March 9, 2010 Letters

Fighting for Mackay

by Peter Fogl

Congratulations on an excellent piece regarding the “greening” of Mackay. It was refreshing to read that the issue of closing down Mackay Street to create a downtown green space and campus for my alma mater, Concordia, has again been addressed.

My family has owned the former Second Cup building on the corner of Mackay Street and de Maisonneuve Boulevard for 60 years. I am a proud graduate of Concordia, formerly Loyola College (B.Comm. ‘76), and the debate about closing off Mackay has been going on for 30 years without any resolution.

Last summer, I got excited when I was informed that Mackay Street would be “somewhat” closed off in some convoluted way, though some traffic would still be able to pass. “Better than nothing” was my attitude. Apparently Mr. Robert Landau, owner of his world-famous art gallery on Sherbrooke Street, took offence to the idea because his clients “wouldn’t be able to park” and the test closing of Mackay for the summer was scrapped.

Here’s a solution to Mr. Landau’s ridiculous concern. I’ll personally valet park every one of his three clients daily in order to close off Mackay from below the fire lane to Ste-Catherine Street, and offer Concordia students a potential green space, free of double parked Mercedes SUVs, and a place to meet your friends and eat your lunch outside!

I believe we are the only non Concordia-owned property on Mackay below Sherbrooke on the west side. We want Mackay Street closed!

When do I get to offer my opinion regarding the closure of Mackay? Apparently, Mr. Landau, with his gallery in a different postal code on Sherbrooke, carries much more weight.
Close down Mackay Street if you truly want a “Quartier Concordia!”

—Peter Fogl,
Commerce Alumnus 1976