Griffintown consultations open to all, borough says

Public consultations on a disputed mega redevelopment project in Montreal's Griffintown will be transparent and inclusive, city officials promised at a meeting Tuesday evening.

Everyone on the island will be invited to have their say,borough mayor Jacqueline Montpetit said.

Devimco development company wants to build nearly 4,000 residential units, including low-cost housing, a commercial sector with as many as 60 stores and a green space network including parks and public spaces.

Promoters say the proposed$1.3 billion development in the southwest borough will revitalize the industrial area on the edge of the Peel Basin.

Local resident Chris Gobeil, however, says many residents don't want to see the 10.2 hectare site sold to a single owner. Heplans to participate in the consultations, where he'll voice his ideas about diversifying the land sale.

"What we say is rezone it, and we'll redevelop it. There are plenty of owners who are prepared to redevelop it," Gobeil said.

The area was been zoned industrial for four decades.

An information session on the project will be held Feb. 21 at the cole de technologie suprieure, at Notre Dame and Peel Sts.

Members of thepublic will be able to submit briefs on the project at a second meeting on March 10.