Point Douglas Neighbourhood Plan

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  The opportunities abound!

  by Donna M, over 1 year ago
  We're newer to Winnipeg. We've lived primarily in western Canada but also in other cities in the world. Not many are lucky enough to have beautiful little pockets like Point Douglas.

  
  

  I did not immediately fall in love with Point Doug. For years, my husband would drive me around and point out neglected buildings we could buy - he could not fathom why it wasn't already a sought after place to live being surrounded by the river. At the start my answer was always Hard No. All I saw was poverty and neglect. Nevertheless, he persisted and I started to... Continue reading

  We're newer to Winnipeg. We've lived primarily in western Canada but also in other cities in the world. Not many are lucky enough to have beautiful little pockets like Point Douglas.

  
  

  I did not immediately fall in love with Point Doug. For years, my husband would drive me around and point out neglected buildings we could buy - he could not fathom why it wasn't already a sought after place to live being surrounded by the river. At the start my answer was always Hard No. All I saw was poverty and neglect. Nevertheless, he persisted and I started to see more of the beauty and community.

  
  

  A few years ago we bought and renovated a building. It was tough. Several banks turned us down due to the address. Several insurance providers were equally dismissive. Clearly Point Doug had a reputation that we didn't fully appreciate.

  We've seen it change even in the short time we've been a part of the community. The city has started to replace street lights, trim trees, repave roads, and repour sidewalks. It makes a difference. Several neighbouring businesses and residents have commented on reduced crime and general improvement to the feel of the area.

  Imagine the opportunity for change when small improvements are scaled up. Invite shops, services, and restaurants. Create high-density, multi-family housing that caters to all income levels to provide the much-needed housing and improved tax base for the city. Build more walking and bike paths. Promote the idea of living, working, and playing all in one area surrounded by the spectacular Red River.

  Point Doug is already a lively community. We have the opportunity to build on that, to create a vibrant, inclusive, welcoming community that would be a go-to destination for locals and tourists.

  Thanks to all who are participating and sharing their stories. I'm excited for what's to come.
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  Reno on the river

  by Richo, over 1 year ago

  I love Point Douglas. How could you not? There is a community, a neglected one, but still a community full of people that are passionate about Point Douglas.

  When I first moved to Winnipeg 8 years ago, I would drive around Point Douglas and check out the old buildings and the proximity to the river and wonder why the area was the way it was. How could Point Douglas not be a destination neighbourhood for the city? Having lived in a few cities, I thought everyone wants to live near the water! I researched and found a zoning nightmare!! I... Continue reading

  I love Point Douglas. How could you not? There is a community, a neglected one, but still a community full of people that are passionate about Point Douglas.

  When I first moved to Winnipeg 8 years ago, I would drive around Point Douglas and check out the old buildings and the proximity to the river and wonder why the area was the way it was. How could Point Douglas not be a destination neighbourhood for the city? Having lived in a few cities, I thought everyone wants to live near the water! I researched and found a zoning nightmare!! I found articles about several attempts to improve the area, and the Forks has a plan called "go to the waterfront", but it was completed almost 10 years ago!

  So what to do? I guess we jump in and start! We found an abandoned building that we could renovate and do our part to change the neighbourhood. The process was long, but we got there. Today the property is being leased by film production companies that employ locals and bring millions of dollars to the province.

  I believe the opportunities are endless in Point Douglas and I will continue to invest my time and money to help Winnipeg achieve this plan.

  I enjoyed reading the other stories. Thank you to the others that took the time to write.

  
  
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  Beautify the river bank

  by Doug Wiebe, over 1 year ago
  I have taken the river cruise along the Red River/Assiniboine twice this summer with tourist guests.

  The garbaged campsite along the way are quite an eyesore.

  May I suggest, to be reconsidered not only as beautification but also addressing summer homelessness that proper

  Numbered campsites be erected along the river banks of both rivers, to include:

  1. A walkway adjoining the sites, which are leveled and maintained. 2: Open beach type showers about a block apart; 3. fire pits and picnic table at each campsite; sheltered table areas; 4. Proper tents provided free by the city upon request 5. Toilets... Continue reading

  I have taken the river cruise along the Red River/Assiniboine twice this summer with tourist guests.

  The garbaged campsite along the way are quite an eyesore.

  May I suggest, to be reconsidered not only as beautification but also addressing summer homelessness that proper

  Numbered campsites be erected along the river banks of both rivers, to include:

  1. A walkway adjoining the sites, which are leveled and maintained. 2: Open beach type showers about a block apart; 3. fire pits and picnic table at each campsite; sheltered table areas; 4. Proper tents provided free by the city upon request 5. Toilets be provided about a block apart, either portapotties to begin with, but then esthetically pleasing chalet type toilets; 6. Garbage bins to be collected as regular city pick up at designated areas. 7. Summer youth employment be hired to maintain clean-up, clean washrooms, check on sites. and maintain regular contact with campers. 8. Electrical outlets at each site.

  In the process it might be good to contact present camping people to see what they think and if they would like to be involved. Perhaps some could be involved and even hired in maintenance, clean-up etc along with students.

  Thanks for your consideration.

  
  
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  Long Neglected, Deserving of Better

  by KokusaiCanuck, over 1 year ago
  I am newer to the area, but have lived in neighbouring areas all of my life, so I knew Point Douglas was so much more than its reputation. I am proud to be part of the community now. As another commenter said, the poverty-related problems often make the news, but in reality, this community is lively, tight-knit, vibrant, loving, and multi-cultural. It is full of people working to make things better for everyone in the community. The development potential for this area is incredible.

