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Montreal began the process of trying to solve its empty storefront problem Tuesday night with a 75-minute public consultation at city hall that was heavy on numbers and light on immediate solutions.

Vacancy rates in Montreal retail hover around the 15 per cent mark, virtually unchanged from five years ago and more than double acceptable levels, said Maha Berechid, an economic development adviser for the city. On thoroughfares such as St-Denis St. or Ste-Catherine St. E., 26 per cent of storefronts sit empty.

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“It’s clear the numbers are high,” Berechid said during her presentation.

Vacancy rates of 4 per cent to 7 per cent are what would normally be considered acceptable, city data show.

Berechid shared results of a shop-owner poll that identified such problems as high taxes, recurring roadwork, property speculation and “passive” or “inactive” landlords who let buildings deteriorate. Vacancies in Montreal tend to last an average of 19 months, the poll concluded. More than 250 shop owners took part.