[Moncton] Sackville Developments

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by JHikka

I get what they're going for with the development but there isn't a massive difference between their "Typical Commercial Strip Development" and their "Village Core Commercial Development" - they're both car-oriented just one has a better way of hiding it.

There's good intentions here but it seems like they're going to end up with a couple strip-mally buildings off a highway exit on the edge of town. The park is nice.

The park is the highlight for me. I think it would be quite popular for hanging around in. The overlook over the river in particular should be popular, and I can imagine trainspotters liking this area too. It would be a great vantage point to watch passing trains heading out over the Tantramar Marsh. Apparently there is a trail which heads out over the Tantramar Marsh from this location as well, and this would serve as the trailhead. I imagine there will be some interpretive panels regarding Alex Colville around the park as well.

As for the commercial component, I get what you're saying, but I think it's a giant leap forward that they are thinking of hiding the parking in the back. This will certainly add to the street presence of the commercial establishments and give the area a bit of an urban look. I think it's a bit much to disparage the amount of on site parking. This is after all a relatively small town with no public transit, and this development is on the eastern fringe of the community. People will drive here much more often than walking or bicycling.

[MonctonRad]

Aging Shepody Healing Centre to get major upgrade
Mental health centre at Dorchester prison could become a state-of-the art psychiatric service, minister says
By Kate Letterick, CBC News Posted: Mar 16, 2018 5:24 PM AT Last Updated: Mar 16, 2018 5:37 PM AT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-br...rade-1.4579992

"One of the advantages of setting up a national centre of excellence here in Dorchester, with a modern renewed psychiatric treatment facility, is we can offer the services bilingually," said the New Brunswick MP, who made the announcement on behalf of Ralph Goodale, the minister of public safety and emergency preparedness.

"We have an indigenous population within Atlantic Canada that requires many of these services. We think we have access to some of the health-care professionals 30 minutes away in Moncton, with two large hospitals that operate there."

This announcement of a "national centre of excellence" in institutional psychiatric care at Dorchester Penitentiary will very likely mean construction of a new building as part of the complex.

[MonctonRad]

Proposed development on former Sackville United Church site raises concerns
Proposed development expected to feature 28 to 34 spacious units, underground parking for 55-plus crowd
Katie Tower (katrina.tower@sackvilletribunepost.com)
Published: Apr 26 at 10:43 a.m.
http://www.sackvilletribunepost.com/...ncerns-205216/

A proposed development for the former United Church site in downtown Sackville has drawn concerns from both members of town council and the community.

The rezoning request from JN Lafford Realty Inc will go to a public hearing next month but questions over traffic congestion and overcrowding on the site are already being raised.

At council’s monthly meeting in April, Councillor Bruce Phinney voted against moving forward with a public hearing, stating he opposed the development because of its potential to add to the traffic congestion in the parking lots that exit onto both Main and York Streets. If the development is approved, tenants would travel through the lot to access their underground parking area.

Phinney said he has already heard many concerns from residents about the parking lots, saying they avoid parking there when visiting the Service New Brunswick office (located within one of the Lafford buildings) because of the limited space and congestion.

If approved, this will be the third multi-unit mixed residential building built on the former Sackville United Church property.

[MonctonRad]

Public hearing for proposed seniors’ development in Sackville draws large crowd
Katie Tower (katrina.tower@sackvilletribunepost.com)
Published: May 17 at 5:10 p.m.
Updated: May 17 at 5:15 p.m.
http://www.sackvilletribunepost.com/...-crowd-211107/





Sounds like a healthy debate over this proposed rezoning of the last portion of the old Sackville United Church property. Opposition is mostly over congestion, increased density and the loss of some beloved trees. Those in favour spoke of being excited over new options for seniors living accommodations in Sackville.

Developer John Lafford, who was also on hand for the public hearing, said the project has been drawing a lot of interest from people over the past few months and he’s been hearing a lot from seniors who want to know more about this new building.

“We have a lot of people coming from the major centres who are excited about this,” he said.

He also pledged he would replant as many trees as would be cut down and pointed out that he plans to maintain a green space there for his tenants to enjoy, including keeping the Centennial monument in place.

“What we say, we’ll do.”

Situated a bit behind and in between the other two commercial/apartment buildings already on the former church site, some of the new units within the new v-shaped structure will overlook the Mount Allison swan pond and the Waterfowl Park.

“We’re going to create 36 homes there for people to enjoy that space,” said Lafford.

Lori Bickford, planning manager with the local planning commission office, said the proposed use fits within the town’s municipal plan to encourage mixed use development and to build a variety of housing options.

The proposal has passed first reading by town council. Second and third reading is scheduled for next month's council meeting.

[MonctonRad]

This proposal for the last part of the former Sackville United Church site, overlooking the Swan Pond in downtown Sackville has been approved by Sackville town council.
http://www.sackvilletribunepost.com/...operty-218867/

Here is the most recent rendering of this new building:

A rezoning request that met with some opposition over the past few months has been given the green light by town council, clearing the way for a new 36-unit seniors’ development in downtown Sackville.

