Development plan for Corydon and Osborne debated

WINNIPEG — A development plan for Winnipeg’s Corydon Avenue and Osborne Street areas was at the centre of a public hearing at city hall Wednesday.

“There is so much potential. Like density is a good thing, when done right,” said Earl Martin, who lives in the area.

The city’s master plan outlines three areas within the neighbourhood where 7,700 new dwellings and $1.7 million in commercial revenue would be added. This includes highrises near the Osborne Station bus rapid transit stop, mid-rise dwellings east of Corydon Avenue, and townhouse-style buildings in the lowerdensity locations.

It’s part of updating and developing the area, while still keeping its character, city planners said.

Residents in the area have concerns, including losing green space, congestion on roadways and losing a view due to the increase in buildings.

Martin likes the plan, but does have a concern — he doesn’t want to see a wall of apartments blocking sunlight and the view of the rivers.

“The whole rest of the plan, I like it, it’s great; my issue is the buildings,” he said.

Warsaw Avenue resident Shirley Forsyth has attended public meetings since planning started in 2011. She has several concerns about the development and feels for others in the neighbourhood.

“They don’t know whether somebody is going to come and buy the property beside them and build some huge building and block all their light, increase traffic, so they are worried about their property values and the long-term effects of this plan for the neighbhourhood,” Forsyth said.

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said he still needs to look deeper into the documents.

He wants to open the intersection of Portage Avenue and Main Street to pedestrian traffic and believes city expansion is important.

“More green space is always good, but we need to grow the city and create densification, and finding the balance is always the challenge,” Bowman said.

The area could also see the addition of a parkade, streetscaping, and connecting the city’s rivers with pedestrian pathways.

The development plan has passed the public meeting phase and will now head to committees for approval.