Merchants Corner Housing on Pritchard
Merch housing begins Sept 16, 2015
Today the North End a community celebrated on Selkirk Avenue as the first sledgehammer swung at the old Merchants Hotel, which is being transformed into an educational and affordable housing complex.
The original three storey Merchants building, constructed in 1913, is being gutted and converted to a mix of residential and educational uses. The exterior restoration will adhere to heritage principles. The adjoining one storey restaurant/beverage room, constructed in the 1950s, will be demolished to make way for the new addition. Following several years of diligent, collaborative grassroots planning and fundraising, the iconic corner at Selkirk Avenue and Andrews Street is poised to become the new jewel of the North End.
Elders, community leaders and residents, donors, Premier Greg Selinger, Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg gathered to mark the occasion.
BACKGROUND
Redevelopment of Merchants Corner is led by a community-based steering group that includes broad stakeholder and resident input. The mixed-use housing and education project is guided by the principles of community economic development and respect for Indigenous culture.
The provincial government, through Manitoba Housing and Community Development, has committed more than $15 million towards the project. The community continues to raise $3.7 million to go towards capital costs, technology infrastructure and training spaces within the complex including a community kitchen and social enterprise café. The amount raised by the community to date will be announced at this event.
Read the two page backgrounder here.Merchants Corner Sept 2015
MEDIA CONTACT
Martin Landy Communications and Events Coordinator, North End Community Renewal Corporation
P: 204 927-2349, E: martin@necrc.org
Diane Poulin, Senior Communications Specialist, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
