[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[HanSoloCup]

The footings/foundation forms are under construction for the Event Centre this morning, construction has officially begun.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Scarface

Has anyone seen or heard anything new about Castle Manor it seems like the project might have stopped in it's tracks, and checking the site is no longer up.

I was driving by today and saw a construction worker in a hard hat entering Castle Manor. I imagine that all work is occurring on the inside over the winter season. Things are still progressing normally AFAIK.

[Mattyyy]

After a very quiet winter will the start of the Events Center construction pave the way for other announcements in the downtown core? Anybody hearing any rumors?

[Monctoncore]

Is there any update on the Downing st. project, or is that all taking place this summer?

[MonctonRad]

From the City of Moncton website:

Between April and July 2016, the project will wrap up with the following work:
• Removal of the recycled asphalt
• Installation of concrete slab
• Installation of granite curb and paver stones
• Installation of decorative lights, benches and trees.

Mind you, I think they are talking about only opening one lane for traffic between Main & Assomption for the time being (the one to the right in the image below). This still leaves lots of work on the second lane, the central plaza/median and the extension of the project to the riverbank for 2017/18.



As for all the fancy buildings lining the street - as you know these are all purely speculative but I have a strong suspicion that the new city police HQ (which will be built in the next few years) will be on the NW corner of Assomption/Downing, next to the new courthouse. It will be interesting to see if the private sector steps in to fill in the rest of the streetscape......

[L'homard]

Who ended up buying the old jail? I forget. Whoever it is, they're sittin' pretty.

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

I'm not sure it's necessarily strong arming. As I mentioned earlier, this isn't the first time UHaul's tried to shoehorn itself into an inappropriate location. Fredericton shut them down when they tried that up here, and I'm sure the Moncton City Council can shut them down just as easily in the Hub city.

Admittedly, the timing does seem a bit strange, but maybe UHaul wants to get their offer out there before the Cultural proposal comes out, maybe in the off chance that they catch everyone sleeping and can get it through or something.

The city of Moncton does have a say in the matter, the land in question on where the old MHS sits will need to be rezoned from Mixed Community Use to Suburban Commercial and if the city doesn't want Uhaul to occupy the building then all that they need to do is turn down the application to have the property rezoned and that will be the end of it.

[MonctonRad]

Welcome to the forums!

[tmacdougall]

Noticed the following message posted by Downtown Moncton Centre-ville inc. on Facebook this afternoon.

"The construction of Moncton’s multifunctional complex is already acting as a catalyst for Downtown Moncton! Blue Olive has recently opened its doors and so has The Third Glass Wine and Martini Bar! Coming soon is the new K-CupBop restaurant as well as STILE fashion boutique. Also, construction in front of the Capitol Theatre and construction of a new condominium building behind the Moncton City Hall is expected to begin this summer!"

Are they referring to FiveFive Luxury Condos breaking ground this summer?

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by tmacdougall

Noticed the following message posted by Downtown Moncton Centre-ville inc. on Facebook this afternoon.

"The construction of Moncton’s multifunctional complex is already acting as a catalyst for Downtown Moncton! Blue Olive has recently opened its doors and so has The Third Glass Wine and Martini Bar! Coming soon is the new K-CupBop restaurant as well as STILE fashion boutique. Also, construction in front of the Capitol Theatre and construction of a new condominium building behind the Moncton City Hall is expected to begin this summer!"

Are they referring to FiveFive Luxury Condos breaking ground this summer?

Good catch! Yes that is what they are referring to and last time I was in contact with them there plan was to break ground this summer as well. I understand where MonctonRad is coming from, because this project has been like many others, very slow, but that is exactly how those developers are, they had signs for almost 2 years in Riverview where they built the condos by the golf course, they just seem to take there time and make sure they have everything done right before they go ahead with the project, which can give someone the idea that the project is dead.

