the same be true for the 6 floor Galco project? I wonder if they're now considering adding floors to their building to make it more financially viable?

The issue with six versus ten floors is around building code requirements.

The building originally planned was concrete construction and includes a lot more safety measures than are required for six floors. The same construction methods at six floors was not viable.

The six floors with wood frame construction, though, was what he was going to look into following the council vote.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I'm still expecting them to break ground this spring. Why? Have you heard otherwise?

I haven't heard anything on this file since the developer was granted the delay; just speculating.

But I was thinking that since (according to Chad Blakney) the 1333 Main Street project wouldn't be viable at 6 floors, could Galco be looking at increasing the number of floors on their building? They've had a lot of time to work on their design.

[MonctonDowntown]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Moncton's downtown sorely needs more density and more activity before it starts growing upwards. A 20s+ build would look out of place compared to everything else. Focus on livable areas, urban neighbourhoods, walkable areas, and eventually the height will come. Even if it doesn't, downtown will be better served by more right-sized urban developments. A 30s building doesn't directly do any of this and will simply look odd from afar.

1000%. Let’s fill downtown with 6 storey mix use developments please. Create a nice street canyon down Main Street and the streets off of it.