[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[MonctonRad]

I have it on authority that planning work continues behind the scenes on the Ashford/Downing project. Things are still very much a go!

Details remain sparse, but, I am assured that we will all be very pleasantly surprised when the planning are finally released. This will be a signature development for the downtown core of impressive size and stature.

[Leroy321]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I have it on authority that planning work continues behind the scenes on the Ashford/Downing project. Things are still very much a go!

Details remain sparse, but, I am assured that we will all be very pleasantly surprised when the planning are finally released. This will be a signature development for the downtown core of impressive size and stature.

Any idea at all when we will see an announcement?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

Any idea at all when we will see an announcement?

Sadly no. If I was to guess, next spring.

This is the "next big thing" for the city, but, they have to wait for the Codiac RCMP building to finish up, for federal and provincial funding to be secured, and for the prep work on the site to be completed;

It is important to remember that this is actually two projects in one - A mixed use development by Ashford (residential/retail/parking structure), and, a new city market/flex convention space by the city. It is entirely possible that one of the two components could proceed before the second component begins.

Anyway, the little information that I was given (carefully by a person in the know who doesn't want to spill the beans) indicates we should all be pleased with the scale of the development when details are finally released. This remains the "Fundy Quay" of Moncton. It is that big.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I presume you mean Westgate.

The similarity in the name of this building to the (soon to be built) Gateway Towers is most frustrating. It has slipped me up too.

I am pleasantly surprised at how smoothly the Westgate Building has been built. Not only are there tenants already moved in, but they also have their first commercial tenant too (a Pilates studio).

Yes Westgate.

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I have it on authority that planning work continues behind the scenes on the Ashford/Downing project. Things are still very much a go!

Details remain sparse, but, I am assured that we will all be very pleasantly surprised when the planning are finally released. This will be a signature development for the downtown core of impressive size and stature.

Great reporting! Thanks! Good for the morale.

[jonny golden]

It would be interesting to know what the vacancy rate is in the Assomption building. I wonder how hard it was hit by covid?

[Riberview]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Sadly no. If I was to guess, next spring.

This is the "next big thing" for the city, but, they have to wait for the Codiac RCMP building to finish up, for federal and provincial funding to be secured, and for the prep work on the site to be completed;

It is important to remember that this is actually two projects in one - A mixed use development by Ashford (residential/retail/parking structure), and, a new city market/flex convention space by the city. It is entirely possible that one of the two components could proceed before the second component begins.

Anyway, the little information that I was given (carefully by a person in the know who doesn't want to spill the beans) indicates we should all be pleased with the scale of the development when details are finally released. This remains the "Fundy Quay" of Moncton. It is that big.

[MonctonRad]

"Coming soon" signage has appeared in the windows of the former MK Thai Gourmet on Main Street for Casa Latina, a Mexiacan restaurant set to open later this fall.

[reflist]

A pro transit youtuber from Europe, "Not Just Bikes", made a video about his trip on the Ocean train service from Halifax to Montreal. He shows Moncton at about the 22:30 mark of the video. He remarks on the poor Canadian land use around train stations while in Moncton. This video really puts into perspective how much the passenger rail service in this country has declined.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2MGauUIUNc&ab_channel=NotJustBikes

[MonctonRad]

Great video! This was the definitive statement on the state of VIA Rail in Canada, and the VIA Ocean in particular.

[jonny golden]

I wonder why that vacant piece of land between the VIA station and Shoppers was never developed. Would it be the location, or possibly some other problem?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

I wonder why that vacant piece of land between the VIA station and Shoppers was never developed. Would it be the location, or possibly some other problem?

Location I would imagine. Canada Street in this location is not that busy, even though it is right next to a Shoppers Drug Mart and across the street from the Sobeys Plaza.

If the VIA station were busier, this would make a difference.

This property is now owned by the Gray Group and Tier Too Properties, since they acquired it from Crombie. Crombie had no ambitions for the property. Maybe Tier Too can come up with an idea. The destiny for this lot would seem to b for a small retail plaza.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by reflist

A pro transit youtuber from Europe, "Not Just Bikes", made a video about his trip on the Ocean train service from Halifax to Montreal. He shows Moncton at about the 22:30 mark of the video. He remarks on the poor Canadian land use around train stations while in Moncton. This video really puts into perspective how much the passenger rail service in this country has declined.

Wow, he does not like Halifax.

[Audevourahn]

Originally Posted by Nashe

Wow, he does not like Halifax.

I was kind of surprised by his take on Halifax! I have considered it to be a pretty "not just bikes"-compatible city! The peninsula doesn't have any freeways, is quite walkable, and has vibrant streets. I thought he was a bit harsh on it, personally.

[SevenSquared]

Originally Posted by Audevourahn

I was kind of surprised by his take on Halifax! I have considered it to be a pretty "not just bikes"-compatible city! The peninsula doesn't have any freeways, is quite walkable, and has vibrant streets. I thought he was a bit harsh on it, personally.

Kind of hard to bike in a city with extremely few bike lanes, massive hills and a quite large portion of the neighbourhoods located 5-25 km away from the city centre. I'm certainly not surprised by his opinion and I'm surprised we don't hear that perspective more often.

Halifax is excellent if you stay in the heart of downtown, but if you're living in HRM, can't afford the downtown real estate premium and rely on transit and/or micromobility to get around, it's certainly no picnic.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by SevenSquared

Kind of hard to bike in a city with extremely few bike lanes, massive hills and a quite large portion of the neighbourhoods located 5-25 km away from the city centre.

Which is why Halifax desperately need regional commuter rail.

[SevenSquared]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Which is why Halifax desperately need regional commuter rail.

I wonder if there's ever been a poll conducted on whether HRM suburbanites would even want to use commuter rail.

Anecdotally, one thing that struck me during my time in Halifax was how little appetite there always seemed to be for public transit among those living off the peninsula, whether it's improved bus frequency or commuter rail. It felt like the only people who in favour are already living on the peninsula or in the nearest parts of Dartmouth.

Here in Moncton, nearly everyone seems to complain about Codiac Transpo not running frequently, the poor connections or not running late enough to be a viable commuting option, regardless of whether they live in Moncton/Dieppe/Riverview. There seems to be a genuine strong desire to use transit if it was feasible..... but for a lot of the HRM, it seems like a lot of the suburbanites are firmly set on being 100% reliant on their cars even if there were viable alternatives?

[MonctonRad]

LaRouere Chocolaterie is now open in their new location at 329 St.George Street (The Arches of St. George)



https://www.facebook.com/choclarouere

[MonctonRad]

I took this picture yesterday, and just in the nick of time. They are currently taking the (red) crane down for the Seville apartment building on Waterloo.

[jnaygull]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I took this picture yesterday, and just in the nick of time. They are currently taking the (red) crane down for the Seville apartment building on Waterloo.

Great shot! Especially with the grey elephant lurking in the background. The Three Sisters are an interesting looking complex when compared to the rest of downtown. My hopes are that any future significant downtown developments will continue to build off a refreshed design. I look forward to driving down Assumption once the Gateway Towers are up, it's going to actually feel like we're driving into a city.

I am still very disappointed with the final product of the West Gate apartment complex with its stunted height and tiny windows and balconies. They really "cheaped" out once they cowered to the neighbours. I'd imagine if the developers followed through on their initial proposal, we would see more pictures of that intersection as a gateway to the downtown.