Châteauguay mayoral candidate Éric Allard wants to implement a commercial development plan if he is elected. The expansion and vitalization of Faubourg Châteauguay is one of his priorities.
Jules Gauthier Translation Renaud Médan
« I grew up in the Faubourg sector, it hasn’t budged for a long time. I always heard that it would be developed when Highway 30 would arrive. I think the window of opportunity has been completely missed, » explains Mr. Allard.
The vast property where the Walmart supermarket is located is owned by Westcliff Group. Perplexed, Éric Allard notes that since the construction of the highway on the edge of the property in 2012, nothing has been built yet except for the large American brand store.
Mr. Allard denounced the fact that Châteauguay citizens must go to other shopping centres such as the Dix30 in Brossard to do their shopping.
According to the Alliance Châteauguay candidate, « It is high time that the City took control of the development of this area of great commercial value. It has to move forward and we have to be more dynamic than Westcliff; I have great doubts about their actual willingness to develop the mall.”
A zoning change
To do this, Éric Allard would like to change the land’s zoning to allow high-rise buildings with shops on the first floor and offices on the upper floors. This new possibility could perhaps, according to him, encourage Westcliff or a potential new buyer to finally develop the area.
« We need to approach the MRC first to make this zoning change and then the City can make the appropriate changes. There are two steps in this process and that’s where we’re headed, » explains Mr. Allard.
Attracting people
The candidate for mayor would like to set up a working team made up of local merchants, elected officials and land use planners. This economic development office would have the mandate to make Châteauguay more attractive economically speaking.
« The role of merchants is to attract customers to their establishment. The role of the City is to attract people and businesses to the streets and shopping centres. It’s a team effort! » he said in his release.
