The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[mylesmalley]

Just out of curiosity, where do you get information about floor space like that?

Also, which government of Canada building are you referring to at the top? The newly renovated one? Or the Dominion building/red building attached to it?

[ErickMontreal]

Key figure drops out of downtown development
Assumption Life frustrated by delays; Fredericton scores up to $8M in funding for conference centre

By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Saturday February 23rd, 2008
Appeared on page A7

The man once expected to be a key figure in the development of Moncton's downtown lands between Main Street and Assomption Boulevard has signalled waning interest after years of delay and shifting focus.

Assumption Life CEO Denis Losier said yesterday the Moncton based insurance and financial services company, which is the city's and dominant downtown landowner, was still open to any other developers' proposals, but was no longer looking to be a driving force in revitalizing the area.

The 25 storey Assumption Life building towers over downtown and the company's vast parking lots between its complex and Assomption Boulevard. Only the city's jail, expected to be replaced at some point in the next few years, and the land set aside for a courthouse, which may end up somewhere else, do not belong to Assumption. All of the parking lots which form the vast asphalt backyard of downtown belong to the company.

"We would be more than willing to listen to proposals from developers who might be interested in sharing with us financial investment in a development or using our land for a development," Losier said after the company's annual general meeting yesterday at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel. "We're willing to listen. I think there could be a better use of our land than just surface parking."

Emphasizing decisions on downtown are, of course, not his to make, Losier said backing away a bit is the right thing for Assumption Life.

"We were getting a little bit out of focus by concentrating so much energy on a project that after six years has not started. We decided it was best for us since we were expanding all across Canada to concentrate our energy on the development of our brokers network."

Losier had also once hoped to build the new justice centre that was initially supposed to be open this year at the northeast corner of Assumption Boulevard and Westmorland Street. While he wasn't closing any doors yesterday, he suggested the company would be responsive but not aggressively driving for that project anymore either.

"We spent some money on architects. We've made some designs, some investment. It doesn't seem to lead anywhere, so we said 'okay, that's fine. There will be other projects.' We'll wait for the good opportunity," he said.

Losier also doubted Assumption Life would ever get involved in a casino, should the province decide to locate one in Moncton.

"I don't think that's an area we would like to be involved in. It's not our core type of business. Even real estate is different from what we're doing. More and more of our energy is on sales of financial service," he said, adding the company didn't want to lose its focus on the business it knows best.

Losier, however, expressed the hope the province would make a decision soon on where to locate a casino so that construction could begin.

Throughout almost a decade of work toward developing the downtown, there have essentially been five main players -- The City of Moncton, the Province of New Brunswick, a partnership consisting of Toronto's Verdiroc and Moncton's Ashford Developments, and two prominent local entrepreneurs, Denis Losier and Bernard Cyr.

Losier is the second of the local entrepreneurs to put the matter on the back burner to pursue other business.

Cyr, the man once poised to build a hotel that would be the first component of a revitalized downtown, announced last April he had given up and spent his money buying the Best Western on Lewisville Road instead.

Mayor Lorne Mitton said yesterday, adding that he has appreciated Losier's efforts over the years and respected his opinion.

Mitton is not giving up, however. He will accompany the mayors of Riverview and Dieppe and delegates from Enterprise Greater Moncton to Ottawa this coming week to press for convention centre funding. This follows briefings to regional minister Greg Thompson and Premier Shawn Graham in December, where he shared the findings of PKF Consulting's study on the potential of the convention business in Metro Moncton.

All of these developments came as the Government of Canada and Province of New Brunswick announced yesterday afternoon they were making a conference centre in downtown Fredericton a priority for joint funding of up to $8 million.

Quick facts

* Prominent Metro Moncton entrepreneur and Assumption Life CEO Denis Losier signalled yesterday his company’s enthusiasm to be part of downtown development was waning after years of delays.

* Local entrepreneur Bernard Cyr, once expected to kickstart downtown revitalization with an Assomption Boulevard hotel, made a similar announcement last April.

