The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread - Page 465

mmmatt · #**9281** Posted **Oct 20, 2011, 5:07 PM**

My 2 cents on the Maple Leaf closure:

It is very sad news for the Maple Leaf employees effected. My father was manager of the machine shop for 15 years before they downsized 7 or so years ago. At that time they layed off around 500 workers and I have heard through the grapevine that there have also been wage decreases since that point.

This year alone we have seen the creation of around 600~ call center jobs and 300 of those are ING ones which have a BASE pay of 15.25/hr. That's not accounting for the supervisors, managers etc who will of course make more.

The fact that the majority of workers at the meat plant are general labour and "assembly line" type workers they would most likely be near to the same wages as the new ING center.

Also as we speak there are two large distribution centers going up in Caledonia one of which will have a substantial office built in (24,000 sq ft). These two will employ at least 100. These jobs will also be of the same caliber as what has been lost through the Maple Leaf closure.

So this year in total for the large "newsmaker" type of jobs figures we are looking at around -460 and +700 so still in the positive about 240.

I'm not trying to downplay the loss to those employees as it is great. I'm merely trying to show that this will not be a "game changer" for the city by any means. These workers will be absorbed by our growing economy in the coming 3 years they have to do so. And we can all hope that this new "task force" will come up with something to do with the plant.

Steelcowboy · #**9282** Posted **Oct 20, 2011, 6:18 PM**

2 big distribution centers in Caledonia park? Hmmm I wonder if they will be railserved? A modest layoff has occured in the Atlantic region on CNR. Although they have hired about 20 new conductors in the past year ( a class of 9 is training now). Cuts in Edmundston and Halifax has about 8 guys here from those 2 cities, laying off some of these newbies. I've noticed a decreased amount of traffic coming through Moncton. Newpage has about 95% of that downturn from its spin off (woodchips, chemicals, finished products of pulp and paper). The Deersdale closure may have effect as well...woodchips for Saint John come from there and of course lumber. I hope the Canadian dollar can fall to a level that attracts buyers of our products in the maritimes.

MonctonRad · #**9283** Posted **Oct 20, 2011, 7:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelcowboy

2 big distribution centers in Caledonia park? Hmmm I wonder if they will be railserved?

Nope, neither one of the new distribution centres is on a rail spur - sorry.

mmmatt · #**9284** Posted **Oct 20, 2011, 8:48 PM**

Some tidbits I've noticed in the last couple days:

1. There is a new pizza joint opening up inside a small expansion of the Econo Lodge on west main. "Harrys Pizza"...I live nearby so I'm excited to try it out...however it again raises the point...how many pizza joints can this city sustain??? it seems we have a new one every few months haha...guess we just love our pizza and our timmies a lot!

2. The exterior cladding is going up on the Moncton Irving HQ on Dieppe blvd. it is identical to the rest of the building as we already knew from the renders.

3. There is a new Massage Therapy office which has opened a storefront on St George (where former MP Brian Murphy had his local office).

4. The former homes of "Artsy et Vintage" and "Café Clémentine" on St George are being completely gutted...the two top floors (as we know) are being made into luxury condos, and now the former retail space is also in renovation mode...hopefully to be made into retail or office space. That corner is going through a complete transformation as of late, with the city updating the look of the street, Killam now building a 7 floor apt bldg and this renovation.

porchmouse · #**9285** Posted **Oct 20, 2011, 10:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmatt

Some tidbits I've noticed in the last couple days:

1. There is a new pizza joint opening up inside a small expansion of the Econo Lodge on west main. "Harrys Pizza"...I live nearby so I'm excited to try it out...however it again raises the point...how many pizza joints can this city sustain??? it seems we have a new one every few months haha...guess we just love our pizza and our timmies a lot!

Harry is one of Nick the Dutch Baker's sons. He's had a successful pizza place at the Moncton Market. If you're not familiar with Nick the Dutch Baker then you are missing out. His chicken pot pies, baked goods, breads, etc....delicious and so fresh. His children are following in his footsteps. They all work at the market with him (two have their own businesses) and are so polite and service oriented. I just love paying them a visit every Saturday. Here's wishing Harry much success! You can find Harry on twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/NotreDamePizza or visit Nick the Dutch Baker at http://www.nickthedutchbaker.com/

On a side note I'm not related...I just love their stuff!

