The Bridge-Bonaventure project will significantly increase the number of housing units in Montreal, with plans now to build 13,500 units — more than double the original target of 6,000.
The city has negotiated with developers who own parts of the land near the Old Port and the Bonaventure Expressway and levered zoning tools, allowing for the construction of additional units.
At least 40 per cent of the units built will be affordable or social housing, adding some 3,700 off-market units to the Pointe-Saint-Charles neighbourhood.
“There’s a housing crisis so everything we can do to support building more units is important,” said Mayor Valérie Plante.
“We’re extremely happy about the announcement … because it’s going to revive and it’s going to have an impact on the economic development of the City of Montreal for years to come,” added Stephan Dery, president and CEO of Canada Lands Company.
The self-financing federal Crown corporation owns parts of the area designated for redevelopment, including the Wellington Basin.
The area is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Farine Five Roses sign, Silo no. 5, and Habitat 67.
City councillor Robert Beaudry, who is responsible for urban planning, says they will take into consideration the height of the new buildings, making sure that the new developments will be well integrated with the area’s historic structures.
“We’re going to work on different scales and levels in the Basin Wellington, but we’re going to decrease in heritage spaces,” said Beaudry.
The Bridge-Bonaventure project has been in the works for years. The goal is to build a new thriving neighbourhood in the area.
“We want to make sure that in the future, people who live in Bridge-Bonaventure will have access to the water, transportation, parks, and green spaces,” said Plante.
Decontamination of the Wellington Basin land and the construction of the first building is due to begin next year.
The city expects the neighbourhood to be ready within 10 years.
It will also include green public spaces, including a riverside promenade, as well as easy access to the St. Lawrence River and the Lachine Canal, with a swimming area at the Wellington Basin.
The city also wants economic and institutional activities in the sector and reserved a stretch for businesses, services and local shops.
The Consortium Vision Bridge-Bonaventure, which groups several developers, said the project will be a step forward in urban development for the area.
The Consortium and the city are hoping to add a REM station along with the bike lanes already planned.
Organizations cautiously optimistic
Though it said it is especially happy to see the increase in the number of housing units, the consortium added it hopes off-market financing won’t slow the start of these projects. It said it is open to working with the city to find solutions to any issues that pop up.
“This decision offers optimized development potential, demonstrating a considered vision that is adapted to the current and future needs of residents in response to the current housing crisis,” it said in a news release.
A network of 26 community organizations under the name CDC Action-Gardien in the area say they welcome the project, with some reservations.
“This is a unique opportunity for the many Montreal tenant households who cannot find housing on the private market and desperately need truly affordable rents that are safe from eviction,” said Karine Triollet of CDC Action-Gardien.
Like the consortium, the organizations say the ambitious project won’t get off the ground without support from all levels of government.
“As part of the current federal elections, each of the parties ... must commit to supporting and funding the construction of a living environment that is inclusive, sustainable, on a human scale and protected from speculation,” said Action-Guardien’s Simon Paquette.
Francis Dolan of the Regroupement Information Logement urged the Quebec government to not “let this opportunity pass us by” when it has potential to mitigate the housing crisis.
