[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[MonctonRad]

Just as disturbing is the fact that the original rendering for "phase 2" of the project seems to have gone out the window. Originally, this phase was to have consisted of two 4 storey buildings. Now it appears that they have gone with just a 2 storey expansion to an existing wing.

As such, this is a waste of space on many different levels (not just parking).

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

It appears that phase 2 has been downsized from two 4-storey buildings to a single, continuous 2-storey building. I use John St multiple times a week and noticed that the construction site doesn't match the original conceptual drawings.

This render (taken from their website) seems to show the entrance from John St, east of the existing building; note the sea of parking in front - why would the city approve this?

Looks terrible. If you're going to cut the project in half, why not build one of the buildings and keep the adjacent land for future use instead of increasing your footprint with a lower density project. Lack of planning.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

It appears that phase 2 has been downsized from two 4-storey buildings to a single, continuous 2-storey building. I use John St multiple times a week and noticed that the construction site doesn't match the original conceptual drawings.

This render (taken from their website) seems to show the entrance from John St, east of the existing building; note the sea of parking in front - why would the city approve this?


Source: monctonresidence.ca

The New renderings look almost like 110 Murphy except larger taking up the foot print of 2 buildings instead of 1. I don't understand why this was approved.

[pierremoncton]

Photos I took yesterday of the Moncton Residence expansion. The entrance shown on the render is just to the right of the telephone pole of the second picture. You get a sense of just how far back the expansion is.

This is just conjecture: They could be planning on using the frontage as parking temporarily until they also expand the front part of the existing building (I hope so anyway). At that point, they could add more parking room on the land that was referred to as 'phase 3'.

[MonctonRad]

Good thought. It's still only two floors and not four however. That's not how you build density.

[Monctoncore]

Just a side note on 55 Queen, the developers are the same people who built the condos on the golf course in Riverview, they took 2 and a half years before they started construction, so there is no need to worry, I can feel there will be an announcement soon... With the weather predictions for this winter being another harsh on they may be just waiting because they do not want to end up with a giant hole full of snow.

[Mattyyy]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

Just a side note on 55 Queen, the developers are the same people who built the condos on the golf course in Riverview, they took 2 and a half years before they started construction, so there is no need to worry, I can feel there will be an announcement soon... With the weather predictions for this winter being another harsh on they may be just waiting because they do not want to end up with a giant hole full of snow.

While I like your positive outlook, it doesn't make any sense. You would end up with a hole full of snow during any winter in Moncton. I think they attempted one more marketing blitz to sell more condos, as to the outcome of its success or failure I'm unsure as they never update their website. I'm assuming it isn't positive although I'm very hopeful this project gets off the ground this year.

[SaintJohner]

If I remember correctly, when the 55 Queen project was first announced, they had mentioned that they wouldn't break ground until the re-alignment of Lewis and queen and main was started, because that would be when the city was going to be installing proper infrustructure (ie. Sewer lines, new side walks etc.). Maybe I was just dreaming, but I am sure there was something along those lines.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by SaintJohner

If I remember correctly, when the 55 Queen project was first announced, they had mentioned that they wouldn't break ground until the re-alignment of Lewis and queen and main was started, because that would be when the city was going to be installing proper infrustructure (ie. Sewer lines, new side walks etc.). Maybe I was just dreaming, but I am sure there was something along those lines.

If that was the case, wouldn't the city prioritize that project as #1 on the To Do List? Unless the city has no 100% commitment from 55 Queen, they may simply delaying the Lewis project as #20 on the To Do List.

[MonctonRad]

One of the reasons for the realignment of Lewis and Assumption was the development of 55 Queen. I'm not sure just how closely these two projects were linked however, and since it would take a couple of years to complete 55 Queen, the fact that the realignment has not yet occurred would not preclude the start of construction on 55 Queen.

The longer it takes to break ground on 55 Queen, the more concerned I get. If there is no activity by next spring, I would imagine that 55 Queen will have joined the long list of ambitious projects for the downtown which have never seen the light of day.......

