geraldshaw

The Old Port is for walking - maybe a vintage looking street car a la San Francisco would fit in a loop around the Old Port  but it would never be  economic. 

With outside  lighting and people living inside, I think the look will be terrific. The question is how can we get the Old Forum torn down - now an 1960s "Ontario Place" painted black  -- it is better but still awful.

23 hours ago, Spiter_01 said:

CDPQ owns the real estate, they don't necessarily operate the hotel. It's fairly common for independent groups to operate hotels that they don't own similar to the franchise model. I don't know if that's the case here.

 

edit: Fairmount itself is the operator, they could take legal action against their landlord/CDPQi.

Yes and Boards of Directors of each entity  have the ultimate decision making power to proceed or ordera start over which is already  happening,  beginning with the architects. This whole REM-Est project has been a public relations disaster since it was announced  in December -- timing was a smoke screen for REM-Ouest cost overruns and top management re-organization  at Caisse-i

Mad as in crazy or mad as in cross? Governments pass laws and courts adjudicate them. All I am saying (not as a madman but as an observer of due process in real estate   is that if the Fairmont wants to go to court, or some  citizens' coalition for that matter,  they can delay any government expropriation for years. Is that mad or common knowledge?

46 minutes ago, Decel said:

Right hand suing left hand? Are you mad?!? Those issues are definitely being settled behind closed doors at HQ, and if CDPQi goes ahead with such implementation it's because of Ivanhoe Cambridge's blessing.

I think the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth would not only reject their R-L entrance  being stolen by a concreted over expropriation  - they would sue the city for maga bucks in damages to their hotel's  value and in so doing would  tie up the whole REM-Est project on R-L for years in the courts.

It's not Venice but we should be proud of the fact that condos being built along the Lachine canal are low rise and designed nicely.   If this were Toronto, like their harbour front on the lake, 50 storey buildings are considered low in height. 

I think the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth would not only reject their R-L entrance  being stolen by a concreted over expropriation  - they would sue the city for maga bucks in damages to their hotel's  value and in so doing would  tie up the whole REM-Est project on R-L for years in the courts.

A  Pie-IX  bus model  for R-L  from Atwater to P aux T  built  by Caisee-infra makes much more sense on a cost, rate of return,   ridership basis and time to build -- and  should have the most important benefit - widespread  citizens'  support  Why has this model not been considered?

1 minute ago, SameGuy said:

I said, “I’m still not against an elevated guideway on René-Lévesque; I just can’t support it if it doesn’t integrate well with existing transit (REM-A, exo, and Métro), and by any interpretation of their plans, it will not.”

“Bemoaning” is a definite mischaracterization of what I wrote.

The fact that the February 2021   Caisse-Infra report  on REM-est does not have a single drawing or photo of an elevated 

guideway  speaks volumes.

Big problems with this NYC tower, sound of squeaking  when it is windy,  cracks  and elevator fails with  frightened owners who paid many millions to live there.

16 minutes ago, Né entre les rapides said:

"Rental shortages back to 2019 levels":  quite possible, except that the shortages concern lower-priced/affordable housing.  The issue cannot/will not be resolved by building more high-priced apartments.

I would rather see more compelling arguments in this case.

 

The "benefit" would be one of much improved  urban esthetics through the erasure of an ugly blank and crumbling concrete monster shaft,   as one enters the downtown core via one of its most used access points -  from Cote des Neiges into Guy and Sherbrooke. The view hardly makes sense if it can be improved. This ugly face is visible through much of the  Golden Square Mile. 

5 minutes ago, Rocco said:

The concrete has already been fully repaired on this tower, less than 3 years ago. We can clearly see in person all the "patches".

2250 Guy is owned by CAPREIT, is a  huge REIT  - stock market capitalization on the stock exchange is over $ 8 billion. Several buildings in Montreal.

 https://www.caprent.com/apartments-for-rent/montreal-qc/

 I wrote them with the idea of a mural competition for the north  face of 2250 Guy  just now. 

The building on Guy with the ugly  north facing concrete face is 2250 Guy  Street - called "The Guy Apartments". Someone on this site who knows the owner of 2250 Guy should write /call them with the idea of a mural. The owners could increase the value of their property greatly, if the mural  idea  goes viral,  with a competition for submissions. This is a good example of how this site  can create conditions that make the city look more attractive and even more of a  "go-to city".   

The federal Liberals after nationalizing several oil companies to create PetroCanada built a  new red head office for PetroCanda in Calgary - it is still called Red Square 

Red Square in Calgary now owned by SunCor.

Miami

36 minutes ago, KOOL said:

Ça existe déjà, par exemple le «Big Red» à Chicago : 

Too political for Quebec's metropolis.  Blue yes, but not red.

