A visit to the Excelsior apartment buildings

The Excelsior, located at 5775 Cavendish Boulevard right next door to our City Hall/Library facility, is perhaps one of the most attractive rental highrise buildings in our community. Opened about a decade old, there are 185 units here spread about two wings.  There is an attractive lobby, complete with a 24 hour doorman, a party room, an outside deck for entertaining and barbequing and a workout room.

I was happy to visit on October 2 and meet with a number of residents  who accepted my offer to discuss some of the issues on their minds. A big thanks to Lucille Rechil, the property manager, for staying late to welcome me and providing refreshments. Lucille was given high marks from the residents for her excellent work.

Here I am with some of the residents.

Those who attended had a lot to say about traffic, turning around on Cavendish to head back out of the community. Right now they must either go straight towards Mackle and Cavendish and find a way to turn around, go into the City Hall parking lot and turn back around or try and get in the far left lane and turn on to the Avenue at Quartier Cavendish. Some asked for U-turn to be implemented or to go through the City Hall lot and for the boulders blocking cars from going through Sir Walter Scott to be removed. These requests will be looked at by our Traffic Committee.

Shirley and Reuben Spector, Lucille Rechil, myself and Connie Gail Saloman.

I made a point, backed up by my campaign manager Reuben Spector, that we have made a lot of progress over the last number of years in terms of managing traffic on Cavendish. Our lights have been synchronized, double left turns were implemented on Kildare turning on to Cavendish and at Cavendish and Fleet.  We maintained a crossing guard at Kildare and Cavendish. Indeed,  we continue to listen to concerns of pedestrians and drivers.

Will Cavendish Boulevard be extended? We know that a new special project bureau has been established so for that at least we are hopeful.

One lady said that she lived in St. Laurent for 53 years, came here six years ago and could not be more impressed with how our city is run. Another, who resided in Hampstead for over 40 years, echoed the same sentiments.