Pricey tree-planting project sparks concerns in Plateau-Mont-Royal [Video]

A new tree-planting pilot project in Plateau-Mont-Royal is drawing criticism for eliminating parking spaces in a borough already facing limited parking, as well as for its cost.

“We know for sure that this is a clear waste of taxpayers’ money,” said Nicolas Gagnon with the Canadian Taxpayer Federation.

The landscaping project aims to create more green spaces in the neighbourhood.

At present, the borough has installed four of these planter beds directly on the street at a cost of $32,000 each, primarily along Coloniale Avenue. Each planter replaces a parking space.

CTV News asked general contractor Sandro Carbone whether the cost was reasonable.

“I put this between $16,000 and $17,000. It should not cost more than that,” he said.

He factored in labour, the price of concrete, excavation, topsoil, vegetation and taxes, and still arrived at a total roughly half of what the borough claim it spent.

Another contractor consulted …