Latest proposal for pumping station moving ahead after design approved

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This article was published 14/12/2017 (2317 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Work will resume on the $17-million redevelopment of the historic James Avenue pumping station project after the developers and civic planning staff reached a compromise on design issues.

The property and development committee approved a series of variances at a special meeting Friday that the developer said will allow construction of the east wing of the project to get underway.

Bryce Alston, one of partners on the project, said designs for the east wing of the complex were altered to move an exterior elevator shaft further into the complex and away from the neighbouring property.

City planners had flagged the design of the east building, which will front on Waterfront Drive, because the original plans had the elevator structure constructed right to the property line.

Alston said the elevator has now been moved six feet from the property line, which planning staff said is acceptable.

“We moved it as much as possible,” Alston said, explaining the elevator couldn’t be moved any further without compromising the existing foundation of the heritage building.

The 117-year-old James Avenue pumping station used to be the heart of the downtown fire-suppression system, but it’s been closed for decades and has fallen into disrepair. The heavy machinery and pumps are considered magnificent by those who have seen them, but the building needs extensive repairs.

There have been 13 failed attempts to redevelop the pumping station since 2000, including a controversial 2014 proposal for a 24-storey glass tower suspended over the historic building. That project fizzled out shortly after getting city hall support.

The proposal by Alston, and his partner Rick Hofer, have been endorsed by the business and heritage communities: the original building and machinery will be restored and two new six-storey buildings — with rental units — will be built on either side of the station.

Alston and Hofer also agreed to modify their designs further, by pushing the building further back from the property lines. Requests to alter parking restrictions were abandoned.

Alston said restoration work on the historic pumping station itself is nearly complete.

Councillors on the committee unanimously approved the changes and the variances.

“I think this has been a very challenging site,” said Coun. Matt Allard. “There’s been many attempts to redevelop this building. There are some extremely complex heritage pieces. I’m thrilled to see this project move forward.”

Alston said his group is waiting for the city to finalize its streetscaping plans for those stretches of James Avenue and Waterfront Drive adjacent to the project site, adding that the design of the east-side court yard will be co-ordinated with the look of the street, but added he’s hopeful construction will start in February.

Alston said his group is still having discussions with Heritage Winnipeg and the city’s urban design advisory committee for the final look of the building to the west of the pumping station.

“There are still a lot of moving parts,” Alston said no permits can be applied for on that phase of the project until an agreement is reached. “We won’t get a full building permit until all that is worked out.”

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca