This publication explores the dream, the required budget, the social benefits, and the call to action for urban life enthusiasts.

The Friends of the Sainte-Marie Current Want to Inspire Montrealers

In Montreal’s dense urban landscape, the call for nature in the city and the rediscovery of hidden waterways is gaining significant momentum.

At the core of this trend is the bold initiative by the organization Les AmiEs du courant Sainte-Marie, which seeks to rehabilitate the Sainte-Marie Current, an underground waterway that played a crucial role in the metropolis's history.

An Urban, Ecological, and Social Challenge

The project is not just about unearthing water.

 It is an urban development strategy that addresses climate resilience and quality of life.

 If reopened, the Current would become a major new green space, acting as a natural sponge against heat islands and flooding.

• Potential Attendance Statistics: Drawing inspiration from similar urban waterfront revitalization projects (such as the High Line in New York or the Bièvre riverbanks in Paris),

it is estimated that this new corridor could attract over 500,000 annual visitors (residents and tourists combined) once fully established.

This would represent a significant increase in pedestrian and cycling activity in the affected neighborhoods, notably Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

•  Impact on the Industrial Sector: Transforming adjacent industrial brownfields into civic and recreational spaces would increase the value of riparian land and attract new types of businesses focused on sustainable development and urban tourism.

   

Economic Impact and Budget Allocation

A project of this magnitude requires a substantial investment.

Although figures vary depending on the final scope of the route, preliminary studies suggest an initial budget of approximately $20 to $30 million for the first phase of demolition, excavation, and landscaping.

• Generating Economic Benefits: The long-term economic impact is promising. The improved attractiveness of the neighborhoods could lead to a 5 to 10% increase in real estate values immediately adjacent to the Current.

   Furthermore, the generated activity (cafés, small businesses, recreational services) is estimated to create over 150 permanent local jobs.

• Funding: The project aims for a mixed funding structure, combining municipal, provincial, and federal grants dedicated to green infrastructure, as well as a significant component of private funding and patronage.

  
  

Social Impact: More Than a Canal, a Community

The social aspect is central to the Friends’ approach.

Creating such a space addresses a critical need for accessible nature in neighborhoods often underserved by parks.

• Health and Well-being: Studies show that access to blue and green spaces directly contributes to stress reduction and improved mental health.

The Current would become a prime location for physical exercise, environmental education, and community gatherings.

• Social Cohesion: The project is a powerful driver of cohesion. It is the result of a citizen mobilization that unites residents, urban planners, biologists, and historians around a common vision for their city. It fosters a sense of belonging and pride.

The dream of the Friends of the Sainte-Marie Current is a gamble on the future, a demonstration that ecological urbanism can go hand-in-hand with intelligent economic development and profound social impact. It is an opportunity to reinvent a sector of Montreal by reconnecting with its natural roots.

 Call to Action: Your Vision for Montreal

This project proves that the best urban ideas often stem from citizen passion.

To you, urban life enthusiasts, aspiring city planners, or simply Montreal lovers:

We invite you to send us your own ways to improve Montreal!

Whether it’s an innovative transit concept, a new type of urban park, or a solution to improve river access, we want to hear your wildest and most practical ideas.

To learn more: Visit the website of the association

Les Ami·es du Courant Sainte-Marie | Effervescence citoyenne