Leacock House heritage intact for now

City council’s most powerful committee wants to keep one of Winnipeg’s oldest heritage buildings intact.

The executive policy committee voted Tuesday to keep Leacock House (442 Scotia St.), which was built in 1878, on the city’s list of historical resources. That heritage designation protects it from being demolished.

Marymound Inc., the social services organization that owns the building, had asked the city to remove the listing so the property could be torn down to make room for a transition home for youth.

EPC voted 5-1 to keep the heritage protection in place, though the matter still awaits a final council vote.

“Marymound does very important work, but I believe that both the preservation of this historic property can be accommodated while the programming needs… can also be accommodated on the site,” Mayor Scott Gillingham told reporters prior to the vote.

Coun. Sherri Rollins cast the sole vote against keeping the heritage designation, arguing the need for the youth facility is the most pressing priority.

Snow-clearing pilot loses key vote

A call to clear one sidewalk in each council ward down to “bare pavement” looks unlikely to succeed.

Council’s public works and executive policy committees have now both voted to receive the idea as information, which means taking no action on it.

Coun. Matt Allard’s motion called for a pilot project to test out the practice next winter, arguing the improved clearing would allow for safer pedestrian travel.

Winnipeg’s current policy calls for sidewalks along major routes, non-regional bus routes and collector streets to be cleared to a compacted snow surface following about five centimetres of snow. Such sidewalks in the downtown are cleared to a paved surface whenever conditions allow.

EPC also took no action on a separate motion for a bylaw update to ensure residents cannot be fined for voluntarily clearing snow off sidewalks.

Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, said officials indicated the bylaw may be part of a future review and such fines have not actually been charged.

Street Links grant moves forward

A call to provide $200,000 to help ensure St. Boniface Street Links outreach service continues will be considered in Winnipeg’s ongoing budget process.

Council’s executive policy committee voted Tuesday to refer the grant to the budget, which Street Links says it needs to continue reaching out to folks experiencing homelessness and addictions.

The city has already released its draft budget, though it is not slated for a final vote until March 22.