Articles from EST Media Montreal

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.

Residents in the Mercier-Est neighborhood of Montreal are troubled by persistent noise from the construction works in the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel. Despite noise mitigation efforts by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD), the noise from the ventilation system is expected to continue until 2026. Attempts including installing soundproof barriers have been made, but residents remain dissatisfied. A class-action lawsuit has been filed by several citizens seeking to halt the construction until a noise reduction solution is implemented.

The Quartier des Lumières project has started in the Ville-Marie neighborhood of Montreal, on the former site of the Radio-Canada tower. The project includes 5,000 housing units, offices, commercial spaces, and a school, aiming to reintegrate the area into the urban fabric and create a southern gateway to Montreal. There are concerns about ensuring affordable housing amidst increasing gentrification. The project plans to be sustainable with LEED certification, extensive green spaces, and sustainable water management systems.

The City of Montreal has approved a 25-year redevelopment project for Place Versailles, transforming it into a mixed-use residential and commercial area. The project will include the construction of about 5,805 housing units, over 900 of which will be social housing. Local residents are concerned about the impact of long-term construction on their community, prompting the formation of a neighborhood committee to address issues. Efforts are being made to maintain commercial offerings and plan for community services like schools amid the development.

Montréal has acquired 33 housing units in the Ville-Marie district, removing them from the speculative market to ensure affordable living spaces. These units include studios and rooms, initially managed by the Société d'habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) and later by a nonprofit. This acquisition aligns with the city's efforts to achieve 20% non-market housing by 2050 and address the housing crisis through Loger + measures. These measures support the construction and preservation of affordable housing in the city.

The article features architect Ron Rayside, who is noted for his work on social and affordable housing projects in Montreal's east end. He recently received the 'Coup de cœur' award at the ESTim gala, recognizing his commitment to combining architecture with social involvement. Rayside discusses the challenges of rising construction costs, the importance of state support, and how architecture can fight gentrification while enhancing neighborhood beauty. He emphasizes the importance of coupling aesthetic and economic accessibility in housing projects.