Developer Mondave can finally demolish the building facing Place Emilie-Camel to build a 16-story residential tower, even though the complex's final tenant refuses to leave. Montreal has actually issued a demolition permit.
Mayor Valérie Plante's office stated that Mondev had demonstrated that “multiple relocation options were offered to the tenant” and “as a result, approval was granted.”
“We still believe that there will be an agreement between the tenant and the developer and that the project can move forward by revitalizing the sector,” says press officer Catherine Gadot.
Mondeau wants to build a 16-storey residential tower with 176 homes at the corner of rue Saint-Hubert and rue Saint-Catherine, in front of Place Emilie-Camel. Buildings there, including the old Da Giovanni restaurant, are slated to be demolished for a real estate project. The sector has been in the news for months due to the social crisis there.
For months, however, the developer has been facing a major problem: the tenant, Carla White, who lives in a modest apartment in a building slated for demolition, stubbornly refuses to leave. He's already turned down a check for $20,000, as well as a nice apartment for $400 a month, the company says, and it's at the end of its sources.
“She doesn't want to know anything. We have been talking to him for years. She wants a penthouse, downtown view, a view to the west. A large terrace. These are, in our opinion, completely unreasonable demands,” Mondave co-director Michael Owen said of the tenant last June. Mr Owen could not be reached for comment on Wednesday evening.
Three months to go
Me Attorney Manuel Johnson, representing Carla White's interests, argued that from the beginning his client wanted long-term residential stability and that Mondeau was overstating his client's condition.
“She's still interested in accommodation,” says M. argued.e Johnson. No $20,000 offer now. This is not enough to give him household stability for more than a year or a year and a half. She'll put the $20,000 in another owner's pockets. Homes in Montreal right now are $1000, $1500. »
According to the newspaper Duty, first reported the news on Wednesday, and the demolition permit was officially granted on March 27. Mme White then ordered Bail to vacate his home by June 30.
The tenant should receive compensation equal to three months' rent as well as reimbursement for costs associated with his future operation, although he intends to present his arguments at the next meeting of the Ville-Marie District Council, scheduled for April 9. His lawyer also intends to contest the decision, although the nature of possible appeals is unknown.
In principle, demolition of the building should begin next fall. Once the new building starts construction, it takes three years to get off the ground.
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