[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[L'homard]

I have to agree that this is nuts.
I realize M. LeBlanc was known for this place being his muse. So what? Let's honour him properly. By properly, I mean without pissing off most residents who oppose the idea, and without renaming "Stabby Alley" in his name. That's a dubious honour indeed.
The man deserves to be recognized, but properly.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by L'homard

I have to agree that this is nuts.
I realize M. LeBlanc was known for this place being his muse. So what? Let's honour him properly. By properly, I mean without pissing off most residents who oppose the idea, and without renaming "Stabby Alley" in his name. That's a dubious honour indeed.
The man deserves to be recognized, but properly.

Maybe the proposed plaza on Downing street?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

Maybe the proposed plaza on Downing street?

I would have no problem with this, and it would have the added benefit of being right next to the public library, and to the statue of Northrup Frye.

Mr Frye and M LeBlanc could strike up a conversation!!

[L'homard]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I would have no problem with this, and it would have the added benefit of being right next to the public library, and to the statue of Northrup Frye.

Mr Frye and M LeBlanc could strike up a conversation!!

This made me laugh... But I do also agree changing the name of Robinson Crt. is not the right thing... They have manage to piss off at least 90% of the Business owners by even proposing it.

Downing Street on the other hand has nothing on it except the exist for the Blue Cross's parking lot...

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the first plans for Downing Street to have the street moved over taking out the building South/West, and building shops with offices, and apartments above. Not to forget the greenery they wanted to add.

[Good2go]

Kate Letterick @LetterickCBC

Robinson court will not be renamed--council decision. More details Tuesday morning on Information Morning.

[MonctonRad]

Common sense prevails!

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by Scarface

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the first plans for Downing Street to have the street moved over taking out the building South/West, and building shops with offices, and apartments above. Not to forget the greenery they wanted to add.

[Sushi Guy]

Any news on the new Japanese Restaurant on Robinson Court??

[Mattyyy]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

This was the original plan. Has it been changed?

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by Mattyyy

This was the original plan. Has it been changed?

I had not seen anything about those plans changing mind you with the city now looking at starting the project it might change based on cost or lack of demand within that area if those 2 issues arise...

[pierremoncton]

Councillor Boudreau was quoted as saying in this T&T article that "in the near future, Robinson Street will likely be reopened to traffic and Robinson Court will cease to exist".

Does anyone know where this is coming from or what the plans are? We're trying to make downtown more friendly to pedestrians -- so how is this a good idea?

That spot's bad reputation is exaggerated. A couple of stabbings and some bar fights over what - 20 years? That'll happen anywhere there's a conglomeration of bars. Mind you I'm not there often (anymore) and I don't stick around until closing time, but I've never felt unsafe there. Reopening the court to traffic could (1) kill all the businesses there, (2) increase fights due to cramping people together even more, or (3) lead to roadkill when drunks spill over.

On another note, who is/was Downing? I looked but found nothing. I'm asking in anticipation that someone suggests we rename Downing Plaza to something else.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

Councillor Boudreau was quoted as saying in this T&T article that "in the near future, Robinson Street will likely be reopened to traffic and Robinson Court will cease to exist".

Does anyone know where this is coming from or what the plans are? We're trying to make downtown more friendly to pedestrians -- so how is this a good idea?

That must be a misquote or Boudreau must have misunderstood a note on his desk or something. That makes absolutely no sense to reopen Robinson Court to vehicles.

Don't forget that the entrance to Empress Theater is also located there. They would need to remove 2 expensive metal "Cour Robinson Court" entrances, remove trees, remove Rouge's permanent patio/year round bar expansion, remove all of the other not so permanent metal patio fences from the other bars, redo walk way, curbs, etc, etc, etc. For what? A one way, one lane?

Nah, that ain't happening!

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

Councillor Boudreau was quoted as saying in this T&T article that "in the near future, Robinson Street will likely be reopened to traffic and Robinson Court will cease to exist".

I can't see it happening - what's the point? You have Lutz St. less than 100m away and other than the fact that it's in dire need of a complete reconstruction is fine for traffic. Moreover, it's been a public square for as long as I can remember. How would the public benefit from losing it? Granted it isnt' the nicest place but that's just room for improvement.

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

That spot's bad reputation is exaggerated. A couple of stabbings and some bar fights over what - 20 years? That'll happen anywhere there's a conglomeration of bars. Mind you I'm not there often (anymore) and I don't stick around until closing time, but I've never felt unsafe there. Reopening the court to traffic could (1) kill all the businesses there, (2) increase fights due to cramping people together even more, or (3) lead to roadkill when drunks spill over.

