Winnipeg, MB - Today, the City of Winnipeg launched a unique design competition to commemorate the labour movement that resulted in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike. Beginning February 5, 2016 interested parties are invited to submit proposals for an interpretation installation at the corner of Lily Street and Market Avenue.
“The labour movement that resulted in the 1919 General Strike is an important part of Winnipeg’s history and deserves to be commemorated,” said John Kiernan, Director, Planning, Property and Development. “We hope to receive multiple proposals as part of the design competition and encourage multi-disciplinary team entries that may include such disciplines as architects, landscape architects, historians or heritage planners.”
Timeline for design competition
- Deadline for competition submissions: April 1, 2016
- Phase 1 - three semifinalists selected: April 19, 2016
- Phase 2 - finalist submissions due: May 24, 2016
- Finalist announcement: June 1, 2016
- Construction to commence: Fall 2016
Each of the three semifinalists will receive $5,000 to support further design refinement, contextual analysis and a detailed budget. The maximum budget for the winning installation is $250,000. The project is being funded from the 2015 Downtown Enhancement Capital Program.
The Phase 1 semi-finalists will be selected by a jury composed of:
- Susan Algie, Director, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation
- Esyllt Jones, Historian
- Paul Moist, Union Activist
- Alyssa Schwann, Environmental Designer
- Jordon Van Sewell, Artist
The selection of the Phase 2 finalist will be determined by City staff and Exchange District stakeholders.
For more information on the competition please visit City of Winnipeg - 1919 General Strike Design Competition. Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 1014-2015 is available here.
Background
The Exchange District National Historic Site was designated by the Government of Canada in 1997. The area was recognized for illustrating the City’s role as a centre of the grain and wholesale trade, as well as finance and manufacturing. The District is also known for its architecturally significant built resources that demonstrate the City’s important economic role in western Canada.
Located in the National Historic Site, the area surrounding Lily Street and Market Avenue was the site of some of the most intense clashes between the strikers and the police. Nearby Elgin Avenue became known as “Hell’s Alley.”