Ensemble Montréal – Team Soraya Wants to Revive the Empress

Stephanie Valenzuela, candidate for mayor of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, held a press conference Friday morning to present her plan to bring new life to the Empress Theatre, which has been abandoned for more than 30 years. Surrounded by her team in front of the iconic building, she pledged to transform it into a space with both cultural and community purposes, while preserving and integrating as many of the existing architectural elements as possible.

A Clear Plan for the Empress

To bring this community-driven project to life, the local candidates of Ensemble Montréal – Team Soraya are focusing on building innovative partnerships with organizations. Examples such as Les 7 Doigts de la main, now housed in the former heritage building of the Cabaret Juste pour rire, and Cirque Éloize, located in the Dalhousie Station, demonstrate how this model of partnership and financing can be successful.

While it will take more than one term before the Empress’ inauguration, the team is committed to quickly laying the groundwork and initiating the work through rigorous planning and a solid financial framework. Specifically, Ensemble Montréal – Team Soraya commits to:

• Within the first 100 days of the mandate, meet with the cultural operators most likely to establish themselves within the Empress;
• Secure the façade and confirm the building meets standards according to the urban planning bylaw on vacant buildings;
• Within the first year of the mandate, select partners and finalize necessary agreements;
• Award a contract to carry out the work.

Quotes:

“Reviving the Empress is more than a renovation project. It’s an investment in the cultural and community future of our borough. Together, we will bring it back to life not only for the community, but with the community, and make up for the poor choices of past years.” – Stephanie Valenzuela, candidate for mayor of Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce for Ensemble Montréal – Team Soraya.

“While Projet Montréal leaves performance venues like La Tulipe closed, Ensemble Montréal is committed to opening new ones. The creative community of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce deserves to have a home to express their artistic spirit. We are brimming with talent; it’s time to recognize it for its true worth.” – Alexandre Teodoresco, candidate for City Councillor in the Loyola district for Ensemble Montréal – Team Soraya.

“We can no longer afford to let a place with so much potential deteriorate. After years of listening to the community, we are ready and determined to act quickly and invest to restore the Empress to the glory it deserves.” – Peter Shatilla, candidate for City Councillor in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district for Ensemble Montréal – Team Soraya.