14 hours ago, IluvMTL said:

https://estmediamontreal.com/collectif-environnement-mercier-dit-non-rem-aerien/

Informer, développer, soutenir et promouvoir l'EST de Montréal

Image CDPQ-Infra

6 FÉVRIER 2021

LE CEM-E dit non au REM aérien

Communiqué de presse

Communiqué de presse – 5 février 2021 – Collectif en environnement Mercier-Est

Déjà, en décembre dernier, le Collectif en environnement Mercier-Est (CEM-E) soulignait que le REM aérien dans Mercier-Est était inacceptable. Il renouvelle cette position et il exhorte les élus à exprimer clairement leur opposition à ce projet.

« De plus en plus, les citoyens de Mercier-Est s’indignent du projet élaboré par CDPQ-Infra et s’inquiètent, à juste titre, pour la qualité de vie de leur milieu » souligne M. Daniel Chartier, vice-président du CEM-E. « Mercier-Est est depuis longtemps un quartier sacrifié pour les besoins des autres, que ce soit par la construction du Pont-tunnel Louis-Hyppolite-Lafontaine et de l’autoroute 25 ou l’expansion des activités du Port de Montréal. Cela doit cesser » ajoute-t-il.

Cette position est d’ailleurs reprise largement par les citoyens du quartier. Un groupe Facebook local a été créé pour permettre aux résidents d’exprimer leurs préoccupations au sujet du REM de l’Est (https://www.facebook.com/groups/732878907647045). Cette page est un miroir du rejet massif du projet par la population. Le CEM-E invite d’ailleurs les citoyens à rejoindre le groupe Facebook et à le populariser. Le CEM-E estime aussi qu’il est dans l’intérêt des citoyens de Mercier-Est de s’unir aux regroupements des autres quartiers qui eux également auront à subir les effets d’un REM aérien ou d’une desserte locale insuffisante.

Le maire d’arrondissement Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (MHM), M. Pierre Lessard-Blais a été, dès le début, l’une des voix discordantes au concert d’éloges initial concernant le REM de l’Est. Le Conseil d’arrondissement a voté lors de la séance du 1er février une déclaration demandant que d’autres options soient évaluées, comme celle de créer un REM en tranchée dans l’axe Souligny en y ajoutant des stations dans Mercier-Est pour mieux desservir la population de la partie sud du quartier. Le tracé actuel a effectivement été conçu pour favoriser les déplacements des usagers des zones périphériques au détriment des résidents des quartiers montréalais qu’il traverse. Le CEM-E apprécie cette volonté de faire modifier significativement le projet imposé par CDPQ-Infra et le Gouvernement du Québec.

Le CEM-E estime toutefois que le maire et les autres élus de l’arrondissement MHM doivent reconnaître que demander la mise sur pied d’une structure de dialogue entre l’arrondissement et CDPQ-Infra ne suffira pas et qu’ils doivent s’opposer farouchement au passage d’un REM aérien qui traverserait un quartier dense comme Mercier-Est, que ce soit sur Sherbrooke, Souligny ou ailleurs. À l’évidence, ce projet est totalement inacceptable en raison de ses multiples impacts négatifs sur le quartier. Le CEM-E tient à ce que cette affirmation soit à la fois très claire et prioritaire pour l’administration. Il souhaite donc qu’une position sans équivoque s’opposant à un REM aérien dans Mercier-Est soit reprise officiellement par nos élus, tant municipaux que provinciaux ou fédéraux.

L’arrivée d’un mode de transport en commun structurant dans l’est de l’île de Montréal sera la pierre angulaire du développement économique de la région mais son implantation doit se faire sans pour autant charcuter le milieu de vie existant des citoyens et commerçants du quartier. Le projet de CDPQ-Infra est, à notre avis, mal fondé parce que réalisé sans consultation et sans tenir compte des besoins réels des citoyens vivant à proximités de cette infrastructure majeure. Nos élus doivent favoriser une solution pérenne qui suscitera l’adhésion des citoyens du quartier Mercier-Est, ce qui n’est visiblement pas le cas avec un REM aérien.

Note : Le Collectif en environnement Mercier-Est (CEM-E) est un organisme visant à regrouper les citoyens et citoyennes, groupes, organismes et institutions œuvrant dans Mercier-Est et ses environs afin de participer collectivement au développement durable de ce secteur et à l’amélioration de sa santé environnementale. Il veut s’assurer que le développement de Mercier-Est et de l’Est de l’île de Montréal se fasse dans le respect de la qualité de vie et des droits de ses citoyens et citoyennes.

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Excellent news. That settles it. The whole REM Est project announcement was a smoke screen by La Caisse-Infra to divert attention away from their  internal management power struggles, resignations, the airport/Dorval  station link messes,  delays and cost overruns for REM-Ouest. REM-Est was never a serious project but its announcement solved the objective of diverting public  attention.  

20 hours ago, geraldshaw said:

I can well remember the "slums" of Montreal in the 1950s - basically  south of the CPR tracks. The urban renewal has been one of the best if not the best in North America with mixed low rise social / co-op  housing and renovation that created the gentrification of the Pointe, St Ann's /Griffintown, Pointe St Charles  and Old Montreal. I would be interested in knowing here the true slums are located.    

