Pointe-counter-Pointe

>>The vacant CN lands in the city’s southwest
become a sticking point for community
groups and economic development

ROOM FOR EVERYONE:
Action Watchdog’s Blandine Charbonneau

by LINA HARPER

Public space is an issue many Montrealers take to heart, and residents in Pointe St-Charles are no exception. The southwest area’s residents are demanding their voices be heard in the planning of the last large-scale site to be developed in the neighbourhood. Ever since one of the best deals in the history of sales, in which the CN land—covering approximately 14 hectares—was sold to private developer Vincent Chiara for one dollar in 2006, people have been scratching their heads wondering what he plans to build. What is known, however, is his plan to invest between $12- and $25-million to decontaminate the soil on the rail yards, as well as recycle the train workshops. Several abandoned train workshops and working rails still stand there.

Concerned citizens got to state their demands last Wednesday, Oct. 22, at a public information session in the Saint-Charles Church, hosted by l’Office de consultation publique. The OCP plans to meet with residents again in December, after which they will write a report based on residents’ opinions. Whether the developers take any of these demands into consideration remains to be seen.

Pointe residents are no strangers to getting their voices heard either—in 2005, residents and activists organized to prevent the casino from moving into one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Canada. A collective sigh was heaved as the plans were eventually halted, thanks in large part to actions organized and supported by the Action Watchdog committee.

The developers, known as the Mach Group, requested a residential and industrial zoning permit in 2007, but Henri Goulet, an OCP analyst, says any proposals they submit to the city must also go through the public consultation process. “We’re in a precarious situation right now because there haven’t been any specific projects proposed for the site,” says Goulet.

But it turns out Pointe citizens have their own specific projects in mind. The Action Watchdog committee, whose mandate includes managing development issues with Pointe residents, drew up an architectural plan of their vision of the Pointe’s extension last year. It includes social housing—they want to maintain the current ratio of 40 per cent social housing/60 per cent private development. Their plan also includes creation of green spaces and access to the river, developing public transportation routes and bike paths, as well as an overall decrease of vehicle traffic in the area.

“We want to take advantage of the opportunity the city of Montreal is offering to improve the quality of life in Pointe Saint-Charles,” says Blandine Charbonneau, project co-ordinator with the Action Watchdog committee.

“The project has been mounted with the help and input of residents since 2007,” adding that what’s really at stake is the risk of fragmenting the neighbourhood.

“There’s room for everyone,” she says. “We want there to be harmony between employment and economic development. What is important is that the developers extend the neighbourhood—not create a whole new neighbourhood.”

The OCP heard from about 20 other groups and individuals at last week’s meeting, including the Autonomous Social Centre of Pointe St-Charles. They deposited a request for one of the train workshops to be given to them to house the ASC’s cultural, social and political activities, rent-free.

Spokesperson Judith Cayer is pessimistic when asked whether the developer will listen to the residents’ concerns. “We don’t believe they will listen. But we still plan to go forward with our centre on the CN rail yards.”

The adoption of the developers’ project is slated for 2009/2010.