[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[bobcage]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Given their location, I was always surprised that they didn't have a large patio opening onto the riverfront boardwalk too. This was a tremendous oversight.....

I think it's only a mater of time until someone realizes those buildings at the waterfront should be all opened up at the back with patio overlooking the river.

I'm dumbfounded that the City of Moncton still has that "red roofed" cabin on the wharf CLOSED! they should do something with it - at least sell ice cream or something.

[bobcage]

Moncton has a beautiful waterfront but the only main attraction right now is the uniqueness of the Chocolate River and the Tidal Bore. People go look (tourist) but they don't stay. There's so much more that could be done commercially on the waterfront.

[mylesmalley]

What's going up behind those two office buildings on St George next to Wheeler?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

What's going up behind those two office buildings on St George next to Wheeler?

That's the new RBC call centre. They're moving from their current location.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

That's the new RBC call centre. They're moving from their current location.

Is it supposed to be similar to the two other buildings?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Is it supposed to be similar to the two other buildings?

Not sure, but it will be shorter (1-2 stories), and physically connected to them.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by bobcage

Moncton has a beautiful waterfront but the only main attraction right now is the uniqueness of the Chocolate River and the Tidal Bore. People go look (tourist) but they don't stay. There's so much more that could be done commercially on the waterfront.

Several years ago, I remember some talk, possibly on this web site, that the boardwalk was suppose to expand and they were looking at possible vendors along the boardwalk.

From the attached link, you'll see that there's a phase 5 which is yet to be completed. Not sure what's the delay with this.

http://lin.ca/sites/default/files/attach...20-%20Moncton%20Riverfront%20Walkway.pdf

You are correct, city hall or someone, needs to step it up. With the new bore surfing craze and the new Downing street project, they should try harder to bring more attractions to the boardwalk.

[Scarface]

Less on construction, and more about the riverfront This is not for certain but people have brought up the Peticodiac river, and the fact it isn't taking back it's original shape because while the flood gates where closed the tide was bringing in sand, and rocks, and now there talking about potentially dredging the river back into it's original width, and depth or close to it. I know for a fact the money to do it isn't there as of yet, and wonder how the city or cities, and towns could get the money in to do so...

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Scarface

Less on construction, and more about the riverfront This is not for certain but people have brought up the Peticodiac river, and the fact it isn't taking back it's original shape because while the flood gates where closed the tide was bringing in sand, and rocks, and now there talking about potentially dredging the river back into it's original width, and depth or close to it. I know for a fact the money to do it isn't there as of yet, and wonder how the city or cities, and towns could get the money in to do so...

I can confidently predict this won't happen.

The main reason why the river has not returned (fully) to it's original width is that the causeway has not been removed. They've opened the floodgates, which has certainly helped, but the cost to remove the causeway is staggering - at least $80M or so.

The reasoning to remove the causeway is now purely cosmetic. The environmental issues have mostly already been addressed by simply opening the gates. The fish habitat has been restored and the tidal flushing action to the (former) head pond has been reestablished.

The federal & provincial governments aren't going to sink $80-100M into this project when there are more pressing issues at hand. This isn't even including the costs of dredging and silt removal which would be similarly huge. Nope, not ever going to happen.

If you've driven over the causeway recently, I'm sure you've noticed that the former head pond is well on it's way to becoming a brackish salt water marsh. Pretty soon the Petitcodiac to the west of the causeway will look like the Petitcodiac to the east. With another few years of siltation and marshification of the head pond, it will be too late to do anything anyway.

[L'homard]

I will disagree that opening the gates is enough, environmentally. But I'll agree with everything else in the above post.
The cost estimate for removing the causeway and installing a bridge was almost $80 million way back when the idea was floated more than a decade ago, so at least $100 million now I would guess. There would be rioting in the streets.
According to those in charge of studying what is happening to the river since the gates were opened (this IS an ongoing EIA so it is studied intensively) the river is actually deepening and widening faster than foreseen, not slower. So I can't in my wildest dreams imagine anyone wanting to dredge it. For what purpose? Moncton's days as a sea port were gone before the causeway was ever built.
And just to note, the river below the causeway is a federal waterway, above the causeway it is a provincial waterway. The city has very little say in what happens, or doesn't happen, with the river, except along the shore.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I can confidently predict this won't happen.

The main reason why the river has not returned (fully) to it's original width is that the causeway has not been removed. They've opened the floodgates, which has certainly helped, but the cost to remove the causeway is staggering - at least $80M or so.

The reasoning to remove the causeway is now purely cosmetic. The environmental issues have mostly already been addressed by simply opening the gates. The fish habitat has been restored and the tidal flushing action to the (former) head pond has been reestablished.

The federal & provincial governments aren't going to sink $80-100M into this project when there are more pressing issues at hand. This isn't even including the costs of dredging and silt removal which would be similarly huge. Nope, not ever going to happen.

