DOWNTOWN Winnipeg will never be as pretty as the Sistine Chapel, but there are many Michelangelos trying to fill in all the details of what used to be the city's largest blank slate.
Our sprawling downtown, which measures roughly three square kilometres, has proved unusually resistant to revitalization efforts over the past 40 years.
There's so much space in the heart of the city, attempts to "fix" one area -- such as the Manitoba Centennial Centre in the '60s, Portage Place in the '80s or The Forks in the 1990s -- have led to inertia or even decay in other parts of downtown.
No single megaproject -- not MTS Centre, Waterfront Drive or the forthcoming Canadian Museum for Human Rights -- can act as a developmental version of a magic bullet. All that ails downtown can not be solved by plugging some of the holes.
But over the next three to five years, many of downtown's dead zones are destined for more than just a cosmetic facelift, thanks to the combined, if not exactly concerted efforts of private investors, public utilities, development agencies and politicians.
There are no less than two dozen projects on the go in downtown Winnipeg, ranging from an $800,000 facelift for Old Market Square to the construction of a $278-million office tower for Manitoba Hydro.
Downtown development agency CentreVenture has finally found a buyer to revitalize the Avenue Building on Portage Avenue, a long-vacant structure that used to be a development-resistant eyesore. CentreVenture is also trying to lure Red River College into the long-vacant Union Bank Tower and is close to unveiling a philanthropist to fund a $5 million overhaul of Central Park and also has plans for smaller downtown parks, plus $3 million for parkades.
Add in the University of Winnipeg's ambitious expansion plans, hotel projects on Albert and Kennedy Streets and several small housing developments, and downtown Winnipeg is bound to lose its stigma as the city's emptiest area over the next five years.
"People always ask: 'When is it fixed? When is it fixed?' But the whole downtown process is an ongoing thing," said Jim August, CEO of The Forks-North Portage Partnership, which is financing a $2 million conversion of the former Downtowner hotel into a new Hostelling International facility.
"People often look at individual projects as a saviour, but one just acts as a lever for another. It's the smaller projects -- like a 30-unit condo or apartment project, or the stuff going on around Central Park with the African community -- that become so effective."
To aid the work of development agencies, city council has created a battery of new incentives for developers to build new apartments and condos or convert empty buildings into mixed-use projects. Critics, however, have complained the city property-tax breaks won't be effective unless the provincial government matches them up with education-tax relief.
The good news is, private investment is taking place downtown without government subsidies, partly because of the overall health of the Winnipeg real-estate market -- but also because of the cautious optimism surrounding downtown.
"The confidence is definitely there," said Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz, whose administration has quietly become more focused on urban issues since he was first elected in 2004.
Pointing to projects like Central Park, the mayor says the public and private sector finally seem to be on the same page when it comes to downtown revitalization.
"There's no reason to think you'll see anything but more projects coming forward and you will soon see significant changes downtown," Katz said.
Despite the optimism, everyone involved in downtown revitalization agrees more people need to actually live downtown, both to increase the sense of personal safety and to create the sort of critical mass that will spark even more investment.
August estimates only about 13,000 people live downtown, which actually represents a decline since the 1970s.
"I think we'll soon have 16,000 people, as more projects are completed," he said. "We know that young people and empty nesters want to live downtown. The trick is to be creative and (build) the sort of housing they want -- and can afford."
To that end, the University of Winnipeg is planning to redevelop approximately 120 housing units in the Spence Neighbourhood just west of downtown's official borders as part of the school's $44 million-plus expansion plan.
The university is building a science complex and environmental college on Portage Avenue west of the existing Spence Street campus, expanding the Duckworth Centre athletic facility on Ellice Avenue and renovating its film-and-theatre building on Colony Street.
"We're making a major commitment to the inner-city neighbourhoods as well as to the downtown business community," said vice-chancellor and president Lloyd Axworthy.
The massive physical changes to the university echo a philosophical change in the way the school is offering education, said Axworthy, explaining the school is making more of an effort to cater to inner-city residents and the urban Aboriginal community.
That sort of thinking may yet prove to be the greatest challenge facing downtown as a whole: Creating a vibrant inner-city core in Winnipeg's own image, which is unique among Canadian cities.
It may be foolish to suggest downtown will be unrecognizable in five short years. But change is certainly coming at a perceptible pace, which is modest but welcome news.
1. METROPOLITAN THEATRE
283 DONALD ST.
THE PROJECT: The Canad Inns hospitality chain has purchased The Met and plans to convert the long-vacant heritage theatre into a rock 'n' roll- themed tourist attraction with a museum component. The development will also incorporate the newer structure just south of the theatre.
COMPLETION: 2008 or 2009. Canad Inns has yet to divulge more details.
COST:Unknown, though Canad Inns bought the old theatre from CentreVenture for $100,000.