* Mayor Lorne Mitton said yesterday he is off to Ottawa again this week to pursue federal funding to help pay for a convention centre.

* Meanwhile, the Government of Canada and Province of New Brunswick announced yesterday afternoon they were making a conference centre in downtown Fredericton a priority for joint funding of up to $8 million.

[ErickMontreal]

Assumption Life getting out of real estate; profit dips by $1.1M

Nathan White
Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday February 23rd, 2008
Appeared on page C1

MONCTON - His name has been attached to nearly every rumoured development in downtown Moncton over the past few years, but Assumption Life CEO Denis Losier says his company is getting out of the real estate game.

Losier has envisioned for years a multi-purpose facility on the Assumption-owned parking lot beside the Delta Beauséjour hotel. His 19th-floor office in the city's tallest building is full of various plans the company has had drawn up for potential downtown projects like a conference centre and courthouse.

But at the company's annual meeting Friday in Moncton, Losier said Assumption Life needs to focus on insurance, not real estate.

"We were getting a little bit out of focus by concentrating so much energy on a project that finally, after six years, has not started yet," said Losier, referring to the courthouse. The province has yet to begin construction, or even to choose a site, despite a sod-turning by former premier Bernard Lord in 2005.

Although profits dipped by $1.1 million to $4 million, Losier said Assumption had a good 2007 considering the volatility of the Canadian dollar, and the commercial paper and mortgage crises.

"Even with all those major issues, we still managed to have a very good profit," said Losier. The 105-year-old company posted a 10.6 per cent increase in policyholder equity, to $77.9 million, and crossed the $1-billion plateau in assets under management.

"That's a big step for us and hopefully we won't have to wait so long for the next billion dollars," he said.

Individual life insurance sales climbed 8.5 per cent, to $4 million. As Assumption continues to spread its reach, Losier said it needs to focus on its core business.

"We decided that it was best for us, since we're expanding all across Canada, to concentrate our energy on the development of our brokers' network," said Losier. "By concentrating our energies on sales, we'll probably have more success at ensuring the company's profitability."

While Losier said Assumption won't be leading any development projects, he said he's always willing to listen.

"We've spent money on architects, we've made some designs, we've made some investments. It doesn't seem to lead anywhere. There will be other projects and we'll wait for a good opportunity," he said. "There are needs downtown: parking, convention centre, hotel "¦ If there's another good project, we still have those lands and they're (gaining) more value every day. We will be more than willing to sit down with any developer that would propose something that would be profitable for our company and profitable for any other investors."

However, he said that likely won't include a casino, should the province decide to build one in Moncton.

"The casino will have an impact on the city and hopefully there will be a decision taken soon and construction can start, but that's a process we won't get involved in," said Losier.

Meanwhile, the provincial government is set to issue a request for proposals for the courthouse next month, with construction to begin in late summer.

Ashford Investments Inc. and Bore Park Place Inc. (Heritage Development Group), both of Moncton, and Huntingdon Real Estate Investment of Winnipeg and CitiGroup Properties of Dartmouth are the four groups in the running.

Huntingdon and CitiGroup hope to build on the former Beaver Lumber site, while the local groups are looking at other downtown locations.

[Helladog]

"The casino will have an impact on the city and hopefully there will be a decision taken soon and construction can start, but that's a process we won't get involved in," said Losier.

What casino?

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by Helladog

What casino?

He talked about the Casino bid by the province. He think Moncton will get it I suppose.

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by HalifaxMtl666

He talked about the Casino bid by the province. He think Moncton will get it I suppose.

Well based on rumor alone, it's probably true, but he's making a big "assumption", lol.

I think the casino should go in Sussex...kind of liven the corridor between Moncton and SJ.

[ErickMontreal]

Power rate increase could cause future problems.

February 23, 2008 - 6:40 am
By: News 91.9 staff

The Canadian Manufacturer's Association says a six point nine percent power rate for big industry could spell trouble down the road.

