Some Beaconsfield residents are worried that a real-estate project could lead to the destruction of Marian Hall, a longstanding seniors' residence in their city.
Developers are eyeing a parcel of land in the Angell Woods, where Marian Hall has stood for more than 30 years.
About 60 people live in the building at 575 Elm Ave., which has more than 70 apartments for autonomous seniors.
The building is owned by the St. Patrick's Society, and the group has been looking for a buyer for the past few years.
While a potential buyer is considering building a new housing development on the land, Marian Hall residents have been left wondering what would happen to them if the deal goes ahead.
"Friends in there are very worried at the moment, and concerned I think partially because of the lack of anything concrete," said Beaconsfield resident John Williams.
At a Beaconsfield city council meeting Monday night, some people expressed their frustration over the proposed project.
"I'd like you to have some social concern for the people whose circumstances are different from others," Marian Hall resident John Whatmore told the council.
Beaconsfield Mayor Bob Benedetti said the responsibility would fall to the rental board and the provincial government to protect the residents of Marian Hall.
"The law does not give us any right or any standing in this situation as to what happens to these people," said Benedetti.
"We have made the owner aware of the fact that we expect that as Christians and as human beings, they would take care of these people," he added.
He also said the development is in its earliest stages and he doesn't expect anything to change for the residents of Marian Hall for at least a year.
With a report from CTV Montreal's Derek Conlon
