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- calendar_today October 20, 2026
Moncton Council Targets Former Police Station Site for Market Redevelopment
Moncton city council has taken a significant step towards relocating the city’s market, unanimously voting to declare the former Codiac Regional RCMP station site as surplus and to require future redevelopment proposals to include a new city market. The site, located at the corner of Main Street and Assomption Boulevard, consists of 1.5 acres owned by the city and has been vacant since the RCMP moved to a new detachment on Albert Street during the summer.
Request for Developer Proposals Will Include Market Requirement
At a meeting on Monday evening, councillors directed city staff to draft a request for proposals (RFP) for redeveloping the land. Submissions must include plans for a market on the building's ground floor. Shane Porter, the city's director of events and venues, described the location as a “once in a lifetime opportunity,” noting its potential for a mixed-use tower—possibly with residential units situated above the market.
Envisioning the New City Market Moncton
The concept for the new city market aims to provide expanded vendor space, enhanced seating, and an outdoor plaza. Porter stated that the updated design would allow some vendors to operate more days and function as both storefronts and market stalls. Input from market vendors will be solicited next month, with online and in-person consultations for the broader public planned for November 14 and 21.
Addressing an Aging Downtown Facility
According to Porter, the current market off Westmorland Street is an “aged facility,” comprised of multiple add-ons that are increasingly costly to maintain. Moncton has been allocating funds toward a new market since 2023, though the final cost and scale will depend on developer proposals and consultation outcomes.
Timelines and Transition for the Market Redevelopment
The city plans to have the RFP issued by the end of the year. Demolition of the former police station is expected by year’s end as well, clearing the way for redevelopment. City council expects to review proposals and move forward with a sale in spring or summer 2027. If targets are met, the new market could open within five years.
Departure from Previous Downtown Plans
This initiative marks a shift from Moncton’s 2018 downtown plan, which had initially envisioned a new market and potential convention space along Downing Street. The change, according to Porter, reflects delays and a more urgent need for a new market facility.
Integration with Riverfront Master Plan
The council’s decisions regarding the market dovetail with a newly approved riverfront master plan. Developed by Trace Planning and Design—hired in 2024 for $164,950—the plan provides a long-term vision for the city’s riverfront over the next 25 years. Renderings presented to council include conceptual imagery of the proposed market at the police station site.
Highlights of the Master Plan
- Enhancement of greenspace and trail systems atop a former dump between two bridges linking Moncton and Riverview
- Relocation of self-storage businesses to industrial parks to make way for public amenities and parking
- Creation of a stage and grassy events space along Assomption Boulevard near the courthouse
- Consideration of a floating dock to improve river access
- Mixed-use developments to fund future riverfront improvements
Jim Scott of Trace Planning and Design referred to the plan as a “guiding document” for municipal planning in Moncton. Councillors expressed strong support, emphasizing the master plan’s contributions to urban revitalization and environmental preservation.
Next Steps: Community Engagement and Urban Revitalization
Public and vendor consultations are scheduled for the coming weeks. The city remains focused on ensuring the redevelopment aligns with both community needs and the goals set out in the riverfront master plan. As council reviews incoming proposals, the project stands as a notable example of municipal planning aiming to combine market redevelopment, mixed use development, and downtown revitalization in Moncton.
Source: cbc.ca.