Yesterday, the Energy and Utility's Board ruled residential and small business would pay a 5.9 percent increase, while large industry would pay six point nine.

David Plante says increasing power rates are just one of the host of challenges the manufacturing sector has to contend with.

"The prices in other commodities is starting to downturn, and with other business costs rising its going to become even more difficult to remain viable and keep those jobs going.

Plante says while business and government try to work co-operatively to maintain the most competitive investment climate as possible, the reality is rates are going to go up and costs are going to increase.

[ErickMontreal]

Spectral Delivery / livraison spectrale



Brian Branch :: http://monctonpixels.blogspot.com/2008/02/spectral-truck-livraison-spectrale.html

[mmmatt]

too bad about Assumption, they had some awesome ideas...just goes to show how time is a big deal in these things. We cant sit around any lionger the city needs to move on a convention center and stuff for downtown, or more and more people are going to be upset.

Awesome picture too! really cool idea

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by Helladog

Well based on rumor alone, it's probably true, but he's making a big "assumption", lol.

I think the casino should go in Sussex...kind of liven the corridor between Moncton and SJ.

hahaha yeah a large "assumption" indeed . However to date there are two active proposals for Moncton and none in Saint John, but there is still time left so who knows...I'll bet a bunch will come in at the last second...developers are wierd like that.

[ErickMontreal]

2007 strong year for Greater Moncton housing market

February 26, 2008 - 12:14 pm
By: Rebecca Davis, News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB-The housing market in Greater Moncton was very strong in 2007, and it's likely to stay that way.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation hosted a seminar today in the Hub City entitled Housing in a Changing Environment.

Claude Gautreau is CMHC's Senior Market Analyst and says a number of things lead to the good year in Greater Moncton, including a diverse economy, employment levels, and strong population growth.

He says it was a balanced market that leaned slightly towards a sellers market, and next year should be about the same.

[mmmatt]

I dont know if I mentioned this already or not but a few weeks a go I went to the Moncton Museum and at the entrance they had a beautiful model set up of what appeared to be a massive expansion to the museum...I had never heard of it before so I asked the receptionist if this project was still a go, she said it was supposed to break ground this year! Too bad I didnt have my camera because it was awesome looking, lots of angled glass and the works...I guess the current facade (old moncton city hall) will actually be inside the new expansion.

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton housing market to slow, but still strong
CMHC releases forecast for 2008, which shows Moncton numbers dropping closer to national average

By Eric Lewis
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Wednesday February 27th, 2008
Appeared on page A9

The housing market in Moncton is likely to take a small drop in 2008, but it will remain strong, and for the potential home buyer, it's still one of the most affordable places in Atlantic Canada for purchasing a home.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) held its annual Housing Outlook Seminar at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel on Main Street in Moncton yesterday, where two housing market experts looked at the state of the housing market in Canada, how it is impacted by the U.S. market, and most importantly, what to look ahead to going forward.

Noting that the market here is likely to soften this year, senior market analyst with CMHC Claude Gautreau says it is simply a matter of the province settling in with the rest of Canada.

"The market has been moving at a very high level (in Moncton), which probably isn't sustainable," he says. "It's moving to a level that is probably more sustainable."

In 2007, while Canada's single housing starts declined by 3.5 per cent from 2006, in New Brunswick, it went up 14.1 per cent, far ahead of the national average and the fourth highest total single starts in the past decade. However, the national multiple-unit starts increased by 2 per cent while multiple-unit starts in New Brunswick fell by 5.5 per cent.

Also, the vacancy rate in rental units declined over the last year.

Working in Metro Moncton's favour, Gautreau noted, are reasonable mortgage rates, a high employment rate and strong migration into the province.

Moncton and Fredericton were the only two regions in the province to experience a population growth between 2001 and 2006. Moncton led the pack with a growth rate of 6.5 per cent and Fredericton followed at 5.3 per cent. Even the national population increase (5.4 per cent) was far behind Metro Moncton's increase.

All of this contributes to the city's strong housing market.

