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
Parliamentary report on Emergencies Act decision is 18 months past due — and counting
The erstwhile group of senators and MPs studying the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act over the "Freedom Convoy" was supposed to present its findings in December. December of 2022, that is.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Black youth face multiple barriers in accessing mental health care, experts say
Black youth in Canada face multiple barriers in getting access to mental health services — and health-care providers can make the situation more difficult, experts say.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.