Ville-Marie launches Chinatown cleanup team, long-term revitalization plan

The borough of Ville-Marie is stepping up efforts to improve Montreal’s Chinatown, announcing Tuesday it will deploy a dedicated “cleanliness brigade” while beginning work on a long-term development plan aimed at revitalizing the historic neighbourhood.

City officials say the additional cleaning crew will provide ongoing maintenance of public spaces in Chinatown.

“Today, we are moving from words to action,” said Claude Pinard, president of the executive committee and city councillor for the Saint-Jacques district. “Chinatown deserves concrete action, so we are strengthening cleanliness in the area and launching an ambitious initiative that will allow us to collectively define the next steps for its future.”

At the same time, Ville-Marie is launching the process that will lead to an urban, economic and social development plan (PDUÉS), a strategy intended to guide the neighbourhood’s future development while preserving its cultural identity.

“I am very, very proud of the work our teams have done, and I’m proud to see how we can make a real difference,” said Pinard.

Some of the members of the community were cynical about change being possible.

“I have been involved with so many talking, but seems nothing can improve or change, only talk. But I see this time possibly is different because I hear actions now,” said Raymond Pang, the owner of Fuji Corner.

According to the city, the enhanced cleaning program responds directly to priorities identified by residents and community organizations during consultations held over the past several years.

Officials say the dedicated brigade will help improve daily conditions for residents, businesses and visitors by providing more consistent upkeep of streets and public spaces.

“Beginning this week, we’re adding a dedicated cleanliness squad that will be here seven days a week, for more than 10 hours a day,” said Pinard. “This team will complement the excellent work already being done.”

City officials have not yet announced a timeline for completing the development plan but say work will begin immediately, as consultations continue with community partners. Pinard said that the alliance is looking to regroup citizens , business owners, institutions to discuss the development plans and to make sure they have a good vision.

“I think this is a good first step, that they start to announce that they do have a new plan. I think the biggest challenge is to be able to consult all the residents, all the merchants so they can feel included and be part of this action plan,” said Winston Chan, a member of the board of directors at Asie en Fête.

While some say the project may have some challenges, they feel it can benefit the community if done well.

“We have a blank canvas right now, so that’s the time that I think the community and the city can work together in order to build something that really represents the facade of Chinatown as where we are right now,” said Yifang Eva Hu, the president of Asie en Fête.