North End a great place to live… and getting better

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This article was published 17/07/2017 (3098 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Telling people that you live in the North End is usually met with comments like “Isn’t it dangerous?” or “Ooh, it’s pretty rough out there, isn’t it?”

Having lived here at various times in my life, I’ve never really agreed with such statements. Sure, it’s true there are some bad elements in the area but for the most part I’ve met some really great people in the neighbourhood. 

And yeah, there are some areas you don’t want to venture into late at night by yourself but there are areas like that all over the city. 

Something that I’ve noticed, though, is that there is a sense of community here that I don’t really see in other parts of the city. Like the families who bring their kids to the parks to play with other neighbourhood kids while the parents socialize amongst themselves. 

Some of the older folks I’ve met have lived here all their lives and have told me they wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Other people have told me that since the Merchants Hotel closed down, the Selkirk Avenue strip has improved. 

Indeed, with the recent re-paving of Selkirk Avenue’s street and sidewalk from Arlington Street to Salter Street the street is looking much better (the road was in pretty rough shape before).

And, with the development of Merchants Corner, I’m pretty excited and confident that it will be a great boost for the neighbourhood. 

The rather ambitious project will include 30 units of affordable housing as well as being home to the University of Winnipeg’s Department of Inner-City Studies and CEDA- Pathways to Education program. Also included will be retail space and a common space open to the community.

Many folks are quite happy that the former hotel is being redeveloped into something that will benefit people in the community. The building sat vacant for many years and was quite the eyesore.

There is something to be said about places of learning like schools and libraries. I know when I go into these places there is a certain vibe that I find very inspirational. 

 Doug Kretchmer is a freelance writer, artist and community correspondent for The Times. Email him at quidamphotography@gmail.com 

Twitter: @DougKretchmer

Doug Kretchmer
North End community correspondent

Doug Kretchmer is a freelance writer, artist and community correspondent for The Times. Email him at dk.fpcr.west@gmail.com

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