Plans to develop old Children’s site questioned by citizens
Critics say project lacks green space, social housing and ‘creativity’ in design
Citizens gave lukewarm reviews Tuesday to the $400-million highrise project that a developer will build over the former site of the Montreal Children’s Hospital in western downtown.
Community groups said the development lacks green space, proper social housing and “creativity” during public hearings about the project.
“There needs to be a real effort to make something with more imagination,” said architect Phyllis Lambert, at the Office of Public Consultations (OPC) hearings. “(The developers) need to find an elegant way to work some of the building’s (historic architecture) into the project.”
Devimco real estate, which bought the site from the provincial government, announced plans last year to develop a six-tower, 1,400unit space over the old hospital — located on the corner of Atwater Ave. and René-Lévesque Blvd.
It would include a hotel, office buildings, a new park, a library and a community centre.
The buildings would stand between 20-32 storeys tall and include 120 social housing units for elderly neighbourhood residents.
Of the original hospital structures, only the three-storey nurses’ centre building, constructed in 1919, will remain. The rest will be demolished.
Lambert insisted social housing be set aside for working-class families, many of whom are being pushed out of the area because of soaring rent and real estate costs. While she recognizes the need for seniors’ housing, Lambert said these families would provide much needed “balance” to a neighbourhood that’s quickly being gentrified.
Lambert spoke on behalf of the PPU des Grands Jardins — a group that’s fought for balanced urban development since it was created over a decade ago. The group is also concerned that Devimco’s proposed green spaces would be inaccessible to the public.
“We cannot have private spaces called ‘green spaces,’ ” said Cameron Charlebois, a member of PPU des Grands Jardins.
“It must be accessible to the public.”
Charlebois called Devimco’s plan for a community centre “a good start.”
“It’s defendable but it needs improvement,” he said. Charlebois added that “the communication (with Devimco) has been good, the listening is there.”
Caroline Nabozniak, who lives in the neighbourhood, said Tuesday the proposed development falls short on public space, green space and sporting surfaces.
“It’s almost an insult considering all the promises made over the years,” she told OPC commissioners. “There’s no spirit of generosity and goodwill here.”
(The developers) need to find an elegant way to work some of the building’s (historic architecture) into the project.