Reserve takes steps toward obtaining Canada Packers land

The redevelopment of the abandoned Canada Packers property in Winnipeg's St. Boniface area moved a little closer to reality Tuesday as a committee at city hall agreed to rezone more than eight hectares of the land.

The property and development committee voted to rezone the land, which is currently industrial, as commercial and industrial.

That parcel of land will be sold to the Roseau River First Nation, which has plans for a gas station, car wash, convenience store, office and warehouse on the site, near the corner of Marion Street and Archibald Street.

St. Charles Coun. Peter De Smedt said the band must still obtain financing for the property, but if the deal goes ahead, it could spark the development of the remaining 50 hectares of vacant property, known collectively as the public markets site.

"We are going to go out with an expression of interest to the industry and advertise nationally if anybody wants to acquire the other lands," De Smedt said Tuesday.

"I think there's some opportunity there. We know that the people who are involved in industrial land acquisition are very interested."

The land was used for livestock-related industries by Canada Packers, Swifts and Union Stockyards between 1900 and 1980. The city now owns the site, and has been trying to find a new use for it for two decades.

A handful of buildings, including a water tower and powerhouse, remain on the land. City officials are now considering giving them status as historic buildings.

Full city council must approve the decision before it is final; the matter will likely be considered at the next council meeting on June 28.

The Roseau River First Nation has previously expressed interest in turning the land into an urban reserve. For that to happen, the band will have to undertake discussions with the federal and provincial governments to give the property reserve status.

Reserve status would give certain tax exemptions to the aboriginal people who work or shop there. It could also give the businesses and offices located on the land some immunity from federal and provincial taxes.