Initiated Plans
Warehouse District Neighbourhood Plan
The northern portion of Winnipeg’s downtown is a complex area receiving considerable development related attention these days. It includes four immediately recognizable areas: the Exchange District National Historic Site, the Civic Centre and Centennial Complex, Waterfront Drive and Chinatown.
While the study area is broader than just the National Historic Site, it is this neighbourhood that is most identifiable and has had the biggest impact on our Downtown. At the turn of the 20th century, Winnipeg was one of the fastest growing cities in North America. Architects from Chicago came to Winnipeg to practice, and many local architects were influenced by the Chicago style. By 1911, Winnipeg had become the third largest city in Canada with the convergence of 24 rail lines and over 200 wholesale businesses. However, its growth slowed through World War 1 and with the opening of the Panama Canal in 1913.
The benefit of this slow growth over the ensuing decades meant that few of the Exchange District’s buildings were demolished, preserving a unique area in the City and also in Canada. In 1997 the Exchange District received National Historic Site status for an area that “…vividly illustrates Winnipeg’s transformation between 1878 and 1913 from a modest pioneer settlement to western Canada’s largest metropolitan centre…”
The Need for a Plan
The District is changing. More residential development is happening in the neighbourhood, creating new pressures on the heritage district. However, there is still the belief by many residents and business owners that promises of neighbourhood improvement are happening too slowly, and not enough is being done to facilitate development in their downtown neighbourhood. Additional concerns were raised about the failing infrastructure and maintenance of the streets and buildings and the need for investment especially in Chinatown. However, there is still concern over gentrification and losing the bohemian character of the neighbourhood and displacing the people who help make the neighbourhood unique to Winnipeg.
The Purpose of the Plan
The Neighbourhood Plan for the Warehouse District will provide policy direction to guide development and decision-making over a 20 year period. The Plan is also intended to create an overall vision for the study area through the creations of policies that recognize the character defining elements of the neighbourhood working with heritage experts, property owners, residents, developers and local merchants.
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Last update: July 9, 2010
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