Moncton is making preparations to sell off sections of city-owned land for housing redevelopment. A portion of the Moncton Coliseum complex property near Killam Drive has been earmarked for this purpose following a city council vote on Nov. 17 to declare it surplus.
According to Josh Davies, the city’s manager of long-range policy planning, this marks the third property identified for affordable housing initiatives. The approximately one-acre parcel adjacent to Killam Drive, situated near one of the entrances to the expansive Coliseum site, is envisioned for a multi-storey, multi-unit building with potential commercial establishments on the ground floor, spanning three to four stories.
The process involves subdividing the land, rezoning it, and seeking a suitable non-profit organization to purchase it. If all goes smoothly, construction is expected to commence in 2027 with occupancy slated for the subsequent year. Selling municipal land segments aims to overcome obstacles hindering affordable housing development, as stated by Davies.
The city’s land disposal policy outlines affordable housing as low-cost housing directed towards low-income or non-income-generating residents, managed by a non-profit entity primarily focused on providing affordable housing. Land allocated for affordable housing under this policy is to be sold for a nominal fee of $1, with the buyer obliged to operate the property for affordable housing purposes.
Another location targeted for housing development is in proximity to the Killam Drive roundabout. A separate site, situated between Spruce and Cedar streets, has advanced in the process with the city council approving the division of the land into ten lots, two of which are allocated to Habitat for Humanity New Brunswick.
Habitat for Humanity is set to construct two semi-detached duplexes by early next summer, allowing for basement apartments that can be rented out or utilized by the homeowners. This initiative, in partnership with the Carpenter Millwright College, is designed to provide flexibility in living arrangements and potential additional income streams for families.
Looking ahead, future development near the Coliseum, as proposed in 2018 by the city council, aims to revitalize sections of the Coliseum site, including areas along Killam Drive, to offset operational expenses while retaining the facility as a hub for trade shows and exhibitions. Anticipating ongoing activity at the Coliseum, there are plans to repurpose certain areas of the site in the years to come.