Hydro-Québec is eyeing the Mercy hospital for its post in the city center

After the outcry raised by the choice of land next to the large library. For example, Hydro-Québec Lorgne a new site for its imposing electric post project in downtown Montreal. Consequently, The former Mercy hospital. Moreover, recently sold by Health Québec to a real estate developer, is in the sights of the Crown Company, learned Radio-Canada.

By email. Furthermore, Hydro-Québec confirms that it studied This site among other options To optimize the solution with a view to obtaining greater social acceptability. In addition, We continue our exchanges with the environmentwe add, without providing more details.

According to our sources. Moreover, this choice would actually be the only one viable Among eight new scenarios analyzed in recent months by Hydro-Québec experts. For example, All are located within a one -kilometer radius of hydro-québec eyeing mercy hospital its the current post on rue Berri, which must be replaced.

As a reminder. In addition, the Crown corporation must build a new electrical post to supply this nerve sector of the metropolis, the facilities on rue Berri – between the Ontario and Sherbrooke streets – being dilapidated and soon as much their capacity. Moreover, With the multiplication of towers and the electrification of transport, demand is called to explode, maintains Hydro-Québec.

In February. Similarly, she announced that she had chosen the neighboring park of the large library to set up her new position there. In addition, Property of Quebec National Library. Nevertheless, National Archives (BANQ), this site was then the best option among the eight scenarios on the table, we explained.

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The plan provided for the partially underground construction of an electric post of 315. Therefore, 000 volts, equipped with four transformers of 188 tonnes each. The Crown corporation had undertaken to consult the population on the appearance of the site. to organize an architectural competition and to reserve storage spaces for BANQ.

But the choice of this site caused an outcry. Important personalities. including the former CEO of Banq, Lise Bissonnette, the former Minister Christine St-Pierre and the architect Phyllis Lambert, in a hurry hydro-québec eyeing mercy hospital its to backtrack, fearing that this wound dimensions insane forever disfigures the neighborhood. Not to mention the disappearance of a rare green space and the art garden of the large library.

In early March, Hydro-Québec finally agreed to rethink its project. In a letter. the CEO of the time, Michael Sabia, recognized that Social acceptabilitya fundamental condition In the realization of the project, was not there.

Hydro-québec eyeing mercy hospital its

A site with assets

The site of the former Mercy hospital would have several advantages compared to that of Banq : a space twice as high. a lower cost and a position capable of meeting the future needs of the Latin district and the city center.

However, hydro-québec eyeing mercy hospital its it would be necessary to reconfigure the underground electricity distribution network in the Latin district.

The former Mercy hospital occupies a complete quadrilateral in the city center. between boulevard René-Lévesque and the streets of Saint-Hubert, Saint-André and Le Gauchetière. It is also a heritage place filled with history.

The construction of the hospital. the convent, managed by the sisters of mercy, began in 1853 and the last buildings were built in 1947. The establishment was a maternity for single mothers until 1973, before being transformed into CHSLD. This one closed in 2012.

Partly vacant since 2002, the complex has been abandoned for ten years. Several buildings are in pitiful condition.

According to a preliminary plan consulted by Radio-Canada. Hydro-Québec would build its electrical transformation post along hydro-québec eyeing mercy hospital its rue de la Gauchetière. Future installations. partly in the basement, would occupy about half of the land of some 12,000 square meters, with an entirely interior position.

Here again. the Crown corporation promises to launch an architectural competition to treat the visual aspect of the future post and ensure its harmony with the surrounding setting. This plan could still evolve, Hydro-Québec wanting to carry out a public consultation in the fall.

The construction schedule offers the start of the work within five years and the commissioning of the position in 2034.

A coveted place

But nothing has yet sunk in concrete: the site. which belonged to the Ministry of Health and then to Health Quebec, was sold last May to a real estate developer. Richard Geller, at the head of Alta Canada, wishes to build a 28 -story residential tower there and hydro-québec eyeing mercy hospital its renovate certain buildings. Three pavilions would be demolished, including the wing to the east of the original nucleus, deemed in very poor condition.

Joined by Radio-Canada, Mr. Geller was unable to grant us an interview before the publication of this article.

According to the deed of sale, Mr. Geller spent $ 8.5 million to acquire the vast place of which Quebec announced the sale in 2022. According to the most recent municipal assessment, the value of the building exceeds 34 million.

But in parallel with this sale. a group of organizations has been campaigning for over ten years for the site to accommodate social and community housing. This vision of the Mercy quadrilateral was supported by the City of Montreal.

In 2017. the Ministry of Health and Social Services had just proposed to sell the old hospital to the city – without financial assistance for its hydro-québec eyeing mercy hospital its repair – before offering it to the private sector.

However. faced with the magnitude of the work and the amount which should be allocated there, the city had rather made the bet to attract a promoter hoping that he would join his vision, in tune with that of the quadriched of mercy.

The Plante Administration wanted the construction of 90 social housing units. 80 affordable dwellings for students, 130 workshops of artists and 60 studios attached to the Maison du Père intended for elders in homelessness. The city planned to add a cultural space in the chapel as well as an office tower. condos on the vast site.

Difficult for the moment to know if Hydro-Québec, if it bought the site, will also adhere to this vision.