Total housing starts in Moncton last year were 1,425, nearly 400 units above the 10-year average of 1,145 and a year-over-year increase of 10.5 per cent over 2006 numbers.

The majority (54 per cent) of the homes built were in the upper mid-price range of $175,000 to $250,000, with higher priced homes ($250,000 and up) only taking 12.2 per cent, lower mid-priced homes ($130,000 to $175,000) taking 30.8 per cent and the rest (3 per cent) by homes under $130,000.

However, Moncton's tastes are getting more expensive as the percentage of higher-priced homes being purchased has increased dramatically over the last few years, from 5.4 per cent in 2005 to 12.2 per cent last year.

Gautreau noted that even with all the growth, Metro Moncton is still one of the most affordable places to live in the Maritimes. The average price of a used home is $140,032 while a similar house in Halifax would go for $215,645 or $570,795 in Vancouver. Fredericton and Saint John are comparable to Moncton, Gautreau noted.

He said the average price of a home in Moncton will continue to rise in 2008, likely to about $147,000 and continuing to $152,000 in 2009.

However, Gautreau said with labour market conditions strong, more opportunities opening in the work force and migration rates strong, the housing market here should remain strong.

Mortgage rates are at the highest they've been since 1990 in Atlantic Canada, but there are many more payment options these days which make it easier for home owners.

In an earlier presentation, economist Alex MacDonald noted that there should be increasing demand in the future for smaller dwellings as 52 per cent of New Brunswickers living in apartments live alone.

In addition, household size has continued to decline in New Brunswick over the last several years. In 1991, the average household in the province had 2.8 people living in it. In 2006, the number is now 2.4.
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Dieppe gives final reading to municipal plan amendments, zoning bylaw

Published Wednesday February 27th, 2008
Appeared on page A10

Dieppe city council gave third and final readings at their regular session last night to amendments to the city's municipal plan and to a zoning bylaw, setting the stage for a new housing development.

Tridev Corp. plans to build homes near Melanson Road, west of Dieppe Boulevard, north of Melanson Road and east of duMoulin Street.

The development will include single-family homes and duplexes.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wireless Internet arrives in downtown Dieppe

Published Wednesday February 27th, 2008
Appeared on page A10

Wireless Internet service has arrived in downtown Dieppe -- as have two webcams allowing you to watch goings-on downtown from your home or work computer.

The free wireless Internet service in the downtown is part of an agreement between the city and Aliant. The service is available outside and inside city hall and neighbouring Place 1604.

Both webcams are mounted on top of city hall, with one pointed at Place 1604 and the other aimed at the city's major intersection of Acadie Avenue and Champlain Street. You can see the view from the cameras via the city's web site: www.dieppe.ca

At its regular council meeting Monday, Dieppe awarded a three-year agreement to Aliant for technical support for the municipality's computer network, personal computers and peripheral equipment, at a cost of about $60,000 per year.

The cost could vary should the city increase or decrease its number of computer terminals and similar equipment, council was told.

[mmmatt]

I had a feeling the housing market would slow a bit this year, we were just too hot to last really...everywhere else is going down, we can only saty that high for so long...hopefully we will start going back up within a couple of years though after this "recession" or wtv is over haha.

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton Market renovated
Work on downtown market should be done in next few weeks

By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Thursday February 28th, 2008
Appeared on page A3

Renovations to part of the Moncton Market should wrap up in the next couple weeks, says the City of Moncton's Shane Porter.

"The major disruption's over," Porter said.

What was originally an open-air shelter was closed-in a number of years ago but, as any regular visitors to the city market can attest, the truck bay area linking the main market to Festival Hall has been cold in winter and hot in summer.

A contractor was brought in to insulate the ceiling, but city crews will finish the work.

More than 100 vendors set up stalls at the market each Saturday to serve an average 3,000 to 4,000 customers. Another 50 vendors are on a waiting list.

The numbers have climbed significantly since the late 2006 reunification of the two markets that operated simultaneously in Moncton for a number of years.

