Condos planned for former Children's site won't make downtown family friendly, critics say

Critics took advantage of public consultations on Monday night to poke holes in the redevelopment plan for the former site of the Montreal Children's Hospital.

The $400 million project is being subjected to two days of scrutiny organized by the city'spublic consultation body, the Office de consultation publique de Montral(OCPM).

Community groups and concerned citizens took turns expressing misgivings with developer Devimco's proposal, which would radically alter the urban landscape at the corner of Ren-LvesqueBoulevard and Atwater Street.

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Not on a 'human scale'

While the current plans for the site include160 social housing units,HabiterVille-Marie a coalition of downtown community groups said theunits should begeared towards families instead of seniors.

ricMichaud, a HabiterVille-Marie spokesperson, told the meeting the coalition was alsoconcerned about the density of the development, which he recommended be reduced"to permit a project that will be more on a human scale."

These concerns were echoed by City Hall Opposition,ProjetMontral, which questioned howDevimco'sproposal would make the downtown core more accessible to families.

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"It is totally unrealistic to believe that a family wishing to settle in Montreal will consider a 700 square-foot apartment or condominium," Projet'sleader, Valrie Plante, saidin a statement.

"The Children'sredevelopment project must include large units of at least 1,000 square feet."

Others expressed concern that the proposed towers, which are slated to reach between 60 and120 metres high,would dwarf the newly renovated Cabot Square.

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"Wefeel putting such a high tower at Atwater is going to crush the square that we just invested so much money in," saidDinuBumbaruof Heritage Montreal.

Bumbaru also called on the developer to preservethe shuttered hospital's D Wing,which he described as a "wonderful art deco building."

Developer defends project but open to changes

Devimco's urban planner, Brian Fahey,said buildinghigher is necessary to reduce the footprint of the towers and to allow for more green space, which will be open to the public.

He also indicated thatDevimco would be open to including a school in the plans for the site, the absence of which was criticized by Projet Montral.

"We've been opening discussions with the (Commission Scolairede Montral)in order to see if there's the feasibilityto have a school," Fahey said.

So far the city has given its blessing to the design, which includes 1,400 residential units, acommunity centre, a park and a new municipal library.

There will also be a commercial component, with offices, stores and a 250-room hotel.

Demolition could begin this summer

Montreal executive committee member Richard Bergeron praised Devimco's proposal when it was unveiled last year, saying it addressed the city's need for high-density, mixed-use development.

The public hearings continue Tuesday at theOCPM'soffices onMetcalfeStreet.

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The organization will then prepare a report for the city's executive committee, which must approve a zoning change forthe development to go ahead.

Devimco says they hope to begin work as early as June 2017.

• TheOCPMhas made a 3D visualization of the project available on its website.