[MonctonianSentinel01]

What are they building in front of the Capitol Theatre? Anyone know?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonianSentinel01

What are they building in front of the Capitol Theatre? Anyone know?

It's the vacant lot where the firebombing was about 12 years ago. An infill project is planned, with construction to proceed this year. It'll be a two storey building, apparently with a glass facade.

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Ok thanks for the info. And thanks for the welcome. I knew it was the empty lot where Goodfellas Pub used to be I just never knew what was to go in there. Good thing they're finally doing something about it!

[Scarface]

Not sure if it was said here, or not but Fit4Less will be on Main Street in the Superstore Strip.

[MonctonRad]

So, MLA Chris Collins is all hot to trot to get Moncton city council to vote on the MH35 proposal for the old Moncton High School before the civic elections in May.

I imagine this is because the mayor-presumptive is Dawn Arnold who is not a fan of moving the Moncton Public Library to MHS as an anchor tenant. The presumption is that there are enough votes on the current council to approve this project.

It will be interesting to see what transpires over the course of the next couple of months.

[David_99]

Moncton's Zio's Pizzeria to begin building new restaurant in April



The owner of Zio's Pizzaria in Moncton is hoping to begin construction on his new long-awaited "mega-restaurant" in April, despite being months behind schedule.

"We are looking at end of this month, first week of April before we start digging," he said.

The new development was originally estimated to be about 13,000-square feet. He cut back his project by 4,000-square feet. Even with the downsizing, Speranza said the restaurant will be 8,500 square feet with plenty of green space and parking for guests.

CBC.ca

[MonctonRad]

I wonder if Zio is keeping open the option to expand to the original footprint if there is sufficient demand in the future. If the MH35 project across the street is approved, his property will be perfectly located to take advantage of it (especially potential theatre goers and people going to the Atlantic Ballet Theatre).

[MonctonRad]

Anybody know anything about Mojo Audio Lounge opening this weekend at 706 Main Street?

https://www.facebook.com/mojoaudiolounge/

[pierremoncton]

New restaurant to be constructed in vacant Main Street space
https://www.telegraphjournal.com/times-transcript/story/46225923/new-restaurant-to-be

Sixteen years after an explosion and fire left a gaping hole at 840 Main Street, construction is about to begin on a new building complete with a restaurant and outdoor patio.

David Loughton, a spokesman for PMV Canada in Fredericton, said the company purchased the land with the intention of constructing a unique building and leasing the space to a national brand restaurant. He said a few restaurant chains have shown interest, but he would not disclose names as no deals have yet been made.

Source: T&T

The developer wanted a patio on the second storey, which was rejected due to "safety issues", on the grounds that "people could throw things onto Main St and cause a safety hazard". Can people not throw things onto any street at any time from the sidewalk, or from the windows of their moving cars? IMO, an open-air second-storey would've made the building and whatever restaurant ends up there much more appealing. Lost opportunity to liven up Main St.

The developer also had to contend with the heritage board, though those wavy wood panels look anything but traditional.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

New restaurant to be constructed in vacant Main Street space
https://www.telegraphjournal.com/times-transcript/story/46225923/new-restaurant-to-be






The developer wanted a patio on the second storey, which was rejected due to "safety issues", on the grounds that "people could throw things onto Main St and cause a safety hazard". Can people not throw things onto any street at any time from the sidewalk, or from the windows of their moving cars? IMO, an open-air second-storey would've made the building and whatever restaurant ends up there much more appealing. Lost opportunity to liven up Main St.

The developer also had to contend with the heritage board, though those wavy wood panels look anything but traditional.

Yes, just like ''dangerous'' Crescent street with all its 2nd storey patios. Wouldn't want this in Moncton.

Too bad, I always thought 2nd storey patios would be great for downtown. They liven up the streetscape while not inhibiting foot traffic. Lost oppertunity I feel.

On the bright side, glad to see that construction may be starting soon. I wonder what restaurants are being considered? Baton Rouge maybe?