Articles from EST Media Montreal

With the blue line metro extension underway, real estate development is accelerating in Anjou with 2500 housing units planned but few social housing options announced. Discussions are ongoing between the city and developers to include social housing units despite initial plans indicating otherwise. Financial agreements have been reached to support social housing, and other avenues are being considered, such as using the Règlement pour une métropole mixte to encourage inclusivity.

Construction has officially begun for the highly anticipated Faubourg Contrecœur project, ending a 15-year wait for residents in Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. The development aims to eliminate a food desert with a planned IGA Extra opening in 2026, alongside local shops and sustainable infrastructure. Despite previous delays caused by various obstacles, the project is finally moving forward with political backing.

The City of Montreal and the STM have introduced the names of the future stations for the Blue Line extension, honoring significant cultural and women's figures. The extension project is progressing well with excavation work on schedule and within budget. The infrastructure project aims to revitalize eastern Montreal, creating urban and economic development opportunities, with the extension opening projected for 2031.

The Ville-Marie borough has initiated a multifunctional project on Larivière Street, integrating stormwater management, greening, and recreational and cultural facilities. This innovative project includes retention basins, a climbing wall, a public art piece, and water play areas. Other infrastructure works are underway to enhance the city’s resilience against heavy rainfall. The sewer collector under several streets is also set to be rehabilitated to improve structures and prevent failures.

Laurence Petit, known as the 'Fairy of the Sidewalks,' transforms sidewalk cracks in Montreal's eastern neighborhoods into mosaic artworks. Her projects include a collaboration with the Montreal Insectarium to celebrate insects and a personal project supported by the Quebec Arts and Letters Council. Despite initial challenges with Quebec winters, she has developed a new technique that ensures the durability of her outdoor art. Her vision is to make Eastern Montreal a mosaic destination.

The Montcalm Park in the borough of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie (RPP) has been reopened after major renovations, transforming it into an environmentally sustainable public space. The project involved input from local citizens and aimed to enhance the park's ecological diversity while providing an inclusive and accessible environment. The park now includes features like rainwater retention basins, an inclusive play area, and educational panels about its ecological importance. The renovation was part of several city-wide strategies and funded jointly by municipal budgets.

In east Montreal, nearly twenty buildings belonging to the Montreal School Service Center (CSSDM) are unoccupied and unused. These properties remain 'excess spaces' without plans for repurposing, demolition, or sale. Many became vacant due to demographic changes and governmental policy constraints. Local officials are advocating for better utilization, with some properties still awaiting renovations or purpose reassessment.

Architect and engineer Jean Beaudoin has been chosen as the mayoral candidate for Plateau—Mont-Royal by the Ensemble Montréal team for the upcoming municipal elections. Beaudoin, with experience in major urban projects, aims to address issues such as commercial street management and mobility within the borough, advocating for pedestrian-friendly initiatives. He also highlights the need for improved planning and infrastructure, particularly for cyclists, to enhance connectivity and accessibility. The candidate additionally supports providing more spaces for artists to promote creativity in the area.

Montréal-Est plans to plant 3,750 trees by 2030, in partnership with the Société de verdissement du Montréal métropolitain (Soverdi). The initiative aims to enhance the urban forest and address climate change by reducing heat islands. This project includes the creation of wildflower meadows and residential programs encouraging citizens to plant trees. The city has dedicated $750,000 over five years to support these efforts as part of its Vision 2050 plan, which prioritizes environmental and citizen quality of life.

The future of several plots in East Montreal, acquired by the city for affordable housing, remains uncertain due to funding challenges. The city intends to sell these plots to non-profit organizations and housing cooperatives at favorable prices. Despite investments and land acquisition, stakeholders stress the lack of sufficient funding and proper programs needed to advance affordable housing projects. Government support varies, with some programs irregularly issuing funding calls, further complicating project planning.

The first phase of the revitalization of George-Vernot Park in the Saint-Michel district is underway with a $5.8 million investment. This project involves renovating the baseball and soccer fields, adding a multi-purpose event space, and planting a microforest. The park's efforts will also include environmentally friendly initiatives, such as planting trees and creating a community garden. The entire project is expected to be completed by summer 2026.

The Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension (VSP) borough has revised its heritage management regulations to simplify protected heritage sectors and identified new buildings of architectural interest. The new plan includes broader protection zones and does away with previous complex classifications of heritage zones. Additionally, new typology sheets have been introduced to help homeowners understand guidelines for renovating heritage properties. Furthermore, the borough now permits the use of alternative materials for renovations to ease the process.