A market in Mile-End?
Idea:
Let’s have a weekly market in Mile-End. Let’s close down a street for a day so we can stand and play and walk and skate and do other things where we aren’t usually allowed to. Let’s get farmers to bring in their organic produce. Let’s ask the artists and artisans in the neighbourhood to come out of their studios and sell or show us stuff. Let’s ask some musicians to play music in the street. Let’s ask people to mill about and be neighbourly.
Let’s do something a little bit like this, but every week!
Where:
St-Viateur Est … the eastside! Why this side? Well, many reasons, I guess. This side is the side that needs loving, and is slated for revitalization. What better way to revitalize a space than to bring a whole bunch of people into it to share, hang-out and otherwise enjoy it?
As well, if we don’t occupy the part of Mile-End east of St-Laurent (often referred to as Sector St-Viateur Est) others will come in and do so … in ways that might disappoint us. That’s what often happens with revitalizations.
Because the space still has so much potential, it is essential that we make sure its future will bear the spirit and values of those who live in Mile-End. In other words, now is our chance to make this Sector what we’d love it to be.
It’s an empty canvas. A blank page. So let’s start creating our vision!
…some might argue that the more obvious choice would be St-Viateur Ouest. After all, that is our true Main Street in Mile-End. But I think there are some real disadvantages in trying to set up a weekly market on the west side of St-Laurent.
1. It would be infinitely more complicated. For example, on the east side we’d like to shut down St-Viateur Est for the day and turn it into a pedestrian zone full of art, good food and hopefully music.
Could that happen on the west side? I’m not sure. Business owners always seem to worry that closing down a street is bad for business (which study after study will show is NOT actually the case).
Closing St-Viateur Ouest would be tricky. So what, we put it in a school yard, maybe École Lambert-Closse? Sure, not bad … but then it’s even more hidden away, and we aren’t occupying the street … which is half the fun!
2. St-Viateur Ouest already has “stuff”. Lots of it.
There are already markets there. It is already functional. It is a zone that “works”, even if there are obvious traffic issues.
You have just about everything you need on St-Viateur Ouest, or at least it’s close by. This is not the case for the east side of St-Viateur. And, for those who live on the east side, who have their studios there, or do their yoga there (Naada), or who love the wild, countryside wilderness they can find at the end of St-Viateur Est … for all of these people, it would be nice to have some services east of St-Laurent.
(And, I should add that there are MANY people who are actively using the Sector St-Viateur Est. We’re not talking about 20 people here.)
Besides, again with the complicated part, how would Bioterre, Latina and other merchants selling food and/or crafts feel about us shutting down the street to sell veggies? I’m not sure. Maybe they would think it’s great…
Still seems easier on the east side.
3. The space just isn’t as magical. You might not believe me on this one, but I think for those who have spent time on the east side of St-Viateur it becomes apparent that the mix of industrial and residential, the spaces that exist there, the relative silence, the glimpses of horizon, and much more … all of these things somehow add up to the space just feeling great.
St-Viateur Ouest is fine and all. I love it … but in terms of standing out, in terms of putting a market in an unforgettable space, I would have to side with the east (I know many will disagree with me).
And, maybe a final point that could fall in this category … St-Viateur Ouest has so much traffic. Not only would that complicate an application for closing a road, but it would mean that even if we succeeded in closing the road, we would constantly have to be vigilant about cars at the cross streets.
St-Viateur Est is calmer, and so taking back the street would be easier. There is just more space for taking up room on that side.
When:
I don’t know. Saturday or Sunday? What do you think?
From when its nice until when its not nice anymore! … once a week.
I think that sounds like a good plan.
…Anyway, just thinking out loud. If you have any ideas, suggestions or otherwise please let us know!
