Photo: Dr. Lloyd Axworthy joins the community and Mayor Sam Katz on Selkirk Avenue to announce neighbourhood redevelopment consultations
WINNIPEG, MB – Winnipeg’s Selkirk Avenue has a rich and diverse history as the soul of the North End. Today a community-based coalition announced it will build on that tradition by reaching out to community residents to transform a key corner – at Selkirk Avenue and Andrews Street – into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood resource.
At the heart of the redevelopment is a three story building at 541 Selkirk Avenue, constructed in 1913 as a hardware store and converted in 1933 into the Merchants Hotel, plus an adjoining four lots currently used for parking.
A growing community coalition including the North End Community Renewal Corporation (on behalf of their community partners), Urban Circle Training Centre Inc., The Selkirk Avenue BIZ, Andrews Street Family Centre, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. and The University of Winnipeg Urban and Inner-City Studies program are working to acquire the Merchants Hotel and adjacent lots with ownership transfer slated for April 2012.
Eleanor Thompson, Stella Blackbird and Rob Neufeld
COMMUNITY DIALOGUE
Over the next nine months, robust community consultations will take place to generate ideas and a feasibility plan to redevelop the site. Potential uses could complement Selkirk Avenue’s growing alternative education hub, provide mixed housing, social and commercial enterprises, a holistic wellness and creativity centre, and more green space.
“We are excited to be part of helping to renew this area, which is so central to the life of Selkirk Avenue,” said Robert Neufeld, Executive Director, North End Community Renewal Corporation. “North End residents value this prime location and wish to see it re-imagined as an asset for the whole community.”
“This is part of an exciting time for Selkirk Avenue. You can feel the energy on the street as organizations, businesses and citizens work together to create a hub for education and services for North End people,” said Stan McKay, community Elder and long-time resident of the area. “This project is an important step on this journey.”
“The spirit of Selkirk Avenue and the way the community is working together closely in one mind and spirit brings such happiness,” said Stella Blackbird, community Elder. “This unity of vision and purpose creates a foundation for equality, education and a safe environment to live and do business. The many hours of sacrifice that brothers and sisters have made to make this possible has brought the excitement I feel today of acceptance and belonging.”
The Merchants Hotel has a beverage room for 200, a beer vendor and 20 hotel rooms. There are currently 13 people living in the hotel. Any plan for redevelopment will ensure there is appropriate housing for these residents.
The Winnipeg Foundation is contributing to a feasibility study for the site. The feasibility study will address the physical condition of the building, identify architectural opportunities for redevelopment, and identify, in partnership with the community, a series of revitalization concepts. The University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation has been contracted to coordinate the feasibility plan for renewal of the site.
”The University of Winnipeg is deeply committed to strengthening inner-city neighbourhoods and partnering with like-minded organizations,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “We need to create both the physical and social infrastructure to provide people with relevant and accessible educational and training opportunities. That’s why UWinnipeg has developed a new presence with our Urban and Inner-City Studies program on Selkirk Avenue with a focus on the urban Aboriginal experience, the immigrant and refugee experience, and the role of women. Transforming this historic site offers tremendous opportunities.”
A key part of the site redevelopment will involve community consultation to meet neighbourhood needs. Community consultations are expected to begin in October.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Rob Neufeld, Executive Director
North End Community Renewal Corporation
(204) 927-2331
robert@necrc.org
Stan McKay, Community Elder
Makoonsag Intergenerational Children’s Centre, Inc.
Gladstone, Manitoba
(204) 385-2134
dotmckay@mts.net
Stella Blackbird, Community Elder
Makoonsag Intergenerational Children’s Centre, Inc.
(204) 625-2755
Diane Poulin, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135
E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