If you've driven over the causeway recently, I'm sure you've noticed that the former head pond is well on it's way to becoming a brackish salt water marsh. Pretty soon the Petitcodiac to the west of the causeway will look like the Petitcodiac to the east. With another few years of siltation and marshification of the head pond, it will be too late to do anything anyway.

I had looked into the cost of dredging, and depending how much material would need to be removed would probably cost between 130 Million up to 200 Million. It's a guess based on seeing them dredge rivers, and even to create Islands to build airports, and that price does not take into account if anything happens that they would have to stop operations for a period of time. I do agree with you but I went down to the trail, and realized it would cost quite a bit more because the Gunningsville bridge would be to low to pass a dredger underneath it I do believe, and the Causeway would have to be removed, and replaced with a bridge.

If the causeway is replace with a bridge I vote to name in Findlay Bridge it has a better sound Then Causeway Bridge.

[cbujold]

Just had diner at Pisces tonite before they close and waitress was telling us that Woody's BBQ has taken over the lease and will be opening on October 1st. Pisces closes at the end of the month and they are taking over September 1st and will be renovating and plan to open on October 1. They have a restaurant at Dartmouth Crossing. Never been but have seen it.

[David_99]

Originally Posted by cbujold

Just had diner at Pisces tonite before they close and waitress was telling us that Woody's BBQ has taken over the lease and will be opening on October 1st. Pisces closes at the end of the month and they are taking over September 1st and will be renovating and plan to open on October 1. They have a restaurant at Dartmouth Crossing. Never been but have seen it.

Interesting! Here's the daily specials from their website:

[cbujold]

More of the same that we already have but then I suppose it is cheaper and more family oriented. Too bad Moncton is loosing it's better restaurants.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by cbujold

More of the same that we already have but then I suppose it is cheaper and more family oriented. Too bad Moncton is loosing it's better restaurants.

Yes, more junk food. The last thing Moncton needs more of.

[Scarface]

I had heard That Mcginis Landing might be re entering the Moncton Scene in a new Development downtown of course they are just Rumours, and I do believe it might have something to do with there previous location being attached to the Ramada Hotel, and the new hotel in the CNR land redevelopment plans. I'm pretty certain I'm not the only one who like Mcginis, and do hope it comes back. I went to the one in Fredericton, and recognised the majority of the people where from Greater Moncton.

There is also a rumour floating around that Don Cherry's may either be closing again or having to re-staff. If they do shut down I'm sure it will be there last attempt in Greater Moncton.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Scarface

I had heard That Mcginis Landing might be re entering the Moncton Scene in a new Development downtown of course they are just Rumours, and I do believe it might have something to do with there previous location being attached to the Ramada Hotel, and the new hotel in the CNR land redevelopment plans. I'm pretty certain I'm not the only one who like Mcginis, and do hope it comes back. I went to the one in Fredericton, and recognised the majority of the people where from Greater Moncton.

This is a rumour I can believe. Ramada might want back in, and they could be the rumoured hotel that might be built on the SW corner of Main and Vaughn Harvey. McGinnis Landing was fairly popular and an affiliation with the hotel would be a logical continuation. I'm sure this is all contingent on the events centre getting built.

Originally Posted by Scarface

There is also a rumour floating around that Don Cherry's may either be closing again or having to re-staff. If they do shut down I'm sure it will be there last attempt in Greater Moncton.

They've only been open a couple of months. It's way too soon to be speculating that they might be closing. Any restauranteur worth his salt would make sure he was sufficiently capitalized to operate for at least 6-12 months before throwing in the towel. You need time to grow your business.

[SaintJohner]

To make this more downtown appropriate.. I think of don cherrys wants to make more money or whatever may be the problem, they should look at some of the building at the bend as a place to open up... If penningtons was to leave, since they are rumoured to be opening up across the city, maybe that would be a great location for them, they could do some great renovations and add a patio out back on to the board walk.

[L'homard]

I've heard the talk about McGuiness since before they even closed. Not my favourite resto, but a good addition to the scene and I hope they come back.
As for Don's, I've been there twice since their return, it was very crowded both times. I must add that compared to some wing joints in the Moncton area, their sauces rank among the best, and the size of their wings, even on cheap night, are the largest I've ever seen in this city. And the service was good.

[Mattyyy]

Any rumors on Five Five Queen circulating? I noticed on the weekend that the large sign in the parking lot was removed but there was still on a sign on the side of the building with the model suite. Unless I'm dreaming I'm pretty sure there was a large sign in the parking lot that you could spot from both directions. Could this mean they are possible starting to prepare for construction, are giving up, or perhaps mean nothing at all? With an anticipated move in date of early 2017 the time to begin would be now. I'm assuming it would take at least 12 months to construct.