Winnipeg Construction X

[WinCitySparky]

[QUOTE=buzzg;8920850]The CBC article actually has more details. Sounds like MMF will be moving most or all of its offices there.



Sounds like another big building purchase coming.


Nice, always happy to hope for more promising downtown developments, especially culturally related ones.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by buzzg

The CBC article actually has more details. Sounds like MMF will be moving most or all of its offices there.

Sounds like another big building purchase coming.

That's interesting. I like the idea of a strong office element to make sure it continues to inject vitality into the area. Let's face it, a Metis museum at Portage and Main is unlikely to be much of a draw over the long term. And "cultural centres" tend to be glorified banquet halls for the most part, and probably wouldn't generate enough revenue for proper maintenance and upkeep of a building that big and old.

Also, what's "bigger than Portage and Main"? The Bay?

While I'm sure cost was a factor, BMO did say they had long been past capacity there and it was difficult to have one branch spread over multiple buildings.

Hmm. Maybe BMO should have considered building an office tower next door to expand capacity so they could remain in the main branch. Oh, wait...

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by esquire

Also, what's "bigger than Portage and Main"? The Bay?

Outside of new construction I think this would be a great scenario. Chartrand's comments seem to show he has an eye for historical connections, and the Metis connection to The HBC is certainly there. It would also take care of a lot of empty space in The Bay, and most likely leave a couple of floors for a downtown Bay retail presence.

As for the tourism value of the heritage center I feel that's difficult to anticipate until we see what kinds of displays they have. I think we need to keep in mind that, while we are familiar with the presence of the Metis nation in Manitoba, visitors from greater distances (whenever they can come back here) would probably find a Metis museum in such a prominent location to be an interesting attraction. I'm not sure how familiar the term "Metis" is for American and other foreign visitors, but I imagine they would find it quite unique to our province.

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by pspeid

Outside of new construction I think this would be a great scenario. Chartrand's comments seem to show he has an eye for historical connections, and the Metis connection to The HBC is certainly there. It would also take care of a lot of empty space in The Bay, and most likely leave a couple of floors for a downtown Bay retail presence.

As for the tourism value of the heritage center I feel that's difficult to anticipate until we see what kinds of displays they have. I think we need to keep in mind that, while we are familiar with the presence of the Metis nation in Manitoba, visitors from greater distances (whenever they can come back here) would probably find a Metis museum in such a prominent location to be an interesting attraction. I'm not sure how familiar the term "Metis" is for American and other foreign visitors, but I imagine they would find it quite unique to our province.

Aren’t there already a lot of museums that cover this aspect of history quite extensively? Manitoba Museum, St. Boniface, CMHR, Riel House, Grant’s Mill, Upper Fort Garry...

[headhorse]

given how many people still think Canada is a legitimate and democratic actor in the numbered treaties - no

[dam_well]

Originally Posted by pspeid

Outside of new construction I think this would be a great scenario. Chartrand's comments seem to show he has an eye for historical connections, and the Metis connection to The HBC is certainly there. It would also take care of a lot of empty space in The Bay, and most likely leave a couple of floors for a downtown Bay retail presence.

As for the tourism value of the heritage center I feel that's difficult to anticipate until we see what kinds of displays they have. I think we need to keep in mind that, while we are familiar with the presence of the Metis nation in Manitoba, visitors from greater distances (whenever they can come back here) would probably find a Metis museum in such a prominent location to be an interesting attraction. I'm not sure how familiar the term "Metis" is for American and other foreign visitors, but I imagine they would find it quite unique to our province.

More things to do as a tourist definitely can't hurt our tourism. It obviously won't be as big of a draw as places like CMHR but it also doesn't have to be. It doesn't need to be self-sufficient because of the MMF offices being in the same building. It's also nice to see more of a reason for people to go in that building. I don't bank with BMO so I've never had a reason to go there but now I'll have an excuse to check out the architecture.

[buzzg]

It is not The Bay.

[headhorse]

Hotel Fort Garry was for sale a while ago..

