Gillingham promises to make north Main revitalization a second-term priority

Scott Gillingham says he will work to “reset and renew” north Main Street, if he wins a second term as mayor.

The incumbent candidate promised Tuesday to devise a long-term plan to rejuvenate that section of the thoroughfare, noting it has recently suffered from decay.

“It has a rich history, a deep and proud history. But the last couple of years, to say it’s been underperforming would be an understatement…. So many stretches of Main Street here, I see derelict buildings, boarded-up businesses, piles of rubble after fires that sit waiting to be cleaned up,” Gillingham said.

“We can disrupt what is going on and turn the tide on north Main Street.”

As the Free Press has reported, rubble left behind by fires has remained on some lots in the 700 and 800 blocks of Main Street for months at a time, creating hazardous eyesores for residents and businesses.

Gillingham’s announcement was held at 1510 Main St., in front of a 72-unit residential building he declared a good example of development that could help improve the area.

“It’s this kind of restoration, this kind of renewal that we can and should see all around Main Street,” he said.

If re-elected, he promised to ask the area’s city council representatives to lead public consultations on how best to address the issues. That would be followed by a north Main summit with other governments, Indigenous leaders, non-profit organizations and foundations, neighbourhood businesses and residents.

He said that summit would take place “early” in the second half of his term and lead to an action plan.

“It’s not an overnight solution to restore or renew north Main but we need to put a plan in place,” he said.

A draft action plan would consider: targeted public safety and security measures; tax-increment financing to support redevelopment of vacant, deteriorating or underused properties; targeted streetscape improvements; community events that attract more activity to the corridor; and increased cleaning and maintenance.

“We could be using tax-increment financing and, perhaps, other grants… so that we can incentivize and encourage investment,” said Gillingham.

While he listed poverty as the area’s “No. 1” concern, the plan would strive to bring people together and better support vulnerable people, not displace them.

“This is not about pushing people somewhere else,” he said.

A campaign spokesman said the north Main zone would include, roughly, the area from the 600 block (at Alexander Avenue) to the 1500 block of Main (at Lansdowne Avenue), though its exact limits could be determined during consultations.

Mayoral contender Kevin Klein also invited media to a campaign announcement Tuesday but it did not include plans for the next term of council. At that event, he confirmed he had completed the nomination process to run for mayor and publicly opposed a change being considered for Winnipeg Transit Plus drivers.

— With files from Malak Abas

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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