City deal could land Pantages Playhouse more space

A property once eyed for a mixed-use housing development next to the Pantages Playhouse Theatre could soon support a multimillion-dollar arts restoration project instead.

A proposal calls for the city to once again take ownership of the parcel of land right in front of the theatre, along Main Street, though it wouldn’t keep it for long.

In 2019, the city sold the land to Alex Boersma and Lars Nicholson for $530,000. The pair planned to create a mixed-use property with housing that would preserve the performance space and let the city keep and maintain a streetcar sculpture that commemorates the General Strike of 1919.

Years later, the development has not been built and the city is considering a land swap that would let it take ownership of the “Pantages Annex Parcel.” If approved, the city would then transfer the land to support the Performing Arts Consortium of Winnipeg’s $62-million redevelopment of the Pantages Theatre.

“This is an opportunity for us to look at making a contribution, potentially, to the Pantages project and so we want to get information back from our staff in that regard … If the city has the land next door to it, Pantages could use that land,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.

On Tuesday, the executive policy committee directed city staff to report on the potential land exchange. That report is expected in June.

The mayor said the developers are seeking a deal to swap the theatre-side land with city-owned property on the 500 block of Watt Street.

Futuremark Development plans to build a 247-unit apartment block with 74 affordable units at part of that site, though that proposal still requires city variance and plan approvals.

In an email, city spokeswoman Deborah Bowers said the application should be considered at the June 22 East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee meeting.

“If the city acquires that (land), the city could then declare it surplus … and make another contribution towards the Pantages project, which is a very, very exciting and transformative project in the downtown,” said Gillingham. “We haven’t made any decision (yet).”

The city previously provided a $750,000 downtown arts capital grant to support the theatre project, while the province recently pledged $15 million for it.

The mayor said he could not comment on why the initial housing plan was not built. Its developer referred all questions to the Performing Arts Consortium of Winnipeg.

The consortium declined an interview request. The city motions offered no details on what the group could do with the land.

The project to revive the Pantages Playhouse Theatre aims to improve the building’s acoustic systems, seating and backstage spaces. Supporters hope to eventually fill the building with performances on about 250 to 300 nights per year. It would also provide a home for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, which is also planning the project. The WSO’s larger events would continue at the Centennial Concert Hall, where it rents performance space.

The historic theatre on Market Avenue at Main Street hosted its last performance in December 2018.

It opened in 1914 and was once a hub for vaudeville performers. The city acquired it through a tax sale in 1944.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X: @joyanne_pursaga