Traveler Island | Montreal wants 700 homes to replace old bus station

Valérie Plante announced Friday that the city will soon put out a call for developers interested in building the site, which doesn't seem like much right now.

Interested parties must submit their development vision, including the number of affordable and social housing units they intend to add. In return, the selling price represents “a fraction” of its market value.

“Our vision is very clear: maximum social and affordable housing,” the mayor said. He said he hopes to see “more than 700 units” come off the ground when construction begins “from the summer of 2025.”

Existing buildings will be demolished. The new building will likely have the same height as Place Dupuis, which is 23 stories above ground, plant management has indicated.

The City of Montreal bought the former bus station from the Quebec government in 2018 for 18 million. It is the southern part of the Voyager block, the northern part of which has been converted into an apartment building. A portion to the east has been sold to a developer and is still awaiting development.

The land was at the center of a scandal about fifteen years ago after the failure of a real estate development project initiated by UQAM. Cost to public exchequer: 300 million.