Innovative funding model's competitive bid process provides
over $10 million in anticipated savings for taxpayers
WINNIPEG - The City of Winnipeg Public Service is recommending that a new South District Police Station be constructed, financed and maintained through a public-private partnership, otherwise known as a P3.
â�ÅP3 projects promise better value for taxpayers, better timelines and increased accountability for the completion of public infrastructure projects,â�� said Mayor Sam Katz. â�ÅThe Chief Peguis Trail Extension Project, which was completed on-budget and one full year ahead of schedule, is a prime example of how this type of arrangement has worked extremely well in Winnipeg.â��
A value-for-money analysis conducted on the project concluded that the P3 procurement option, which will cost approximately $18 million to build, would provide savings of nearly $1.3 million when compared to an outright purchase.
Furthermore, as a result of a highly competitive bid process, total estimated payments over the term of the lease will lead to a projected savings of $10.4 million, when compared to the previously anticipated capital budget approved for this project.
The South District project will provide a new police station that is competitively priced, built in a timely manner, and meets all of the operational needs of the Winnipeg Police Service to efficiently and effectively protect public safety.
As a result of a Request for Proposal process in the fall of 2011, Shelter Canadian Properties Limited (SCPL) is recommended as the successful proponent. The public-private partnership agreement would see the City lease the land to SCPL, which would then sublease the land and the building to the City for a 30-year-term with two, 10-year options to renew. At the end of the lease, a fully-maintained station would be turned over to City ownership.
Council approval is required before the Public Service can implement the recommendations. The Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development will consider the report on June 12, 2012.
On July 28, 2011, an open house was held at the Canadian Mennonite University for the public to review site plans for the new facility, which would be located at 2321 Grant Avenue, replacing the existing District 2 (210 Lyle Street) and District 6 (1350 Pembina Highway) stations.
On July 23, 2003, Council approved implementation of the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) Four District Model. The former six-district service delivery model was based on a municipal structure which existed prior to 1971. Contemporary policing issues led the WPS to review this service delivery structure and recommended realignment from six to four districts.
Amalgamation of District 4 (Transcona, North Kildonan) and District 5 (St. Vital, St. Boniface), was achieved in 2008 with the opening of the East District Station, which was also constructed as a P3 project to provide value for taxpayers and modern space for police operations.