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Posts Tagged ‘Griffintown’

In downtown Montreal, there is a neighborhood called Griffintown. The area was heavily populated from the 1820’s through the 1960’s. Irish immigrants began coming to this area of Montreal during the great Potato Famine, fleeing Ireland in an attempt at a great life. It is still a heavily Irish population today, however over the years the neighborhood has fallen into disrepair. Independent film maker, Michel Regnier made a documentary on Griffintown in 1972. And in 2003, another filmmaker by the name of William Street, made the movie, Ghosts of Griffintown . The Griffintown Project was created by Lisa Gasior, in an attempt to get the interest of the public focused on a revitalization project for this neighborhood. At one time, there were many beautiful buildings, offices, shops and beautiful options for rental space . And now, this project has become a ten figure renovation project to bring the life back into the neglected neighborhood. This is starting with the redesign of the natural landscape, of the parks along the Lachine Canal, and of the football and soccer fields, and the gardens. The city planners are also taking note of the infrastructure, aspects of the neighborhood such as drainage issues and the condition of the roads are being addressed. They are also including a section of the project which will result in the construction of many more options for mixed residential living options . Most neighborhoods in need of revitalization, find that it comes naturally when the artists come to town. Artists move in because of the cheap living expenses and within a few years, everyone wants to live there. In the case of Griffintown , the planners are forcing this situation by building specifically, artist loft and studio spaces, as well as creating spaces designed to be galleries. With this kind of foresight,Griffintown has a chance now, of rising from the ashes and of becoming a brand new neighborhood.