Editorials

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Turning point

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 02/22/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Manitoba's NDP government deserves full marks for its support of downtown development and heritage preservation.

The province is the largest single renter in the downtown and several historic buildings would be struggling for survival today if it wasn't for the long-term government leases that developers literally take to the bank.

The latest example of provincial largesse is the $25-million renovation of the former Brick's Fine Furniture building at 111 Lombard Ave. The building is being gutted and rehabilitated for the Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Department.

The City of Winnipeg and the federal government are also major renters of downtown heritage buildings, many of which would be empty and neglected if it wasn't for taxpayer commitments.

Unfortunately, government dominance in the downtown also suggests that the great turnaround has not occurred. Unlike 15 years ago, however, when the city seemed to be on a long slide downhill, the private sector is increasingly showing interest in the downtown and in heritage buildings.

The signs of progress are there -- new hotels, restaurants and businesses, not to mention an NHL team and other attractions -- but no one should expect that a single project or a single lease will turn around the years of decay.

The government's help is still needed for now, but the goal should ultimately be to get the central business district off the public teat and onto the entrepreneurial bandwagon. That's when the city will know it's reached the turning point.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 22, 2012 A10

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