(Winnipeg) The Province of Manitoba today announced the Old Grace Housing Co-operative (OGHC) is the successful bidder to develop the original Grace Hospital property located at 189 Evanson Street in Winnipeg’s Wolseley neighbourhood.
In making the announcement at the site of the future co-op, Premier Greg Selinger said, “We know that Wolseley residents have been actively engaged in the future of this site, and we are pleased to see this exciting new project move forward. The goal is to create a community within a community, built on shared co-operative values, quality housing and a commitment to sustainability.”
OGHC board director, Laura Sevenhuysen, spoke for the co-op. “On behalf of Old Grace Housing Co-op members, who have been working tirelessly for more than 4 years toward this happy day, I’d like to express our thanks to the Province of Manitoba. We are honoured that our proposal was chosen for the development of this site.”
Sevenhuysen credits the success of the co-op’s proposal on the guiding principles and collaborative nature of those involved. “We were guided by our commitment to collaboration, community development, environmental sustainability and International Co-operative Principles. We thank the Wolseley residents and businesses who have worked with us over these past years. All along, they seemed to appreciate that a co-op will create a stable, intentional community of residents who have made significant investment in the co-op, care for the property, and respect and contribute to the local neighbourhood.”
The co-op’s plans are built on OGHC’s vision of an inter-generational, mixed-income, architecturally distinctive and environmentally sustainable co-operative housing project.
The design concept reflects the character of the surrounding neighbourhood. The 59-unit apartment complex includes a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom units, well-designed common areas and amenities, landscaping and outdoor areas. Thirty of the units are designated ‘affordable’ (including 12 Rent Supplement units) and 29 are designated ‘market’ (meaning there will be no cap on resident income). Six fully accessible units are planned. The parking, service and common areas and exterior landscape are all designed to be fully accessible. Peg City Car Co-op will manage two carshare locations on site and members will have the option of joining the car co-op if they choose. Secure bicycle parking will also be provided.
Sevenhuysen concluded, “We greatly appreciate our consulting team for their efforts on our behalf and for their confidence in this project. DSI Tandem, Prairie Architects and HTFC Planning & Design have shared our vision and values and never treated this as ‘just another project’. Our core team recently welcomed Concord Projects, which brings extensive experience in multi-family construction. Without this team, our members and supporters, and the residents of Wolseley – our vision never could have been realized.”
The co-op expects construction to begin in the spring of 2016, with the first occupants moving in early 2018.