'I don't know what I will do': Parc-Extension residents, merchants upset over building sale, evictions

The sale and redevelopment of a multipurpose building in Montreal'sParc-Extensiondistrict has some residents concerned about the future of their neighbourhood.

Mohammed Azizul Haque, who ownsMarch Pardesh, a grocery store, has been stressed and unable to sleepever since he got a letter in his mailbox in October informing him that he will have to leave 7300 Hutchison Street.

"I always feel tension," he said.

After eight years of owning the business the last two of which have beenat theHutchisonlocation the business owner wastold he has 32 days to vacate the premises.

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"I don't know what I will dobecause now rent is too high," he said. "It's difficult to find a place."

Known as Hutchison Plaza or the Johnny Brown Building, the building sits across the street from the Parc Metro station. For years, it's housed small local businesses, religious spaces,community groups and several floors of residential apartments.

The BSRGroup, the new owner, is hoping to convert the building into "fully loaded" apartments near some "culturally diverse, trendy and artistic Montreal neighbourhoods."

The neighbourhood's housing advocacy committee is questioning the move and wondering what will happen to the residential and commercial tenants in the building.

"We would like to know the future for these people," said Andr Trpanier, who's withthe Comit d'action de Parc-Extension.

"People are not feeling safe, especially for a small organization with a small budget, it's not easy to find a cheap place to rent."

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Trpanierbristled at the language used to promote the proposed development words such as"diverse" and "trendy."

"[They] are using the 'exotic' brand of Park Ex to try to make money with the new people, instead of supporting the people and community groups now in that building," he said.

'A better place'

Ron Basal, the project manager of the BSR Group, soundedsurprised to hear that some people in the area don't support the project.

"Building a beautiful building is a bad thing?" Basal said. "Everything is old in Park Ex, and there's something new coming up."

He said approximately 60 apartments will be available for rent.Asked if those units would be affordable to low-income tenants, Basal said the rental unitswould be priced atmarket value.

"We are a private company, and we are a profit organization, not a non-profit organization," he said.

"I understand there's low income in Park Ex,' he said. "We will only do what the market dictates. Unfortunately, the refugee community in the building that rented, they can't afford it."

The BSRGroupis hoping to attract professionals, young familiesand immigrants to the neighbourhood, he said.

Basal saidthe building had "druggies over there sleeping" and that "75 per cent of the building" wasn't paying their rent.He said some of thosewho moved out recently left their unitsin"catastrophic conditions."

"We're trying to change it to a better place," he said.

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The developer stillawaits apermit to start construction. Meanwhile,the elevator is boarded up, and only a few tenants are left inside.

Haque, the grocer,said he is not going anywhere.

He sent the new building owners a registered letter saying his lease requires a six-month eviction notice, and he wants his moving costs to be covered, too.

Gentrification concerns

For Trpanier, the concern goes beyond the proposed development project in the Hutchison Street building.

"We are concerned about how Parc-Extension is changing now," he said.

Trpanier saidhe sees how neighbourhoods like Mile End have changed over the years. He fears that new developments like this one, coupled with thenew Universit de Montral campus in neighbouring Outremont, aregoing to change the area.

"We are the last spot that's very well-located that is still not gentrified," he said. "We are worried that we are now the next destination."

This new development encompasses that feeling, he said, because it doesn't help to resolve the lack of affordable housing for those already in the area.

"We don't want a luxury project that will bring new culture of people from outside Park Ex. We want to focus ondeveloping low-income apartments, cheap apartments, for the people who are actually living in Park Ex."

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