Media Release

Winnipeg Accepts National Award for Commitment to Revitalization

November 10, 2010: Winnipeg, MB – Building on our reputation as a City of Opportunity, Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz announced that the City has been awarded top honours today at the Canadian Brownfields Conference in Toronto.

Winnipeg earned 1st place among 12 Canadian cities and regions judged as Places to Invest, in the first annual study of potential for economic redevelopment and revitalization in Canadian cities. The report, issued jointly by ReNew Canada magazine and REVITALIZ, LLC determined that Winnipeg, along with Norfolk County (Ontario) and the Waterloo Region (Ontario) displayed the greatest commitment to redevelopment and renewal, based on a set of 13 criteria.

“This award represents a tremendous accomplishment by Council, the Public Service, partners in the private sector, arms-length revitalization agencies and the citizens of Winnipeg,” said Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz. “As a community, we have defined our vision, and are working together to ensure Winnipeg is proactive and collaborative with our investment and development partners. We are also excited at the new opportunities this award will undoubtedly bring to our city.”

Whether it is the Manitoba Hydro headquarters and renewable energy, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and existing community assets, the redevelopment of Western Canada’s oldest skyscraper and our existing heritage assets, or the redevelopment of Central Park and our existing public amenities, Winnipeg has embraced the complex and often challenging task of using the best of what we already have, and making it better.

“A lot of work has been done in recent years to support innovative revitalization and development projects, said Winnipeg Planning, Property and Development Director Deepak Joshi. “As an example, we are about to engage in one of the largest infill, transit-oriented, neighbourhood development projects we have ever undertaken, integrating environmentally-friendly features along with rapid transit,” he added, referring to redevelopment of the Fort Rouge Yards.

Much of this innovative approach involves the right tools, including plans and policies that support revitalization. The draft OurWinnipeg plan is one such tool, a 25-year blueprint for planning all the components needed for a community that is sustainable environmentally, economically, and socially.

The Best Place to Invest award was accepted today by Winnipeg Deputy Mayor Justin Swandel, during an awards ceremony in Toronto, Ontario.

The first national Places to Invest report appears in ReNew Canada magazine’s November, 2010 issue.

-30-

For more information contact:

Carmen Barnett, Press Secretary
Mayor’s Office, 510 Main Street
PH: 986-5569 CELL: 803-3952
cbarnett@winnipeg.ca

Back

YES! Winnipeg Investors

Economic Development Winnipeg

Suite 810, One Lombard Place
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada R3B 0X3

Report Builder

Sign up for our blog

Subscribe