  
  

  As a start, I would love for something to be done about derelict/abandoned buildings, both residential... Continue reading

  I am newer to the area, but have lived in neighbouring areas all of my life, so I knew Point Douglas was so much more than its reputation. I am proud to be part of the community now. As another commenter said, the poverty-related problems often make the news, but in reality, this community is lively, tight-knit, vibrant, loving, and multi-cultural. It is full of people working to make things better for everyone in the community. The development potential for this area is incredible.

  
  

  As a start, I would love for something to be done about derelict/abandoned buildings, both residential and industrial. Our area is plagued by landlords purchasing and basically throwing away residential properties for neglect. There needs to be a plan for unoccupied houses to be returned to the community through some kind of mechanism with the city. It should not just be sold on to the next landlord until it inevitably burns down and severely impacts the liveability of the neighbourhood.

  
  

  More housing is never a bad thing, especially in this economy. For most of Point Douglas (including areas currently dominated by single-family homes, I believe gentle density in the form of 3-6 story buildings should be allowed and prioritized. Additionally, their design should allow for only one set of stairs so they can be smaller too. Current by-laws regarding fire safety favour massive but short buildings to accommodate the need for multiple stairwells, whereas I would love to see development given the chance to be more creative, with fewer arbitrary restrictions.

  
  

  As many industrial properties as possible must be remediated and returned to the community in the form of future commercial/retail (especially grocery-related retail) and residential as applicable. Half of this area is currently industry, and they are unsuitable for the neighbourhood. As some of it commercializes, we need to eliminate parking minimums for this area. We absolutely do not need tons of parking for one building when most of the community gets around on foot or by bus/bike/mobility aid. Parking does not serve our community, and actively worsens neighbourhood liveability.

  
  

  We need to increase the amenities available and suitable to teenagers as well as children and families. Having safe places for children of all ages to spend their time after school and over the summer should be a priority. The basketball court is a good start, but there should be an event aimed at children and teens to learn about what they want from their neighbourhood. They are often left out of planning, despite being a huge portion of the population in Point Douglas. There could be an art contest aimed at kids where they draw or write an essay about the future of their community, with fun or educational prizes to be won.

  
  

  I am also extremely concerned by through-traffic and the disrespect for our community, largely children and seniors getting around on foot, by bike, and using other mobility aids. Some of my other concerns include speeding drivers travelling through the neighbourhood, and the impact it has on residents. Reducing speeds may not be possible (although I wish it could be), so I think infrastructure that increases safety for pedestrians is important. For example, Higgins at Sutherland just south of the Louise Bridge is an incredibly dangerous area, and efforts should be made to make it much more walkable (speed bumps, bump outs, marked and raised crosswalks, other modal filters) especially with plans to turn the point into a beautiful park space. Any development plan for the area should prioritize public access to the river, and especially pathways that do not flood or erode, reducing maintenance needs.

  
  

  Additionally, the Louise Bridge could theoretically collapse at any moment, and this would deal a huge blow to the transit connectivity within the neighbourhood, since most of the lines rely on the bridge to reach residents via Sutherland. My suggestion would be to close the bridge to private motor vehicle traffic (leaving buses, pedestrians, cyclists, and other micro mobility to use it) until funding can be acquired to redo the bridge (with wider sidewalks and protected micro mobility lanes). We cannot let the bridge go the way of the Arlington Bridge, which has severed the North End community due to limited connections around the rail yard. Speaking of, the river is gorgeous, but it limits access to other parts of the city. I would love for more pedestrian bridges in our area. I live a stone's throw from the Disraeli footbridge and it is heavily used. Connections to Archibald and Whittier Park should be prioritized.

  
  

  And should the railroads ever leave the area, the area they occupy and the surrounding industrial area would be prime for high-rise residential development.

  
  

  I am so thrilled by this plan and hope the community is done justice.
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  The Heart of the City

  by Delighted to live in NPD, almost 2 years ago
  I moved to NPD 10 years ago, not knowing very much about the neighbourhood except the poverty-related problems that often make the news. To my delighted surprise, what i found when I got here was a vibrant, creative, caring, multicultural community, with lots of neighbourhood events and celebrations, and a rich array of caring and creative organizations and programs. It's the heart of the old city of Red River Settlement, and the heart of the city of Winnipeg we live in today. The poverty-related problems exist and need to be addressed with better subsistence funding for the poor people and... Continue reading

  I moved to NPD 10 years ago, not knowing very much about the neighbourhood except the poverty-related problems that often make the news. To my delighted surprise, what i found when I got here was a vibrant, creative, caring, multicultural community, with lots of neighbourhood events and celebrations, and a rich array of caring and creative organizations and programs. It's the heart of the old city of Red River Settlement, and the heart of the city of Winnipeg we live in today. The poverty-related problems exist and need to be addressed with better subsistence funding for the poor people and for all the caring and creative organizations helping to address these issues locally; and intercultural education for those who don't know the truth of the formidable challenges poor people face here everyday. We understand there are plans to build a large national park here: that would be wonderful, as long as it doesn't displace the vital community of residents and organizations that make this neighbourhood so special!
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  Worked in Point Douglas for 26 years

  by Stephen Wilson, almost 2 years ago
  We are a Community Youth Arts Centre and have been serving the children, youth and families of Point Douglas, and surrounding neighbourhoods, for 26 years. During that time we have been involved in numerous 'plans' for the area. We love this small corner of the city for its beauty and rich history. And would very much like to be a part of this planning process.

  We are a Community Youth Arts Centre and have been serving the children, youth and families of Point Douglas, and surrounding neighbourhoods, for 26 years. During that time we have been involved in numerous 'plans' for the area. We love this small corner of the city for its beauty and rich history. And would very much like to be a part of this planning process.