They've also climbed despite the opening of the Dieppe Farmers Market in 2005. A typical Saturday brings 5,000 to 7,000 people to the Dieppe facility, suggesting the demand for the farmer's market experience has grown along with increased market space.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

:: In Brief ::

Hampton Inn :: they are working on the sixth floor
The BMW and Mazda dealer are almost completed
The exterior construction of the new Marriott is almost completed
Champlain business plaza refurbishment along Champlain is completed
The 5-story apartment (Beausejour) in Dieppe is almost completed
Dieppe Aquactic Center is under construction
The Champlain Place refurbishment is under way.
The Mapleton power center is under construction.

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton Hospital - Ambulatory-Care, Trauma and Emergency Centre Project


Steven Downes :: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_downes/2295360846/

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Behind bars / Sous les verrous

Boom Magazine, Here, Globe and Mail and Times and Transcript.

Brian Branch :: http://monctonpixels.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html

[ErickMontreal]

:: Uptown Dieppe ::


Uptown Dieppe Development Building "E" - Dieppe, New Brunswick

Released February 13, 2008

EllisDon Halifax partnered with Concorde Atlantic have been awarded a $4.5 million lump sum contract for the Uptown Dieppe Development Building "E" in Dieppe, New Brunswick.

Uptown Dieppe Development Building "E" is the third building in the Uptown Dieppe Development. The three storey 'L' shaped building is a mix of 18,000 square feet of commercial space for 14 restaurants and retail outlets on the ground floor and 29,000 square feet of residential space. The 15 apartments on the second and third floors will be a mix of one storey with loft and two storey apartments. The building will share a common foundation and firewall on the inside of the 'L' with the Dieppe Coop grocery store completed in 2007 by EllisDon.

Construction will begin approximately February 29, 2008 with a planned completion of late October 2008.

[ErickMontreal]

Projects page :: Update have been done.
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New levy rate for Downtown Moncton see's no change.

February 28, 2008 - 4:38 pm
By: Darrell Quann News 91.9

MONCTON - Now that Downtown Moncton officially includes St George Street merchants, a new levy rate had to be set.

That was done yesterday, and city council approved the rate of 60-cents per 100 dollars, meaning no change.

The Executive Director for Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc. Daniel Allain says that money will be put to good use.

"Downtown Moncton is ready to work St George Street merchants as well as all the merchants of Downtown Moncton, and we want to mover forward, we want to work on our priorities which are infrastructure, security, parking, events and festivals, residential components, and retail.

He also made sure to mention that Moncton's levy rate is the lowest in the province out of the other 29 BIA's
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

:: Sears Can. ::

The first Sears Floor Covering Centre in New-Brunswick will open in the former Sears Auto Center along Champlain street.

[ErickMontreal]

Metro mayors press Ottawa for project funds
Mitton, Maillet and Sweetland talk about convention centre, airport, police
By Brent Mazerolle

Times & Transcript Staff
Published Friday February 29th, 2008
Appeared on page A11

They went to talk about a convention centre in downtown Moncton, Riverview's road-building strategy and the expansion of Dieppe's industrial park to pursue aerospace, transportation and logistics industries.

The mayors of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview also went to Ottawa this week to talk to federal government officials about RCMP policing and 24 hour customs operations at the Greater Moncton International Airport.

All three said yesterday that though they returned from Ottawa with nothing concrete or immediate, they had enjoyed productive conversations with New Brunswick's regional minister Greg Thompson, as well as senior staff at ACOA and the Department of Public Safety. They also met with New Brunswick's Senator Noël Kinsella, the speaker of the senate.

Dieppe Mayor Achille Maillet said it was nice to see "they are in tune with our progress," in Ottawa, noting those they met with all seemed well informed and sincere in their interest in what is going on here in southeastern New Brunswick.

He believes the relationship building, which includes this annual trip by the three mayors and Enterprise Greater Moncton, is important.

"We knock on the door. In order for the door to open, sometimes we have to knock again," he said.

