Building Communities Initiative II
What is the Building Communities Initiative?
The Building Communities Initiative is a multi-year, cost-shared capital initiative developed jointly by the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg. The goal of BCI is to improve local community infrastructure that will benefit older neighbourhoods, and contribute to the vitality, safety and health of communities throughout the city. It can also support small exterior fix ups to homes on a limited basis in targeted areas. The renewed BCI Agreement replaces the previous agreement between the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg which expired in March 2009.
What resources are being allocated to the Building Communities Initiative?
The Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg are initially each contributing $5 million to the first phase of a new Building Communities Initiative. These funds will be equally distributed among the 15 City wards – approximately $600,000 for each for capital improvements.
Which neighbourhoods have been targeted under the Building Communities Initiative?
The renewed BCI will continue to target areas outside the inner city, as core area neighbourhoods already receive significant revitalization support under the Province’s Neighbourhoods Alive! initiative and the City’s Housing Policy. However, the focus of BCI has changed from targeting entire neighbourhoods to targeting strategic projects in specific areas of need that are experiencing symptoms of decline. By concentrating resources rather than spreading them more thinly across entire neighbourhoods, the initiative’s impact will be enhanced.
How were the targeted areas of need selected?
Criteria used to identify and rank eligible BCI targeted areas included condition of community assets, residential conditions, housing market conditions, socio-economic conditions and other key factors.
How will the Building Communities Initiative benefit my neighbourhood?
Each of the 15 City wards will have at least one of its neighbourhoods designated for BCI support. BCI will target capital investments to key community amenities and areas of need. BCI funding will provide capital funding support to upgrade community facilities and municipal infrastructure, enhance public safety and contribute to residential and commercial beautification in the targeted areas. Community residents will be able to access and enjoy improved community facilities and amenities throughout Winnipeg.
When will the Building Communities Initiative start?
BCI was launched on March 25, 2010 with the announcement of 20 projects. An additional 10 projects were announced on September 21, 2010 and a further 9 projects were announced on March 15, 2011.
What types of projects were eligible for BCI funding?
Eligible projects will include:
- Neighbourhood parks (benches, lighting, tree plantings, drainage improvements)
- Playgrounds (play structures, benches, accessibility improvements, landscaping)
- Athletic fields (turf and drainage improvements, field redevelopment)
- Wading pool upgrades and conversion to spray pads
- Community centres renovations
- Neighbourhood commercial areas and Business Improvement Zones
- Neighbourhood lighting and safety
- Pathways, cycling routes, and community linkages
- Other community facilities and amenities
How have the approved BCI projects been selected?
- In each targeted area, potential projects were identified and selected though:
- Analysis of existing green/community infrastructure assets within or serving the targeted area;
- Direct consultation with project stakeholders including community organizations, Provincial and City elected officials and relevant City departments;
- Assessment of existing and future community infrastructure needs, including approved neighbourhood plans and community readiness projects already developed and endorsed by community stakeholders.
Will the community be consulted in the planning of BCI projects?
BCI staff began the project identification process by consulting with key community stakeholder groups with a vested interest in programming and improving community infrastructure in targeted areas. This led to the development of a potential project list for each of the identified target neighbourhoods, which were vetted with the local city and provincial elected officials.
More detailed investigation of potential BCI projects is now being undertaken, including site analysis, project scoping and stakeholder consultations. Community consultations will be scheduled as projects progress, to present and discuss the designs for approved projects and solicit community input to ensure that implemented projects meet the needs of the local community.
Where can we get more information on this initiative?
Program implementation updates will be posted on the City of Winnipeg’s website. Links to this site will also appear on the provincial Local Government webpage.
- News Release - June 6, 2010
- Approved Phase One Projects (2010-2012)
- Approved Phase One Projects - Area Map
Last update: July 25, 2011
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