The Empress Theatre in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) has been sitting vacant for more than 30 years. Now, two municipal parties are offering competing plans for the historic site. Ensemble Montreal says it’s time to finally bring the building back to life. The party wants to transform the theatre into a cultural community venue through public and private partnerships. Stephanie Valenzuela, running for Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough mayor with Ensemble Montreal, said if elected, her team will, within the first 100 days, start working with cultural promoters, secure the exterior of the building, and award a contract so work can get started. The party says it does not want to delay the project any longer. “It is extremely clear that we have to move forward with this theater. We have to save it. This neighborhood holds a deep affection for this landmark. We cannot abandon it. For the last 20 years, the cultural community sector of NDG has been fighting to advance on this specific project and to save it and preserve it,” Valenzuela said. But Projet Montreal, the current administration, said it is easier said than done. The party has been working on a financial plan for the site over the past few years, which includes affordable housing units inside the building as well as a cultural space on the lower level. Borough mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa said the city’s housing agency is analyzing the foundation. When reporters asked Ensemble Montreal if their plan will include housing, they said yes but did not provide details. Projet Montreal said it is concerned that a vision without affordable housing would be a step back for the community. “So I don’t understand when they share a plan with no housing in it. Concretely, how are you going to finance it just because you use the hashtag public-private partnership? It doesn’t make sense, you know,” Kasoki Katahwa said. She promised that if elected, shovels will be in the ground within the next four years.
