History is repeating itself for the company that wants to build an aerial gondola across the St. Lawrence River.

Skylink Aerial Gondolas yesterday threatened to take the project to another city- possibly Quebec City, Ottawa or Detroit - unless the federal agency that runs the Old Port of Montreal agrees to rent it 1,600 square metres for a gondola station within 10 days.

"Enough is enough - it's time for action," Skylink president Niels Jorgensen told reporters, noting Skylink has spent $3.2 million and three years trying make the $100-million gondola a reality in Montreal. No public funding is being sought.

Jorgensen singled out Claude Benoît, chief executive of the Old Port of Montreal, saying she is blocking the project without studying it. "This isn't Mme. Benoît's private park, this is public" space, Jorgensen said.

Four hours later, Skylink got its answer: the Old Port said no, again. In a statement, the agency said the gondola's "heavy equipment" would compromise the area's heritage, ruin views of Old Port piers, the St. Lawrence River and the city, and destroy "archeological remains."

Heritage activists have voiced similar concerns.

What Skylink officials failed to mention yesterday was that the company has been down this road before.

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