Bid to demolish PSB lower than expected

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This article was published 18/06/2019 (1773 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Demolition of the Public Safety Building could come in $2.9 million under budget as the city prepares to build the new Market Lands development in the Exchange District.

A city report recommends awarding a contract for $6.8 million to Rakowski Cartage and Wrecking Ltd. to demolish the former police headquarters and parkade.

“Market conditions resulted in a low bid,” below the expected cost of $9.7 million, a city spokesperson wrote in an email.

A design for the site was selected in December after a competition, but council is being asked to approve a vision document to keep the development moving forward after the tear-down.

The 2.4-acre site will include the new Manitoba Design Centre, a new home for Urban Shaman: Contemporary Aboriginal Art gallery and 108 non-profit rental housing units.

Due to a historical caveat, the southern part of the site needs to be available for public use. A market and green space will be built there.

At least 30 food and retail stores — some permanent, others revolving — will be enclosed in what the city calls “an iconic glass structure” for incubating new local businesses.

Demolition is expected to begin in the fall if the contract is approved. The plans head to the city’s property and development committee on Monday.

tvanderhart@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @tessavanderhart

Market Lands vision document