A potential rendering of the exterior of the museum (The Hardman Group).
The operators of Market Square are advocating for a new plan to keep the New Brunswick Museum under its Uptown roof.
Colin Whitcomb of the Hardman Group, which lease and operate Market Square, says they’ve put out mock designs of a potential expansion of the museum.
He says the uptown location would allow the museum to have more space, after years without a permanent home.
“We’re bringing it back to light now because there is a pause in the conversation about the museum. There’s no other solution being put forward right now. These plans exist and we think it’s something that the public should be aware of,” he said.
Whitcomb says their ideas include expanding the north-east end of Market Square by three floors, adding a new entrance, and upgrading the exterior of the building.
‘These are all ideas for discussion, and we’re open to sitting down with various stakeholders and getting feedback from the community and the public, and implementing a museum that the whole province can be proud of,” he said.
Already In The Works
Whitcomb says when Market Square was first build in the 80’s, there was a part of the North East corner that was never developed, but has all the necessities for an expansion.
“All the structural foundations, mechanical systems were put in the building to permit it to expand by three floors, so to expand and provide the extra capacity is a fairly simple construction,” he said.
Whitcomb says this would be a cost-effective solution to finding a home for the museum.
He says Market Square is an ideal location for a number of reasons. For one, it’s a prime waterfront location, there is existing parking, it’s connected to the ped-way, hotels, food and beverage operations, and more.
“Expansion would provide a highly visible, highly accessible entrance opportunity for the museum along St. Patrick Street. A new door could be put in that could access directly into the museum, or access into Market Square,” he said.
Market Square is ideal given its central location, says Whitcomb. (The Hardman Group)
The plans include more display space, and an updated exterior. (The Hardman Group)
Also, he says in about 10 years, the property’s ownership will revert back to Develop Saint John, which represents all three levels of government, meaning they will have a long-term interest and value in the property.
“Ultimately they’re going to own it,” he said.
Whitcomb says the mock expansion plans have already been budgeted, and would likely cost around $22 million, down from the $100 million budgeted for a previous museum project that would have seen a new location built on the old Coast Guard site.
He notes that these plans might be new to the public, but they’ve been in the works for a number of years, and were a previous idea for the museum before the Higgs government put the project on hold.
“Our estimates are in the range of $22 million for the expansion from 63,000 (square) feet to about 130,000, and that would include making the building space out for extra gallery, and extra display space,” he says, should the Museum want it.
The project is still in the very early stages, and Whitcomb says he is open to suggestions from stakeholders and the community.
“We’re prepared to be flexible and creative to come up with a solution.”
