longtime montreal chef pablo rojas says perpetual construction runs the risk of sapping the life out of the downtown bar and dining scene.
since teaming up with partners to revamp and reopen the former dominion square tavern last year, rojas has become intimately acquainted with construction-induced headaches — probably more so than he would ever have wanted. a new condo tower going up on mansfield st., west of his bar, has already delivered its share of unwanted noise and vibration.
last monday, the city suddenly blocked the sidewalk on metcalfe st., directly south of rojas’s bar dominion . metcalfe was already off-limits for vehicles because of major roadwork underway on nearby ste-catherine st.
advertisement
advertisement
yesterday, the borough of @centrevillemtl had the contractor build a crossing in front of bar dominion between the west and east sidewalks for evenings and weekends. it has always been accessible via st. catherine street and it is now also accessible via rene-levesque. pic.twitter.com/haidix4hpw
— serge sasseville (il/lui-he/him) (@sergesasseville) march 9, 2024
advertisement
when fissures in the concrete were detected, “ we decided, and the city decided, it would be a good thing until further evaluations are done on the diamond precast things to close up the street to make sure that nothing happens,” tsatas added. “unfortunately, given the egress of the sidewalk, it’s very challenging to get in and out, especially for dominion. it’s not perfect. the building at the back and the city roadwork at the front are the bread, and we’re the ham and cheese in the middle.”
none of this will appease rojas, who said city officials have shown a general lack of consideration for merchants when carrying out roadwork downtown — despite assurances by mayor valérie plante herself businesses would be able to function normally even amid the construction.
advertisement