Rotary interchange : Petition filed against “static green forest”

During question period, Mrs. Dufour thanked Mayor Trudel for explaining the project and that she was among those who signed the request.

In their arguments opposing the project, the signatories stated that it is not a simple landscaping development plan or adding a few added decorative elements that would significantly change the general aspect of this “urban design.” They say they agree with making an investment in urban art, even adding that the work of Michel Goulet for the second rotary interchange had a historical and symbolic perspective for Montreal residents. But they stated that they tried to discern the artistic message behind the long green posts of the Milieu humide (humid milieu) – the name given by project designers.

The signatories don’t understand how the selection jury selected this work out of four semi-finalists and 11 initial applications. They questioned the security of this landscaping project for pedestrians and believe that the half a million dollars allocated for it should have been invested elsewhere. Mayor Trudel thanked Mrs. Dufour for her remarks and said that he was ready to meet with her to provide more details. In his speech delivered at the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Trudel had asked residents to show some patience and to wait until the project is completed in spring 2009 before making judgments. What remains, he said, are the lighting and the landscaping aspects. The work, including the Pan-Canadian contest, professional fees and contractor’s charges come to a total cost of $450,000.00. He pointed out that this amount is paid by the City of Montreal and is part of the triennial infrastructure investment plan