The approval means the Laffords can now move ahead with construction of a new three-storey seniors’ complex, a building that will feature both one and two-bedroom units ranging in size from 960 to 1,300 square feet. The proposed design calls for balconies included on each unit, a shared fitness centre and recreation room, and underground parking.

This is a highly controversial project for some residents in the town as it may involve the removal of a beloved stand of birch trees overlooking the pond.

But as many councillors pointed out during their monthly meeting Monday night, the request was simply for a rezoning of a piece of land within a larger parcel, not for whether the developer could cut down the stand of birch trees on his property or what type of building he could construct.

Councillor Andrew Black said, even without the rezoning, the developer could still put up an apartment building on the site, perhaps smaller, but one that would still require the removal of the birch trees because of the need for an above-ground parking lot.

“The reality is that the stands of trees on the site are going to come down one way or another and council does not have the jurisdiction with our laws to stop anyone who owns a piece of property from doing so,” said Black.

personal note - if town council does not have the power to save the birch trees following this rezoning, then they should let the larger proposed building with the underground parking proceed. They could then work with the developer to ensure that the final product is landscaped in such a manner that it enhances the relationship of the building to the swan pond.

[Cooker16]

A very reliable source, has informed me that there is about to be a renovation of Sackville Tim Horton's and at the time they were doing measurements it was also being measured for a Burger King location. This was supposed to happen a couple years ago but seems to be back on the burner!

[MonctonRad]

Welcome to the forums!

It would make sense. Both Timmies and BK are owned by Restaurant Brands International.

I'm surprised there are still so many Wendy's/Timmies combos.

[MonctonRad]

This building just to the east of the swan pond, and the last building to be constructed on the former Sackville United Church property is now under construction:

[MonctonRad]

Windsor Hall, one of the residences on the Mount Allison campus is closed and currently undergoing renovations. It will reopen in August 2019.

Room types: Single en-suites and double en-suites (private and shared)
Number of beds: 143
Mattress size: Twin extra-long (80'')
Amenities: Kitchenettes on each floor, fitness space, large lounges, group and private study rooms.
Furnishings: Solid wood furniture, built-in, mini-fridge and TV centre
Bathrooms: Private and shared en-suite bathrooms
Storage: Wall shelving, shelving under bed, closets
Lounges: Large lounges on each floor, quiet and group study spaces

[MonctonRad]

For the 20th time, Mount Allison University has topped McLean's Magazine rankings as the best primarily undergraduate university in the country.

https://www.telegraphjournal.com/tim...tory/100738219 (paywall)

No other university comes even close to MTA in the number of times it has been recognized for excellence.

[MonctonRad]

I noticed this large construction project driving home from Halifax over the Tantramar Marsh this past weekend. This building will be massive - probably the equivalent of five storeys tall.

Massive freezer facility going up in Sackville Industrial Park
Katie Tower (katrina.tower@sackvilletribunepost.com)
Published: Oct 16 at 9:24 a.m.
Updated: Oct 16 at 4:41 p.m.
https://www.sackvilletribunepost.com...l-park-250481/

Construction is under way on a massive freezer facility on the site of the former Burnbrae egg plant in Sackville’s industrial park. The facility is being built by Terra Beata Farms, Atlantic Canada’s biggest processor and exporter of cranberries based out of Lunenburg, N.S.

[Ire Narissis]

At its current stage of construction, I'm getting a distinct Russian Woodpecker vibe.

[MonctonRad]

According to the T&T, this new freezer facility in the Sackville industrial park is more massive than I thought.

It will cost $15M, and will be 144' tall, equivalent to a 10 storey building. That's 10 commercial floors, or the equivalent of 14-15 residential floors!!

The warehouse will be highly automated, using lifts and conveyors to move around 9,000 pallets of frozen food and vegetables. Because of the high degree of automation, there will not be much employment associated with the facility (but there will be welcome property taxes).



Sackville was chosen because of the town's central location, and because of the CN rail mainline. The fact that the owners went to MTA helped too.

[MonctonRad]

MP excited about new plan for the New Brunswick - Nova Scotia isthmus
Linking 4 national historic sites in the area as 'must-see' attractions makes sense, says Bill Casey
CBC News · Posted: Nov 02, 2018 8:52 PM AT | Last Updated: 11 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-b...asey-1.4889800

The plan is designed to establish the four national historic sites in the area — Beaubassin, Fort Beauséjour-Fort Cumberland, Fort Gaspareaux and Fort Lawrence — as linked, "must-see" attractions.


"It is anticipated that this will result in an increase in visitation and awareness of the sites, as well as a more integrated and extensive presentation of their history," states the plan, released last week.

Casey hopes to see Beaubassin and Fort Beauséjour physically joined by a hiking trail replicating the route of the Acadians when they left Beaubassin in 1750 and marched across the valley and established Fort Beauséjour​.

