Merchants Hotel, 541 Selkirk Avenue (STAN MILOSEVIC / MANITOBAPHOTOS.COM)
A North End street corner is set to undergo a makeover, turning it into a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood resource.
The University of Winnipeg announced Monday the North End Community Renewal Corporation will transform the Merchants Hotel at the corner of Selkirk Avenue and Andrews Street.
The site will be redeveloped over the nine months in conjunction with community consultations.
The Winnipeg Foundation is contributing to a feasibility study for the site, which will address the physical condition of the building, identify architectural opportunities for redevelopment, and identify a series of revitalization concepts.
Other partners in the project include the Urban Circle Training Centre Inc., The Selkirk Avenue BIZ, Andrews Street Family Centre, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. and the U of W’s Urban and Inner-City Studies program.
There are currently 13 people living in the hotel, which also includes a beer vendor and beverage room. Any plan for redevelopment will ensure there is appropriate housing for the remaining residents.
The property is slated for acquisition by April 2012.
