Four new pedestrian streets announced
The city is planning four new pedestrian streets for next year. Although they’re none of them a bad idea, they’re all pretty minimal. The city’s no longer taking chances with whole passages of streets like La Gauchetière in Chinatown (an undeniable success) or Prince Arthur (a success for many years but in decline now for at least a decade).
Rosemont borough unveiled the new Place Shamrock this week beside Jean-Talon market, although the Gazette needs to note that Lino Berri is still fighting the loss of a few parking spaces.
dwgs 08:24 on 2019-07-06 Permalink
I walked through Prince Arthur with my 13 year old on Thursday late afternoon and it was actually pretty busy and pleasant, much better than I expected. He had never been there but he was impressed and was asking me about the street. Maybe there’s hope.
Kate 08:26 on 2019-07-06 Permalink
Glad to hear it.
DeWolf 11:47 on 2019-07-06 Permalink
I had the same impression as dwgs – now that the renovations have been completed for a year, the street really does seem livelier than before. A number of new businesses have opened over the past year including a nice coffee shop and a brewery.
Kate 12:20 on 2019-07-06 Permalink
I must go have a look soon.
Jack 20:57 on 2019-07-06 Permalink
Can people please ask Lino Berri why he is still at the market. He has been threatening to leave since 2006. Any time automobiles access to the market has been challenged he threatens to move….go. Blainville, Mascouche,Terrebonne….they need you…go!
ant6n 21:13 on 2019-07-06 Permalink
I was originally pretty critical of Prince Arthur as well, but at least now during the summer it seems rather pleasant overall.
Kate 19:14 on 2019-07-07 Permalink
I walked around there Sunday and although I didn’t take pictures, I made some observations. The two blocks closest to St-Laurent are still a bit bleak. Lots of concrete, no trees. But if you walk eastward it gets better, although there are still too many dead businesses to be ideal. The Caverne Grecque has been gone a long time but is still just locked up, and next door, which I seem to recall used to be Pizza Mella, is the same. Across from them, Sena, one of the few shoe shops I’ve actually liked, has also been gone a long time but there’s still a sign out and it’s empty and locked up.
As you move towards Carré St-Louis there are fewer dead storefronts and there are trees as you get close to the square. The Casa Grecque, the last of the old Prince Arthur Greek restos, is still in operation there just before you get to Laval Street.
Needs: More trees (will take time), something done about the empty storefronts close to St‑Laurent.