Fleury Street merchants have mobilized to protest Ahuntsic-Cartierville's regrouping of services under one roof. (Photo: Jacques Pharand)
Borough services relocation
Opposition to move persists
Nearly three weeks after the surprise announcement that Ahuntsic-Cartierville's borough services would be relocating under one roof at 555 Chabanel, protests continue to fly from all directions.
On Fleury Street, merchants are furious. Merchants' association president and restaurant owner Giovanna Giancaspro blasted the idea. "How does it work that it takes three years to fix the Fleury promenade, but all this money to move and renovate is available right away?"
Ahuntsic-Cartierville councillor from 1990 to 1997, Pierre Gagnier said he agrees with those critical of the borough's decision. According to Gagnier, moving borough services wasn't an urgent need.
"It's been ten years now that the fence on the soccer field near our house has been broken. It's dangerous. The streets are in horrible condition. Where is the money to address these issues?" he asked.
The parking question
Many stories of the parking situation around 555 Chabanel have been going around. Numbers as low as 15 spaces and as high as 400 spaces have been tossed around, but borough spokesman Marie-Hélène Ladouceur set the record straight, indicating 15 indoor spaces, 15 outdoor spaces, three handicapped spaces and a dedicated drop-off area will be available at all times. Also, 300 extra spaces, next to an adjacent building, on the other side of Meilleur Street, will be added when special events, like borough council meetings, or public consultations, are going on.
Parking is free for residents and the arrangement is good through the term of the lease, Ladouceur added. "With the spaces we have for bicycles, a planned bicycle path and a shuttle bus, our offices will be very accessible to citizens."
The debate continues
With more and more citizens joining the chorus of protest to the move, the borough claims the decision reflects the population’s wishes.
"We have gotten a number of complaints over the course of a few years that people were having trouble parking near the borough offices, that they didn't like having to go left or right… We're responding to those people as well," said Ladouceur, adding the project was passed with such little notice because council wanted to get it out of the way before summer vacation.
Merchants and citizens aren't buying those arguments. "These are our elected representatives, but they're not really doing much for us, and when we protest, they shut us down," said Nicolas Landry, a Ahuntsic-Cartierville worker. At press time, Fleury Street is plastered with posters denouncing the move.
"We're not going to take it," Giancaspro said, adding she is determined to mobilize citizens against the project, even if she has to go door to door to do it. (Translated by Marc Lalonde)
Météo: Montréal, 20 juillet 2008 / 22°C
/ Faibles averses de pluie
/ Vents: 11 Km/h / Humidité relative: 78 % 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
