Billion-Dollar Makeover Planned For Montreal Neighborhood

26 November 2007 - 7:00am

The city of Montreal has pledged an investment of more than $1 billion to revitalize a downtrodden slum neighborhood, though some current residents are calling the move forced gentrification.

"The mainly residential project includes nearly 4,000 dwelling units, including condominiums and housing for students and seniors."

"Promoters promise the development will inject new life into Griffintown, an industrial slum neighbourhood southwest of Old Montreal that was once densely populated but now only counts about 50 homeowners."

"The company plans to preserve 12 heritage buildings, including two that have to be moved from their foundations to a new location."

"Much of the neighbourhood was razed in the 1960s when the Bonaventure Expressway was built. A handful of graphic design companies have since set up shop in the area, but it remains largely a wasteland."

Source: CBC, November 22, 2007
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The areas where we have severe blight and indications of more blight to come are basically the same as they ever were. How in the world are we ever going to move our community development selves into an alternative future that thinks differently about the challenges we face in our cities and low-income suburban and rural communities?