Busy springtime in Old Deschênes

This spring should be a lively period in Old Deschênes. If all goes as planned, two important construction projects will be started.

The first project is the long awaited 30-unit low-cost housing project on Deschênes Street, between Saint-Médard and Arthur-Whelan Streets. The Office d’habitations de l’Outaouais (OHO) received four proposals from builders during their call for tender. The lowest bid came in at $6.7 million, while the highest reached almost $7.8 million.

With Gatineau’s housing market almost at full capacity, with a vacancy rate of just over 1% and a high demand for low-cost housing, this long-awaited project will fill an important void. The project should house 90 residents, increasing the number of consumers in the Old Deschênes community.

The second housing project on Martel Street will not house as many residents, but will still bring in new residents to the blooming community. This project will see two new triplexes built at 20-22 Martel Street, a stone’s throw from the Ottawa River. Council is scheduled to approve minor variances at the end of January for these six units, providing the green light for construction.

Once these two projects are completed and fully housed, Old Deschênes’ population will have increased by about 100 residents. This is welcomed news for the Old Deschênes business community.