Around city hall

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/05/2024 (663 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Former café site at City Hall could host short-term work slots

City of Winnipeg staff could use a vacant space in the Susan A. Thompson Building as a drop-in workspace in the future.

A new proposal calls for council’s property and development committee to order a report on what it would cost to permanently convert the former café space in the city hall complex as a “bookable multi-use space that can facilitate short-term work” for municipal staff.

That use would also be possible while the idea is studied, with a report expected back in about six months, if the committee approves the motion as is.

A previous proposal to move the Winnipeg Parking Authority into the space was not approved in the 2024 budget.

Council approves grants to attract affordable/downtown homes

The City of Winnipeg will provide grants of up to $60,000 per unit to support new housing construction, especially projects that create affordable and/or downtown homes.

The city will devote $25 million of its share of federal Housing Accelerator Fund dollars to offer the following grants to housing developers: up to $25,000 per unit for downtown market builds; up to $35,000 per unit for general affordable housing; and up to $60,000 per unit for affordable downtown housing. Those with projects outside downtown who qualify for the general affordable housing grant could also qualify for a $15,000 per unit top-up, if they ensure their projects are deeply affordable.

The city hopes to attract about 600 new units of housing, with about half of them deemed affordable, through the grants.

Developers can begin applying for the grants May 31.

Zoning changes approved to speed up construction

The City of Winnipeg has approved a new round of zoning bylaw changes that aim to speed up construction of high-density housing.

City council approved the changes Thursday, which aim to make it easier to build duplexes and triplexes in mature neighbourhoods.

The changes also allow detached secondary suites to be built in all established neighbourhoods “as of right,” removing the requirement to get an application approved by a city committee or complete a public hearing process first.

Other amendments allow restaurants and bars to open patios more easily. Parking minimums will be scrapped on parts of Portage Avenue and Pembina Highway and reduced for affordable housing projects and multi-family homes in urban infill areas.

Police board membership changed

The Winnipeg Police Board officially has a new member.

City council approved a call to accept Kyle Mason’s resignation from the board Thursday and replace him with past member Colleen Mayer.

The motion originally called for Mason’s appointment to be revoked over an alleged breach of ethical conduct. However, the mayor promised to reword the motion after learning Mason had actually resigned after being questioned over driving without insurance.

Mason told the Free Press the driving offence was due to a renewal date mix-up.

New marker will honour students killed in plane crash

A new monument will honour students killed in a 1972 plane crash, who were headed home to Bunibonibee Cree Nation for summer break at the time of the tragedy.

A permanent marker will be installed on the Yellow Ribbon Greenway Trail near Linwood Street and Silver Avenue. The crash took place at a vacant Linwood Street lot shortly after takeoff.

The change is meant to honour those killed in the crash and raise awareness about the impact of residential schools. Two of the eight students had attended Portage la Prairie residential school, while six attended Stonewall Collegiate Institute (which was not a residential school).

Fence tax credit to prevent dumping rejected

A city councillor’s effort to create a financial incentive to build six-foot fences to help prevent dumping won’t be pursued.

On Thursday, council voted to take no action on the proposal to explore a property tax credit program to partly reimburse residents and business owners for adding fences around their yards.

Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) had argued dumping is prominent in lower-income areas where property owners can’t always afford to build fences to close off their yards.