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MONTREAL’S DOWNTOWN STRATEGY: FOCUSING ON CULTURE, COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION

Press release - For immediate release

Montreal, Monday, November 7, 2016 – Today, as part of the public consultation on Montreal’s downtown strategy, the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership is presenting a brief to the Office de consultation de Montréal (OCMP). Because the strategy involves several elements and stakeholders in the Quartier des Spectacles, the Partnership has a profound interest in the future of the city’s downtown core. Accordingly, the Partnership wishes to focus on culture and innovation as its contribution to the emergence of a new future vision for Montreal, for the benefit of the city’s residents and all Quebecers.

In its brief, the Partnership recommends that culture be recognized explicitly as a driver of downtown development. Culture is a cornerstone of downtown Montreal’s development and reputation, including growth in the resident population, retail trade, construction and employment. The presence and expansion of a strong, innovative set of cultural offerings and programs in the Quartier des Spectacles are fundamental to any downtown repopulation strategy. They are also essential ingredients for the creation of economic spin-offs that will benefit Montreal and the rest of Quebec.

The spin-offs generated by cultural activities in the Quartier des Spectacles are felt throughout downtown Montreal’s economy. It is important that some of these profits be reinvested in the cultural sector. This will make it possible to continue ongoing efforts and ensure the long-term viability of a rich, diverse and innovative set of cultural offerings for the benefit of all stakeholders – both economic and cultural – and for all Montrealers,” explains Jacques Primeau, chair of the Quartier des Spectacles’ board of directors.


Major planning and development initiatives for the Place des Arts, Quartier Latin and St. Catherine St. zones of the Quartier des Spectacles

Progress on the special planning program (SPP) for the Place des Arts zone and associated development projects, whether already complete or scheduled for the short and medium terms, provides a fine illustration of the immense potential inherent in an urban development approach focused on both culture and innovation. In 2015, the Partnership, the Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain and the Ville de Montréal released a study on the economic benefits of real estate development in the Quartier des Spectacles. The benefits associated with the development projects announced since the redevelopment of the Quartier des Spectacles began in 2007 were estimated at more than $1.5 billion. It is therefore essential to continue supporting and improving a space management approach for the Quartier des Spectacles centered on partnerships among cultural, institutional and private stakeholders, if only for considering the development potential of specific sites.

In the Partnership’s view, the new downtown strategy must make the Quartier Latin one of the high-priority zones for investment in the design of public space in downtown Montreal; work should begin on implementing the SPP as soon as possible. To that end, it is essential to support UQAM’s efforts to open its campus to adjoining streets and public spaces in order to contribute to the animation of the Quartier Latin.


Recommendations and new action principles


The brief submitted by the Partnership includes a series of recommendations touching on several aspects of the Downtown Strategy, particularly in the Quartier des Spectacles. Following are highlights of the recommendations (complete list appended):

  • Explicit recognition of the key role culture must continue to play in the development of downtown Montreal in the coming decades;

  • Active contribution to maintaining and developing a diverse, high-quality cultural offer throughout downtown, in particular within the Quartier des Spectacles;

  • Pursue discussions with stakeholders to design and implement a coordinated economic governance model for downtown. Among other things, the model should be designed to mobilize stakeholders around shared promotion and development strategies and initiatives, so that a portion of the economic activity created by downtown cultural activities can be reinvested in the advancement of culture;

  • Include the Quartier Latin among the high-priority zones for investment in the development of public spaces in downtown Montreal, and begin implementing the special planning program as soon as possible;

  • Oversee the redevelopment of Sainte-Catherine Street between the Place des Arts zone and the Quartier Latin in order to create an inviting pedestrian route between the two zones.

About the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership


The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership is a non-profit organization with some 60 members active in the district. Its board of directors includes representatives of cultural organizations, public institutions, education, business and the Ville de Montréal. The Partnership’s 20 permanent employees program cultural presentations and oversee activities for the Quartier des Spectacles. The team is also responsible for the Quartier’s public spaces, specialized facilities, illumination and promotion.

For more information, visit quartierdesspectacles.com.

