Post by Ducky on Jan 18, 2005 7:30:32 GMT -5
Nightclub plan panned
'Ludicrous' use of heritage building
By ROSS ROMANIUK, CITY HALL REPORTER
Councillors are on the verge of allowing a nightclub to take over an empty downtown bank building -- a plan that critics say shows the city has become desperate to fill heritage structures. Winnipeg's Superb Entertainment -- a firm that books dancers for nightclubs as well as family-friendly acts for various venues -- is reportedly involved with the proposed transformation of the Oldfield, Kirby & Gardner building. The historic bank at 234 Portage was built in 1909 near the site of today's largest bank towers.
Core-area activist Harry Lehotsky yesterday criticized city hall's recommendation that White House on Portage Ltd. be given a municipal heritage tax credit of $328,900 for its retrofit, expected to cost $1 million.
Though there's no indication that the elegant, pillared, two-storey structure would feature exotic dancers, Lehotsky says a nightclub is a questionable fit for such a classy property.
DANCE FLOOR AND STAGE
"There's no other use for a bank in our city? No other use for a financial institution downtown?" he asked The Sun. "That's just ludicrous. That means they're saying this is the way to revitalize downtown."
Michel Fillion, a member of Superb Entertainment's management team, told The Sun in October the company wants to renovate the building to set up offices and at least two residential suites.
He couldn't be reached yesterday to discuss the nightclub, which a city hall report states will have a dance floor and stage on the main floor.
Heritage Winnipeg has also questioned the city's willingness to support the plan, which saw councillors designate the building -- home to Canadian Western Bank until little more than a year ago -- as a property eligible for tax support in October.
"The reason we have the credits is that it's difficult to get them redeveloped," said Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, whose Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry ward includes the site. "But I'm not sure about this use."
Mayor Sam Katz's executive committee will weigh the project tomorrow.
Fillion said this past fall that he'll begin construction as soon as he obtains a grant for the work.
Lehotsky pointed out that little has been discussed publicly about the proposal.
"I'm wondering how honest and up-front everyone has been," he said. "And I don't know what someone down there is thinking."
'Ludicrous' use of heritage building
By ROSS ROMANIUK, CITY HALL REPORTER
Councillors are on the verge of allowing a nightclub to take over an empty downtown bank building -- a plan that critics say shows the city has become desperate to fill heritage structures. Winnipeg's Superb Entertainment -- a firm that books dancers for nightclubs as well as family-friendly acts for various venues -- is reportedly involved with the proposed transformation of the Oldfield, Kirby & Gardner building. The historic bank at 234 Portage was built in 1909 near the site of today's largest bank towers.
Core-area activist Harry Lehotsky yesterday criticized city hall's recommendation that White House on Portage Ltd. be given a municipal heritage tax credit of $328,900 for its retrofit, expected to cost $1 million.
Though there's no indication that the elegant, pillared, two-storey structure would feature exotic dancers, Lehotsky says a nightclub is a questionable fit for such a classy property.
DANCE FLOOR AND STAGE
"There's no other use for a bank in our city? No other use for a financial institution downtown?" he asked The Sun. "That's just ludicrous. That means they're saying this is the way to revitalize downtown."
Michel Fillion, a member of Superb Entertainment's management team, told The Sun in October the company wants to renovate the building to set up offices and at least two residential suites.
He couldn't be reached yesterday to discuss the nightclub, which a city hall report states will have a dance floor and stage on the main floor.
Heritage Winnipeg has also questioned the city's willingness to support the plan, which saw councillors designate the building -- home to Canadian Western Bank until little more than a year ago -- as a property eligible for tax support in October.
"The reason we have the credits is that it's difficult to get them redeveloped," said Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, whose Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry ward includes the site. "But I'm not sure about this use."
Mayor Sam Katz's executive committee will weigh the project tomorrow.
Fillion said this past fall that he'll begin construction as soon as he obtains a grant for the work.
Lehotsky pointed out that little has been discussed publicly about the proposal.
"I'm wondering how honest and up-front everyone has been," he said. "And I don't know what someone down there is thinking."