Entremise – OBNL en aménagement, recently put together an open letter discussing concerns about the upcoming vacancy of the îlot 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 the recent building occupancy and maintenance by-law (23-016), that came into effect on October 24, 2023. This by-law strengthens regulations for property owners who abandon their buildings and demonstrates the municipality’s attempt to actively combat the problem.
The letter noted that this effort aligns with the city’s broader commitment to the circular economy, as outlined in the September 2023 recommendations report, “Vers une Feuille de route montréalaise en économie circulaire.” The report underscores the approach of transitional use of spaces and buildings as a means to manage urban resources and establishes a relationship between solving the housing crisis and promoting a circular economy within the city.
The letter noted that as landowners, they advocate for the city to transition from recommendations to tangible actions, setting an example by not overlooking vacancy issues during the planning stages.
The letter made recomendations such as emulating the practices seen in projects like the Grandes Locos initiative overseen by the Metropole de Lyon. This proactive strategy not only set expectations for the developer but also encouraged future partners to follow suit, minimizing the period of vacancy for the site and its structures.
“It’s particularly perplexing that the current conditions of sale lack such measures, especially when a transitional project is already underway in the building in question,” reads the letter. “Significant investments have been made to facilitate organizations operating in the circular economy to occupy the premises, enhancing the safety of the site’s environment. However, despite these efforts, they have been asked to vacate the premises by October 2024.”
The letter went on to state that instead of allowing the space to fall into disuse, they advocate for the consideration of the community’s potential benefits.
They also suggested that the vacant space could serve as an exhibition venue for students, a food counter for organizations, a logistics hub, or even a refuge for the homeless.
Ultimately, this letter serves as a call to action, emphasizing the necessity for an approach aligned with the city’s commitments to the circular economy and responsible urban planning.
“We firmly believe it is imperative to foster collaborative decisions regarding the vacancy of this site and the retention of its occupants. We are open to collaborative efforts to devise innovative and inclusive solutions in the best interests of the community,” concludes the letter.
“We extend an invitation to all stakeholders in the field to respond and reflect on this issue collectively. Let’s collaborate to cultivate cities that are fairer, more sustainable, and resilient.”
Note: Currently, the open letter is only available in French.