[Moncton] St. Bernard Place | 18 Storeys | Proposed

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

I was just thinking the same thing. They could do site prep while the city does the street work. The Record street project got a bunch of materials on site before it was even approved so I don’t see why this project couldn’t do something similar.

It would be nice to see this project get going sooner. With 148 units just steps away from Main Street, it will be a major boost to downtown. And downtown could really use more people to support the businesses.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I see no reason why they couldn't start excavation for the three levels of underground parking at the same time as the street and infrastructure improvements on Victoria and Wesley.

I still don't necessarily expect to see the tower crane at St Bernard Square however until next spring.

You may have been right MonctonRad. Driving by the site tonight I saw a piece of heavy equipment and a metal storage container on the property. I don't think the city uses storage containers when they do street work, do they? So Frederic Properties could at least do some site preparation now, and then be all ready to start the excavation when the time comes. If this is what's happening, I think it's a good sign. It tells me that Mr. Grandmaison wants to get going on the project as soon as he can.

[MonctonRad]

Good news. I won't get too excited though until I see construction fencing around the site.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Good news. I won't get too excited though until I see construction fencing around the site.

It was a bulldozer so I'd say they're going to remove the asphalt to get the property ready for excavation. Might as well do that now, no need to wait.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Good news. I won't get too excited though until I see construction fencing around the site.

Somebody has been on the site. I noticed this morning that there is now some fencing on one side of the container and a pile of gravel on the other side. Again, I can't see why the developer couldn't start site prep before/while the city is doing the street work they've planned for August. At least they should be able to remove the old asphalt from the property.

[jonny golden]

A lot of activity has been happening on the land. Large amount of earth, underground concrete sewer pipes, traffic cones etc. It looks like it's being used as a staging area for the city in preparation for the underground work they'll be doing on Wesley and Victoria. I forget how long it's supposed to take, but hopefully Frederic Properties can get going on their project this fall.

[jonny golden]

Valdo Grandmaison, owner of Frederic Properties, had said that the aim was to start his project in late September or October. It would be dependent on the city finishing their underground work on Victoria & Wesley streets. Driving by the area this morning, it looks like the city is a long way from finishing their work.

[MonctonRad]

So, of all the major projects slated to get started in Moncton this year, this is the only one still pending. I presume this is because the city is still using this lot as a staging area for the infrastructure work on the adjacent roadways.

Grandmaison must be tearing his hair out by the roots. The window of the fall construction season is rapidly narrowing. There will be a lot of digging necessary for the underground parking structure.

[jonny golden]

There's going to be 3 levels of underground parking. I'm not sure how long it would take to excavate, but it sounds like a major undertaking. If I were a betting man, I'd say that they won't start until next year.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

There's going to be 3 levels of underground parking. I'm not sure how long it would take to excavate, but it sounds like a major undertaking. If I were a betting man, I'd say that they won't start until next year.

Once you get ~8 feet down winter shouldn't matter all that much, right?

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Once you get ~8 feet down winter shouldn't matter all that much, right?

I honestly don't know. I was thinking that it would take quite a while to dig down 3 floors, and right now the city is still using the lot as a staging area. So they aren't even ready to start yet. What affect would the winter weather have on this type of job? Maybe somebody who knows more could shed some light on it for us.

[jonny golden]

As of this morning, Wesley Street is completely torn up, however they are now re-building it. So it would seem like the water/sewer system has been upgraded.

Can Mr. Grandmaison start his huge project at this time of year, considering the weather that's just around the corner?

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

So, of all the major projects slated to get started in Moncton this year, this is the only one still pending. I presume this is because the city is still using this lot as a staging area for the infrastructure work on the adjacent roadways.

Grandmaison must be tearing his hair out by the roots. The window of the fall construction season is rapidly narrowing. There will be a lot of digging necessary for the underground parking structure.

Drove by again yesterday. Wesley is still torn up. I think Frederic Properties will have to wait until the spring to start on this project.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Drove by again yesterday. Wesley is still torn up. I think Frederic Properties will have to wait until the spring to start on this project.

Wesley Street is still closed today, but it looks like they're close to being ready for pavement. Could Frederic Properties do some site preparation this late, like at least removing the old asphalt? Or could they still start excavation?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

Wesley Street is still closed today, but it looks like they're close to being ready for pavement. Could Frederic Properties do some site preparation this late, like at least removing the old asphalt? Or could they still start excavation?

In some ways I'm looking forward to St. Bernard Square more than I am 20 Record Street. It would be nice if they could do at least some initial site prep this fall, but I would not be surprised to see them put everything off until the springtime.

It really all depends on how far along they are with negotiating with the subcontractors, and how locked in they are with the construction timelines (for example, when do they have the tower crane rented for, and for how long?)

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

In some ways I'm looking forward to St. Bernard Square more than I am 20 Record Street. It would be nice if they could do at least some initial site prep this fall, but I would not be surprised to see them put everything off until the springtime.

It really all depends on how far along they are with negotiating with the subcontractors, and how locked in they are with the construction timelines (for example, when do they have the tower crane rented for, and for how long?)

I think so too. Maybe do whatever they can with the site this fall so they can hit the ground running in the spring.

One thing I wonder about is if this project will spur more development in the neighbourhood. I'm confident 20 Record Street will, but curious if we'll see more activity as a result of St. Bernard Square.

[jonny golden]

Here is a February 25th quote from the CBC story on this project:

"Grandmaison said the aim is to start construction by late September or October and would take two and a half years"

Wesley and Victoria streets are still closed as of this afternoon.

[MonctonRad]

Surrounding roadwork is now complete, but, this late in the season, I certainly do not expect to see shovels in the ground until springtime.

[Mattyyy]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Surrounding roadwork is now complete, but, this late in the season, I certainly do not expect to see shovels in the ground until springtime.

Plenty of buildings break ground at this time of year in Canada - although less likely it's still possible. When you also consider the shortage in the trades it would be a great time to break construction. And if not, the Spring isn't too far away!

[Taeolas]

With the amount of underground work they'll need to do (3 stories of underground parking + foundation), they probably don't really want to start digging while its frozen; so waiting for the spring thaw would make sense. If they really wanted to I'm sure they could work through the winter; but I doubt the extra costs would be worth it.