Traders fear having to close shop because of the work for the construction of the tram planned from 2023 and which will last several months, even a few years.
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A survey conducted by the firm SOM shows that 95% of respondents are of the opinion that the work period will have a negative or very negative impact on their business.
What’s more, 44% believe that the works will lead them to the closure of their business, which has just been through the hell of the pandemic.
“It is certain that the work is very worrying and there is also all the impact that the tram will have on the parking lots and on the mode of circulation in the district. I would tell you that there are a lot of concerns at this level too, ”says Jean-Sébastien Adem, president of the Commercial Development Company (SDC) of the Montcalm district, which commissioned the survey.
Photo Jeremy Bernier
Jean-Sébastien Adem, President of the Commercial Development Company of the Montcalm district.
The tramway’s popularity rating is quite low among the 225 members of the SDC.
Among the respondents, only 37% say they are in favor of the project. The split path also attracts many skeptics, with 69% being unfavorable and very unfavorable to this concept.
You don’t have to walk very long on René-Lévesque Boulevard to meet merchants who totally disagree with the implementation of a tramway that will pass directly in front of their door.
“I’m afraid of closing,” says categorically Marc-Antoine Muñoz of the restaurant La Scala.
He wonders about several decisions that were made by the project office and endorsed by elected officials.
“Why do they want to do a raised concrete slab? You go all over the world […] cars pass over [le tramway]. In my opinion, it is to piss off motorists.
Same speech for the owner of the Wellness Center, Florence Guigner, who wonders, in addition to the major problems caused during the works, where her customers and suppliers will park after the construction of the tramway.
“There are only negatives. I think that the tramway, at first, was designed underground on René-Lévesque.”
An idea that is supported by Mr. Muñoz, very familiar with the matter. “When they got the idea of a tram into our heads, it was underground here. He returned to Turnbull and left at Les Érables.”
For his part, Yves Ledoux of Pub Galway on Cartier Street does not mince his words.
Photo Didier Debusschere
Yves Ledoux of Pub Galway on Cartier Street.
“People have been telling us for 25 years that they struggled to find parking […] We thick guys are going to take 500 parking spaces away from them with no solution. Of course, I am worried about my business and the business of my buddies.”
Mayor Bruno Marchand, in whom SDC merchants believed in the tramway project, had undertaken to make ten improvements to the tramway, in particular to lower the concrete slab at certain intersections and to reduce the presence of wires.
“Since he was elected, he has changed his tune,” launches Marc-Antoine Muñoz. “Mr. Marchand is a dreamer.”
The owner of La Scala restaurant would like a referendum and he does not understand why the mayor of Quebec is hesitating.
Like many of his colleagues, he believes that this kind of project depends on social acceptability. “If Mayor Marchand is so proud of his polls, why is he afraid of a referendum?”
—With the collaboration of Jérémy Bernier
Reference-www.tvanouvelles.ca