Pour consulter le mémoire du Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles à l’occasion de la consultation publique sur la Stratégie centre-ville, consultez Miser sur la culture et sur l’innovation

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Contact

Alexandra Maier | alexandra.maier@quartierdesspectacles.com | 514 707-8009



APPENDIX


SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership’s recommendations to the Ville de Montréal


STAY THE COURSE AND SUPPORT CURRENT EFFORTS

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership recommends that the Ville de Montréal:

  • Explicitly recognize the key role culture must continue to play in the development of downtown Montreal in the coming decades;

  • Contribute actively to maintaining and developing a diverse, high-quality cultural offer throughout downtown, in particular within the Quartier des Spectacles;

  • Support the development of dynamic synergies between culture and other downtown activities, including growth of the resident population, retail trade, property development and employment;

  • Actively encourage innovative initiatives for downtown development, the animation of public spaces and the use of digital technology to support animation and urban art;

  • Continue supporting and improving a space management approach for the Quartier des Spectacles focused on partnerships among cultural, institutional and private stakeholders.


COMPLETE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLACE DES ARTS ZONE

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership recommends that the Ville de Montréal:

  • Prioritize public and private investments allowing completion of development in the Place des Arts zone, whether by implementing the special planning program or the facilitating private real estate development;

  • Ensure that the Clark block project is completed on schedule, in 2019;

  • As soon as possible, as required by agreements with property developers, add storage and backstage spaces on the immediate perimeter of the public spaces in the Place des Arts zone;

  • Begin a process of consideration and discussion with potential partners, both private and public, on the development potential of the former Spectrum site and the Saint-Laurent metro station entrance, with emphasis on uses compatible with the cultural vocation of the surrounding area.


THE QUARTIER LATIN AND SAINTE-CATHERINE STREET

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership recommends that the Ville de Montréal:

  • Designate the Quartier Latin as one of the high-priority zones for investment in the development of public spaces in downtown Montreal, and as soon as possible begin implementing the special planning program, while respecting both the character of the neighbourhood and the nature of development throughout the Quartier des Spectacles;

  • Oversee the redevelopment of Sainte-Catherine Street between the Place des Arts zone and the Quartier Latin in order to create an inviting pedestrian route between the two zones and establish a consistent identity for the entire Quartier des Spectacles;

  • Support and complement UQAM’s efforts to open its campus to neighbouring streets and public spaces, in order to contribute to the animation of the Quartier Latin;

  • Pay special attention to the mitigation of disruptions caused by construction, in consideration of the vulnerable commercial fabric of the Quartier Latin.


LIVING IN A CULTURAL DISTRICT

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership recommends that the Ville de Montréal:

  • Establish performance criteria for the construction or renovation of residential structures exposed to high levels of noise and street life in the downtown core and the Quartier des Spectacles;

  • Include appropriate requirements for such matters in the city’s planning by-law, building permits or agreements with developers;

  • Apply the principles established at the Sommet Vivre ensemble held in 2015, as well as those in the Ville de Montréal’s policy on children, with the aim of ensuring that residents of the Habitations Jeanne-Mance can benefit fully from living in the Quartier des Spectacles, particularly with respect to access to culture and the promotion of creativity.


ADAPT CITY MANAGEMENT TO DOWNTOWN REALITIES

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership recommends that the Ville de Montréal:

  • Adapt its administrative practices and budget parameters related to maintenance of public space, street furniture and budgets for the maintenance or replacement of public facilities, in order to account for the downtown core’s special situation (high usage levels of public space, increased wear and tear on street furniture and public facilities, etc.).


MOBILIZE DOWNTOWN’S ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND INSTITUTIONAL STAKEHOLDERS

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership recommends that the Ville de Montréal:

  • Pursue discussions with stakeholders aimed at the design and implementation of a coordinated economic governance model for downtown than can mobilize the stakeholders around shared promotion and development strategies and initiatives;

  • Ensure that the implementation of such mechanisms allows for economic benefits stemming from cultural activities in the downtown area to be “recycled”: partly into further cultural development; and partly into sustaining culture-based economic synergies for the benefit of all stakeholders.