Five-year police lease extension

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously approved an orientation in favour of a fifth lease term for the SPVM’s Police Station 15. The proposed change is a five-year extension of the City’s lease from Aquakern inc. for office space at 1625, rue de l’Église, in Verdun. City staff say the goal is to keep the station operating in the area. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.

  • The proposed term runs from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2031, for 7,448 square feet.
  • The rent is stated as $1,275,937 including taxes; the decision summary gives the total as $1,275,937.36.
  • The space includes 21 parking spaces at no charge. Aquakern must replace all lighting with LED fixtures at its own expense.

What it means for you#

  • People served by Police Station 15: City staff say the lease is needed for the station to keep operating in the area. This decision alone does not make the extension final; the agglomeration council must decide later.
  • Agglomeration taxpayers: The agglomeration would bear 100% of the rent because the SPVM reports to it. The lease would be charged to the operating budget of the City’s Service de la stratégie immobilière et de l’habitation.
  • Other residents and businesses: The decision does not directly change residents’ rights, police powers, or business rules.

Money#

The proposed five-year rent is $1,275,937.36 including taxes; the decision’s title rounds this to $1,275,937.

  • The rent after the listed tax rebates would be $1,165,100.88.
  • The proposed base rent rises from $15 to $17 per square foot, about 13%. City staff say the new base rent reflects market rates for this type of building and area.
  • The lease was negotiated directly with Aquakern; the materials do not describe a call for tenders.

What is unclear#

  • The materials do not show the agglomeration council’s final decision.
  • They do not give comparisons with other sites or explain how the claimed market rates were assessed.

Case for#

  • City staff say renewing the lease is necessary for Police Station 15 to continue its work in the area.
  • The proposed rent includes the existing 21 parking spaces at no charge, and Aquakern would pay to replace the lighting with LED fixtures.
  • City staff say the proposed base rent matches market rates for the area and type of building.

Case against#

  • The base rent would increase by about 13%, and the materials do not provide comparisons with other available sites.
  • The lease was negotiated directly, rather than through a call for tenders, so the materials do not show competing bids or prices.