Moncton’s downtown area could see some major work in the decades to come as part of its Core Community Improvement plan.
The city, along with urban development company Trace Planning and Design, have revealed conceptual designs to improve the use of the downtown core.
“It’s really conceptually showing what type of building we could see in Moncton and also showing other key components of the grid and showing other development opportunities,” said Moncton senior urban developer, Sébastien Arcand.
One of the suggestions the plan looks at is moving the Moncton Farmer’s Market from Robinson and Westmorland streets, east to Downing Street.
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“It’s not set in stone, but I think it’s inevitable for us to really be thinking about the market as an asset to rejuvenate the downtown core,” Arcand said.
The plan also proposes raising the level of Assomption Boulevard and using a multi -level promenade to keep the Petitcodiac River back from the core during times of high water.
“We all know with climate change, and we have a tidal river, so their could some risk of flooding there,” Arcand added. “Assomption will also need to be raised a little bit, maybe a meter a meter and a half but in the longer term there’s other components begin presented such as a river walk that could also be a buffer, but essentially its to create a green space to essentially keep that water from the downtown core.”
The next step for the city is to hold public consultations to get reaction to the proposed ideas from residents.