Mulvey lot on path to becoming park

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This article was published 01/02/2022 (1483 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An unused gravel parking lot that city council has refused to develop will soon take the first step to becoming a park.

The city is seeking a contractor to restore a turf field at the lot at 409 Mulvey Ave. E, after council rejected a redevelopment plan for the site last year. The winning bidder would be tasked with removing material as well as installing top soil and sod.

In May 2021, when council voted to keep the land, supporters argued it held promise for a green space in close proximity to the Red River, which could eventually become part of a waterfront trail network.

Details for a park are still being worked out, but the head of council’s parks committee says this contract marks a key step.

“It will do the (work) that’s needed to take it from gravel to green… it’s a sign of progress,” said Coun. Sherri Rollins.

Had the city opted to sell the land, an 80-unit housing complex development was proposed for the site, including a craft brewery, ride-share parking stalls and outdoor bike storage.

Rollins said a park could include an accessible picnic area, while also adding more trees and new pathways. The contract to restore the field requires the winning bidder to take several steps to protect and preserve trees on the site.

“It’s a small little space but it’s really important in terms of place-making,” said Rollins.

The city expects the project will be completed by June 30.

The Mulvey property may be familiar to many Winnipeggers due to its unique history.

Along with former fire halls at Grosvenor Avenue and Berry Street, it was once tentatively traded — without council approval — for land at 1780 Taylor Ave., where the city built a fire/paramedic station on land it did not yet own.

The swap was cancelled in 2012, and an audit later found it broke city rules.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga