Many promises made, some already broken

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Tyrel Featherstone / Montreal Gazette

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Marc Gallant / Winnipeg Free Press archives

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Jeff McIntosh / Winnipeg Free Press archives

The promise: In November 2003, former provincial housing minister Tim Sale said the province wanted to see all 12,000 homes in Waverley West heated geothermally to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the new suburb. "We are seriously considering making the Waverley land a no-gas division, all geothermal," he said.

The reality: In February 2008, the province said geothermal heating was not financially feasible for this section of Winnipeg. The saline aquifer that lies below southwest Winnipeg would force builders to pump saltwater back below the surface when they were installing geothermal systems, and that would drive up the cost of green heat. But, as a compromise, 54 of the 380 lots now under development have been earmarked for geothermal.

Pedestrian-friendly flyovers

The promise: In 2004, the design for the new suburb called for a "town centre" in the middle that would not be interrupted by the extension of Kenaston Boulevard. Two flyovers were supposed to allow pedestrians easy access to either side of the major street and ensure that each neighbourhood wasn't boxed-in and isolated like Linden Woods.

The reality: In July 2006, the city and province reached a deal to fund the Kenaston extension without building the flyovers, which would have cost $13 million each.

'New urbanist' design

The promise: In May 2003, the city's top urban planners said they wanted to see the homes in Waverley West built according to "new urbanist" principles that encourage more face-to-face contact between neighbours. Those principles call for garages to be set back from houses, back lanes instead of driveways, more green space, fewer fences between homes and a variety of designs so every home is unique. Houses should be built on smaller lots with a mix of condos and apartments nearby to promote density and amenities such as grocery stores, and bus stops should be within walking distance so people aren't always in their cars.

The reality: The province sprinkled the lots among a long list of builders so the homes look a little less cookie-cutter than usual, and there's an extensive network of parks and trees and trails throughout the development, along with sidewalks and some lanes. But the homes are expensive (Bridgwater Forest homes are currently listed for $313,000 to $503,000) with huge lots. It could be years before some of the promised 2,000 apartments or condos pop up, not to mention a Second Cup or a corner store. Streets are laid out in a meandering, winding pattern instead of a grid, which makes walking annoying.

Inner-city revitalization

The promise: In June 2005, Premier Gary Doer promised to funnel $20 million to downtown Winnipeg from sales of provincially owned land in Waverley West. "We have always said that the government should not make money on the sale of land in Winnipeg," Doer said. "I pledge to you that every cent from the sale of Waverley West will be reinvested in the inner city and Neighbourhoods Alive."

The reality: In July 2006, the provincial government whittled down its commitment to inner-city housing to $7.5 million. Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh said a portion of the province's profits were always intended to go to the city to offset infrastructure costs, though that message may have gotten lost early on.

New lots to meet the housing demand

The promise: As many as 12,000 new homes that could house 30,000 people could be built over 20 years, easing a lot shortage in highly desirable southwest Winnipeg. Without new lots, the city could lose out on growth and revenue, developers warned.

The reality: It's too early to tell. About 75 new homes are occupied or under construction and 280 lots have been sold so far.

No cost

to the city

The promise: The Doer government claimed Winnipeg would earn $228 million over the first 23 years of the development's existence.

The reality: It's too early to tell.

-- Kives and Welch

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 15, 2009 b2