T
he holiday season has arrived at Le Boulevard Shopping Centre in Saint-Léonard, but business owner Abdel Benjaafar isn't seeing a surge in sales at his shoe store, Chaussures Mirna. Despite the ongoing construction for the Metro's Blue Line extension taking up much of the parking lot, Benjaafar remains optimistic that things will improve once the project is completed. "When the Metro opens, it will probably be even better than before," he said. "Hopefully, we can survive until that moment arrives."

    The mall's owner, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), has plans to develop a major residential and commercial complex on the site. The STM has established a private subsidiary, Transgesco, which will partner with developers to build on STM land, generating revenue for the transit agency without using public funds.

    Maha Clour, head of the STM's Blue Line extension project and general manager of Transgesco, believes that the use of a private subsidiary will help insulate the agency from problems associated with public-private partnerships. "Our aim is to build transit-oriented communities," she said, adding that one proposed project could add 500 residential units near a future Metro stop.

    Some experts see potential in the STM's plans, particularly during Montreal's housing crisis. The province's urban planning association has applauded the concepts in Bill 61, which allows public transit agencies to develop their real estate holdings through partnerships with private developers. However, others argue that the STM and Transgesco should prioritize building affordable and social housing.

    Clour said that projects proposed by Transgesco will abide by the City of Montreal's bylaw regarding social and affordable housing units in new developments. The City has stated that it will ensure all projects respond to the city's housing needs. At Le Boulevard mall, retail services will be maintained regardless of what project proposals Transgesco receives in 2025.