The overhaul of Portage Place in downtown Winnipeg is moving forward. A healthcare centre and a 15-storey multi-family tower are in the works. The Manitoba government announced its collaborating on the project with True North Real Estate Development and Southern Chiefs’ Organization.
The province signed a letter of intent with TNRDt to create a 300,000-square-foot, 12-storey Health-Care Centre of Excellence, with plans to lease the space for 35 years.
The centre aims to create access to doctors and specialists, including a primary-care clinic, mental health and addictions support services, additional renal dialysis capacity, as well as an expansion of Pan Am Clinic.
Construction on the healthcare centre is planned to begin in 2025, with completion in 2028.
The revamp is being touted as an urban renewal project, to transform the downtown area into a connected campus of affordable and family housing, a grocery store, urban green spaces and local services.
TNRED and SCO have entered into a letter of intent regarding shared ownership of the 15-multi-family tower with market-leading percentages of affordable and accessible one- two- and three-bedroom units.
Construction is set to begin in 2025 and finish in 2026. The tower will anchor the west pad of the Portage Place redevelopment and provide a physical and symbolic connection to the Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn affordable housing project by way of the skywalk bridge connecting the two developments.
“Together, we have agreed to principles of shared ownership and key priorities for the multi-family housing tower that will provide much-needed safe, accessible, and affordable housing in downtown Winnipeg with direct connection to our Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project at the former HBC building,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, Southern Chiefs’ Organization.
The province said the principles of reconciliation, inclusion and building thriving communities are core to the partnership and will ensure more opportunities for mentorship, on-the-job-training and leadership for First Nations people throughout the project.
“We are grateful for the shared vision and the immense priority and commitment that all levels of government are placing on these community needs in order to materially advance the well-being of our downtown residents and neighbourhoods,” added Jim Ludlow, president of True North Real Estate Development.
