City selling vacant former libraries in River Heights, Transcona

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This article was published 24/12/2021 (1395 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg has listed a unique property for sale featuring multicoloured ceiling panels, a mint green/brick exterior and, quite likely, an “old book” scent.

It’s the now-vacant former River Heights library at 1520 Corydon Ave., which has been replaced by the new Bill and Helen Norrie Library adjacent to the Pan Am Pool just off Grant Avenue.

The property is one of two libraries the city is trying to unload. The other, 111 Victoria Ave. W., was listed for sale twice, in April 2020 and again this month; its replacement, at 1 Transcona Blvd., opened in March 2019.

The changes are part of an ongoing $21 million plan to replace or renovate eight libraries that began in 2013.

The much-needed redevelopment will ensure libraries are accessible to Winnipeggers of all ages and abilities, said Coun. Sherri Rollins, chairperson of council’s protection and community services committee.

“Libraries are popular, Winnipeggers love them, they are beloved and so that has provided a lot of energy for the standing policy committee… to keep going (with the plan),” she said.

Thus far, the city has replaced the Charleswood, Windsor Park, Transcona and River Heights branches with new facilities. The Westwood, St. James and West Kildonan libraries were originally slated for replacement by 2020, though details for those properties are still being worked out; some funding has already been earmarked for those projects, Rollins said.

The eighth library in St. Vital was originally slated to close but was renovated instead.

Rollins said some of the now-empty buildings could be repurposed through partnerships instead of being sold off, and the city will work to avoid long-term vacancies.

“I’m always concerned when the city has surplus property that we’re making sure that we’re not creating, essentially, vacant blight,” she said.

The River Heights property is located next to Brock Corydon School, which was already sparked discussions about a future use that supports that neighbour, she said.

The city’s request for proposals notes Winnipeg School Division consent is required to redevelop the property.

At this point, no date has been set to replace the final three libraries, which council could still opt to renovate instead, said Karin Borland, Winnipeg’s manager of library services.

“They are active projects, they are moving forward,” said Borland.

Libraries that do wind up for sale typically benefit from desirable locations, which should help sell the former Transcona branch, even though it lacks other amenities, said Gord Chappell, a city real estate administrator, in an emailed statement.

“Its location on Victoria Avenue is in a prominent area of the community, one block from Regent and close to many local businesses. The site itself does not have a dedicated parking lot, which may be a disincentive to potential buyers,” said Chappell.

Meanwhile, the former Charleswood library is not yet listed for sale because a nearby bus loop could be eliminated in the future to free up a larger property for development. And the former Windsor Park Library on Cottonwood Road remains in city hands because a Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service strategy has identified the site for construction of a new station.

Chappell said the plan is to sell the former libraries at market value.

“The city will do its best to repurpose or recoup value from an aging or retired asset…. It may take time to find the proper buyer or partner to do that with,” said Chappell, noting the River Heights listing has “attracted significant market interest.”

Borland said the new and upgraded facilities have become much more accessible, single-storey buildings. It can actually cost more to retrofit older buildings with those features than to build new ones, she noted.

Coun. Cindy Gilroy, council’s property and development chairperson, said the city may need to consider allowing community groups to obtain some former libraries at discounted prices, when a sale isn’t possible.

“We’ve got to work with the community on what they’d like to see with those buildings and we’ve also got to make sure we’re looking at the market…. You want to try to make money off these buildings but there could be other uses for them that are just as important for the community, as well,” said Gilroy.

The time, money and energy devoted to redeveloping libraries is worthwhile, as they offer a growing number of digital collections, literacy initiatives and other programs, she said.

“There’s really great and innovative things that are happening at libraries… and they are becoming more of a community hub,” she said.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga