Once it's gone...
In spite of $2.8 -M in grants and tax credits (including $1.5-M in heritage grants), it is doubtful there will be a re-built, preserved facade of the Ryan Block once it comes down. That is the word coming not only from a couple of separate commentators on this blog (who as a group have a pretty good track record of accurate information so far), but is also speculation among downtown development circles.This would be not exactly surprising: Bedford Investments cared so little for keeping the Ryan's facade over the years, why would they put a far more arduous effort into re-building it?
For a city in a desperate race to the bottom, facadism is thought to be a good solution to the problem of Bedford Investments being allowed to destroy the Ryan Block for more than 15 years (like the way the City themselves, as its owner, destroyed the Epic Theatre over a similar time frame). So-called urban proponents shrug this off with the one peculiar local ism or another:
"Well, we do need to have some parking..."
"As long as they put retail on the ground floor, what's the difference?"
"I prefer parkades to surface parking lots..." (as if building the former ever subtracts some of the latter in such a flat-lined market.)
Well, friends, we've slipped this far, what makes you think we'll stop at mediocrity? Without public outcry, the City could allow the Ryan Block disappear forever. And it that were to happen, the only winner in this "win-win solution" would be the company that walks away with a couple of million in public money for something they did not do.
If I am wrong, someone go on the record and prove me wrong.
All photos by Mr. Christian
posted by The Rise and Sprawl at
10:16 AM
20 Comments:
It's time for a certain director of a certain agency to resign.
R&S you got a link to the bedford quote for those of us who like to spam our councilors?
11:44-- not sure what you mean? I'm not going to quote or name sources, if that's what you mean.
"straight from the Bedford Investment offices."
did you call them or pull this from the MSM somewhere?
12:26-- it's from a source that does not have an interest in being identified.
Its listed as a Grade 2 since 1991. I assume the permit for demolition will have to go before council.
"Grade II buildings include the majority of Winnipeg’s heritage stock. Sympathetic alterations and additions to the exterior and listed interior elements of these buildings may be allowed in order to maintain the economic viability of the structure. In certain instances, the adaptive re-use of listed interior elements may be permitted."
An owner or the Chief Administrative Officer may apply to the City Clerk to have a structure removed from the Buildings Conservation List or to have it listed under a different grade. A procedure similar to that involved in listing the building applies.
* In considering a proposed delisting or change of grade, the Policy Committee on Property and Development and City Council may take into account the economic viability of the building where circumstances warrant. An application may be denied if the proposed demolition of a listed building is deemed unnecessary.
Bedford may want to tear it down, but fortunately, we will get to see which person in government allows it.
This building can't be saved, its got a structural crack from roofline to foundation. But , the 2.8 million should cover the facade.
Building by building, lol, what a way to conserve. Which one is next...how about the the one on King thats been empty for 30 years.
Ok, who wants to Buy and preserve it.
We buy out Bedford say. 400k. Keep the 2.8 million in grants, and get to work.
I'll chip in.
Wasn't the city going to expropriate this property since it had been so neglected?
Ok, lets get a group together, hammer out a plan and approach Heritage Winnipeg.
that crack is going to be a bitch to deal with but a few well placed "I" beams should give it another 100 years.
30 Windows to be installed
New CNC machined solid wood door
3 large signature windows
8 small signature windows
Re plumb
Re electrical
new roof/garden patio - Furnace- sprinkler systems - Water heaters.
Fiberoptic outdoor lighting
interior floors - firescapes elevator?
sanblasting
it could be interesting
Wow, with all these urbanists, no takers. Why am I not surprised.
lol, I corrected it for you.
Wow, with all these poor urbanists, no takers. Why am I not surprised.
Sorry, but this is getting a little on the absurd side fellas.
Spenny
Why is it absurd Spenny. You have a bunch of people wanting to save these buildings, this looks like an excellent opportunity to put your passion into action.
What are you afraid of ? you only live once.
So far it seems the facades are part of the deal as per City employee. Just waiting on Giles and Jennifer to reconfirm.
Bedford not interested in selling
( just called ), why should they . We just handed over close to 3 million, not including the 600k spent by the City securing the structure.
Mr Galston:
The challenge has been issued: turn your righteous passion into a tax exempt foundation to save the building. And others. You are well positioned to do it.
I thought the 600k or whatever it was in emergency repairs would be added to their tax bill for the year
I'll ask when the two mentioned above call me back. It could be part of the 2.8 million. It could be forgotten on a side deal. They should be able to answer.
Just like to point out a couple of things here Mr.N. As you said, Bedford won't sell so your challenge to purchase this building is just bluster. The second is that I'd bet most of the urbanists you deride have invested what the can by buying an old house (or renting in an old building) in an old neighborhood and likely doing what they can to improve said house and neighborhood. Even if that means simply living there and patronizing the local shops. Is it too much to expect other property owners to act in a similar fashion, maintaining or improving their property? If they don't then they should be criticized publicly, especially when it is a prominent building in a historic neighborhood.
As for the foundation idea, sounds great no matter who starts it.
Is it too much to expect other property owners to act in a similar fashion
Yes it is. To them , the buildings are an investment, which may generate a profit, like it or not.
If they don't then they should be criticized publicly, especially when it is a prominent building in a historic neighborhood
And why exactly should they be criticized. Are they not playing by the rules, whatever they may be.
As per the foundation, isn't that what CV was to be? If a foundation is setup, we would have to have the City's backing that CV won't jump in and corrupt the pricing using taxpayers money. Because thats what those visionless nasty boys and girls do, the overpay using tax dollars.
As per the Ryan Block, word on this blog was that the facades were not going to be replaced. thats a problem, the basis of the funding hinged on that condition. So i will wait for Giles or Jennifer to confirm what the real story is.
Personally if there is truth to what was mentioned, Bedford should lose their funding. Which may open an avenue to purchase the building. So I'll bluster away for another day or two.
Well this is interesting.
Seems like Bedford won't see a cent of the 2.8 Million until they've met the conditions set out by the Historical Buildings Committee.
Part of the condition was that the facades would be rebuilt.
As for the 600K, yes it was added to his tax bill on the property, and if by Spring time, he doesn't start the work, the City will go back in and do more work to further stabilize the building. that cost will be added to the tax bill.
So assuming he doesn't start the work, and he doesn't pay the property tax with the added costs, eventually the building will be taken over by the City. ( our cost may be 1 million by that time )
As per my discussion with PP&D, Bedford won't sell the building and is playing this game with the City.
At this time, I would have to say the facades stay in order to get the 2.8 million dollar carrot at the end of the day. But, there is always the possibility that the least amount of work is preformed to meet the condition.
As per Thogrimmson, the entire facades would be rebuilt. Time will tell.
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