"You can stand on one ridge and look across and see the buildings at the other community," he said. "That may be the only place where two national historic sites are joined and they should be joined because it's all one story."

The linked sites will be called the Chignecto Isthmus National Historic Sites.

There is a lot of history in this area, dating as far back as the late 1600's, and people forget that there were two very important battles fought in this area, in the Seven Years War (Battle of Fort Beausejour) and in the American Revolutionary War (Battle of Fort Cumberland)

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Cooker16

A very reliable source, has informed me that there is about to be a renovation of Sackville Tim Horton's and at the time they were doing measurements it was also being measured for a Burger King location. This was supposed to happen a couple years ago but seems to be back on the burner!

There is now a job advert on Indeed.com listing a new Burger King location to open in Sackville. It would appear to no longer be on the back burner.........

https://ca.indeed.com/jobs?q=Restaur...8c243add782626

[Sumater]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

MP excited about new plan for the New Brunswick - Nova Scotia isthmus
Linking 4 national historic sites in the area as 'must-see' attractions makes sense, says Bill Casey
CBC News · Posted: Nov 02, 2018 8:52 PM AT | Last Updated: 11 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-b...asey-1.4889800





The linked sites will be called the Chignecto Isthmus National Historic Sites.

There is a lot of history in this area, dating as far back as the late 1600's, and people forget that there were two very important battles fought in this area, in the Seven Years War (Battle of Fort Beausejour) and in the American Revolutionary War (Battle of Fort Cumberland)

It would also be nice to finally see all those rotting carcasses of old motels cleared out and (maybe) replaced.

[MonctonRad]

Sackville notes:

1) - The Tim Horton's in Sackville is currently operating out of a trailer as major renovations are ongoing in the building itself, including the addition of a Burger King in the former Wendy's space.
2) - The Pizza Delight is currently closed, purportedly for renovations.
3) - The massive freezer facility being built in the Sackville Industrial Park is now so large that it is visible as you drive down the hill into Sackville on the TCH. I'm not sure if it is at full height yet or not, but apparently it will be 144 ft tall (the height of a 14 storey residential building).
4) - They are now working on the second floor of the new apartment building on the former Sackville United Church site, overlooking the Swan Pond.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

CBC reports that the old RCI transmitter site on the Tantramar Marsh has beeb purchased by a MicMac development corporation.

The site encompasses 222 acres. They are unsure what they might use it for yet, but some ideas they are floating around would be retail or marijuana or honey production.

Further to the above:

Indigenous reserve proposed for former CBC property on Tantramar marsh
Katie Tower (katrina.tower@sackvilletribunepost.com)
Published: a day ago
Updated: 23 hours ago
https://www.sackvilletribunepost.com...-marsh-271770/

(Town) council learned about the proposal recently after Jamie Burke, Sackville’s manager of corporate projects, outlined a letter staff had received from Indigenous Services Canada Atlantic about the reserve creation proposal from Fort Folly First Nation near Dorchester.

Council was told the large 308-acre property, which is comprised of seven different lots, would be used for commercial development – although there has yet to be any indication of what exactly that would be.

“Commercial development could be a number of things, from retail, power generation, etc.,” said Burke.

Mayor John Higham said there is no clear understanding of what they specifically plan to do with the land at this point.

“They just wish to get into a reserve status and then consider what those options might be,”

Higham, who operates a consulting business working with First Nations communities, said although Fort Folly will be the host and owner of that particular reserve if it is approved, the land was purchased in early 2017 by a non-profit corporation created by all the Mig’maq communities in New Brunswick.

He said typically there would be a municipal services agreement that would be negotiated between the town and the First Nation that could include things such as emergency response or fire service or any needed sewer and water services.

[Nashe]

They should probably build a dike all around it. That area is a floodplain.

[MonctonRad]

New CBC article regarding the massive freezer facility currently under construction in the Sackville Industrial Park:

Tallest building on Sackville skyline is now a huge freezer
Visible from the Trans-Canada, Sackville's newest structure is for blueberries and cranberries
Tori Weldon · CBC News · Posted: Jan 15, 2019 6:00 AM AT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-b...ries-1.4977779

The freezer facility is unique for more than just its size.

"Instead of having frozen products stored by people driving forklifts, the whole building runs with automatic cranes," Ernst said.

"They can lift product up 140 feet in the air store it and come back and get another pallet."

According to David Ernst, the way the foods will be kept cold is by way of new technology using CO2 rather than ammonia.

Instead of a traditional sprinkler system, Ernst said a fire prevention system is being installed.

"The system lowers the oxygen by adding nitrogen rich normal air."

While the air is still breathable, Ernst said, the atmosphere inside the facility will prevent fires from starting.

Ernst said because of the automation, the facility will only likely bring four new jobs to the town. But alongside the massive freezer is a former egg-processing plant, built by Burnbrae Farms in 2007. The building will be used as a warehouse and berry-processing plant in partnership with Burnbrae Farms.