Old Port to get face lift for Montreal's 375th birthday

Montreal is seeking to refurbish the Old Port ahead of the city's 375th anniversary next year, and is turning to the public for ideas.

Several hundred people gathered at the Montreal Science Centre on Thursday night inthe first in a series of public consultations.

• Place Jacques-Cartier gets $5M makeover

• Montreal to spend $35M to make St-Paul St. more pedestrian-friendly

Among the ideas that were floated was a plan to turn the old Silo No.5into an urban farm, and special water treatment units to allow swimming in the river.

City planners willreview the ideas and reveal a strategy for the Old Port in the fall.

Mayor Denis Coderre wants a master plan finalized by 2017. He has already announceda $5 million project to upgradePlace Jacques Cartier.

An estimated six million people visit the Old Port every year, making it one of the most popular tourist sites in Quebec.