While construction season is in full swing in Montreal, the City is announcing that it is making it easier for merchants to access its financial assistance program for major work, in addition to offering them a lump sum of $5,000 from that they are in one of the 17 affected areas.
“We have no choice but to redo our infrastructures. Now that part of Sainte-Catherine Street has been completed, we can see what happens when we improve the facilities. But during the work, it’s a real headache for traders, ”explained Thursday, at a press conference, the head of economic and commercial development on the executive committee, Luc Rabouin.
A program already existed to compensate the financial losses of businesses, which had to prove that their turnover had fallen by at least 15%; this requirement was reduced to 5% last spring. Affected traders can get a maximum of $40,000.
As an additional measure, the City is announcing a new program for businesses located in 17 sectors affected by major work lasting more than six months: they will automatically receive a lump sum of $5,000 from the start of the work.
“This amount could, for example, be used by merchants to develop strategies to retain their customers during the construction site,” suggests Luc Rabouin, who affirms that the Montreal compensation program is the most generous in the country.
For these two types of financial assistance, the City has budgeted $3.5 million per year.
In addition, the procedures and documents required for those who want to take advantage of the program have been simplified, assures the elected official.
Among the sectors eligible for financial assistance is the second phase of the rehabilitation of Sainte-Catherine Street West, a $66 million project that will begin August 7 and end at the end of 2025, between Mansfield and Peel. The site will also extend to Metcalfe and Mansfield streets.
Trees will be added and the sidewalks will be widened by 60% “to give priority to pedestrians”, indicates the head of infrastructure on the executive committee, Émilie Thuillier, who specifies that 38 parking spaces in the street will be removed.
She points out that some water pipes that need to be replaced in this sector date from 1862. The work will also begin with archaeological digs.
According to Mme Thuillier, particular attention will be paid to the management of obstacles so that the worksites are clean and that pedestrians can circulate without obstacles thanks to clear signage. Technical officers on the move will be present on the scene to provide quick solutions in the event of problems, as discussed at the recent Summit on the worksites, she assures.
Some work, such as the replacement of water and sewer service entrances to buildings, can be carried out at night to minimize the inconvenience for businesses, she adds.
An information session for citizens of the area will be held on July 19.