WINNIPEG – A $400-million downtown mixed-use development should start moving forward again following a “productive” meeting between Mayor Brian Bowman and Winnipeg Jets owner Mark Chipman.
Bowman and Chipman both told CJOB Radio Tuesday that they and Curt Vossen, chairman of downtown development agency CentreVenture, met this week and discussed the True North Square development.
“I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to (go ahead with the development),” Chipman said. “It’s an ambitious project and I think it’s important that people understand we’ve got a long way to go.”
Bowman said he supports the True North Square development.
“This project is a very important project for our downtown,” he said.
“We also just are working at strengthening our relationships and it was a very positive, very productive meeting.”
READ MORE: CentreVenture forced to back down on True North development deal
Chipman put the brakes on True North Square after the newly elected mayor criticized the process CentreVenture followed before signing a contract with Chipman’s True North Sports and Entertainment to create the development. Plans call for part of the development to be built on Carlton Street land currently owned by CentreVenture that was designated for a four-star hotel to complement the under-construction expansion of the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
Chipman, who publicly endorsed Bowman in the fall election campaign, said trust among the parties was necessary for True North Square to proceed.
CentreVenture tells Global News if all goes according to plan it expects to sign a purchase agreement with True North by June 1st.
READ MORE: Deadline extended for downtown Winnipeg True North Square development
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