The Montreal Development Corporation is bringing the spark back to the neighbourhood of Little Burgundy by introducing the Little Burgundy Urban Renewal Project. The initiative aims to modernize the area to reimagine and improve the culture and livelihood by sprucing up the city for the residents and new-comers to fully enjoy. The project will commence on June 2nd with phase one in St. Martin’s block.

The Montreal Development Corporation is committed to providing new infrastructures, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, luxury housing and more while preserving the culture of Little Burgundy. As residents have been voicing their concerns over the potential loss of the culture, the corporation has decided to launch the Balanced Growth Initiative to keep everyone involved. This initiative aims to provide complete transparency throughout the project with the residents, local advocacy groups, and stakeholders. With meetings being held throughout the duration of the project, this keeps these individuals up to date with the work to come, as well as give their feedback and ideas to truly feel a part of the initiative. 

Furthering the idea of transparency, blog content will take place to provide full information. These posts will include key figures of the project, such as head leader of the project, Joanne Johnson, mayor Jean Drapeau, as well as leaders of the local advocacy group, and local Montreal historians and cultural experts who will also provide their input throughout the project. A compilation of 7 posts will be created throughout the project;

1. May 2, 2025, 12:00 PM: “Get Ready for a new City” – a post dedicated to explaining the outline and visions of the urban renewal project, allowing allotted time for residents and others to be informed and follow up with the project managers as needed.
2. June 2, 2025, 12:00 PM: “Little Burgundy’s New Start” – posted on the day of the project’s launch, creating excitement for the residents.
3. July 2, 2025, 12:00 PM: “The Renewal We Needed” – includes an interview with the head project leader, Joanne Johnson, providing the residents with her insight as to why this project will be a success and its importance to the city, as well as the initiatives their taking to keep each resident content.
4. August 2, 2025, 12:00 PM: “Keeping the Love of Little Burgundy” – includes an interview with the local advocacy group leaders; at this point, meetings will have taken place for the Balanced Growth Initiative, meaning residents and groups will have gotten a look into the project and the procedures taking place. The group leaders can speak on their thoughts regarding the project and why residents can feel confident in their soon to be new homes.
5. September 2, 2025, 12:00 PM: “A Day on the Job” – a behind the scenes look at the project from the workers’ perspectives to showcase the improvement of the project.
6. October 2, 2025, 12:00 PM: “Jean and His City” – includes an interview with mayor Jean Drapeau who can talk about his life in Little Burgundy and his thoughts on the project, including why he believes, as a long term resident of the neighbourhood, that this project is very beneficial.
7. November 2, 2025, 12:00 PM: “Protecting the Light of Little Burgundy” – includes an interview with local Montreal historians and cultural experts who have seen the efforts the corporation is taking to preserve cultural landmarks and the overall culture of Little Burgundy. 

These posts can be found on our website, www.LittleBurgundyRenewal.com, along with other information about the project’s initiatives. Monthly posts will be made to fully and properly encapsulate the work and improvement of the project.

To ensure our posts are being seen by the residents, comments will be enabled on each post. This allows for immediate response and conversation. On the website page, a comment box will be left for anyone to anonymously comment on the project, provide feedback and gain information. These comments will be monitored by one individual to ensure each comment is read and responded to. Readers can also sign up for the corporation’s email to receive updates and surveys at their own judgement. Polls and surveys can be introduced at the monthly Balanced Growth Initiative meetings to decipher whether the blog posts are effective, as well as an open conversation or Q&A session can be held during these meetings to gain feedback on the audience’s topic ideas, what they like or dislike, etc, and adjust as needed. 

These blog posts can be effective as this allows for complete transparency and open-ended engagement. With the concerns of residents, they will be able to access a first-hand look into the project as they will be constantly updated. Giving the residents the ability to give feedback, comment on the project, and supply possible ideas can provide them with a sense of security. As the corporation is committed to complete transparency and stakeholder engagement, this can prove to each individual that they are being deeply considered when it comes to taking the next steps in the project.