It’s been nearly two decades in the making, but the plans for a disputed stretch of land in Winnipeg have been revealed.
The plans for the development of the Kapyong Barracks call for a mixed-use village with residential, recreational and commercial aspects to it.
The development of the lands has been a complex 17-year process that began when the federal government decommissioned the site and moved the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry to Shilo, Man.
Several First Nations communities argued they were entitled to the land under Treaty 1, and after more than a decade of legal wrangling, the federal government agreed with them.
The Department of National Defence began demolition of the site in 2018, and it is expected to be complete in 2021.
The land was signed over to Treaty One Development Corp. and CLC in August 2019.
Whelan Sutherland, the CEO of Treaty One Development Corporation, said the project will benefit First Nations and the city.
“It’s a great thing for our First Nations, it’s a great thing for the city of Winnipeg, it’s a great thing for Canada, it’s been proven that urban economic development zones stimulate the economy, create opportunities and create jobs,” Sutherland said.
“This has been dormant for over 10 years and we’re super excited we’re going to develop.”
This year, the corporations engaged in public consultations, made a little harder thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
A website was launched to let the public see what the future will hold for the land on Kenaston Boulevard in Winnipeg.
The site, treaty1.ca/Kapyong, goes through the timeline, history and current design aspects of the project.
Canada Lands Company (CLC) told 680 CJOB in May it had to scrap in-person sessions with the community because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the end, more than 3,000 people had their say into what they wanted to see at the site, said Chris Elkey, VP of Real Estate West for developer Canada Lands.
“After we had to cancel our in-person information sessions due to the pandemic, we innovated and turned to virtual options. The response has been outstanding.”
Some of the things people were concerned about led to changes in the proposed development plans, said Elkey, including traffic flow on residential streets, accessible transit and multi-use paths.
To that end, a plan was developed to manage traffic in surrounding neighbourhoods, potential future transit hubs were added as well as an active transportation network and more green space.
The next steps for the plan include wastewater and transportation plans, then the whole thing will go to the City of Winnipeg for approval.
Sutherland said the corporation plans to begin the development within two years.
Asked whether the development project moving forward will allow the city to widen Kenaston Boulevard, Mayor Brian Bowman was non-commital but said he’s pleased to see the project take shape.
“(The land has) been sitting empty for a long, long time as you know, so seeing some economic development there is a positive thing but I haven’t seen the most recent plans nor have I seen the details yet,” Bowman told reporters.
In 2018, the city released a proposed design to widen the road from four to six lanes.
“Land acquisition will be required from the Kapyong Lands to undertake the widening (of Kenaston Boulevard),” a city spokesperson said in an email late Thursday afternoon.
Check out some previous options for the plans below:
— with files from Erik Pindera
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