[Moncton] Centre Avenir Centre | 26.65m |~6 Fl | Completed

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by mctnguy

Maybe it's time to start connecting buildings downtown to the new arena via pedway. In Winter, I'll gladly park close to the Blue Cross bldg if I can walk into that building and navigate a series of pedways to get to the arena. One thing I like about Saint John is the pedway system they have.

I don't think they will ever create a series of pedways that would run practically the length of downtown. But it's a neat idea none the less.

A while back I remember talking with an MLA about the accessibility here unlike other cities, and pedways Tunnels, and just the equivalent of an underground city had emerged from those talks. Unfortunately all that had happen since where 2 pedways, and one has since been demolished.

[drewber]

When it comes to parking I'm not sure why they wouldn't shuttle from the old coliseum to the new arena. it has mostly sufficient parking for the current complex and is only 4 km so wouldn't take long to shuttle back and forth. It seems like a no brainier.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by drewber

When it comes to parking I'm not sure why they wouldn't shuttle from the old coliseum to the new arena. it has mostly sufficient parking for the current complex and is only 4 km so wouldn't take long to shuttle back and forth. It seems like a no brainier.

I could see them doing that for special events (concerts with 10,000 people in attendance), but I can't imagine such a service routinely for Wildcats or Miracles games.

I think the Heritage Place parking lot on the other side of the CN line will be used for the events centre after hours. It has about 800 spaces or so (I think). If I were to guess, I would suggest Irving will lock up this lot for season ticket holders for the Wildcats.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I could see them doing that for special events (concerts with 10,000 people in attendance), but I can't imagine such a service routinely for Wildcats or Miracles games.

I think the Heritage Place parking lot on the other side of the CN line will be used for the events centre after hours. It has about 800 spaces or so (I think). If I were to guess, I would suggest Irving will lock up this lot for season ticket holders for the Wildcats.

While we are at it there is a lot, or two for sale on Albert street Backing onto the tracks right across from the Via rail station. Not sure if it has yet been purchased but know it was for sale could make for a good area for parking as well. approximately 15 Minutes walk to the front door of the Event Centre.

[MonctonRad]

Here's the CBC article on the parking plan discussed at city council last night.


Need parking? Moncton says 4,000 spots available near downtown centre
City says between lots and on-street there are 4,000 available parking spaces to people visiting the downtown
By Tori Weldon, CBC News Posted: Jun 20, 2017 7:30 AM AT| Last Updated: Jun 20, 2017 7:30 AM AT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunsw...-centre-parking-transportation-1.4168638

Busy at work right now, so I can't offer a comment just yet........

[MonctonRad]

One comment though.

The CBC article included this helpful map showing all the available parking in the downtown and how much of a walk it is to the events centre from each lot.



The map however lists every lot in the core including commercial lots (Sobeys, Shoppers) and private lots eagerly patrolled by the boot Nazis. Are they seriously including these lots in the total of "4,000 available parking spaces"???

If so, there are going to be hundreds of dissatisfied patrons at the events centre who, when they return to their vehicles after the event, will find their cars firmly immobilized.

The boot Nazis must be rubbing their hands with glee!!!!

The city should do better........

[flyer99]

Okay this "plan" that was presented is BS. I was at the meeting and talked with numerous people "in the know" so to speak.

(1) These 4,000 spaces INCLUDE private lots, gated, carded lots and even include the lot associated with my club downtown which is a private lot and the lots belonging to private apartment buildings. There are very few surface parking spaces available as most are private including all of those monitored by the booters.

(2) Nothing substantial was brought up about seniors attempting to trek 10-15 minutes to get to the centre except to say they hope someone can give them a lift and pick them up after an event.

(3) Nothing substantial was brought up about Moncton's sometimes horrible winters which at times make sidewalks virtually disappear as well as parking meters. Can you imagine seniors, as well as younger folk, negotiating the streets during these times.

(4) The expansion of bus drop off locations is utterly useless given the way Codiac Transpo has such a meandering schedule. I have relatives visit from Ontario often during the year who are used to great public transportation and they take it here and never know when they are going to be picked up or dropped off by a bus.

