January 15, 2008

Fate of Montreal landmark sparks local controversy

MONTREAL

As Canadian Pacific Railway moves closer to selling historic Windsor Station in Montreal, a local heritage protection group is worried about what will happen after the sale goes through.

A Canadian Pacific spokesman confirmed the railway is involved in negotiations, though no agreement has been signed.

“There’s an interested party who is interested in buying the Windsor Station and development properties,” Michel Spenard said. “It’s too early to say an agreement has been reached.”

Montreal media are reporting the downtown landmark has been sold to George Gillett, owner of the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens who play in the adjoining Bell Centre.

But Spenard played down the report, adding “we do not comment on rumours or speculation.”

Dinu Bumbaru, a spokesman for Heritage Montreal, says he’s worried about the building’s fate because negotiations are going on behind closed doors.

“It’s shrouded in mystery and we can imagine the best, and the worst,” he said.

Bumbaru, an architect, noted that at one point in the past, the historic site was even slated for demolition to make way for a parking lot.

“It’s currently protected under the federal Railway Heritage Stations Protection Act,” he said. “But the moment it’s released as a Canadian Pacific Railway property it’s no longer protected by the federal government.”

Bumbaru suggested federal Environment Minister John Baird has a role to play because he is responsible for the law which protects the structure.

Spenard assured the railway station’s “heritage aspects will be protected whenever a final deal is signed.”

Along with Windsor Station, several other pieces of Canadian Pacific real estate in the area are also up for sale, including the station’s office building, courtyard, the 15-storey Windsor Tower and an interest in the Bell Centre’s parking garage.

Canadian Press

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