Attempts to preserve the 18th-century Tannery Village archeological site have failed.
Over the weekend construction crews began demolishing what remains of the site located near Cazelais St. and St. Remi St. in the St. Henri neighbourhood.
In just over a week, no trace will remain of one of Montreal's oldest industries.
Over the summer archaeologists had gone through the site, uncovering the foundations of the old buildings and removing many artifacts.
Some activists wanted the site to be preserved, but last week officials said that would be impossible because the foundations were in the path of the future Turcot Interchange. They also said that covering the foundations in a way they would be preserved, and not rot upon being exposed to air, would be an expensive challenge.
The old foundations are being removed to make way for a water collection system under the new Turcot Interchange and redesigning the intersection at Pullman St. and St. Remi St.
“Unfortunately we can't keep the foundations. That's why we are collecting as many artifacts as we can,” said Transport Quebec spokesperson Sarah Bensadoun.
Archeologists working for the transport ministry gave the go-ahead to bulldoze the foundations in one zone once they'd removed all the artifacts and recorded all the information.
“Once we finish one of them the contractor is authorized to remove the foundations. And that's what he did on Saturday,” said Bensadoun.
Fifteen archeologists are continuing to work in other parts of the site collecting artifacts; 150 boxes of artifacts been collected so far. All the artifacts are sent to the Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum in Point St-Charles.
Projet Montreal councillors and some heritage activists were upset to learn of the news because they were hoping to present a motion at Montreal's city council meeting on Monday to save the building foundations.
They also contend they were told the site would be left alone until the end of September, but ministry workers say no date was ever given as to when construction work would resume.
"We wanted to have this motion and have the mayor position himself based on what the council discussed," said Projet Montreal councillor Craig Sauvé. "The public wants some more discussion."
Historical Society of St-Henri president Guy Giasson is disappointed, too.
“It's not the same as when you can visit the place, as in Rome, as in Paris, as in Pompei,” he said.
The transport department said everyone knew the site was to be demolished.
“We were very transparent with our operations,” said Bensadoun.
Projet Montreal city councillor Marie Sigoun said they were not clear enough.
“Perhaps they were clear to some people but not everybody. It certainly took us by surprise on Saturday morning,” she said.