(5) Nothing was mentioned of building parking garages or pedways. If they are built it would have to be a private venture. People mention Montreal, Toronto, even Halifax. Remember HRM's population is well over 400K. All of these places have either go trains, subways, parking structures, pedways. Moncton has none of these except one pedway on Main Street and one rather small parking garage by the Capitol Theatre.

(6) Greater Moncton has a population of approximately 150K. Why do we NEED to puff up our feathers and pretend to be this huge metropolitan area. We can't even get close to HRM. The downtown core of Moncton is nothing compared to even Halifax and we will never get to that point. And why would we want to?

My conclusion after attending the meeting and talking with both the person on the street and the professionals as well is that this event centre is going to have serious parking issues which is going to reflect on its attendance figures. A preliminary dollar figure associated with city costs was presented in private and not made public so we have no idea what these costs are for.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that something is done re the parking issue in the next year.

[tmacdougall]

Personally, I have no problem driving around, finding a spot and walking to the DT Centre, even if its a 10 to 15 minute walk. With this said, there are MANY, MANY people who will.

Isn't there an announcement coming from the city and/or province to deal with the booting situation?

[MonctonRad]

Here's the link to the pdf of the parking "plan".

http://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Business+English/Downtown+Centre_ENG/TDP-PTR.pdf

Again, busy at work so it's difficult to add a commentary, but needless to say I'm disappointed. The city has done nothing more than dodge the issue.......

[felip_ars]

Similar situation for the transit part of their plan. True that 10 lines are stopping in front of the Centre...but if you look closely, most of them will be pretty useless "as is".

Those are the schedule for M-F(Saturday and Sundays usually ends a lot sooner, or no service at all)
64 (Caledonia): Last bus at 5h25
67 (Edinburgh): Last bus at 8h30
68 (Salisbury): Last bus at 6
81 (Riverview): Last bus at 9h30
80 (Gunningsville): Evening only 2 times, it will stops in front of Centre. Last bus 9h30
64 (Hospitals): Last Bus 9h30
64b (Hospitals B): Last bus 5h25
60 (Bessborough): Last bus 9h20
52 (Blue Line): Last Bus 9h30
51 (Green line): Last bus 9h30

Beside 52 and 51, most of them are passing in front of the Centre every 30-45 minutes. Plus a lot of them are not stopping at every stops for evening route.

People attending Wildcats game should be alright, given that the game will ends before 9, but concerts usually ends at around 11. Could you imagine people leaving mid show in order to catch their last bus...

At least they are being reasonable thinking that of 10k...only 500 would take the transit.

Also...no word about a shuttle from a specific spot

[flyer99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Here's the link to the pdf of the parking "plan".

http://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Business+English/Downtown+Centre_ENG/TDP-PTR.pdf

Again, busy at work so it's difficult to add a commentary, but needless to say I'm disappointed. The city has done nothing more than dodge the issue.......

And note that most of these coloured-in surface parking lots on the maps are private and most are gated. You cannot enter there nor park there. If the private lot owners do open these up for events, be assured they will be charging an arm and a leg. I notice also many of these coloured spaces are lots for employees of Assomption Place, Service NB, Rogers, etc. And many are for private clubs. Do they think Sobeys or NB Liquor, for example, will allow event centre parking during their business hours? Can you imagine someone parking in a spot downtown where someone is paying $100/month for a parking permit? NO, there are NOT 4,000 spaces accessible for event centre parking. They need another plan!

[flyer99]

How can the City develop an event centre parking plan when they can't even keep the event centre webcam working. It's stuck on "night mode" yet again!

[SevenSquared]

Originally Posted by felip_ars

People attending Wildcats game should be alright, given that the game will ends before 9, but concerts usually ends at around 11. Could you imagine people leaving mid show in order to catch their last bus...

Brings up old memories of missing out on the end of extra-innings Expos games to catch the last metro... in the days before smartphones.

They'll have to have extended hours on event nights. Wildcats games usually end in the 9:20-9:50 range... I don't remember one ending anywhere near 9pm in years, certainly not since they started having those "league time-outs".

