Place Jacques-Cartier restaurant owners threaten injunction against city

Restaurant owners alongPlace Jacques-Cartierare asking for a one-on-one meeting with Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre over the installation of a centralizedpatio,commonly known in Quebec as aterrasse, as part of the city's375th birthday.

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Owners are concerned with the plans since the terrassewould be closer to the centre of the square and further away from the restaurants.

IfCoderredoesn't reconsider the plans, then a group of about 14 restaurant owners are threateninglegal action and considering filing an injunction.

The city will pay for the cost of building the new centralizedterrasse, and restaurant ownerswill rent outtheir sectionsat the same cost they currentlypay to rent the spacesoutside their individual restaurants.

SachaBertola,owner of Le FriponFrench bistro in the square, says the makeover is an issue of safety andhygiene since waiting staff will have to weave through pedestrians.

"We want the best for our clients and our business," Bertola said.

It's also a matter oflosing business. His bistro's terrasse fits about 70 tables,but he says he will lose 30 tables and thousands of dollarswith the new patio.

"We're all against this project for diverse reasons," Bertola said.

Bertolasaid he was inspired by calchedrivers whofiled an injunction against the city over a one-year moratorium on horses-drawn carriages. AQuebec Superior Court judge granted a nine-day injunction ordering the city to lift the ban.