2. CANADIAN MUSEUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
WATERFRONT DRIVE AT WATER AVENUE
THE PROJECT: Construction of a world-class museum about the modern history of human rights, with multimedia displays and a major educational component. The building design by architect Antoine Predock is intended to make the museum serve as a both a local landmark and tourist destination.
COMPLETION: 2011.
COST: $265 million for the building, design and exhibits. Most of this money has been assembled from all three levels of government and private donors, though $30 million must still be raised from the private sector.
3. UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG DUCKWORTH CENTRE EXPANSION
(Spence Street at Ellice Avenue)
* SCIENCE COMPLEX AND RICHARDSON COLLEGE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
(Portage Avenue)
* CANWEST CENTRE FOR THEATRE & FILM
(400 Colony St.)
* SKYWALK CONNECTION TO PORTAGE PLACE
THE PROJECT: Continue upgrades to the University of Winnipeg's downtown campus with an expanded athletic centre, a brand-new science wing and environmental college on Portage Avenue west of the existing campus and a renovated theatre and film wing on Colony Street, with a new main entrance on Balmoral Street. The Forks-North Portage Development Corp. is also eyeing a skywalk link between the university and Portage Place shopping mall.
COMPLETION: January 2008 for the Duckworth expansion, March 2008 for the CanWest Centre and 2009 for the Richardson College and Science Complex.
COST: $43.7 million, which includes $35 million for the Richardson College/Science Complex, $5.5 million for the CanWest Centre and $3.2 million for the Duckworth expansion.
4. WATERFRONT DRIVE
* ALEXANDER DOCKS
* 7 ARGYLE ST.
THE PROJECT: Continue redevelopment of Waterfront Drive. The city has issued a request for proposals to redevelop Alexander Docks and CentreVenture has cleaned up the former Gateway Soap factory on Argyle Street at Waterfront with an eye to sell it to a residential or commercial developer.
COMPLETION AND COST: TBA.
5. UPPER FORT GARRY
* 100 MAIN ST.
* UPPER FORT GARRY GATE
THE PROJECT: Friends of Upper Fort Garry want to build an historical park with interpretive displays on the site of the former fort, the immediate precursor to the City of Winnipeg. The city has agreed to sell land southwest of the fort's former footprint to an apartment developer, which supports a smaller historical park on its doorstep. Both parties may yet get what they want -- provided the developer agrees.
COMPLETION: TBA.
COST: Unknown. The Friends have a $12-million concept plan, but no money has been raised.
6. HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL
ELLICE AVENUE AT KENNEDY STREET
THE PROJECT: Hostelling International is converting the former Downtowner Hotel into a 40-room youth hostel to replace Ivey House, its existing cramped quarters on Maryland Street. The Forks-North Portage Corp. has provided the financing and the project is well underway.
COMPLETION: Within weeks.
COST: Just under $2 million.
7. UNITED ARMY SURPLUS STORE
460 PORTAGE AVE.
No plans have yet surfaced for this site close to the University of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
8. MAIN STREET
* BLOCK BETWEEN PORTAGE AND MCDERMOT AVENUES, including Union Bank Tower and Birt Saddlery building.
* NORTH OF LOGAN STREET, including former Starland Theatre, Bell Hotel and Mitchell Fabrics buildings.
THE PROJECT: CentreVenture wants to revitalize two moribund blocks of Main Street, which is no easy task. The Birt Saddlery building is going up for sale and the agency may be close to finding a new tenant for the Union Bank Tower.
ESTIMATED COMPLETION: CentreVenture wants to assemble and sell all the available land by the end of 2009.
COST:Unknown.
9. UNION BANK TOWER
500-504 MAIN ST.
THE PROJECT: Revitalize and find a new tenant for Western Canada's first skyscraper. Red River College is interested in expanding their downtown campus into the building, but discussions are only beginning.
COMPLETION: October 2008, for the project to qualify for $1 million in federal heritage funds. But the timeline is tight.
COST: Unknown, but expected to be upwards of $10 million.
10. PORTAGE AVENUE
* BLOCK BETWEEN HARGRAVE AND DONALD STREETS, including former A&B Sound building.
* BLOCK BETWEEN GARRY AND SMITH STREETS, including Avenue Building.
* PORTAGE AVENUE MIDWAY.
* THE BAY.
THE PROJECT: CentreVenture wants to reinject life into three Portage Avenue "dead zones" by finding tenants for empty buildings on the east end of the street, including the Avenue Building and the former A&B Sound. The agency also wants better lighting as well as a plan in place to deal with the possibility of The Bay abandoning its former Winnipeg flagship at Portage and Memorial.
COMPLETION: A.S.H. Management has purchased the Avenue Building and plans to renovate it over the next two years, but the rest of this tough stretch could take the remainder of CentreVenture's mandate to redevelop.
COST: Unknown.
11. MANITOBA HYDRO TOWER
PORTAGE AVENUE BETWEEN CARLTON AND EDMONTON STREETS
THE PROJECT: Construction of new high-rise to house Manitoba Hydro's administrative offices. The structure features leading-edge environmental design and when completed, should bring hundreds more office workers downtown.
