Carr Saint-Laurent revitalization plan slashed by Liberals

The Quebec government is slashing plans for the Carr Saint-Laurent a major real-estate development that the former Parti Qubcois government had promised would help revitalize downtown Montreal's entertainment district.

The cut is the latest in a series ofausterity measures implemented by Premier Philippe Couillard's Liberals, as theystruggleto balance the province's budget by 2015-2016.

• Developers angry over PQ government's Carr Saint-Laurent deal

The $160million Carr Saint-Laurent was announced in December.

It was set to be located inthe heart of downtown Montreals Quartier des Spectacles,bordered bySte-Catherine Street, St-Laurent Boulevard, and Clark Street.

But the Liberal government said it re-evaluated the development project, and found it was an unjustifiable use of public funds.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderresaid it wasn't up to him to comment on the province's decision, adding that it's their prerogative to do as they wish with public funds.

"They have some difficult choices to make," he said.

Coderre said he would be looking at other options for revitalizing that part of town, which has gained a reputation for being a seedy area.

"What I know is that we need to revitalize that corner," he said.

"Im going to sit with all the stakeholders and well see."

The former PQ government had already signeda 25-year lease for office space within the development, which would have includeda10-storey, 16,500 square metre facility tohousefour government ministries and 700employees.

The minister responsible for Montreal, Robert Poti, said rent in the new building would have cost the government45 per cent more than they are currently paying for office space.

At the economic time were living ...its not the right idea to do that right now.

The development project was also supposed to includecommercial space and a 12-storey condo tower.