Pretty underwhelming PowerPoint presentation really.

[felip_ars]

Originally Posted by SevenSquared

They'll have to have extended hours on event nights.

That would be the best option, but the question is, do you extend the hours for all events, or just 7-8k concerts?

Only the lines that pass the Centre, or the entire map?

Plus with an event every 3 days (the goal by SMG), think about all the extra cost that the City will have to pay for maybe 2-300 people.

Another thing that I thought of is: If all those "parking" are for the Centre, where will the people that will go Downtown just for dinner/couple of drinks will park?

A lot of unanswered questions, which is either they are not telling anything, or they have no idea...

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by flyer99

And note that most of these coloured-in surface parking lots on the maps are private and most are gated. You cannot enter there nor park there. If the private lot owners do open these up for events, be assured they will be charging an arm and a leg. I notice also many of these coloured spaces are lots for employees of Assomption Place, Service NB, Rogers, etc. And many are for private clubs. Do they think Sobeys or NB Liquor, for example, will allow event centre parking during their business hours? Can you imagine someone parking in a spot downtown where someone is paying $100/month for a parking permit? NO, there are NOT 4,000 spaces accessible for event centre parking. They need another plan!

Originally Posted by flyer99

How can the City develop an event centre parking plan when they can't even keep the event centre webcam working. It's stuck on "night mode" yet again!

More like how can they come up with any transportation plan when there ideas are all outdated based on Transit Mapping, and the fact they listed private lots as viable options to park. The city can't force companies to allow people to park, and I agree with you on those lots marked that are only for Montly parking pass holders.

I'm just surprised they din't mark out Driveways, and apartment building parking as viable options as well.

[PEI highway guy]

Moncton is used to PARKING AT THE Coliseum for an event. I smelt trouble as soon as I heard they would be little to no on site parking. Nothing I have seen has changed this. I can walk from my moms in 15 minutes. Not everyone can or will want to. I see trouble coming unless a big garage goes up fast and real close!

[MonctonRad]

Parking is the big fat Achilles heel of this entire project and the city is basically telling all of us to go pound sand.........

We need a new parking structure downtown, and they have to start building it six months ago!!!

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by flyer99

How can the City develop an event centre parking plan when they can't even keep the event centre webcam working. It's stuck on "night mode" yet again!

There are a lot of moving parts in that webcam link. I'm looking at it now.

[SevenSquared]

Originally Posted by felip_ars

That would be the best option, but the question is, do you extend the hours for all events, or just 7-8k concerts?

Only the lines that pass the Centre, or the entire map?

Plus with an event every 3 days (the goal by SMG), think about all the extra cost that the City will have to pay for maybe 2-300 people.

Another thing that I thought of is: If all those "parking" are for the Centre, where will the people that will go Downtown just for dinner/couple of drinks will park?

A lot of unanswered questions, which is either they are not telling anything, or they have no idea...

Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I expect a lot more people will use public transit to get to the Centre than most people think, simply because of the growing perception (exaggerated or not) that it'll be way less of a headache to bus there than trying to find a parking spot and risk getting booted. For many who live near a main route, the bus suddenly appears to be the most attractive option.

Anecdotally, a lot of people I talk to who don't live on main lines are expecting to park at Champlain Place/Trinity and take the bus from there.

I'd be shocked if there wasn't a trial run the first year such as: extend main routes to 10pm or so on regular game/event nights, extend most/all routes on the 5-10 occasions where they'll have 8k+ (huge concerts, Wildcats finals). Depending on ridership numbers, adjust after year one.

[Taeolas]

Another option, especially for transit, would be to have a special event route that is timed around events, that in turn runs to other areas where parking is more available. A route from the Centre to Champlain and back via downtown seems to be a no brainer; the Mall can absorb some of the parking, and it could even work to service downtown bars and such. (Get a meal or drink before/after the event, and flag down the Centre bus to go the rest of the way after).

Ultimately, the Council is going to have to take their heads out of the sand eventually. They've got this great Centre, now they need to realistically look at how they will service it; which will involve improving transit links (both temporary routes and permanant routes), and seriously looking at parking as well.