Montreal walks back pedestrian-only plans for sections of Ste-Catherine Street West
City says it will test any future pedestrian areas on the street, make sure they work for everyone
The City of Montreal is going ahead with the third phase of its redevelopment plan to modernize Ste-Catherine Street West, but has reversed its decision to make a section of the street pedestrian-only — at least for now.
In November, the city said it would be tearing up more of Ste-Catherine Street, between Peel and St-Marc streets, to replace aging pipes and at the same time, improve the street for businesses, residents and visitors alike by adding wider sidewalks and public squares.
The initial plans included a pedestrian-only zone between Guy and St-Marc streets which drew backlash from business owners who said they hadn't been consulted and feared a drop in customer traffic.
In a news release Thursday, the city said that after discussions with the downtown merchants' association, also known as the SDC Montréal centre-ville, it was agreed that certain adjustments were necessary to ensure the project's success.
Those changes include maintaining vehicle traffic along Ste-Catherine Street, even between Guy and Saint-Marc streets.
Rather than creating a car-free zone outright, the city will move forward step-by-step, in consultation with the SDC Montréal centre-ville, to test out any future pedestrian-only areas and make sure they work for everyone.
The city had also said it would install pedestrian-only areas between Robert-Bourassa Boulevard and Mansfield Street, but has yet to specify the status of this project.
In an interview with Radio-Canada, Projet Montréal Leader Luc Rabouin, clarified that business leaders weren't necessarily opposed to the city's original vision for the commercial artery, but wanted to make sure a pedestrian-only zone would work before setting up permanent installations.
Glenn Castanheira, executive director of the SDC Montréal centre-ville, said he welcomed the city's openness in recent weeks and its commitment to progressing in stages.
He said in a press release that those were "steps in the right direction" and reiterated the importance of including local stakeholders in the conversation.
"For a project of this magnitude to succeed, it must be carried out with and for merchants and businesses," said Castanheira.
He reaffirmed Rabouin's position that businesses weren't against pedestrian streets but said in an interview with CBC News that the initial project was poorly planned.
"We're talking about trash not being able to be connected on the street ... restaurants not being able to install a terrace ... and snow not being plowed on the street," he said. "Those are issues that are central for a pedestrian street to work."
Castanheira stressed that a progressive approach makes sense to get the best project possible.
The opposition at city hall also said it welcomed the administration's plan to review its position on the pedestrianization of Sainte-Catherine Street West.
However, Ensemble Montréal Leader Soraya Martinez Ferrada, was critical of the timing of the announcement.
"You can't only listen to merchants and citizens six months before elections," she wrote in a news release, referring to the next municipal elections in November.
"In a context where our commercial arteries are weakened, it is crucial that development projects are rigorous and inclusive," she said, noting her party had opposed the project from the start due to a lack of consultation.
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With files from Radio-Canada's Karine Bastien and CBC's Shawn Lyons and Steve Rukavina