Pedestrianization of Sainte-Catherine Street West: City of Montreal reviews its decision

The City of Montreal has revised its decision on their redevelopment project to pedestrianize four sections of Sainte-Catherine Street West, saying it will adjust Phase 3 between Peel and Saint-Marc streets and create a working committee to better address the concerns of merchants.

During discussions with the Montreal Downtown Commercial Development Corporation (SDC), the City noted that there was “community concerns” regarding the project.

“The project that was announced last November by the administration was not only a surprise for most businesses, but after review was clearly a poorly planned project.,” said Glenn Castanheira, executive director for SDC Montréal centre-ville.

“While sharing the City’s vision for an ambitious redevelopment, these partners shared the desire to move forward more gradually with the implementation of the planned developments,” the City said in a news release on Thursday.

Following discussions, the City said that they and the SDC concluded that adjustments would maximize the project’s success.

“These adjustments will notably help maintain vehicle traffic on the entire street, including between Guy and Saint-Marc streets, a section that the City initially planned to permanently pedestrianize upon completion of the work,” they explained.

“We will work closely with the merchant association to try and test some project, pedestrianization project on the Sainte-Catharine Street to be sure that what we will put in place in the future in a permanent way will work well,” said Luc Rabouin, executive committee member responsible for economic development for the City of Montreal.

“If the tests show that a permanent pedestrianization is beneficial for businesses, we’ll be the first ones to support it, which is also why at this very moment we are favorable to temporary pedestrianization of Ste. Catharine Street during summer months, for example, during festivals, because we’ve tested it in the past,” said Castanheira.

Last November, the City announced their vision for Phase 3 of the Sainte-Catherine Street West redevelopment — the goal included strengthening economic vitality, and create a greener, more welcoming environment to improve the visitor experience.

“This redevelopment represents a unique opportunity for this iconic artery to strengthen its status as a must-see commercial destination,” said Luc Rabouin, head of economic development on the City of Montreal’s executive committee.

“After several discussions with Montréal Centre-Ville, we decided to review the developments and create a working committee that will define future pedestrianization projects in a progressive manner,” he added.

Since the initial announcement back in November, Montréal Centre-Ville members expressed many concerns about the potential impacts of permanent pedestrianization on their businesses.

The organization said on Thursday morning that they welcome the adjustments made to Phase 3.

“For a project of this magnitude to succeed, it must be carried out with and for merchants and businesses,” said Castanheira. “The openness demonstrated in recent weeks, as well as the commitment to progressing in stages, are steps in the right direction.”

Soraya Martinez Ferrada, leader of Ensemble Montréal and mayoral candidate, had called for a review of the project back on April 1st.

On Thursday, she said that they welcome the administration’s decision to review its position on the pedestrianization of Sainte-Catherine Street West, particularly between Guy and Saint-Marc streets.

“We can’t listen to merchants and residents only six months before the election,” said Martinez Ferrada. “That’s why we opposed this project from the start, highlighting the lack of consultation. We proposed a motion at the last council meeting to suspend this initiative and engage in genuine dialogue.”

“In addition to being the most important commercial artery in Canada, Sainte-Catherine Street is an emblem of the city,” said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante. “We have heard the concerns of economic partners regarding the announced redevelopment project, particularly from downtown Montreal merchants.”

“An ambitious vision for the redevelopment of Sainte-Catherine Street West is essential,” she added. “But it must create an environment that meets the needs of the community.”

Despite the city’s new approach to Phase 3, there remains opposition to a permanent pedestrian only zone.

“Perhaps during the summer for very short periods, it’s not a bad idea, but a lot of my clientele come from outside the city, so they get here by car. I don’t want this road shut down at all. I want people to have access by vehicle.” said Richard Dupuis, owner of Slicks Tattoo located on Sainte-Catherine Street West new Saint-Marc Street.

“I think it should stay like this because we don’t have a lot of space for the cars to go, and I think there’s a lot of space here for the people who want to walk,” said Myalune Gauthier, a Montrealer walking on Sainte-Catherine Street West.

“I don’t think this stretch being pedestrian would do good for the city at all. Personally, I think that we still need places for cars to move around and access businesses and park on the street,” said Christopher LeBlanc another Montrealer on Sainte-Catherine Street West.

Phase 3 construction that also includes urgent underground construction and greenifying the space is scheduled to begin this autumn and be completed in 2030.