POINTE-CLAIRE – It’s one of the most charming and treasured districts on the West Island: the Pointe-Claire village.
The destination area that lines Lakeshore road is made up of dozens of independent stores, restaurants bars and service industries.
While the largely commercial area is a financial success the city is looking to spruce it up.
City council recently passed a motion authorizing almost $30,000 to L’Atelier Urbain to submit recommendations by next summer to redevelop and revitalize the district.
“Small villages are finding it more and more difficult to be on the map,” said Toni Cochand, owner of Le Panier.
She wants the city to install highway signs on the A20 to drive more traffic to the area.
“It will get people, especially in the summer time, to turn off and check out all the wonderful things we have here,” she said.
More than 100 businesses make up the Pointe-Claire Village Association.
The commercial strip has a rich history in the neighbourhood.
It started in the 19th century largely around an old church and the St-Joachim Parish church and an old windmill on the waterfront.
The Pointe-Claire historical society that advocates the preservation of the area, Société pour la Sauvegarde du Patrimoine de Pointe-Claire, wants to make sure than any future development plans include links to the past and that the area not focus solely on business interests but cultural and family ones as well.
Many merchants agree and add that some serious infrastructure improvements are needed.
“Our infrastructure is deteriorating. The sidewalks could be improved. The lighting,” Kenny Oliphant, co-Owner of Le Gourmand restaurant said.
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