Feedback sought about future of St. Boniface buildings

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This article was published 03/01/2024 (670 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The city is seeking feedback on what should be done with two of the buildings in the St. Boniface civic square.

Public engagement workshops and surveys are being held for residents to discuss the future of city-owned 219 Provencher Blvd. (the former Saint-Boniface City Hall) and 212 Dumoulin St. (formerly a St. Boniface fire hall) and find “the best possible way to manage the property that respects francophone culture and heritage,” according to the city’s website.

Stakeholder conversations are underway to decide whether the buildings should be sold or leased at market value, or sold or leased below market value to a non-profit organization.

An online survey will be open until Feb. 15, and three workshops are scheduled: one in-person on Jan. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Notre Dame Recreational Campus, and two virtual sessions, one on Jan. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. in English and another in French from 6 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 25.

Winnipeggers can register for the Zoom workshops on the city’s website.

Residents are also encouraged to host their own discussion sessions and submit their comments to the city.

After the sessions, a recommendation will be made to the property and development committee. Any sale or lease would have to be approved by city council.

Both buildings are listed as historical resources. In 1984, 219 Provencher Blvd. was designated a national historic site.

Manitoba Possible, an organization providing support for people with disabilities, reached an agreement with the city to acquire the properties in 2021, but pulled out in March of last year, citing increased construction costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.