Ten Montreal arteries will be pedestrianized this summer and, at the request of merchants, they will be for the next three years.
Montreal will allocate $12 million over three years to support business development companies (SDCs) whose projects have been selected, Mayor Valérie Plante announced on Monday.
The ten streets that will be pedestrianized this summer are essentially the same as last year. These are rue Wellington, avenue du Mont-Royal and rue Ontario Est, Bernard, Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Sainte-Catherine Est, Duluth Est, De Castelnau Est and Saint-Denis, between rue Sherbrooke and boulevard de Maisonneuve, as well as a section of the street at the Jean-Talon market.
For their part, the merchants of rue Masson have decided not to repeat the experience which had not been conclusive last year.
The Association des SDC de Montréal had asked the City to make the financial assistance program permanent and to ensure some predictability for merchants. “We were listened to,” said Billy Walsh, president of the association.
Mayor Plante estimates that by confirming pedestrianization for three years, the SDCs will be able to save money for the purchase of required equipment and furniture.
Closing streets was good for business last year, according to Luc Rabouin, head of economic development on the executive committee. Wellington Street has also recorded a 17% increase in traffic compared to 2019, he said.
Further details will follow.