18°c A few clouds
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
City spending probe done by summer
Audit puts spotlight on real estate deals
An external probe into some of the city's major real estate transactions is expected to be completed by summer.
Last fall, city council voted unanimously to launch an audit of real-estate transactions dating back at least five years following questions surrounding Winnipeg's fire-paramedic station replacement program.
Three city-owned properties, including fire-hall land on Berry Street and Grosvenor Avenue, and a strip of vacant land on Mulvey Avenue East in Fort Rouge -- were initially set to be traded in a land swap with Shindico Realty for Winnipeg's new fire-paramedic Station No. 12, which was built on Shindico-owned land on Taylor Avenue.
The proposed deal was eventually scrapped but raised concerns over the city's processes and prompted some members of council to question previous land deals.
In late December, the city awarded accounting firm Ernst & Young a $225,000 contract to conduct a broader review of Winnipeg's major land sales, transfers, acquisitions and external leasing transactions over the past five years. The firm was previously awarded a $230,000 contract to review the way Winnipeg built new fire-paramedic stations in Sage Creek, Charleswood, River Heights and St. James.
The city authorized initial spending of $500,000 to cover both the review and audit.
Ernst & Young began the real estate audit earlier this month and expects to complete its review in July, city spokesman Steve West said in an email statement. City officials will not disclose what land deals will be included in the audit, but West said auditors will examine whether procedures were followed, whether there was value for money, and whether commissions and management fees were reasonable.
The final report will include recommendations for the city auditor and city council.
"It's going to take political will on the part of people here to follow recommendations that come forward if things are going to change," said Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, who initially called for a realestate audit during the debate over the water park proposal on a downtown surface parking lot known as Parcel Four.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 23, 2013 B2
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 21 articles for today)
Community's children apprehended by province
1:00 AMAn Old Order Mennonite community in Manitoba has reportedly had all but one of their children apprehended by Child and ...
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
- Teen on train tracks from York Landing
- Man convicted of drunk driving in Henderson pile-up
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- McMunn & Yates absorbs five McDiarmid locations
- Daycare-subsidy rules bad for business
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
- RCMP say woman deliberately murdered her sister with her car
- Toronto woman dead in rural Manitoba ATV wreck
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Bomber fans wowed by new stadium
- Portage Ave. stretch re-opens after Friday-night bomb scare
- Young girl found dead on railway tracks
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Hailstorm wreaks havoc on Winnipeg garden centre
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Two Winnipeg teens identified as victims of crash
- HSC Home Lottery winners announced
- Father, daughter seriously injured in ATV crash
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Filipino singer Charice comes out as lesbian; Catholic official says she's in identity crisis
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- McMunn & Yates absorbs five McDiarmid locations
- Craig Ferguson adds second show
- Teens can join Let It Out Summer Rock Camp
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- Daycare-subsidy rules bad for business
- Suspect arrested after North End sex assault
- Youths charged in fatal shooting of chief's grandson, 5, on Alberta reserve
- Only one workshop to be held on vacant land at The Forks
- Magellan signs MOU to produce F-35 tails
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- Sobeys gobbles up Safeway
- Priest kept silent about accusations against Storheim, court hears
- Manitoba restaurant stops selling giant hamburger "for obvious reasons"
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Geothermal heat coming to some Manitoba First Nations
- Spiralling cost of land raises new home prices
- Rogers and MTS announce new network sharing agreement
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Door openers being used to break into garages, police warn
- Province formally opens Mental Health Crisis Response Centre
- Hailstorm wreaks havoc on Winnipeg garden centre
- New rules let customers cancel phone contracts without penalty after two years
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.