Cheers! and now I'm hungry...

mylesmalley · #**9286** Posted **Oct 21, 2011, 10:53 AM**

Abridged from the T&T:

Metro building permit values jump
Published Friday October 21st, 2011

Planning commission's year-to-date report shows Metro Moncton's building permit values see significant hike
A1
BY ALLISON TOOGOOD
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

Metro Moncton and its surrounding areas are continuing a banner year for building permits, with construction values adding up to impressive figures.

While the actual number of permits in almost every category are down, the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission reports that the values of those permits are much higher than in 2010.

The City of Moncton itself recorded the highest rise in value for its year-to-date totals: $157 million worth of building projects approved, compared to $121 million at the same time last year. The total value of permits increased by almost 30 per cent.
...
Although there were 84 less permits, this year's total regional value for the 1,906 permits issued so far in Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview and the villages and unincorporated areas surrounding the tri-community is $282,416,478.60, an 8.6 per cent improvement over 2010.
...
Dieppe saw a permit value rise to $64 million for the year, compared to $2 million less last year. Riverview recorded similar results, with $21 million this year, versus $19 million in 2010.

http://timestranscript.canadaeast.co...rticle/1449674

___
I was really concerned coming out of 2009 and 2010 that the city's construction numbers would hit a wall once the big provincial infrastructure spending and casino were through. Granted there still has been some public sector investment, like the new public works building in Dieppe, the stuff going to the university and the Dumont heating plant, but the lion's share is private sector investment in the economy.

As has been pointed out before, the apartment construction going on right now is unreal, all three industrial parks are undergoing expansion and filling up quickly, and now it seems the retail sector is finally going to climb out of the recession. Exciting times!

MonctonRad · #**9287** Posted **Oct 21, 2011, 1:38 PM**

$282M in building permits is certainly nothing to sneeze at!

I am intrigued that in the article, they hinted that building permits for the Mapleton Power Centre were beginning to "pile up" and that they expected significant construction work in the spring.

Hopefully the anticipated closure of Maple Leaf Foods won't put a damper on things, but I think the city is beyond that and the economy is now large enough and diverse enough to come out of this unfazed. I am also hopeful that the plant will be repurposed and will survive in some form. The Maple Leaf plant in Berwick NS stayed open (under different management) and is now a chicken processing facility. It sounds as if Maple Leaf would like something similar to happen here....

mylesmalley · #**9288** Posted **Oct 21, 2011, 2:08 PM**

It's really unfortunate for all the workers at Maple Leaf, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The facility isn't going to close for 3 years, which is a long time to prepare for the job hunt. It also gives a lot of time to look for alternative employment. I'd be much more concerned if it was closing next month.

The biggest factor is the fact that Moncton's economy is growing and diversified. It isn't so big that a company that large would go unnoticed, but more than capable of absorbing that many workers. And as MonctonRad pointed out, that's also assuming the plant can't get purchased and repurposed by someone else.

MonctonRad · #**9289** Posted **Oct 22, 2011, 1:13 PM**

It's in the T&T today that the feds have finally agreed to the 10% rebate on policing for the Codiac Regional RCMP.

I presume that this announcement will put to bed the issue over regional policing services for Metro Moncton and that this will give the green light to either the expansion and refurbishment of the existing police HQ building or (hopefully) the construction of a new building on Assomption Blvd.

mylesmalley · #**9290** Posted **Oct 22, 2011, 7:28 PM**

It's about time.
I don't expect we'll ever get the 25 million in back rebates.

MonctonRad · #**9291** Posted **Oct 22, 2011, 7:46 PM**

Maybe they could include that as part of the federal contribution towards the new events centre.....

josh_cat_eyes · #**9292** Posted **Oct 22, 2011, 10:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Maybe they could include that as part of the federal contribution towards the new events centre.....

Or just shoulder the entire cost of the new police HQ. Any money left over can go towards a new parkade downtown.

MonctonRad · #**9293** Posted **Oct 24, 2011, 12:48 AM**

Well, I was by the new Second Cup at Mountain and Gorge this evening. I was actually there twice, and both times the place was absolutely packed - all parking spaces full and all tables full. The second time around, i just gave up and went though the drive-thru.

It's not the first time that I have visited the new store. it's very much like a stand alone Starbuck's and I would say that Starbucks is definitely missing the boat by not having a location in the northwest end of the city. There certainly seems to be a pent up demand for a high end coffee shop in our end of the city.

Starbucks, you should take notice!

macas539 · #**9294** Posted **Oct 24, 2011, 2:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Well, I was by the new Second Cup at Mountain and Gorge this evening. I was actually there twice, and both times the place was absolutely packed - all parking spaces full and all tables full. The second time around, i just gave up and went though the drive-thru.

