The Mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, assures that everything will be done to protect Chinatown, “whatever happens with the REM”, at a time when voices are worried about the future of this emblematic area of the city center.
Posted at 2:36 p.m.
“At the City of Montreal and with the Government of Quebec, we have embarked on the protection of the heritage and the soul of Chinatown. So whatever happens with the REM, we have to make sure that what we are working for, and what needs to be done to protect this area, is done”, hammered in English Mme Plant Monday morning, on the sidelines of a press conference.
Towards the end of last January, Quebec and Montreal had indeed confirmed their desire to “protect the unique character” of the heart of Chinatown. Notices of intent have been filed by the Minister of Culture, Nathalie Roy, essentially targeting the “institutional core” of Chinatown, within the quadrilateral between Jeanne-Mance, Saint-Urbain, De La Gauchetière and Avenue Viger West. The iconic arch at the entrance to the neighborhood will also be protected, as will the British and Canadian School building and the site of the former S. Davis and Sons factory.
However, the concerns of the Chinatown Task Force in relation to the REM remain strong. Its spokesperson, Jonathan Cha, says CDPQ Infra’s new plans pose several challenges.
“With the huge building they are planning near the Ark, it won’t even be noticeable from the east, west or north. It is, however, a symbolic element marking the entrance to the district,” lamented Mr. Cha in an interview with The Press on this subject.
“Already landlocked”
According to CDPQ Infra’s new plans, which were unveiled to the public last week, the Saint-Urbain station of the future REM de l’Est would be built at the gates of Chinatown, on the site of an abandoned parking lot. . The aerial structure would pass overhead.
Chinatown has already been surrounded by the Ville-Marie highway and the widening of Dorchester Boulevard, which has become René-Lévesque. Then there, we would come even more to create an invoice, a limit, a barrier.
Jonathan Cha, Spokesperson for the Chinatown Task Force
Mr. Cha also fears that the exit from the tunnel that will be built on René-Lévesque, according to CDPQ Infra, will cause the connection between the Quartier des spectacles and Chinatown to disappear. “It could lead to a significant reduction in traffic and therefore on the attendance of a certain number of businesses. And for the residents, it is also to impose a structure on their face, ”laughs the spokesperson again.
He argues that a “more underground” version, with “at least one additional underground station”, would be more sensible. “As soon as we have an aerial structure here, the emblematic buildings will no longer have the same presence in the urban landscape. It will be harmful, ”insists Jonathan Cha.
Valérie Plante, who has been campaigning for more open discussions with the Caisse de dépôt for several months, says that the present situation illustrates once again “the importance of having the City of Montreal around the table” of decisions in the East REM project. She says she wants to “make sure that everyone is heard, that the population agrees”.
At her side, the Minister responsible for the Metropolis, Chantal Rouleau, also certified Monday that “discussions are currently taking place with the City, CDPQ Infra and the government” to ensure “the best possible governance” surrounding the project. “We are there,” she also assured, reiterating that Quebec will extend additional sums for the integration of the transport network, a priority for all parties, according to the elected official.