Former Hippodrome to be turned into fully functional neighbourhood
The City of Montreal has unveiled its plans to convert the Namur-Hippodrome area into a carbon-neutral district focusing on social housing, public transportation and greenery.
Located in the city's Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough, officials say they hope "the area will stand out for its urban and mobility innovation" and leave "a minimal environmental footprint."
The plan is to build up to 20,000 new dwellings, including a potential 9,000 on the site of the former Hippodrome race track (also once named Blue Bonnets).
"A significant portion of these dwelling units will be meant for social and community housing that will be affordable and family-friendly," the city states.
There are also plans to have stores and businesses, as well as 14 hectares of green public spaces, including a central park and a green belt.
Officials note the area will be accessible and public transit-friendly with the addition of a tramway that will connect the district to the Metro system.
There are also plans for "civic activity hubs that meet the needs of the community," such as schools, a community centre, a library, sports facilities and health care facilities.
The Namur-Hippodrome neighbourhood comprises about 95 hectares of land near the Namur Metro station. The land hasn't been used for 14 years and doesn't have a water distribution system. Studies will analyze what it will cost to connect the area to infrastructure and transit.
Today's announcement comes after the city failed multiple times to build housing at the Hippodrome site, in the middle of the Island of Montreal. Pierre Boivin, CEO of investment firm Claridge, who is helping to draft a new development model for the property, says this new plan will succeed where others have failed.
Public consultations for the project are slated for this spring, with final adoption expected this fall.
Barring any complications, construction could start as early as 2025.
- With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.