The same collaborative approach is also driving the development of Le Lopin, a project being realized on a property belonging to Simplex Tool Rental. "We identified an underused space," explained Mme Veilleux. "When we met with co-owner Célestine Véronneau, we realized she shared the same vision. We had common values, and she wanted to improve workers' quality of life while making a socially responsible contribution. The FSM acted as an accelerator."

Inspired by the sector's market gardening heritage and its strong connection to the agri-food industry, Le Lopin will introduce a productive green space designed to benefit workers and visitors alike while showcasing sustainable design and material reuse. It will include street furniture built in part from "reclaimed scaffolding legs and items from our tool inventory, giving them a second life," said Marc-André Saucier, Director of Property Management at Simplex.

Turning Ideas into Action

Projects such as Ruelle L'Oasis and Le Lopin demonstrate the value of collaboration between private and public stakeholders. By identifying opportunities, mobilizing partners and aligning investments, the SDC District Central helps move projects from concept to reality.

After extensive consultation and planning, these initiatives, along with several others currently underway, were incorporated into the Signature Intervention Plan launched by the SDC in 2023, providing a framework for long-term transformation across the territory. The organization convinced private partners to invest in the projects, then secured financial support from the FSM, obtaining $1 million over three years.

Subsequently, other companies joined the initiative. For example, lnnotex, a manufacturer of protective clothing and equipment located at 333 Chabanel Street, became a partner in the Ruelle L'Oasis project.