MONTREAL – Developer Luc Poirier has snagged the winning bid on the 1.4 million square-foot property where the former Montreal Children’s Hospital sat, and said he plans a mixed-use project.
“If you look at the size, it’s very similar to Fenway Park,” he told Global News.
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Poirier mused the project could include condominiums, offices and could involve a baseball stadium complex.
It’s a project roughly similar to one in San Diego that could aid in luring an MLB franchise back to Montreal.
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Some residents nearby believe the development is welcome news, which will create activity at a large site that has been dormant since the hospital moved to the Glen site in May.
But not everyone is thrilled.
A daytime homeless shelter nearby is concerned that their wards could be squeezed out of the area as a result of gentrification.
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“For me, personally working with the homeless, it would drive the homeless population away,” said Caleb Clark, Director of the Open Door.
“It doesn’t fix any homelessness issue.”
Poirier said it will be at least a year before plans are known, and probably another four before construction is underway.
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