[David_99]

Originally Posted by David_99

I remember when the Navigator's rumour first came out, there was talk of them expanding and possibly be rebranding as "The Three Drinks" or some name close to that.
It'll be interesting to see what this is. I wonder if they will make use of the roof top.

Heard through the grapevine that the construction next to Navigators will be a new classy Martini Bar called "The Third Glass".

I was pretty close on the name

[Monctoncore]

A close friend of mine is actually considering purchasing one of the condos at 55 and he sent me this today.

"Thank you for inquiring about 55 Queen. Yes, there has been a lot of recent activity in the downtown area, and 55 Queen is very much a part of what is happening in the downtown core. We are very close actually to an announcement about the project. I would like to meet with you to share some of the details about buying or renting a condo."

This sounds like some good news, we just have to wait and see.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

A close friend of mine is actually considering purchasing one of the condos at 55 and he sent me this today.

"Thank you for inquiring about 55 Queen. Yes, there has been a lot of recent activity in the downtown area, and 55 Queen is very much a part of what is happening in the downtown core. We are very close actually to an announcement about the project. I would like to meet with you to share some of the details about buying or renting a condo."

This sounds like some good news, we just have to wait and see.

Unless the upcoming announcement is that the project is dead.

Kidding.. It does sound positive, I really hope this project works out.

[Sandbagger]

Curl Moncton is selling their century year old building on Lutz St. The plan is to expand the current facility on Lockhart Ave. to 10 ice sheets up from the 5 now to become a "centre of curling excellence" in Eastern Canada. It will allow them to bid for and host events and expand their summer camps.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-curlers-association-building-sale-1.3303293

By the article it looks like former mayor Lorne Mitton is one of the folks behind the project.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by Sandbagger

Curl Moncton is selling their century year old building on Lutz St. The plan is to expand the current facility on Lockhart Ave. to 10 ice sheets up from the 5 now to become a "centre of curling excellence" in Eastern Canada. It will allow them to bid for and host events and expand their summer camps.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-curlers-association-building-sale-1.3303293

By the article it looks like former mayor Lorne Mitton is one of the folks behind the project.

I'm wondering if the Money from the Sale of Both MCA, and Beaver's Flee Market AKA Beaver's Curling Club would not be used for that expansion of Beausejour Curling Club.

[Sandbagger]

Originally Posted by Scarface

I'm wondering if the Money from the Sale of Both MCA, and Beaver's Flee Market AKA Beaver's Curling Club would not be used for that expansion of Beausejour Curling Club.

Although the article doesn't mention the flea market specifically, that does seem to be the idea.

"So we're putting it up for sale with the idea of re-directing those resources to our 80 Lockhart Avenue location, where we want to build an additional five sheets of ice."

[L'homard]

The realignment of Lewis and Assumption has been on the city's plans for years before 55 Queen was conceived, just for the record. I can recall it being in the city's 5-year capital works budget in the early 2000s at the very least, plus at least one other 5-year budget.
I have it on good authority that the realignment has proven to be much more complicated and expensive than it appears on the surface (pardon the pun) due to a mish-mash of underground infrastructure that would all have to be straightened out and redone, especially phone wires and fibre op, which is apparently a massive job. I have not verified this with a second source, so don't take it to the bank but it comes from a usually very reliable person who hasn't bullshit me before. I'd just feel more confident in it if I would be told the same thing from a second person who is independent of the first person.
As for the project being on the five-year books, I've seen that with my own eyes , way back when.

[bigrivernb]

There is a building permit in the Wrapsters unit on main street. Its going to be a Korean restaurant called K cupbob.

[MonctonRad]

Excellent!

There is certainly a lot of ethnic diversity to the downtown dining scene right now.

[Nashe]

Originally Posted by bigrivernb

There is a building permit in the Wrapsters unit on main street. Its going to be a Korean restaurant called K cupbob.

K-Cup Bob? That... sounds like a coffee place...