City should own, lease historic St. B buildings: report

A city report recommends two buildings in St. Boniface’s civic square be kept under municipal ownership and to authorize a community organization to be the property manager of them.

In a report to be presented to the city’s standing policy committee on Thursday, bureaucrats recommend the proposed sale of the old town hall in St. Boniface and its former fire station be rescinded and they be leased to a non-profit organization.

The proposal comes after a series of public engagement workshops and surveys held for residents to discuss the future of 219 Provencher Blvd. (the former St. Boniface City Hall) and 212 Dumoulin St. (the former fire hall).

“The overwhelming consensus of participants … is that 219 Provencher and 212 Dumoulin should remain as city-owned property and that the buildings are (somewhat to) very important,” reads the report by planning, property and development manager Gord Chappell.

Chappell recommends the Carré Civique de Saint-Boniface board be established, which would see to the future tenancy of the two buildings and draft criteria for a long-term lease.

The board would include local councillors, Société de la Francophone Manitobaine nominees and a public servant.

A survey completed by 1,284 residents showed more than 70 per cent of respondents are supportive of the city remaining the owner of both buildings and entering into a long-term lease with an organization to manage the buildings, the report states. The survey, conducted between Dec. 20, 2023 and Feb. 15, showed polled residents suggested a range of ideas for the buildings, including public service and commercial use.

The report says a request for proposal will be issued to select a property manager should the recommendations be carried.

“Entering into a long-term lease with a community organization with oversight from an advisory board as proposed will ensure Francophone involvement in the operation of the buildings,” Chappell said in the report. “A property manager will be able to balance financial and community needs while respecting culture and heritage.”

Both buildings are designated as historical resources. In 1984, 219 Provencher Blvd. was declared a national historic site.

Manitoba Possible, an organization that provides support for people with disabilities, reached an agreement with the city to acquire the properties in 2021, but pulled out in March of last year, citing increased construction costs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

If adopted by the standing policy committee, the report will be submitted to the executive policy committee before going to municipal council for a final vote.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca