Dozens of decommissioned advertising columns continue to line the streets of central Montreal, prompting complaints from Tourisme Montréal and local merchants who describe the fixtures as an unsightly reminder of a halted program. The columns, removed from active use nearly two years ago, remain in place across several central neighbourhoods, where they stand empty and unattended.
The city’s effort to dismantle street advertising pillars began about two years prior, with the intention of clearing the public realm of the metal structures that once displayed commercial messages. While many of the pillars were successfully taken down, a significant number were left behind, now standing idle. Tourisme Montréal notes that the lingering columns detract from the visual appeal of the city’s core areas, a concern echoed by merchants who rely on a pleasant streetscape to attract customers.
Local business owners have voiced frustration that the abandoned fixtures have not been removed or repurposed, adding to the clutter that they say hampers the aesthetic quality of the streets. The presence of these unused columns is described as a negative visual impact, undermining recent efforts to improve the urban environment.
City officials have not provided a timetable for the removal of the remaining structures, and no public statements have detailed plans for their disposal or relocation. In the meantime, the columns remain a visible reminder that the decommissioning process is incomplete. Residents and visitors alike encounter the empty pillars as they navigate the downtown area, where the expectation of a clean, modern streetscape has yet to be fully realized.
The situation underscores a gap between the city’s initial removal initiative and the follow‑up actions required to fully clear the streets. As the months pass, the abandoned columns continue to stand as a point of contention among those who work, live, and travel through Montreal’s central districts.