OCPM Consultations on St-Raymond and the future MUHC surrounding area - Projet Montréal pleads to stop further isolating the St-Raymond neighbourhood

MONTREAL, March 12, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Peter McQueen, NDG city councillor, will present Projet Montréal's policy brief on St-Raymond and the future MUHC surrounding area in front of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal tonight at 7:50pm at the St-Raymond Community Centre.  Worried about the City of Montréal's decision to close Upper-Lachine Road without consultation, he hopes that citizen participation can reverse this decision. "This decision could kill the neighbourhood. Already, an isolated, blocked off area, St.-Raymond would be devastated by the closing of this vital link to Vendôme metro, a major route for St.-Raymond transit users," said Peter McQueen.

McQueen has already collected over 1000 signatures of residents who are opposed to the plan. He has already participated in many MUHC consultations as a resident before he was elected in 2009.

Peter McQueen will also present the following five priorities:

• Priority 1 : Decrease the isolation of St-Raymond and maintain Upper-Lachine Road open;

• Priority 2 : A pedestrian and bike bridge above Décarie Boulevard and a safe separated bike and pedestrian path away from the De Maisonneuve traffic;

• Priority 3 : Guarantee the use of active transit and improve the neighbourhood's health and a second entrance to Vendôme metro;

• Priority 4 : Housing and Heterogeneous Neighbourhoods;

• Priority 5 : Expand and support neighbourhood businesses.

The Projet Montreal policy brief will include studies to show the realism of his ideas including:

• A traffic plan which allows the City to keep Upper Lachine Road open;
• A pedestrian and bike bridge on De Maisonneuve.

McQueen believes that the development of the hospital and the neighbourhood must be symbiotic. "A healthy neighbourhood is necessary for a healthy hospital and vice versa. For the global health of the population, we must emphasize active transit, quality housing and the mitigation of the consequences of the Décarie highway and the Turcot interchange nearby," he added.

McQueen is hopeful about the OCPM consultation, but has worries that citizens will not really be heard by the different partners.  He gives the example of the second entrance to Vendôme metro, a priority of residents and Projet Montreal for years, but at risk of not being built on time.

"I urge citizens to participate, but I hope, at the end, that citizens are not there to rubber stamp decisions already made by large partners and experts, but are seen as real collaborators,'' concluded Peter McQueen.

To consult the Projet Montréal policy brief:
http://projetmontreal.org/document/pour-la-sante-de-tous-memoire-sur-le-quartier-saint-raymond/

Aide Mémoire
Who:	Peter McQueen
What:	Presentation of Projet Montréal's policy brief at OCPM consultations on St-Raymond and the future MUHC surrounding area
When:	Tuesday, March 12th, 2013, 7:50pm
Where:	St-Raymond Community Centre 5600 Upper Lachine Rd.

SOURCE: VILLE DE MONTREAL - CABINET DE LA 2E OPPOSITION

Catherine Maurice
Attachée de presse for the 2nd opposition
514 872-3153 / 514 601-5542
[email protected]