Mayor Jean François Lalonde outlines borough’s plans during October council
In an outline of Villeray/St-Michel/Parc Extension’s overall priorities for next year, Borough Mayor Jean François Lalonde says the borough plans to add more flowers, shrubs and greenery in prominent locations throughout VSMPE, including Place de la Gare in Parc Extension and further to the east at the busy intersection of Saint-Michel Blvd. and Crémazie.
“More shade, fewer paved surfaces, more agreeable public spaces will contribute to our streets becoming used and shared more frequently,” he said during the October 6 borough council meeting.
Social and affordable housing
Among other things, according to Lalonde, the borough will also be focusing on the development of more social and affordable housing next year, including at Plaza Hutchison and at the abandoned Montreal Chinese hospital building on St-Denis St. in Villeray.
The borough plans to spend more than $73 million in 2027, compared to around $70.5 million last year. The largest portion (more than $47.4 million) is going towards employee salaries, with services costing nearly $26 million.
Most of the borough’s revenue will be coming from the centre city, with a locally-imposed tax as well as other sources of funding within VSMPE (various types of permits and snow removal work paid for by the centre city) providing more than $18 million in additional revenue.
The borough’s capital works budget (PTI) for next year will be more than $9 million, although the plan is to spend up to $90 million over the next ten years.
New library coming in Villeray
The borough will spend the next year continuing to work on the architectural plans for the future Bibliothèque Caroline Dawson to be built in Parc Le Prévost on Christophe-Colomb Ave. in Villeray, although no firm opening date has been set.
During the regular portion of the council meeting, Borough Mayor Lalonde congratulated the various winners in the provincial elections which took place the day before. These included Quebec Liberal MNA Frantz Benjamin who was re-elected in the riding of Viau, and Québec solidaire’s Andres Fontecilla who was re-elected in Laurier-Dorion.
At the same time, Lalonde congratulated newly-elected Parti Québécois Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. “We hope that he will be very open to listening to Montreal and we will have positive outcomes in the major Montreal issues, whether it’s homelessness or housing,” Lalonde said.
Councillor Carhuallanqui’s report
In her monthly council report, Parc Extension city councillor Elvira Carhuallanqui said work continues to improve cleanliness in the district.
“As you know, since the beginning of my being elected, I have brought up, I have repeated, the fact that for me cleanliness is really very important,” she said.
“Also improving the quality of life in my district of Parc Extension, as well because this is where I live with my family.” Among other things, she noted that the University of Montreal operates a legal clinic for recent immigrants on Beaumont Ave.
