Manwin Hotel residents angry after vacate order upheld

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The order to vacate the troubled Manwin Hotel on Main Street was upheld at city hall Monday.

In a final decision, city council’s property and development committee rejected the hotel owner’s appeal of an order to vacate the building.

The decision is final.

Coun. Evan Duncan, the committee chairman, said while concerns about displacing vulnerable people during freezing temperatures were considered, the building’s condition warranted the decision.

“At (this) time of the year, I know we have to consider (weather), but at what point do we say the safety concerns in that building outweigh it? I think we need to stay focused on the fact that this has been an ongoing issue,” Duncan said.

The city ordered the site at 655 Main St. to be vacated by Jan. 17, which was not enforced prior to Monday’s appeal hearing.

The committee was told the building has many outstanding compliance orders: new units were allegedly added without proper permits and inspections — a report cites problems with life, safety and livability, electrical, structural, fire separation and egress paths.

Images in the report show wires dangling from ceilings in cluttered rooms that have pieces of missing drywall.

“Right now, there’s serious issues when it comes to the egress points, when it comes to the compartmentation. We have 35 units where there’s supposed to be (24 suites) and essentially it turns into a life safety risk,” Duncan said.

The building’s owner stressed the order risks displacing vulnerable residents into frigid outdoor conditions. He asked for more time to complete repairs.

“We should not leave people out in the cold … in the middle of winter. Some of my tenants are still staying by the river. That’s not fair. That’s not Canadian,” said Akim Kambamba.

Kambamba said he “inherited” many of the building’s problems when he became one of its owners in 2012. He urged the committee to grant him more time to repair the building, noting he hopes to have it comply with the rules by this summer.

He rejected claims the building poses a life safety risk.

“If there was a fire, there would be no issues,” said Kambamba.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service officials confirmed the hotel’s sprinkler systems and fire alarms currently comply with safety standards, while a fire separation issue is being addressed.

The Manwin has about 12 residents, while about 20 others moved out around the time of the vacate order, said a man who identified himself as a resident.

“It’s not an unsafe place to be. Being out in the cold is unsafe. We have plumbing. We have lights, we have heat. We even have cable and internet,” said Ken McFarlane.

McFarlane stressed the building is the only housing option for some of its tenants.

At the Manwin Hotel Monday, stillness in the hallways broke as residents heard news about the city’s decision to uphold the vacate order.

A resident named Victor said he has lived at the site for four years and has no idea where he will move.

Others paced the long corridor, knocking on decrepit doors to spread the word to their neighbours. Most were hesitant to speak to a reporter, appearing angry with the city’s verdict and unsure about their next move.

One resident said he may be forced to head to the Siloam Mission or Main Street Project shelters.

One man wondered what he would do with his queen-sized bed, which was next to an exposed pipe where a sink used to be.

Another resident said the city could stuff its decision.

During the hearing, the committee heard city officials have had visit the hotel in person more than 100 times over several years.

“Repeated warnings and fines did not lead the work to be completed,” said Kelly Happychuk, Winnipeg property and development’s chief of enforcement and investigations.

“Now we have taken the extraordinary step of issuing an order to vacate. The department does not take this step lightly.”

A community advocate told the committee she went to the hotel last year and spotted multiple safety hazards.

“I was very shocked. I stepped into the lobby and I saw graffiti, people using drugs. I went up the narrow hallway and the stairway, the railing was very rickety,” said Vivian Ketchum.

The site also had dangling wires and a strong smell of mould, as well as missing wall coverings, she said.

Duncan joined Coun. Jason Schreyer to reject the appeal Monday, while Coun. Russ Wyatt was absent.

The committee’s final member, Coun. Vivian Santos, did not attend the meeting. Santos declared a conflict of interest because she shared her views about the hotel prior to the hearing before becoming a member of the committee.

It’s not clear when the city will act to ensure residents move out.

“Following the decision today, the city will now be enforcing the original vacate order. Staff have already been in communication with the owner … We’re not able to provide any further information on enforcement,” city spokesman Kalen Qually, said in an email.

Qually said the city has contacted provincial tenancy and employment and income assistance departments to help assist the hotel’s tenants.

— With files from Scott Billeck

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