Firm involved in Parker Lands project asks for extension

The plan to develop the Parker Lands in Fort Garry, which has been the subject of a lawsuit amid repeated delays, is facing another postponement.

The city’s public service has recommended councillors approve a one-year rezoning extension.

The project involves the transformation of 47 acres into a 1,918-unit residential housing development called Fulton Grove. Developer Gem Equities launched the planning and approval process more than 12 years ago, but has repeatedly encountered roadblocks.

Earlier this month, a planning and development company involved in the project formally applied for a one-year extension to finish securing utility easements and finalize outstanding requirements.

“The applicant has devoted the majority of their efforts to discussions with the City of Winnipeg to address the conditions of approval and refine the planning framework. These discussions are now substantially complete, allowing the applicant to proceed with the remaining steps,” Michelle Richard, principal of MRA Planning and Development wrote in a letter to the city on Dec. 4, 2025.

“The next phase involves working with the relevant external service providers, finalizing service agreements, and registering the required instruments on title. This process will require additional time to ensure all requirements are properly completed and coordinated with the city.”

The city centre community committee will review the application during a meeting on Jan. 5. City documents show the public service has recommended the extension receive a thumbs-up.

If council heeds that recommendation, the developer will have until Dec. 6, 2026, to complete the necessary registrations at the Winnipeg land titles office.

Once completed, Fulton Grove would include a mix of apartment towers, townhouses, triplexes, duplexes and single-family homes.

The project has been the subject of years of contentious debate at city hall. Gem Equities owner Andrew Marquess launched several lawsuits as he repeatedly accused city staff of deliberately stalling development.

In July 2023, a Court of King’s Bench judge ruled two city employees — former chief planner Braden Smith and senior city planner Michael Robinson — were liable for “misfeasance in public office” and awarded the developer $5 million in damages.

The City of Winnipeg appealed that ruling and won its challenge in the Manitoba Court of Appeal the following year. The developer was ordered to pay $800,000 in court costs to the city.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca