How a land swap could benefit the Pantages Theatre redevelopment

The redevelopment of Pantages Theatre could benefit from a City of Winnipeg land swap.

A new report is shedding light on how a land swap could benefit the multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the Pantages Theatre.

A motion before Winnipeg’s executive policy committee asks the public service to look at the possibility of acquiring the Pantages Annex Parcel, declaring it surplus and transferring it to the Performing Arts Consortium for $1. The Parcel would be swapped for the Watt Street Holding as proposed through the housing accelerator fund.

The reports notes the addition of the Annex Parcel to the Pantages redevelopment could “enhance and fully revitalize the iconic cultural property potential.”

“This is an opportunity for us to look at making a contribution – potentially – to the Pantages project and so we want to get information back from our staff in that regard,” explains Mayor Scott Gillingham at a news conference on Tuesday.

According to the motion, the Performing Arts Consortium has a $62 million design plan for the redevelopment of the Pantages. So far, the city has committed $750,000 through the Downtown Arts Capital Grant and the province has pledged $15 million.

The public service has 30 days to report back to the property and development committee and is asked to include a report by the Independent Fairness Commissioner.