The Lighthouse delayed by two years because of the tramway, more than 70 workers lose their jobs

The City of Quebec wants to completely review the tramway interchange on Laurier, which forces Groupe Dallaire to put the project Le Phare on ice until 2021. Due to this delay, the promoter is forced to thank more than 70 workers, learned The newspaper.

"The City wants to rethink the entire exchange hub. She commissioned an external firm. The Structuring Network Project Office believes that what has been done in recent years may not be optimal for the different connections, "says an interview with Newspaper Dallaire Group President and Chief Executive Officer Michel Dallaire.

The latter does not hide that this decision has a heavy impact on his organization. He hopes to have the conclusion of the analysis of the firm in late 2020 or even 2021. However, it would not matter to move the hub to another site on the Boulevard Laurier, but to rethink plans and design.

"I must admit that they are not wrong. If they are not sure of the solution, that's what we have to do, because we have no room for error, "says Dallaire, adding that this decision still results in the loss of 71 jobs. "Since the foundations will change, I can not advance my plans," he says.

Eight weeks

The dismissed employees learned the bad news on Thursday morning. They were working on the development of the Le Phare complex, which will consist of four towers, ranging from 17 to 65 storeys. The notices of collective dismissal were sent to the Ministry of Labor.

The cuts affect Groupe Dallaire and two of its subsidiaries, Dalcon and Alpha Architecture. Employees will remain in office for the next eight weeks. An assistance program to assist them in their efforts to find a new job has been put in place.

"It's a very difficult time, but I can not keep people from doing nothing for more than a year and a half. It keeps me awake for several nights. We had hired people for Le Phare. We now have to build, "says Newspaper the businessman, who has multiplied the exchanges with the City.

"Today, we can say that it is certain that the project will not start until 2021. We will continue to bear the expenses and taxes for the field," he adds.

Mall

Groupe Dallaire, which has 647 workers, estimates that the impact of this delay will also be felt on the rental of commercial space in Le Phare. Management says it had letters of intent signed with tenants. Without a plan for the hub, it is no longer able to divide its shopping arcade.

Since the changes will not affect the appearance of the complex, the developer will not be forced to redo the entire process to obtain approval of the project, particularly with the Planning Commission.

In addition, the distribution of costs for the hub and the layout of the surrounding streets is still not resolved.

Last spring, Mr. Dallaire was hopeful that he could do the groundbreaking in late summer or early fall.

While waiting to be able to start Le Phare, Groupe Dallaire wishes to continue its other residential projects in the greater Quebec City area, among others, in Beauport where there are 900 doors to build and Charny, a project of 8,000 units. The company will also develop the Chauveau Innovation Area.

The proponent also wants to clean the site of the Lighthouse next spring pending the start of work.