Bowman working to make amends with True North boss

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This article was published 06/02/2015 (3927 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Brian Bowman says he’s looking to mend some fences.

Winnipeg’s mayor has been texting back and forth with Mark Chipman since the True North chairman went on the attack on Wednesday over comments Bowman made about the company’s role in obtaining an option to build on the old Carlton Inn site.

“I’ve reached out to Mark. I’ve got a lot of respect for Mark Chipman and I hold him in very high regard. I’m obviously very disappointed to see how upset (he was) and the concerns that he raised the other day,” he said.

Earlier in the day at Richardson International Airport, Bowman told reporters he will not apologize to Chipman.

Bowman was adamant that no part of the controversy regarding plans to build a $400-million development near the RBC Convention Centre has anything do with any personal issues between any of the parties involved. Instead, it’s all about the process.

“This has never been about any one developer, True North, Mark Chipman or Brian Bowman. It’s been about the processes that have been followed that lead us to a place where city hall learned there were transactions that happened before I was elected that put us in a very difficult position,” he said.

Bowman was quick to note the city is not involved in the negotiations between True North and CentreVenture.

“If CentreVenture decides they want to pursue the True North option, they can do that. This deal can certainly proceed,” he said.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca