2 heritage buildings get federal boost of at least $1M
The multimillion-dollar restoration and rehabilitation of two historic buildings in Winnipeg will be aided by federal government funding.
The former Union Bank building on the corner of Main Street and William Avenue — Western Canada's first skyscraper, constructed in 1903 —isin line for $1 million.
It'sthe maximum amount available under the Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund, the federal program providing the money.The building's owners will have to put up $5 million to receive the federal funding.
"It says this building is extremely important. Winnipeg is important," says City Tugwell, spokeswoman for Heritage Winnipeg. "It's about who we are as Winnipeggers, and who we think we are and where we think we're going."
The 93-year-old Scott Fruit Company Warehouse, on Elgin Street near Red River College's downtown campus, is also receiving money from the program.
Program cancelled
Tugwellsaid both buildings are good examples of the way public-private partnerships can work to preserve Manitoba's unique history.
"The buildings are really just bricks and mortar, but you look at some of these beautiful buildings and you know we had a sort of prominent presence in Canada,"she said.
"I feel really good when you see large scale projects like this undertaken and building owners who believe in staying in Winnipeg and investing in Winnipeg."
But Tugwell is also disappointed, because the federal Conservative government has cancelled the program supplying the funds.
"I'm saddened by the fact that there is no program now in place, so we are making a concerted effort right across Canada to advocate to the fed government that this program needs to be reinstated or reinvented," she said.
The province contributes little to preserving historic buildings, Tugwell said, and the city can't afford to do it all on its own.
Heritage Winnipeg is already lobbying the government to reconsider the program, noting Winnipeg has about 1,000 historic buildings worth keeping.
"Maybe that is our springboard to them, to say that you are willing to come to Winnipeg and showcase these buildings, and what a commitment you've made and what a great success they've been — and so let's continue on those successes. Let's not stop."