Wednesday-Night

CREDIT: View of working class homes on Mountain St in Griffintown with the City of Montreal looming behind. THE GAZETTE/Dave Sidaway

November 24, 2007
Gazette editorial
Griffintown project deserves support
The most striking thing about Thursday’s announcement of a sweeping new program to revitalize the moribund Griffintown area, south of downtown, was the way Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay had already braced himself for a backlash.
The mayor is right, we believe, to support the $1.3-billion project, although there are two residual issues that still demand some attention. And he is also correct, unfortunately, in expecting the drearily familiar chorus of anti-everything voices to be raised against the plan.

Griffintown to get extreme $1.3B makeover
November 22, 2007 CBC News
Montreal has approved a $1.3-billion housing project that promoters promise will revitalize Griffintown.
The mainly residential project includes nearly 4,000 dwelling units, including condominiums and housing for students and seniors.
Promoters promise the development will inject new life into Griffintown, an industrial slum neighbourhood southwest of Old Montreal that was once densely populated but now only counts about 50 homeowners.

November 23, 2007
Huge Griffintown plan unveiled
Andy Riga, The Gazette

Don’t be so negative and don’t let this one slip by. That was the message to Montrealers yesterday from Mayor Gerald Tremblay, who urged people to keep an open mind about a $1.3-billion residential-and-commercial project that aims to revitalize Griffintown, a run-down area at the foot of Peel St., between downtown and the Lachine Canal.

Described as one of the biggest private investments in Montreal history, the project, whose details were outlined yesterday, would include 3,830 residential units, retail outlets, a concert hall and a network of parks and public spaces.
“It is time we stop adopting such negative attitudes since it is only normal that in a major metropolis like Montreal that we should be able to at least explore projects that can have a positive impact on the social, cultural and economic development of our city.”
To deal with concerns [the developer] heard, it included more residential units (almost two-thirds of the floor space), added parks and public spaces (a total of 600,000 square feet), reduced the number of large stores included in the project (they would now make up less than a quarter of retail space) and moved parking underground (there would be 5,000 paid spots). It’s also counting on the city’s proposed tramway linking Griffintown to downtown and Old Montreal to alleviate traffic.
The project would feature several towers ranging from 10 to 24 storeys; the tallest building would be a hotel overlooking the Lachine Canal, which would have 32 floors.
To allay concerns of heritage activists, the developer said it will protect 12 structures (including the New City Gas and Crathern & Caverhil buildings) in the area, the former heart of the city’s Irish community.
Two other buildings of historical value will be moved; another four will be demolished and partially rebuilt.
The area to be developed is currently home to 47 people, most of whom live in housing on Mountain St. that will not be affected by the project.
Full article and details