Winnipeg | Exchange District | Alexander Docks | Revitalization

[Wpg_Guy]

Alexander Docks Revitalization
Location: 70 Alexander Ave
Developer: The Forks - Go to the Waterfront
Architect:
Status: In development
Documents: Lease Agreement between The Forks Renewal Corporation and the City of Winnipeg– September 29, 2023
Media:

• Design of new Alexander Docks set to begin this year-CBC News
• On the Docks: Reimagining Winnipeg’s Waterfront-Canadian Architect

Description: The Alexander Docks in the Exchange District are slated for restoration. The Forks Renewal Corporation issued a contract in January 2025 to develop designs for the redevelopment of the historic docks, with work potentially starting in 2025. The final design is expected to be completed by the end of April 2025, though no specific timeline for the reconstruction's completion has been confirmed. Options under consideration include a full rebuild with modern materials, which would have the longest lifespan and lowest maintenance costs but may not preserve the historic look of the docks. Demolition costs are estimated at $700,000, excluding the cost of new construction.
Permits:




June 17, 2025 Executive Policy Committee Regular Meeting Agenda

• Update Report No. 4 on the Economic Response and Recovery Plan (ERRP)-Appendix A – Inside Downtown Projects

[Malcsta]

Awesome.

Can someone fill me in on what they mean by revitalization? Are we talking like extended walkways with commercial space available, recreation, etc? Or is that up in the air? Guess I should probably just read this thread..

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by Malcsta

Awesome.

Can someone fill me in on what they mean by revitalization? Are we talking like extended walkways with commercial space available, recreation, etc? Or is that up in the air? Guess I should probably just read this thread..

It will be a reconstruction of the docks beyond that we don’t know yet until The Forks is done the preliminary study and budgeting for whatever the vision is.

As part of the Go to the Waterfront vision for our riverfronts, the City of Winnipeg asked The Forks to lead consultations focused on the future uses of the Alexander Dock site. The Forks has long been a leader in creating exciting and well used public spaces along the waterfront on the Assiniboine and Red Rivers.

[trueviking]

Bring back the paddle wheel Queen!

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by trueviking

Bring back the paddle wheel Queen!

A River Cruise would be slick. It's too bad the Paddle wheel Queen is toothpicks and razor blades now. The old girl needed some major TLC but it was lovely.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by trueviking

Bring back the paddle wheel Queen!

It would be nice to have an historical reconstruction of the type of riverboat seen at The Forks, though they'd have to be built to modern safety standards. Maybe a 2/3 size replica of the one in the photo in this article?

https://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/hrb/internal_reports/pdfs/Steamboats_Rivers_Lakes_Manitoba.pdf

[peg]

I CRAVE a riverboat, please someone....

[Authentic_City]

Originally Posted by peg

I CRAVE a riverboat, please someone....

• Video Link

[The Jabroni]

Originally Posted by peg

I CRAVE a riverboat, please someone....

I wonder how much it would be to build a replica, but modernised versions of the Paddlewheel Queen and the Paddlewheel Princess...

[1ajs]

couple mill prolly

[Authentic_City]

^The cost of building a new riverboat is only one hurdle. The operators of the old Paddlewheel boats and the River Rouge claimed that fluctuating river levels had become more common in recent years, making operation difficult under some bridges. In some years, they had to move their boats out of Winnipeg to avoid getting stuck between bridges.

Also, when the boats were built in the 1960s, bridges in Winnipeg were still designed to accommodate boats. But newer bridges were not built to the same height (and were not designed to open), making the situation worse in years of high water. The Paddlewheel Queen removed it's third level at some point in the 1980s to deal with the lower bridges.

Another issue for operating boats is the closure and neglect of docks. The Redwood dock (MS Lord Selkirk II used to sail from there) has fallen into ruin, and we all know what happened to the Alexander Docks. Not sure what happened to the old River Rouge dock off Nairn, near the Louise Bridge - I think this was a private facility?

