Merchant battle heats up on the Main

When 570 St-Laurent merchants received a city of Montreal mailout two weeks ago announcing the creation of an SIDC (or street beautification and improvement organization) for the area, it raised many questions. How much would it cost? What would they get for their money? Whose idea was this, anyway?

Gordon Bernstein, a real-estate agent who works and owns properties on the Main, has the answers. He's part of the St-Laurent Revitalization Committee, a group of 15 local merchants who are spearheading the initiative. Their proposal calls for merchants to pay 2.7 per cent of their "valeur locataire" (shown in the city's mailout). And they'll get a cleaner, more attractive street.

"The Main is the best street in the city, but it's never received its due," says Bernstein. "The SIDC will keep the area vibrant. And it's not a tax, either. The merchants will decide how that money gets spent."

Main small-business owner Dermod Travis remains unconvinced. "I still don't believe this will help businesses located on upper floors," he says.

Merchants who oppose the SIDC must register their opposition on November 16. Those who don't know who to believe can call and decide for themselves. Gordon Bernstein can be reached at 286-1021; Dermod Travis can be reached at 281-1177.

--Philip Preville

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