The city of Montreal wants to develop a brand-new living environment in the Namur-Hippodrome district and unveiled their plans on Friday.
In a press release, they explain that this will lay “the foundations for one of the most important urban development projects of the next decade,” in the Côte-des-Neiges-NDG borough.
Montreal mayor Valérie Plante said that she is proud of the project and wants the city to serve as an example for others around the world.
The future site was dedicated for more than 200 years to agriculture, then equestrian activities as the former Blue Bonnets raceway, later named the Montreal Hippodrome.
The new living environment will accommodate up to 20,000 housing units for a potential population of 40,000 people – “the equivalent of a new city rising up in the heart of the metropolis,” says the press release.
“Today we are taking a major step towards completing the Namur-Hippodrome eco-district,” she said in a press release. “It is also the result of several years of rigorous work with the community and local partners to imagine the transformation of a wasteland into a complete living environment that meets people’s aspirations: affordable housing, efficient modes of transport, local services and green spaces.”
The master plan calls for 10,000 homes to be built on the site of the former racetrack, representing a historic opportunity to transform the housing and property crisis into a real opportunity to improve the affordability of the city, reads the release.
Additionally, public transit network connected to the metro, a tramway line and paths for cyclists and pedestrians will be built there.
They will build 14 hectares of new parks and public spaces – “the equivalent to 20 soccer fields.”
There will also be a what they describe as a green belt to maintain biodiversity and combat heat islands. Along with a massive planting of trees and vegetation, and ecological water management.
“By owning and developing this land, we are seizing the opportunity of the century to make this new district a showcase for Montreal’s ambitions, particularly in terms of innovation, inclusion and citizen participation,” said Plante.
The area will include schools, a sports centre, library, and health centre, community and cultural facilities.
“This plan is extremely promising for the people who already live in the area, because we want to green the neighbourhood, which is currently a major heat island, and plan the infrastructure needed to improve people’s quality of life, at a time when it lacks the community facilities to meet people’s needs,” said Côte-des-Neiges-NDG borough Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa.
Once adopted by the executive committee, the Namur-Hippodrome project will undergo a final public consultation, scheduled for May 2024, with the potential for a final adoption by the end of the year.
The city of Montreal is aiming to build the infrastructure within 10 years and will be ready to issue the first construction permits as early as 2025.