Some merchants and residents in downtown Montreal are angry with plans to turn a section of Mackay Street into a pedestrian mall.

The City of Montreal has approved a project pitched by Concordia University called the "Greening of Mackay," which would see the street transformed into a summer park with an outdoor music venue between De Maisonneuve and Sherbrooke streets from early May to early October.

About 40 parking spots would be eliminated during that period.

The plan — which Concordia officials said has been in the works for decades — injects much-needed green space in downtown Montreal.

But some merchants, such as Paul Yaphe, are concerned about the loss of parking spots.

"This destroys our business, personally, my company," said Yaphe, who owns an upscale carpet store in the area.

If the plan goes ahead, Yaphe said he will move out of the area.

Other merchants, such as art dealer Robert Landau, say they were never consulted about the plan, and are prepared to take legal action to block the mall.

"We intend to take proceedings against [borough mayor Benoît Labonté] and all the other city councillors, and the city, and borough, unless this thing is straightened out," Landau told CBC.

The university is flexible, said spokeswoman Chris Mota.

"If we're not comfortable that we can bring a green space to Mackay that will address the concerns properly, we may not go ahead with the project," she said Friday.

The city and Concordia are still discussing the plan, Mota said.