In their new proposal for the development of the Bridge-Bonaventure sector, real estate developers plead for the construction of buildings higher than that authorized by the City’s master plan.
The vision presented Tuesday by several partners, including Devimco, Groupe Mach, Broccolini, COPRIM and the firm Lemay, proposes greater densification than that envisaged by the City. Taller buildings would free up more floor space — about 33% more than the city-imposed framework — so as to encourage the development of parks and green spaces, the developers argued.
Supporting images, they presented two scenarios at a press conference: one with low buildings, occupying a large floor area, and the other with towers offering clearances more conducive to the development of ‘green spaces. “Intelligent densification has become essential because it makes it possible to give back to the City and the public equipment, varied public spaces and to clear the ground so as to offer more for neighborhood life”, underlined the architect and partner. at the firm Lemay, Stéphane Tremblay.
The promoters foresee a potential of 7,500 housing units, while the City was considering around 4,000. They are also targeting the construction of 3,500 social, affordable and family housing units while the City was planning 1,300. “We are not in overdensification”, assured Serge Goulet, president of Devimco.
The promoter described the Bridge-Bonaventure site, with a dimension of 2.3 km2, as “the last large sector bordering the city center” whose development will make it possible to counter urban sprawl and contribute to achieving the objective set by the City to build 60,000 affordable housing units. “If we don’t do it there, where are we going to do it? asked Mr. Goulet.
A REM station
The promoters also hope for the establishment of a station of the Metropolitan Express Network (REM) near the site. Serge Goulet maintains that the royalties that the Caisse would receive with a station at this location would be significant. “We are talking about 45 million just for 20% of the Bridge-Bonaventure site,” explained the promoter. “In all, we are talking about a potential royalty of around 200 million. And from the technical point of view, it is an easily feasible station. »
The tone used Tuesday by the promoters was much less cutting than at a press conference held last month. On this occasion, they had accused the City of not listening to them and of muzzling them. They had also criticized the City for wanting to develop the Bridge-Bonaventure sector with low density, worthy of a “third ring suburb”, which did not allow construction projects to be profitable.
“The press briefing we held a month or two ago was more of a distress call than a confrontational call,” assured Serge Goulet when questioned about it. “We talked for three years about the urban concept. It was time to come up with something more concrete. »
Social acceptability
The promoters also presented their vision to city officials and elected officials last week and they believe that the meeting was “very constructive” and that their project was well received by the administration.
Eager to open a dialogue with the population in order to obtain social acceptability, the promoters held an open house event on Tuesday evening to present their project. They will also conduct consultations with community groups and citizens over the next few weeks.
In the fall, the City’s master plan for this sector will be the subject of consultations by the Office de consultation de Montréal (OCPM).
Mayor Valérie Plante sees favorably the approach taken by the promoters. “What I salute this morning is the desire of the promoters to show a lot of transparency, to be open and to go and meet the communities to talk about their project”, she commented. tuesday.
With Zacharie Goudreault