Riverview Mayor Clarence Sweetland said he went to Ottawa to advance Riverview's agenda, but also to demonstrate the solidarity of the tri-community on issues of common interest. Among those discussed in Ottawa were the fact Metro Moncton does not get the 10 per cent subsidy for its RCMP service the way all other jurisdictions in Canada (except Sackville) do.

Riverview's mayor said he expressed thanks for the help that has seen Gunningsville Boulevard built and the Fundy Gateway project for the former town fire hall launched. But Sweetland said he also drove home the message the infrastructure money needs to keep on flowing to municipalities, citing the town's proposed Bridgedale Boulevard to connect Gunningsville Boulevard and Hillsborough Road as an example of a project in need of federal (and provincial) funding. Riverview wants the link to further set the stage for development in the eastern part of the town.

Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton said the meeting with Thompson gave him some hope about convention centre funding, as plagued as the process has been by changing political powers and changing players over the past decade.

With the federal government announcing support for a Fredericton convention centre last week, Mitton said he got "more positive vibes from Minister Thompson and his chief of staff on this visit." He noted, however, that Moncton had not come up with $16 million of its own money toward a convention centre, as Fredericton did.

Before he went to Ottawa, Mitton admitted he shared the public's frustration on the convention centre issue.

He added the completion of extensions to Vaughan Harvey Boulevard and Assomption Boulevard have spurred developments at each end -- the $15-million Marriott at Main and Assomption and the $15-million Sobeys at Main and Vaughan Harvey.
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Call centres must evolve
Metro Moncton has experienced see-saw effect felt throughout industry

by marc hudon
times & transcript staff
Published Friday February 29th, 2008
Appeared on page A4

OTTAWA - A senior economist at an Atlantic Canadian think-tank says he's not putting "much weight" on a Statistics Canada report that touts the strength of the call-centre industry.

David Chaundy of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council said despite the report's claim that call centres across Canada have experienced a 27.7 per cent annual average increase in revenue from 1998 to 2006, he's not "completely sold" by it.

"I think the key issues are what's been happening in this industry, which has grown fairly quickly and been fairly important, and is this going to continue growing," he said. "There has been quite a bit of turnover, and it's hard to get a sense of whether it's growing or staying the same."

The see-saw trend is being felt in Moncton where more than 200 industry jobs were created by Rogers Communication last summer. But boom went bust when AOL Canada decided to pull its customer-contact centre, cutting 140 call-centre jobs in October with an additional 100 cuts coming March 2.

Metro Moncton boasts approximately 8,500 jobs in the call-centre industry.

Chaundy said to slow down the see-saw effect, call centres need to evolve to meet economic, labour market and population challenges in New Brunswick.

He said the rising Canadian dollar, lower unemployment in urban centres and a slowdown in people joining the workforce means customer service-type call centres are not as viable as they once were.

He said low operating costs, employees with basic telephone skills and financial incentives from government aren't enough to sustain the industry.

"We have to look at moving to higher value-added things where you're looking at higher skilled operations," he said, such as business-to-business sales, health care, and financial services.

He said in order to fill the positions, government must find ways to keep its skilled and educated young people from leaving the province.

He said Atlantic Canada has lost about 7,000 people between the ages of 18 and 34 every year for the past decade.

Neri Basque, executive vice-president of IT and strategic development at Virtual-Agent Services, a company with 19 call centres throughout New Brunswick, said that the industry must continue to grow and evolve to stay competitive.

"It's going to be a more specific niche (call centre) that comes to New Brunswick," he said.

"There might be more emphasis on different roles than just agents answering basic service."

Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne said the government is looking at further diversifying the province's call-centre industry.

"We have to sell our advantage," said Byrne, adding that the industry in New Brunswick is still growing.

He said the province has "several initiatives" to announce in the coming months but refused to give details.

[JasonL-Moncton]

First...the bozo talking about Call Centers doesn't have a clue what he's talking about.

Second, someone must have complained, the Moncton Web Cam is now pointing at the intersection of Main St. and Botsford...now if they could just improve the quality.