Montreal announces $80M plan to increase quality of life for Turcot Shipyard area residents

Earlier on Monday, May 28, the City Council of Montreal revealed an $80 million plan to revitalize areas of St. Henri, Ville Emard, and Cote St. Paul.

Labelled the Urban, Economic, and Social Development Plan (PDUES-Turcot), the plan is a result of thousands of extensive public consultations with citizens of Montreal.

Benoit Dorais, Mayor of the Southwest Borough and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Montreal, comments that “the PDUES-Turcot is a real glimmer of hope for residents who live near the Turcot shipyard.”

«Le PDUES reflète la vision, les aspirations et les besoins de la population. Il s’agit d’un plan d’action ambitieux, mais réaliste que nous nous assurerons de mener à bien», ont conclu @benoitdorais et @Hochelagaman #polmtl #somtl #Turcot

— Projet Montréal (@projetmontreal) May 28, 2018

According to a statement from the city, the project is based on creating a healthy environment with a strong identity of heritage and local economy.

The plan includes 32 actions, which will take place from 2018 to 2025. The actions are all grouped under the concepts of social, economic, and urban development to improve the quality of life in the neighbourhoods.

«Le PDUES #Turcot prévoit un plan d’action multidimensionnel regroupant 32 actions pour améliorer la qualité de vie dans les quartiers du #somtl. Ce plan sera réalisé sur un horizon 2018-2025» – @Hochelagaman #polmtl

— Projet Montréal (@projetmontreal) May 28, 2018

Highlights of social development improvements include:

The construction of affordable community housing. Approximately 100 units will be built over six municipal lots.
$900,000 in financial support for community initiatives over the course of three years.
Establishment of spaces for urban agriculture.
Reappropriation of four vacant municipal buildings with focus on the community.

City of Montreal

Highlights of urban development include:

Developing a 3 km cycling route that will link the southwest districts and neighbouring boroughs.
Revamping nine intersections, including De L’Eglise Ave and De La Vérendrye to make them more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly.
Planting 500 additional trees, in addition to those planned for the Turcot project.
The creation of nine new green spaces.
Redeveloping five existing parks.

«Parmi les projets d’envergure qui verront le jour grâce au PDUES #Turcot, notons un nouveau lien cyclable, arrimé au réseau existant, qui permettra de relier le secteur du canal de l’Aqueduc au métro Lionel-Groulx» – @Hochelagaman #polmtl #somtl

— Projet Montréal (@projetmontreal) May 28, 2018

The overall plan for PDUES-Turcot will cost $80 million. Of that amount, $45 million stems from the Ministry of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification. The remaining $35 million will come from the city centre and southwest district.

Preparations for the new project will begin as soon as construction to the Turcot Interchange has been completed.

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