A pair of Winnipeg developers hopes to turn a ‘bland’ pocket of Notre Dame Avenue into a residential and commercial hub, but some area residents are concerned it will will bring more than just an injection of commerce.

Spa Investments and Wintec Ltd. plan to build a new strip mall and convert an old warehouse into apartments at the corner of Notre Dame and Erin Street.

Resident Myron Noonan said the increase in development will mean more traffic, and that the city should consider re-examine traffic plans in consideration of residential neighbourhoods in the area.

"The area is already very industrial and traffic-heavy," Noonan said.

"I’d like to see traffic calming measures in consideration of the many pedestrians. We have a high school right across the road as well."

Wintec plans to spend $6.5 million to convert the warehouse on the southeast corner of the intersection into about 90 loft-style apartments aimed at Red River College students and instructors, as well as for doctors and nurses who work at the Health Sciences Centre.

"No money has really been spent. It’s a bland area," said Wintec president Michael Romani.

A public hearing to rezone the land from industrial to multi-family could happen in the next 60 days, Romani said.

Meanwhile, Spa managing director Ravi Raveendrabose hopes architects will have finalized designs next month for the company’s proposed strip mall at the intersection’s southwest corner.

Spa bought the land and building, a Robin’s Donuts, last year. Raveendrabose, who lives in Whyte Ridge, took over as franchise owner of the Robin’s last month.

"We have ample land. So we thought we double up something good for business and good for the community," he said. "Nothing has happened here for a while."

The $5-million, 32,000-sq. ft. mall will wrap around the doughnut shop. Raveendrabose hopes to bring in medical services, food outlets, a convenience store and small business offices. Raveendrabose is hopeful that construction could start as soon as this summer.

The projects are part of a changing face for Notre Dame, Romani said, which is crucial as it is a main, but often neglected, thoroughfare to the airport.

Another project planned for the immediate area is a $16.7 million development of the former MWG Apparel building into an 87,000-sq. ft. Manitoba Health services for children and youth building at 1155 Notre Dame that has been in development since 2005.

Both Romani and Raveendrabose pointed to the intersection’s prime location — neighbouring the airport, the St. James industrial area, Polo Park and future development of the old stadium, and residential communities in the West End and Weston.

"When you have a good location, a good product and a good concept, it can spurt a bunch of other development. We do think it will be a sexy corner," he said.

Bob Loschiavo, owner at Roma Autobody, said some of the key work being done in the area has not been very noticeable.

"Sewer and other infrastructure work in the area has also been replaced," he said adding he was unsure if the new commercial projects would lead to noticeably higher traffic volumes in the area.

Wintec recently refurbished an apartment block at Beverley Street and Notre Dame and will open a high end Italian restaurant in the same building later this year. Spa owns the Sun Valley Mall on Gateway Road and another retail location on Provencher.
with files from Matt Preprost

Facebook.com/TheTimesWpg  
Twitter: @TimesWPG

rob.brown@canstarnews.com