Wilderton shopping centre

By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

Anybody who has looked at the redevelopment of the Wilderton shopping centre into a mixed-use residential commercial development can’t help but notice the dramatic transformation, but also the lingering empty lot on the eastern edge of the property.

Originally slated for some 20 social housing units, the developer of the property owned by First Capital dropped the plan to build and opted instead to pay $420,000 into the city’s housing fund.

At July council, Darlington councillor Stephanie Valenzuela asked what the plan was. “I would like to have a follow-up on what is happening now with the lot.” Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa steered the question to borough director Stéphane Plante, who replied that “the promoter decided to pay the sums rather than go with a lot because the financial package was too difficult. I’m telling you this with all reservations, because I have to check, but the last information we had was for this purpose.”

That entire project was approved in 2016 and was supposed to be three phases: a seniors’ residence; a commercial and residential development; and a phase of social housing. A nearby plot of land was donated to the city, but the social housing on-site was nixed. “My assumption is that they never found a proper organization to take control of the project,” says Valenzuela, adding “they were likely also counting on funds from the province which never came and opted instead to just pay into the fund.”

The borough finally did confirm that the developer made a financial contribution “as it was unable to carry out a social housing project on the site due to a lack of funding from the provincial government.” The borough did not say what the plans were for the site. First Capital did not respond to requests for comment before press time.

As of year-end 2023, there was more than $15 million in the city’s social housing fund comprised of contributions from builders who opt out of Montreal’s mixed metropolis bylaw adopted three years ago. Earlier this year the city announced that it was easing up on its vaunted 20-20-20 rule, which obliges developers to include social, affordable and family housing in their projects. The city instituted some temporary changes to the rules, including boosting compensation to developers for land transfers to the city for such purposes, and payments into the fund in lieu of building will be frozen for two years. Also, smaller projects — 20 households or less — are exempt from the contribution and affordable housing obligation. n