The CTV Evening News report of September 7, 2022 claimed that the Van Horne Warehouse is currently being used for file storage and not abandoned, although from the outside is certainly LOOKS derelict--which may even be intentional by its users. Presumably, there is 24/7 security to deter potential burglars and squatters.
Yes, the structure certainly ought to be repurposed but as we all know it takes a very long time around here for major projects to become reality. Somehow, though, I don't believe that a hotel would be such an appealing consideration based on its location so far from downtown and other tourist sites. Perhaps create something similar to the Alexis Nihon Plaza instead? The Rosemont Metro is "closest" to the Van Horne Warehouse but really not close enough to be convenient.
Incidentally, as an aside, much of the housing along Van Horne east of Park Avenue up to the overpass continues to be plagued with the worst graffiti I have ever seen and has been for years. Whatever happened to the city's "War on Graffiti"? I have not heard Mayor Plante say anything about it. Indeed, of late I am seeing more graffiti appearing in the Metro. Staff shortages?
I should point out another city eyesore: those abandoned grain elevators south of de la Commune Street that offer no public access and which are essentially unsafe. Who would even want to go inside there, anyway? See:
Nostalgia can only last for a generation or two before public pressure and simple logic kicks in and new-thinking by the powers-that-be come to their senses.
You may remember back in the '90s when a big-shot entrepreneur proposed some sort of media complex to replace that particular eyesore but neither the federal government (who owns port property) nor the city went for it at the time. Perhaps this or something more relevant to public recreation ought to be considered?
Other than that, there remains plenty of shoreline currently zoned industrial which will surely someday be turned into green space and public promenades, including upgrading Verdun's too-long-incomplete riverside pathways and the huge riverside stretch east of Jacques Carter Bridge.
Note that other cities, however, such as London, have embraced such urban renewal to repurpose outdated structures See:
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The CTV Evening News report of September 7, 2022 claimed that the Van Horne Warehouse is currently being used for file storage and not abandoned, although from the outside is certainly LOOKS derelict--which may even be intentional by its users. Presumably, there is 24/7 security to deter potential burglars and squatters.
ReplyDeleteYes, the structure certainly ought to be repurposed but as we all know it takes a very long time around here for major projects to become reality. Somehow, though, I don't believe that a hotel would be such an appealing consideration based on its location so far from downtown and other tourist sites. Perhaps create something similar to the Alexis Nihon Plaza instead? The Rosemont Metro is "closest" to the Van Horne Warehouse but really not close enough to be convenient.
Incidentally, as an aside, much of the housing along Van Horne east of Park Avenue up to the overpass continues to be plagued with the worst graffiti I have ever seen and has been for years. Whatever happened to the city's "War on Graffiti"? I have not heard Mayor Plante say anything about it. Indeed, of late I am seeing more graffiti appearing in the Metro. Staff shortages?
I should point out another city eyesore: those abandoned grain elevators south of de la Commune Street that offer no public access and which are essentially unsafe. Who would even want to go inside there, anyway? See:
https://arkinetblog.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/abandonned-buildings-in-montreal-grain-elevators/
Nostalgia can only last for a generation or two before public pressure and simple logic kicks in and new-thinking by the powers-that-be come to their senses.
You may remember back in the '90s when a big-shot entrepreneur proposed some sort of media complex to replace that particular eyesore but neither the federal government (who owns port property) nor the city went for it at the time. Perhaps this or something more relevant to public recreation ought to be considered?
Other than that, there remains plenty of shoreline currently zoned industrial which will surely someday be turned into green space and public promenades, including upgrading Verdun's too-long-incomplete riverside pathways and the huge riverside stretch east of Jacques Carter Bridge.
Note that other cities, however, such as London, have embraced such urban renewal to repurpose outdated structures See:
https://batterseapowerstation.co.uk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battersea_Power_Station