It's not the first time that I have visited the new store. it's very much like a stand alone Starbuck's and I would say that Starbucks is definitely missing the boat by not having a location in the northwest end of the city. There certainly seems to be a pent up demand for a high end coffee shop in our end of the city.

Starbucks, you should take notice!

My thoughts exactly. I frequent Second Cup almost daily since it opened. Starbucks is absolutely missing out. I hope they really consider opening a standalone store. I know I would be one of many potential customers.

On a side note the development in Monctons northwest is nothing short of amazing. I never imagined this part of the city would build up to this extent. It's almost unrecognizable fromjust two years ago! I hope it continues.

David_99 · #**9295** Posted **Oct 24, 2011, 1:50 PM**

Moncton street enjoys revitalization
CBC.ca

The organization Downtown Moncton says it's starting to see a payoff for its economic development efforts on St. George Street.

The area has gone through some rough periods, including crime problems and the loss of several establishments over the years, but is currently enjoying some revitalization, said president Louis Léger.

There are new apartment buildings, condos under construction, existing businesses expanding and other projects planned.

Léger said there's still work to be done, but he compares it to renovating a house.

"Once you're in the middle of the renovations, sometimes it doesn't look great. So you have to stay focused on what the house is going to look like when its done," he said.

"Otherwise you could get discouraged. So it's very much a work in progress."

The rest of the article can be read at:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-br...alization.html

mmmatt · #**9296** Posted **Oct 24, 2011, 4:03 PM**

^ just went by today and they are changing all the street signs from the standard green rectangle to the downtown blue "wavy" version with the DCMI logo on them...just another step on the long list of recent improvements!

I've said it once and I'll say it again though, those power poles need to come down!!!

JasonL-Moncton · #**9297** Posted **Oct 24, 2011, 5:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by porchmouse

Harry is one of Nick the Dutch Baker's sons. He's had a successful pizza place at the Moncton Market. If you're not familiar with Nick the Dutch Baker then you are missing out. His chicken pot pies, baked goods, breads, etc....delicious and so fresh. His children are following in his footsteps. They all work at the market with him (two have their own businesses) and are so polite and service oriented. I just love paying them a visit every Saturday. Here's wishing Harry much success! You can find Harry on twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/NotreDamePizza or visit Nick the Dutch Baker at http://www.nickthedutchbaker.com/

On a side note I'm not related...I just love their stuff!

Cheers! and now I'm hungry...

Harry has also had a very successful pizza shop (which will remain open) in Notre Dame for years...Notre Dame Pizza is loved out that way and many have been asking Harry to open a shop in the city.

JL

haligonia · #**9298** Posted **Oct 24, 2011, 7:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Well, I was by the new Second Cup at Mountain and Gorge this evening. I was actually there twice, and both times the place was absolutely packed - all parking spaces full and all tables full. The second time around, i just gave up and went though the drive-thru.

It's not the first time that I have visited the new store. it's very much like a stand alone Starbuck's and I would say that Starbucks is definitely missing the boat by not having a location in the northwest end of the city. There certainly seems to be a pent up demand for a high end coffee shop in our end of the city.

Starbucks, you should take notice!

If Second Cup continues to be successful, I wouldn't be surprised to see Starbucks open up shop somewhere in Moncton. The company has one of the most meticulous real estate departments of any chain in the world, so having a busy place like Second Cup should boost Moncton on their list.

MonctonRad · #**9299** Posted **Oct 24, 2011, 7:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by haligonia

If Second Cup continues to be successful, I wouldn't be surprised to see Starbucks open up shop somewhere in Moncton. The company has one of the most meticulous real estate departments of any chain in the world, so having a busy place like Second Cup should boost Moncton on their list.

There are two Starbucks in Moncton - but they're both in Dieppe..

To my mind, there should be one downtown (perhaps in a rebuilt Dewey Block), and one in the northwest end (possibly along Mountain Road or in the Mapleton Power Centre when it gets built next year).

mmmatt · #**9300** Posted **Oct 24, 2011, 9:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

There are two Starbucks in Moncton - but they're both in Dieppe..

To my mind, there should be one downtown (perhaps in a rebuilt Dewey Block), and one in the northwest end (possibly along Mountain Road or in the Mapleton Power Centre when it gets built next year).

Now to be fair they do have an official Starbucks "coffee station" in the Delta downtown...that counts for something!