Advertisement

Royalmount project faces setback after Valérie Plante calls for revision

Click to play video: 'Back to the drawing board for Royalmount'
Back to the drawing board for Royalmount
WATCH: The Royalmount development project has been dealt a major blow. A committee has concluded that the plans for the project need a major overhaul and the city agrees. Global's Billy Shields reports – Jan 25, 2019

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante slammed the largest proposed real estate development on the Island of Montreal on Friday, saying “the Royalmount project has no social acceptability in its current form.”

The $2-billion Royalmount is slated to include a waterpark, cinema and about 6,000 residential units in the Town of Mount Royal (TMR).

However, Plante is now calling for a revision of the commercial-residential development after an agglomeration committee reached a similar conclusion Thursday night.

“This project was presented to us as a local project,” she said. “But its ambitions are regional and impacts are regional.”

“It’s a private project with major public impacts.”

Story continues below advertisement

The move could lead to a potential showdown between TMR and the centre city of Montreal.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The developer argues the prospective development has respected the laws, regulations and planning.

TMR Mayor Philippe Roy said he is open to meeting with Plante.

“At the end of the day it’s a private project, and at the end of the day it’s the consumers and visitors who will decide.”

In recent weeks, Royalmount has been criticized as having the potential to dramatically increase the number of cars on the city’s roads.

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: No major impact expected from mega Royalmount project on Montreal businesses

The proposed site is at the corner of two of the busiest highways — Highway 40 and the Décarie Expressway.

Summer Halstead, who works in TMR, is worried about the project.

“That’s what I love about being in Montreal — you have your little neighbourhoods and little stores,” he said. “I just don’t want to see it turn into this.”

Sponsored content

AdChoices