COMPLETION: May 2008.
COST: $278 million.
12. PORTAGE & MAIN
* NEW ENTRANCES TO UNDERGROUND WALKWAY SYSTEM.
* LIMITED PEDESTRIAN ACCESS ON EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS.
* ENHANCED LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPING ON FOUR CORNERS OF INTERSECTION.
THE PROJECT: Nothing less than a complete revitalization of Winnipeg's most famous intersection, with new walkway entranceways that resemble overturned canoes, new landscaping above ground and -- if the new owner of the Commodity Exchange Tower and Winnipeg Square agrees -- the return of pedestrian access through the use of adjustable bollards.
COMPLETION: Project remains in concept stage, although improvements are already underway above ground at Richardson Building and CanWest Global Place.
COST:At least $10.5 million, but likely more. The private sector is expected to lead the way.
13. ALBERT STREET
* ROYAL ALBERT ARMS (48 Albert St.)
* ST. CHARLES HOTEL (235 Notre Dame Ave.)
THE PROJECT: Renovation of two 1913 heritage buildings into boutique hotel properties. Work has already begun on the St. Charles and will begin on The Albert in 2008.
COMPLETION: Probably 2009.
COST: Both projects are privately financed, as immigration lawyer Ken Zaifman owns the St. Charles Hotel and Internet-pharmacy tycoon Daren Jorgenson will take over The Albert in January.
14. BROADWAY
BROADWAY PROMENADE
THE PROJECT: CentreVenture wants to create a boulevard walking path with better lighting and landscaping with the help of Broadway property owners.
COMPLETION: Project remains in concept stage.
COST: Unknown.
15 / 17 / 18 / 20 : OTHER NEW PARKS
* 15 MCFADYEN PLAYGROUND/FORT ROUGE PARK
* 17 WATER SCULPTURE GARDEN AT THE FORKS
* 18 EAST YARDS DOG PARK
* 20 MEMORIAL PARK
THE PROJECT: CentreVenture wants to partner up with private investors to enhance and develop as much green space as possible over the next three years. Possible projects include a water-sculpture park at The Forks, a dog park at the foot of Pioneer Avenue, a pedestrian bridge between Assiniboine Avenue's underused McFadyen Playground and Osborne Village's Fort Rouge Park and an upgrade to the fountain at Memorial Park north of the Legislature.
COMPLETION: Projects remain in concept stage.
COST: Unknown, but CentreVenture is committed to spending $5.7 million on parks before the end of 2009.
16. OLD MARKET SQUARE
* BOUNDED BY KING STREET AND BANNATYNE AVENUE
THE PROJECT: CentreVenture and the Exchange District BIZ are pushing for a facelift for the home of the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, with new landscaping and upgraded paving.
COMPLETION: 2008.
COST:$800,000.
19. CENTRAL PARK
* BOUNDED BY EDMONTON, CARLTON AND CUMBERLAND AVENUES
THE PROJECT: Rehabilitation of Central Park and construction of a playground and other amenities to serve residents of nearby high-rises.
COMPLETION: 2009.
COST: $5 million, with private donors and CentreVenture footing the bill. Some cash has yet to be raised.
21. KING BUILDING
* 104 KING ST.
THE PROJECT: The City of Winnipeg plans to stave off the destruction of the crumbling King Building -- one of Winnipeg's oldest structures -- at the corner of King Street and Bannatyne Avenue by shoring up the structural supports. The work is being done against the wishes of building owner Bedford Investments, which wants to demolish the heritage building.
COMPLETION: This winter, with work beginning in November. Engineers say the work must begin as soon as possible to prevent the building from collapsing.
COST: $800,000 to $1.5 million, with the city fronting the cost and then adding the tab to Bedford's property taxes. If they don't pay, the city may seize the building.
22. AVENUE BUILDING
* 263 PORTAGE AVE.
THE PROJECT: A.S.H. Management, the developer behind Red River College's award-winning downtown campus, has purchased the 103-year-old Avenue Building and plans to redevelop the heritage structure into an energy-efficient office building.
COMPLETION: Late 2009.
COST: Approximately $10 million for the retrofit. A.S.H. purchased the six-storey building from CentreVenture for $600,000.
NEW PARKADES
* ONE NEW PARKADE HEADED TO THE EXCHANGE
DISTRICT, with two others slated for elsewhere in downtown.
* TWO OTHER LOCATIONS yet to be determined
THE PROJECT: CentreVenture wants to build three new parkades in the downtown core. One will be built in collaboration with Bedford Investments, which owns both the King Building and a surface parking lot to the south.
COMPLETION: 2009
TOTALCOST: Unknown, though CentreVenture has committed to spend $3 million on parkades before the end of 2009.
Sources: CentreVenture, The Forks-North Portage Development Corp., City of Winnipeg, University of Winnipeg and Manitoba Hydro.
Compiled by Bartley Kives
bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca
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