Photo Émilie Russo
	Liza Novak, director of the Mountain Sights community centre, wants to see more social housing in the plan.

A public information session–phase four of the Namur–Jean-Talon revitalization plan–took place Sunday, Nov. 22 at École des Nations in CDN. The Office de consultation publique de Montréal chaired the session. Citizens listened to a presentation of the plan before being allowed to voice their concerns and ask questions. The key concerns that arose in the session were issues of security, fluidity within the area, adequate amount of social housing and parking, as well as space for families.

The redevelopment plan looks at a triangle of land within Mountain Sights avenue, de la Savane street and Jean-Talon Street Over the next 15 years, the borough of CDN-NDG, along with several different parties, hopes to invest in infrastructure in an attempt to “revitalize” the area. More than $900 million is expected to be invested in social and affordable housing, commercial buildings, parks, and small businesses.

Daniel Lafond, the director of urban planning for CDN-NDG, explained at the meeting that most of the residences would be one- to two-bedroom units, at a cost of $180,000 to $235,000 respectively. The city has designated the minimum 15 percent of residences to social housing and 15 per cent to affordable housing. This was a key concern for citizens who attended the session.

“Instead of 15 percent, we need 30 or 35 per cent,” said Anil Patel, a resident of Mountain Sights Ave.

“[The city’s] preoccupation is to bring in more tax-paying dollars,” said Lisa Novak, the director of the Mountain Sights Community Centre. “They have an economic preoccupation. We have a social preoccupation…It is possible to have more than 15 per cent.”

Rudolph Komsic, a resident of CDN, raised his concerns over the amount of housing that would be designated to families with at least three or more rooms. Lafond said the numbers were not yet precise and that it depended on the developers.

Another concern was the lack of fluid circulation within the project area. The plan includes blocking the section of Victoria Avenue that runs south of Jean-Talon Street to cars. Lafond explained that the priority is to pedestrians and not cars.

“ One of the concerns that the residents have is that this plan would cause a further isolation of this sector,” said Sheetal Pathak, the president of the board of directors of Mountain Sights. “I fear that this lack of fluidity within this sector would cause a potential ghettoization.”

Patel agreed and added that more municipal parking is needed.

“Their idea is to create more walking but unfortunately, I see with myself that on the weekends I have to go to Place Vertu or the West Island, so I have to have a car,” he said. “ If I need a car, I need a parking spot for it. We need municipal parking. We don’t want meter parking because we cannot afford that.”

Several business owners with businesses currently in the area also attended the meeting. Charles Hammer, the owner of Uptown Volvo on Pare Street, expressed his concern over the consideration of the commercial enterprises already on the site.

“ It concerns me that we have our own money invested in the property and there doesn’t seem anything forthcoming for business owners who are being sold out of their livelihood,” he said at the meeting. “ What thoughts have been given to help us relocate our businesses?”

Lafond said that he had met with several business owners to hear their concerns and to see where the borough could help.

“We wanted to find solutions to their concerns and to see what help we could offer in terms of relocating,” he said. “ We need to know what the long-term plans are, whether they want to stay there or relocate. But the borough is ready to offer help whether it be offering parking or helping in the move.”

The public information session brought up many of the concerns citizens had over the revitalization project. Not all questions could be answered however and the project’s development is ongoing. The next phase involves a session for the presentation of briefs. This will occur Monday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m., at the Centre Gerber on 2, Cummings Square.