[plrh]

Maybe partnering in a redevelopment of Portage Place? I don't know what they are looking for, office space? Residential units?

[Wpg_Guy]

MMF had zero money a few months ago until they got 5M from the feds so far far can that go?

[1ajs]

mmf has investments though and is trying to build its self for its people

[DavefromSt.Vital]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

MMF had zero money a few months ago until they got 5M from the feds so far far can that go?

Not sure if this is true. Looking at the most recent financial statements (2018-2019) there appears to be a $100,000,000 GIC and some mention of close to $150M from Indigenous Services Canada:

http://www.mmf.mb.ca/docs/18_19_non_...idated_MMF.pdf

The next statement for 2019-2020 should shed more light. Perhaps this money came through:

https://globalnews.ca/news/4477870/m...te-settlement/

I defer to those who have expertise in Accounting.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by DavefromSt.Vital

Not sure if this is true. Looking at the most recent financial statements (2018-2019) there appears to be a $100,000,000 GIC and some mention of close to $150M from Indigenous Services Canada:

http://www.mmf.mb.ca/docs/18_19_non_...idated_MMF.pdf

The next statement for 2019-2020 should shed more light. Perhaps this money came through:

https://globalnews.ca/news/4477870/m...te-settlement/

I defer to those who have expertise in Accounting.

they are using these government funds for the purchase of the BMO building.

https://winnipegsun.com/news/local-news/0713-mmf-centre

[buzzg]

The Pollards started to build a patio on the lot between Fortune Block and the Winnipeg Hotel today. There’s a shipping container on site to be used for storage. I’ve heard they want to be able to serve drinks there and program it. Not sure if they’ll try and use liquor license from Times Changed or what.

[oftheMoon]

Lots of unknowns, analysis and speculation with respect to how working from home will affect the business ecosystems in downtowns around the world. While Winnipeg's downtown has been growing over the past while, it's always been extremely vulnerable.

I don't think it's unreasonable to think that at least 10% of current commuters will be working from home on a permanent basis once this is "over". How will that 10% or possibly greater affect the growth and stability of downtown? Less people in restaurants at lunch and after work and potentially less demand for commercial space. Notwithstanding if BellMTS doesn't host any events for 2020 which is highly likely and who knows how far into 2021. I'm generally a glass half full guy but...

[esquire]

^ I'm normally a downtown worker who will be working from home for the foreseeable future, certainly through the summer and probably through the end of the year. That's a lot of lunches not purchased, lunch hour shopping runs not happening, parking fees not paid, coffees not bought and so on. There have to be more than a few like me, and there is no way it won't add up. Unlike Toronto or Vancouver there aren't thousands of condo dwellers to fall back on either.

I hate to say it, but the next year or so could be very grim for downtown.

[buzzg]

While it’s not looking great due to the lack of downtown residents, it’s interesting that the residential market hasn’t really been affected yet, and we have quite a few projects underway. I think the Exchange will be hit harder than downtown.

[1ajs]

it maybe grim but the opportunity nocks in the darknes to take winnipeg to a sustainable point. we were made up of how many cities/towns.. and we should be able to live closer to where we work even if its industrial locations to witch suck for transit access in their own right to

[Spocket]

Originally Posted by buzzg

While it’s not looking great due to the lack of downtown residents, it’s interesting that the residential market hasn’t really been affected yet, and we have quite a few projects underway. I think the Exchange will be hit harder than downtown.

That can only be because COVID effects haven't had time to trickle into what was already planned and approved. There has to be a major downturn in residential construction coming for the entire country.

[Winnipegger]

Originally Posted by buzzg

While it’s not looking great due to the lack of downtown residents, it’s interesting that the residential market hasn’t really been affected yet, and we have quite a few projects underway. I think the Exchange will be hit harder than downtown.

The growth in residential construction in Winnipeg is primarily driven by international migration. It is anticipated that COVID will cause migration to temporary slow down, either because the Feds deem it so or because migrants can't make their way to Canada during this time.

Once the economy recovers and migration resumes, residential construction should also continue. People will always need places to live.