'Why not plant trees?' Montrealers steaming over $3.45M granite stumps

Montrealers have reacted with humour and scathing comments to the discovery that granite tree stumps commissioned for the city's 375th birthday next year will cost $3.45 million.

The 27granite statues, which will also serve as benches,areto be scattered acrossvarious locations, includingMount Royaland the campus of the Universit de Montral.

Project overbudget

The statueswill cost 27 per cent more than the original estimate provided to the city, because the cost of granite has soared since the city obtained itsinitial estimate.

Projet MontralCoun.Alex Norrissaidthat the higher cost of the materials could be due to an "artificial deadline" set by Coderre to finish the project in time for the celebrations that will be held in Montreal next year.

"When a political leader imposes a deadline and says we've got to getthisdone no matter what, that sends a signal to constructionentrepreneursthat they can raise the price, and that seems to be whatthey'redoing," said Norris.

He said that is an issue that has affected other legacy projects that are part of the 375th birthdaycelebrations.

"We believe Mayor Coderreshould reconsider this project," he said.

Norris wantsMontrealtocreatean online resource to allow the public totrack city spending and intends to make a formal request proposing that.

'It's not a stump'

"It's not a stump. It is a piece of art," said the mayor.

Coderre said that the installationswill increase accessibilitybecause they will also serve as benchesand beautify the city.

"I look at that as an investment," Coderresaid."It's not just the expense of the project itself, but look at the impact that will come[for]our citizens and Montreal as a city of design."

Coderresaidhe would be looking into the costs of the project and the granite required to make the statues.

The contract for the granite statues was awardedtoAmnagement Ct Jardin Inc. andapproved by a majority vote at a Maycity council meeting.The project has yet to beapprovedbythe Quebec Culture Ministry.

Public reacts with criticism, humour

Members of the public reacted on social media, commenting on both the price and the aesthetic value of the project.