‘Four decades of helping change the downtown’: former The Forks CEO Jim August dies at 75

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This article was published 10/11/2021 (1397 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s safe to say Winnipeg’s downtown would look a lot different if not for Jim August.

August, who as general manager of the Winnipeg Core Area Initiative in the 1980s helped shepherd the development of Portage Place shopping centre and nearby apartment housing, The Forks, and other projects in the Exchange District, died Tuesday at 75 after a battle with dementia.

“He was a very community minded person,” daughter Alison August said Wednesday. “He wanted to make the city good for everyone. Making it accessible… He did so much for this city and he loved this city.”

August was born in Brandon, moving to Winnipeg at an early age and growing up in the North End.

He spent a lot of time at the North End YMCA and became involved in its youth leadership programs, eventually taking part in a youth leadership conference in Europe, which, he later told family, changed his life.

He graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a bachelor of arts in 1972. By 1982, he was working as program director at the $400-million Core Area Initiative — the first tri-level agreement between the federal, provincial and municipal governments in the country. He went on to become CAI general manager from 1984 to 1992.

Lloyd Axworthy, a then-Liberal MP who helped bring the federal government on board for the CAI, said August “was one of the people who really helped shape the central area of Winnipeg.”

“He was instrumental with the acquisition of The Forks itself — we got it for $5 from the CNR. He has had a hand for four decades of helping change the downtown,” Axworthy said Wednesday. “He deserves a real tribute.”

In the 1980s, Chris Lorenc, executive director of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, was a prominent city councillor who met with August many times.

“It’s such a shame,” said Lorenc. “He was a consummate professional. He understood and respected the processes people in the elected branch were under.

“He crafted solutions to move forward which helped city council move forward to a better Winnipeg. His shoes will be difficult to replace.”

August helped usher in The Forks, and went on to serve as chief executive officer of The Forks North Portage Partnership from 2000 to 2014.

The Forks North Portage CEO and president Sara Stasiuk said August’s passing “is a striking loss for our community.”

“He was a strategic leader who laid the groundwork for important and thoughtful city-building concepts like the Go to the Waterfront plan and Railside at The Forks. He was a smart and caring man, a collaborator, and a gentleman whose reach into our downtown and into the arts is truly a legacy.”

August also served as chairman of the Winnipeg Arts Council for a few years.

On Wednesday, council executive director Carol Phillips said: “We are heartbroken… He represented us very well. I admired him so much for everything he did for the city. It’s a huge loss.”

When August retired from The Forks North Portage Partnership in 2014, he said even with the accomplishments made downtown, much more has to be done to help the less fortunate: “As we progress as a community, we have to give the same kind of energy toward ensuring quality education for those folks, good housing and poverty reduction that works and is long-term and sustainable.”

Alison August said her father helped many proposals become reality — including a play structure at her inner-city school — but there was one he was especially pleased by.

“One of his proudest projects was the Central Park renewal,” she said. “It took a sketchy, unsafe park to a place where new Canadians and others could play soccer and be together. He was delighted with it — that’s the word: delighted.”

August is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sharon, daughter Alison, son Jesse, and two grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca