Expressions of Interest for Redevelopment
of Vacant and Derelict Buildings

In 2004, City Council approved the Vacant and Derelict Buildings By-law (By-law 35/2004), which grants authority for the City to take possession of properties for which violations are outstanding and for which a Derelict Building Certificate has been issued.  A requirement of issuance of the Derelict Building Certificate is that a satisfactory redevelopment plan is established.  In order to establish a “satisfactory redevelopment plan”, the City issues requests for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from parties interested in acquiring and redeveloping specific properties.

Process Overview
The overall process is lengthy but logical, and provides ample opportunity for a property owner to meet conditions of an order issued for violations against the property.  To begin, a City building inspector identifies violations in a written order to the property owner, with a requirement that certain conditions be met within a specified time.  If those conditions are not met within the specified time, charges are laid and heard in a court of law. If the owner is found guilty and convicted, he is given a further opportunity to correct the violations.

If the owner still does not comply with outstanding orders against a building following a conviction in court, the City can issue a Preliminary Derelict Building Order against the property.  The owner has opportunity to appeal this order to the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development (SPCPD), and to request additional time to make repairs.  If no appeal is made or if the appeal is rejected, the City then issues a request for EOIs from other parties to redevelop the property.

EOIs are evaluated by a team of City staff including representatives from Planning and Land Use, Development and Inspections, Housing Development, Community Services, and Fire Prevention.  If acceptable proposals are submitted, the team recommends to SPCPD that the most qualified proposal be approved as a redevelopment plan for the property.  This recommendation is made with a request for approval by SPCPD for a Derelict Building Certificate, which allows the City to proceed with taking possession of the property.

Even after issuance of a Derelict Building Certificate, the owner still has opportunity to address issues regarding compliance with the Vacant and Derelict Building By-law.  If adequate repairs are made, the City will halt the process of taking possession.  Only if conditions are still outstanding will the City take final steps to acquire the property.  Notice is given to all interested parties and after a specified time, title transfer is requested.  Upon taking title to the property, the City simultaneously transfers title to the successful proponent for the property.

EOI Requirements
So, what constitutes an “acceptable” proposal?  At the first stage, the City requests a basic concept paper that describes the proponent’s relevant experience, what is the specific offer for the property, what will be done to the property upon acquisition and within what approximate timeframe, and how the property will be used upon completion.  While there is no specific length requirement, concept papers are generally no more than 3 – 4 pages in length.

Concept papers will be reviewed by the Evaluation Team, and those that exhibit the most potential will be explored further.  At that point, proponents may be asked to provide greater detail regarding plans, resources and abilities to complete the project.  Assuming that acceptable proposals are submitted, the most qualified proposal will be recommended for acceptance by SPCPD.

Current Request for Expressions of Interest
There is currently no invitation open for Expressions of Interest.  For more information about upcoming invitations or about the process and expectations, please contact:

Dave Dessens, Winnipeg Housing Policy Coordinator
Housing Development Division
Planning Property and Development
361 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3B 2K2

Phone:  email