City to buy land for new park

Summary#

Montréal city council adopted a decision approving a promise for the City to buy an approximately 400-square-metre vacant site beside 12265–12295 boulevard Rolland in Montréal-Nord from Claudio and Giorgio Masciotra and Michelina Fiorda, including Les immeubles C.G.A. s.e.n.c. The stated goal is to use the land for a local park.

  • The price is $500,000, plus applicable taxes. The purchase is subject to the promise’s conditions; the City will add the land to the public domain as a local park only after the deed of sale is signed and registered.
  • The City may withdraw if soil testing finds contamination above the standards for local-park use.
  • The promise also requires the sellers to accept an initial park plan, the City to confirm in writing that the sale will not make the sellers’ remaining property non-compliant, and completion of the required cadastral operation (a land-survey and registration step).
  • The City is buying the site without a guarantee about its condition or soil quality; it accepts those risks, except for the sellers’ guarantee of ownership.

What it means for you#

  • Montréal-Nord residents: The purchase is intended to create a local park. The decision does not approve a finished park design or set a construction schedule.
  • Taxpayers: The City centre pays the acquisition cost. The decision does not set out construction costs for the future park.
  • The City: It has 180 days after signing the promise to complete due diligence, including title and environmental soil studies. The promise remains valid until December 31, 2027.

Money#

The purchase price is $500,000, plus applicable taxes; the city staff summary identifies $524,937.50 net of tax rebates as the amount to be financed.

  • The expense is to be funded under existing borrowing bylaw 19-005 and is budgeted in the City’s 2026–2035 capital program.
  • The City centre bears 100% of the cost. No separate estimate is given for future park construction.

What is unclear#

  • The decision does not give the park’s final design, construction budget, or opening date.
  • The sale depends on the listed conditions being met. The materials do not say what would happen if the sellers do not accept the initial park plan or if the City cannot confirm the remaining property will comply.
  • The City accepts soil risks, but the materials do not estimate possible cleanup costs if contamination is found and the City proceeds with the purchase.

Case for#

  • City staff say the site would add public space in a sector they describe as lacking such spaces.
  • Staff say the $500,000 price matches both the seller’s asking price and the City’s estimate of market value.
  • The soil-testing condition gives the City a right to withdraw if contamination exceeds the standards for local-park use.

Case against#

  • The City would accept the property without a guarantee about soil condition and could face costs or limits if contamination is found and it proceeds.
  • The purchase price is only part of the potential public cost; the materials give no estimate for designing or building the park.
  • The decision does not describe other sites or options considered.