Saying the decades-old park dominated by brutalist artwork has "not aged well," the city of Montreal is going to update Viger Square.
Mayor Denis Coderre said that many of the pergolas that make up the artwork installation 'Agora' will be removed, and other aspects of the park will be altered to make it more inviting and accessible to all.
"We are all in agreement that this place has not aged well, and is unloved and unsafe," said Coderre. "If you doubt me, go there at 10 p.m. and tell me what you see."
Viger Square's most frequest users are the homeless, even in the middle of winter.
The original park dates to the 1850s, but was greatly changed by the construction of the Ville Marie Expressway in the 1970s.
A decade later Quebec artist Charles Daudelin installed two pieces of art in the square, namely Agora and Mastodo.
However the public never warmed to the brutalist concrete pergolas, and the lack of activity in the area let the park, separated by several major thoroughfares, fall into disuse.
In June Coderre announced the park would be completely revamped at a cost of $28.3 million, including the destruction of Agora, which he justified by saying the creation of the CHUM hospital deserved a better park for patients and families.
That led to a outcry from heritage activists, Projet Montreal, and Daudelin's family, leading to the new proposal unveiled Friday by Coderre.
"We will keep 12 roofs of the 23 pergolas that make up Agora," said Coderre. "We will make this area greener, and safer."
The new design includes a fountain, more open space at eye level, taller trees, and, using the example of the changes made this summer to Emelie Gamelin Park, Coderre hopes it will include a café-terrase and possibly a bicycle repair shop.
"We are also talking about, yes, installing public toilets," said Coderre.
The mayor acknowledged that Daudelin's family did not fully approve of the changes to the park and the artwork.
Work is scheduled to begin this year and be completed by August 2017.
