City lends land for school site

Summary#

Montréal city council adopted a decision to lend the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM) a city-owned lot rent-free for a temporary construction site. City staff say the loan is meant to support construction of a primary school in the Paré-Buchan Triangle.

  • The loan covers 415.2 square metres south of rue Paré and north of rue Buchan, in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough.
  • It runs for two years and 15 days starting August 17, 2026. No further extension is allowed unless the City and CSSDM agree.
  • The CSSDM must fence the loaned area under the agreement. City staff say it must also cover operating costs and property taxes, if any.

What it means for you#

  • CSSDM: It may use the lot for construction trailers and workers’ vehicle parking while the primary school is being built. It must fence the area and pay the costs assigned to it under the agreement.
  • Nearby residents and the public: The lot is temporarily used for the construction site. City staff say it is intended for a public pedestrian passageway later; the decision does not set out when that would happen.
  • Property ownership: The decision lends use of the lot; it does not transfer ownership.

Money#

The stated value of the free use is $203,230.53, plus applicable taxes; the materials give no estimate of the City’s net cost.

  • City staff calculate the value for the full 24 months and 15 days using a rental rate of $22.28 per square foot.
  • The CSSDM is responsible for operating costs and property taxes, if any; staff also identify snow removal as a CSSDM responsibility.

What is unclear#

  • The agreement’s full terms are not included, so the exact division of operating costs beyond the items identified by staff is not available.
  • The decision allows an extension only by agreement between the parties; it does not say what conditions would govern one.
  • City staff say the lot is intended for a future public pedestrian passageway, but the timing and steps for making that happen are not stated.

Case for#

  • The loan gives the CSSDM space near the school construction site for trailers and workers’ vehicles.
  • City staff say the City does not need the lot immediately, and the borough prefers this use over further obstructing public space.
  • Staff say the CSSDM will pay operating costs and property taxes, if any. They also describe the arrangement as a one-time case, linked to the CSSDM’s cleanup of the land the City provided for the school.

Case against#

  • The City gives up use of land intended for a future public pedestrian passageway for more than two years, and the decision does not set a date for that public use.
  • The decision assigns a value of $203,230.53, plus applicable taxes, to the free loan. The materials do not explain the City’s overall financial impact or the tax treatment in detail.