Namur-Jean-Talon revitalization project hailed by the Office de consultation
publique de Montréal

MONTREAL, March 5 /CNW Telbec/ - A report on the Namur-Jean-Talon redevelopment project issued by the Office de consultation publique was greeted with pride and satisfaction by the mayor of the Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough and vice-president in charge of housing on the Ville de Montréal executive committee. The result of nearly two years of intense and far-reaching efforts by borough professionals, the project is deemed "innovative" and "health generating" and generally praised by all stakeholders.

"Designing and achieving broad-scale sustainable urban redevelopment for Montréal families was the light that guided our choices when we began to work on this concept, which has received such favourable recognition today. I want to thank the Office and the 260 consultation participants who gave their time to help improve this urban planning proposal. We are taking note of the recommendations put forward by the Office, and today we are making a firm commitment to reinvent this neighbourhood with full respect for the people who live here and for modern sustainable development trends," said Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough Mayor Michael Applebaum.

The report from the Office de consultation publique confirms that the borough's philosophy of focusing on public transit and plenty of green space is one that is widely approved. It did recommend, however, that the project give greater prominence to pedestrians and include more variety in housing, especially social housing.

"We will follow up on the guidelines in the report, and we will continue to work with various stakeholders to create the momentum we need to redevelop this enormous area. Already our efforts have allowed us to make significant advances in terms of social housing in the neighbourhood," Mayor Applebaum concluded.

The Namur-Jean-Talon sector covers nearly 4 million square feet at the corner of Boulevard Décarie and Rue Jean-Talon, not far from downtown and the P.-É.-Trudeau International Airport. This flourishing neighbourhood offers an impressive view of Mont-Royal and features two nearby metro stations. The property value of the sector currently stands at $80 million, but estimates suggest it will increase to $800 million after the project is completed.

Namur-Jean-Talon is just east of the Hippodrome de Montréal. The social and urban planning values that underlie the Namur-Jean-Talon project will definitely help establish the foundation for the future development commonly known as "Blue Bonnets."

For further information: Hugo Tremblay, Cabinet du maire et des élus de l'arrondissement Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, [phone]