Crime is always exaggerated. If you only get your 'news' from places Facebook, you'd think that places like Moncton were fresh out of Mad Max when that just isn't remotely accurate.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

Councillor Boudreau was quoted as saying in this T&T article that "in the near future, Robinson Street will likely be reopened to traffic and Robinson Court will cease to exist". Does anyone know where this is coming from or what the plans are? We're trying to make downtown more friendly to pedestrians -- so how is this a good idea?

I do vaguely recall a redevelopment proposal for the rear end of the parking lot in behind the Peace Centre from several years ago. I don't recall exactly what that entailed but perhaps it included reopening Robinson Street to through traffic. I don't know the status of this, but I tend to agree with everyone that reopening that one block section of Robinson would have little benefit and many potential complications. The redevelopment of the west end of the parking lot could easily be accessible to traffic via Queen Street instead.

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

On another note, who is/was Downing? I looked but found nothing. I'm asking in anticipation that someone suggests we rename Downing Plaza to something else.

I have no idea who Downing was either. I sort of envisioned keeping the Downing Street name intact, but naming the plaza in the middle (the median of the boulevard) after M LeBlanc.

[L'homard]

I'd suggest that reopening Robinson Court to cars makes the same amount of sense as renaming the court from an English founder of the city to a modern-day Acadian poet.
Do both these ideas come from the same councillor? If so, 'nuff said.
On the other topic, I don't believe Robinson Court is akin to Mad Max at closing time, nor would I want my 19-t0-25-year-old kids hanging out there. If you think the troubles there amount to a few bar fights and a couple of stabbings over a long period of time long ago, you are mistaken. Just get yourself a mug o' Timmies and saunter down there on most any Saturday or Sunday morning between midnight and 3 a.m. and see for yourself. You won't be a proud Monctonian.

[drewber]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

On another note, who is/was Downing? I looked but found nothing. I'm asking in anticipation that someone suggests we rename Downing Plaza to something else.

My understanding is that it was After Sir George Downing the same man who Downing Street in London is named after. He owned multiple properties stretching from Massachusetts to England back in the 1600's

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by drewber

My understanding is that it was After Sir George Downing the same man who Downing Street in London is named after. He owned multiple properties stretching from Massachusetts to England back in the 1600's

That is what one of my old teachers said "He owned real estate that's Mister Downing's big accomplishments in life to have a street named after him."

I do think it a little insulting tho that english people are quick to say no to changing the name of a street from an english name to a french one, and of course these are the same people who get up in arms when new streets might hold some french Acadian history, and not to forget if a street name change would be said for a french street being renamed an english name they would be the first ones to jump on the opportunity to add whatever name they have in there head...

[MonctonRad]

Moncton adding on-street parking to busy Mountain Road
20 spots being created to accommodate the new $10M transportation museum, Resurgo Place
CBC News Posted: Jul 22, 2015 6:27 PM AT
Last Updated: Jul 22, 2015 6:27 PM AT

The City of Moncton is creating on-street parking on busy Mountain Road to accommodate the new Resurgo Place.

The $10-million transportation museum, which opened less than a year ago, has a parking lot, but the 20 spaces have proven insufficient, says director Brenda Orr.

"I think what the wild card is not knowing and predicting 100 per cent what our peak times would be, how often the facility would be used," she said.

"We're getting a much better picture of that today, after we've been working in the building for about 10 months."

The museum turned to the city for on-street parking to help alleviate the problem and council approved the plan.

Twenty spots offering free two-hour parking will soon be added between Wesley Street and Steadman Street.



Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunsw...-parking-to-busy-mountain-road-1.3163936

[L'homard]

Originally Posted by Scarface

I do think it a little insulting tho that english people are quick to say no to changing the name of a street from an english name to a french one, and of course these are the same people who get up in arms when new streets might hold some french Acadian history, and not to forget if a street name change would be said for a french street being renamed an english name they would be the first ones to jump on the opportunity to add whatever name they have in there head...

That's not the case with myself anyway. I couldn't give two shits about language. They can rename it to a Dutch name and get the same objection from me. My take on the issue is very simple: You cannot honour someone by dishonouring someone else. (I stole that from someone else; I'm not bright enough to have come up with it myself.)
That's it and that's all, at least for me.