Over the years, I remember the boats docking in different places due to high water, but a lot of these other sites were inferior, or improvised docks. I don't know why Winnipeg's docks have all fallen apart. Neglect I guess? Other river cities like St. Louis have better maintained docks and riverbanks. But they also have more commercial boat traffic.

I don't think I'll ever see large riverboats again in my lifetime. It's really sad. It was such a great thing while it lasted.

[optimusREIM]

^ Really unfortunate. People are naturally drawn to the water, I think if we still had the ability to host such boats it would be a hit. Literally every large city with navigable waterways touts its boat tours as a major tourist attraction. For a place that calls itself the river city, you'd think that the rivers themselves would be a more central focus of marketing and commercialization.

[Kris22]

Originally Posted by optimusREIM

^ Really unfortunate. People are naturally drawn to the water, I think if we still had the ability to host such boats it would be a hit. Literally every large city with navigable waterways touts its boat tours as a major tourist attraction. For a place that calls itself the river city, you'd think that the rivers themselves would be a more central focus of marketing and commercialization.

Ya, considering the rivers are the only natural feature we have in the city it really is too bad we don't use them better. Even things like restaurant patios with river views are scarce. For a lot of people you only even see the river when driving over a bridge on your commute.

[Labroco]

I think a river boat similar to what one sees in Paris might work.

They have low bridges …

[peg]

Originally Posted by Labroco

I think a river boat similar to what one sees in Paris might work.

They have low bridges …

This is also where my mind went...

Also would love to see a boat or even like a Viking cruise that starts in Winnipeg and goes north to tour lake wpg. (Yes IK I am pretty much talking about the Lord Selkirk II lol)

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by peg

This is also where my mind went...

Also would love to see a boat or even like a Viking cruise that starts in Winnipeg and goes north to tour lake wpg. (Yes IK I am pretty much talking about the Lord Selkirk II lol)

Is that even possible with the rapids at Lower Fort Garry ?

Edit: right, it is possible. I just remembered what the LOCK in Lockport signified haha.

[cllew]

I'm surprised that none of Winnipeg's photo pro's (Dan Harper for example) have not gone down the Red and Assiniboine River rivers on a boat and submit pictures to Google Maps for a river tour.

[NewIreland]

Announcement coming on Thursday. The mayor will be there and renderings will be revealed.

[neutroniks]

[Biff]

From the WFP



Redeveloping Alexander Docks to cost nearly $11M

By: Free Press staffPosted: 10:07 AM CDT Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025

The Forks unveiled designs to turn the Alexander Docks into a park through an estimated $10.8-million project Thursday.

The docks — located along the west banks of the Red River, off Waterfront Drive and between Steve Juba and Fort Douglas parks — were fenced off because of safety concerns with the structure in 2015.

The revamped area would include a new dock allowing canoes, kayaks and other watercraft to dock adjacent to the Exchange District, The Forks North Portage Partnership said in a news release Thursday. The dock is envisioned to be a new Waterbus stop.

The area would also feature gathering spaces, seating terraces, improved lighting and dedicated areas “for reflection and ceremony,” The Forks said.

“We are not just rebuilding a dock. This will be a new park that will restore beauty and joy to this part of the waterfront,” Forks president and CEO Sara Stasiuk said in the release.
“This team is rebuilding a place for people, a lush urban oasis for everyone in our community to enjoy.”

A memorial that has been maintained at the site since 2014 is part of the design, The Forks said. The body of Indigenous teen Tina Fontaine — whose death sparked calls for action on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls — was found at the foot of the docks that summer.

City council directed staff members to study future uses for the site after it was shuttered. Public consultation on the project began in 2016, when the City of Winnipeg tasked The Forks to lead the project.

“Alexander Docks will become one of Winnipeg’s great riverfront parks — a place for everyone to gather, reflect and enjoy the water. The Forks has a strong record of developing and managing outstanding public spaces that connect with Winnipeggers, and I’m confident they’ll do the same here,” Mayor Scott Gillingham said in the release.

Fundraising for the redesign will be led by The Forks Foundation, which has begun discussions with public and private funding partners.

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