I don't remember that - I went green and have not driven a car since 1997.

16 minutes ago, SameGuy said:

That’s great, except the “Château Grosvenor” is basically a slum in a high rent area. The tree in the courtyard provides pleasant shade for all the heroin addicts. The owner of the building is a slumlord and people generally stay in this building for less than two years. It would be wonderful if a modern developer bought this property and integrated the old façade with a modern high-rise building.

17 minutes ago, SameGuy said:

That’s great, except the “Château Grosvenor” is basically a slum in a high rent area. The tree in the courtyard provides pleasant shade for all the heroin addicts. The owner of the building is a slumlord and people generally stay in this building for less than two years. It would be wonderful if a modern developer bought this property and integrated the old façade with a modern high-rise building.

That's awful. I had thought the building was renovated a few years ago -  a client of mine - a long term resident had to move due to the renovation, he said. The architecture is a beauty.  I would think is protected on its face.  

13 hours ago, geraldshaw said:

I

49 minutes ago, geraldshaw said:

I was referring to the full side  mural of Leonard Cohen  on a high rise on Crescent Street. The building on Guy is 40 storreys  is over 50 years old  and its windowless  cracking  ugly concrete side is  facing north has to the biggest eyesore as one  enters that part  in the downtown as the Golden Square Mile ends. It sure does end.  We have so much art talent in Montreal, I am thinking that this building could benefit in its rental rates, should its owners propose a competition for a mural that has the same kind of positive reactions as the Leonard Cohen type  full length  mural enjoys on Crescent Street. 

There is a long list to consider:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Montreal

Blvd de Maisonneuve is just metres from the Guy St concrete face.

23 minutes ago, geraldshaw said:

Terrific. I am thinking of  a new thread to discuss a Leonard Cohen type mural on the ugly concrete cracking  Sherbrooke facing tower on Guy / Lincoln corner. It would open the sector coming down from Cote des Neiges. Any ideas?

I was referring to the full side  mural of Leonard Cohen  on a high rise on Crescent Street. The building on Guy is 40 storreys  is over 50 years old  and its windowless  cracking  ugly concrete side is  facing north has to the biggest eyesore as one  enters that part  in the downtown as the Golden Square Mile ends. It sure does end.  We have so much art talent in Montreal, I am thinking that this building could benefit in its rental rates, should its owners propose a competition for a mural that has the same kind of positive reactions as the Leonard Cohen type  full length  mural enjoys on Crescent Street. 

3 minutes ago, geraldshaw said:

I was referring to the full side  mural of Leonard Cohen  on a high rise on Crescent Street. The building on Guy is 40 storreys  is over 50 years old  and its windowless  cracking  ugly concrete side is  facing north has to the biggest eyesore as one  enters that part  in the downtown as the Golden Square Mile ends. It sure does end.  We have so much art talent in Montreal, I am thinking that this building could benefit in its rental rates, should its owners propose a competition for a mural that has the same kind of positive reactions as the Leonard Cohen type  full length  mural enjoys on Crescent Street. 

There is a long list to consider:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Montreal

1 hour ago, Doctor D said:

Not bad! It works form both Sherbrooke and Guy.

Terrific. I am thinking of  a new thread to discuss a Leonard Cohen type mural on the ugly concrete cracking  Sherbrooke facing tower on Guy / Lincoln corner. It would open the sector coming down from Cote des Neiges. Any ideas?

3 hours ago, p_xavier said:

Ça fonctionne que partiellement à Vancouver et aucunement à Toronto.  Ça doit être une entité entièrement indépendante comme la Caisse, modèle de MTR à Hong Kong et Taipei.

La Caisse has a long history before Mr. Saba of making costly politically motivated investment  decisions that cost Quebec pensioners billions of  dollars.  To say that la Caisse is an entirely independent entity is a stretch. Its board of directors are  appointed by the Government of Quebec. Public transportation is run by urban  transportation bureaucrats. The REM is a new model for Quebec at 72 cents per ride per km to make a hurdle rate of return, guaranteed by governments  and fares that are set by government.   There is no independent model in the REM/QC and Is. of Montreal levels of governments model -- that make the rules.

13 minutes ago, FrodoMTL said:

Maybe it's just me, but I never had the impression that RL was "prestigious" or "grand". If anything, I'd give that to Sherbrooke or St. Catherine. As it stands, RL is nothing more than an east-west auto-centric corridor. Nobody likes to bike on RL. Nobody likes to walk on RL. Only cars go there. 

Let's not kid ourselves - RL isn't at the level of 5th Avenue or Park Avenue in NYC. Even University Avenue in Toronto has a more "grand" feeling than RL as it stands today.

R-L may not be grand or prestigious but its dozens of modern   high-rise  developments since 1962 has no parallel  in our city. Riding along from Atwater to Place Radio Canada in an open car, motor bike and for some on  bicycle, takes one's breath away as if one is on some cannion   in  New York City - not 5th Ave or Park I agree, but more  like Madison Avenue.