Downtown Winnipeg building could become new hotel
Big changes could be coming to a large, empty building on Broadway in Winnipeg.
The Canada Revenue Agency vacated the property at 325 Broadway in 2020.
Now, the building's owner wants to revamp the site and turn it into a new hotel.
Don Campbell, who owns the food truck next door to the building, said the CRA's departure has left a hole for business.
"If you notice, there's no other chip trucks or vendors out on Broadway, because there's no reason to park in front of the building that's been closed,” he said.
Now, a new hotel redevelopment plan could bring people back to the building and provide jobs.
"I think it's an amazing signal again to see this potential investment into Winnipeg," said Michael Juce, president of the Manitoba Hotel Association.
A report to the mayor's executive policy committee said the building's current owner, 325 Broadway Nominee Inc., wants to refurbish the property for $38.6 million.
The redevelopment plan involves a 140-room hotel, with meeting facilities, food and beverage services, and other amenities.
This would bring 50 full-time jobs to the downtown area.
"New people every day coming downtown, trying new foods. It's good, it would be positive for us," Campbell said.
With some people working from home permanently, there is a push to transform downtown office space to housing or hospitality
Data company STR said that in April Manitoba had the highest hotel occupancy rate across the country at 74.5 percent -- a 28.5 percent jump year over year.
Proponents of the project say Winnipeg could use another downtown hotel.
"It's exciting. I think you look at all the great stuff that's happening at the Convention Centre, The Forks, the Human Rights Museum, the WAG, there are a lot of great tourist attractions down there," Juce said.
There is a financial subsidy on the table for the hotel deal.
The executive policy committee is being asked to approve a tax grant of 80 per cent of annual property taxes for up to 10 years to a maximum of $1.4 million.
"It enables us to draw down and attract investors, investors that want to invest in the downtown and that's really important,” said Coun. Sherri Rollins.
The project is set to be complete in the spring of 2025.
A city report says the grant will be provided if the developer can secure a similar incentive from the province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.