Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay insists the underground city is safe but that precautionary inspections are needed at several major downtown buildings.

It's just the latest move after a series of problems with buildings in the downtown core.

Two years ago the discovery of cracks in a tunnel under De Maisonneuve Blvd. forced the evacuation of The Bay and other buildings in the downtown core.

The city sent notices to the owners of 63 underground structures demanding inspection reports but only a quarter of them replied.

Now the city is insisting on the remaining safety reports, and has asked building owners to comply immediately.

"The information I have is that there's no danger for the public but I'd like to see that in writing," said Tremblay.

Three buildings are key

Of primary importance are sections of the underground city beneath Place Bonaventure, Victoria Square and the Sun Life building, all of which are more than 25 years old.

Richard Hylands, whose company owns Place Bonaventure, expects compliance will not be a problem.

"We do an annual inspection every year with an engineer who goes up and down every side of the building checking for anything that's loose," said Hylands. "That's what a prudent owner does."

Quebec's building watchdog, the Regie du Batiment, is expected to send similar notes to landlords.

Concordia University Engineering Professor Adel Hanna is cautious about the planned inspection blitz.

"It's not a bad idea but we don't have to overdo it. We don't have to scare the people and it's not really a major problem in Montreal," said Hanna.

Peel Street holdups

Meanwhile Mayor Tremblay Repeated his anger at delays getting the engineers report into safety of the Marriott Hotel.

In mid-July a concrete slab fell from the building, killing 33-year-old Lea Guilbeault while she ate dinner with her husband.

Two months later the block is still closed, and the owners have yet to release a safety report.

The mayor's frustration is leading to some concrete action.

He's asked the city's legal department to study New York City's Law 11, which requires mandatory inspections of building facades every five years, and see if something similar can be implemented here.