Gare d’autocars de Montréal, Quebec, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Entremise РOBNL en am̩nagement, recently put together an open letter discussing concerns about the upcoming vacancy of the ̨lot voyageur located at 505 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Est, in Montreal.
The letter begins by stating that Mayor Valérie Plante has revealed the timeline for the upcoming real estate project on the l’îlot voyageur, the former Berri-UQAM bus station, during a press conference.
According to the letter, the proposed timetable sets the beginning of construction in spring 2025. The letter notes that this timeline is “overly optimistic” given the recent history of delayed real estate projects within the Ville de Montréal. The letter noted examples including the social housing project at the former Projet Young site in Griffintown, the Hippodrome Blue Bonnets, the redevelopment of the Saint-Sulpice library, and the ongoing negotiations for 4000 rue Saint-Patrick following the C40 competition in 2021.
According to the letter, no measures or recommendations have been implemented to prevent the sizable 25,000 sq.ft. building from remaining vacant until its future, yet unidentified, owner takes possession. The letter also noted that this is an ongoing situation despite the housing crisis and land pressures, and emphasized the need for proactive measures.
The letter noted that the city has taken steps beyond identification by implementing regulations such as th...