Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Saint-Charles Street redevelopment project

Located in a sought-after area known for its views of the St. Lawrence River and the Montréal skyline, Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Brossard has experienced significant residential densification in recent years. This transformation has created a strong need for green spaces, gathering areas, and improvements that support mobility, safety, and user comfort, in a neighbourhood characterized by an aging population and traffic-related challenges. 

Commissioned by the City of Brossard, we developed a comprehensive vision to link Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Saint-Charles Street in a cohesive and integrated corridor. The project proposes the unification of public spaces into a major structuring corridor, organized around three complementary functions: an active promenade along the boulevard, a neighbourhood park dedicated to relaxation and recreational uses, and a waterfront park focused on contemplation and showcasing the river landscape. 

The concept aligns with the aspirations and ideas of the local community, and was developed through an inclusive, four-part engagement process. This included an online survey, workshops with residents, a design workshop with the City and public-sector partners in transit and health, and an open house to present the selected design concept. 

Saint-Laurent Boulevard will be transformed into a unified green corridor incorporating generous landscaped medians to enhance safety and improve the user experience. Residents will benefit from wider sidewalks, more frequent crossings, a dedicated bike lane, and small public plazas organized around bus shelters and highlighting access points to parks. The removal of two traffic lanes, along with the addition of raised crossings and intersections, will help reduce vehicle speeds and further improve safety for vulnerable active users. 

Parc Saint-François, will be designed to support both relaxation and play, fostering intergenerational use. With a calm and intimate character, the park will include rain gardens and stormwater management features, seating areas, playful public art installations, a covered multi-purpose space, and an ornamental fountain. A diverse selection of shrubs with contrasting colours and evolving seasonal blooms will create rich and varied atmospheres throughout the year. 

The new waterfront park will take the form of a pedestrian promenade encouraging interaction with the water, strolling, and discovery of exceptional viewpoints toward the river, the Samuel De Champlain Bridge, and the Montréal skyline and Mount Royal. The promenade will include rest areas and be lined with trees and gardens featuring a diversity of species. The shoreline will be extensively renaturalized and greened using native and site-adapted plant species. 

Overall, the project delivers a cohesive, inclusive, and high-quality transformation of a key area of the city.