MMF makes $2M offer on downtown properties

The Manitoba Métis Federation is set to expand its presence in Brandon, with plans for affordable housing for Métis seniors and families, potential child-care facilities and additional office space.

President David Chartrand said the federation has made a $2-million offer on two properties owned by Assiniboine Credit Union at 220 10th St. and 1020 Princess Ave.

“The design is somewhat off from what we would need, but our team has been working at it and looking at it,” Chartrand said.

The proposed acquisition would help the federation establish a stronger presence in the city, although the offers have not yet been finalized.

Chartrand said that the adjacent downtown properties could accommodate two daycare centres and an office for federation departments, including Child and Family Services.

The federation has identified a need for more child care in Brandon, particularly as its Métis population grows.

Occupying the property at the corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue could help downtown revitalization, Brandon Chamber of Commerce president Emilio Brown said.

“Moving from being a vacant property to being occupied, despite the use of it, in my opinion, would actually help the whole revitalization of downtown,” Brown told the Sun.

“The proposed combination of office space, housing and childcare could bring more people into the downtown area throughout the week, benefiting nearby restaurants, coffee shops and retailers.”

Brown said if the acquisition of the property is successful, it has potential benefits for employers struggling with child-care shortages.

“Additional spaces could help parents return to work and ease pressure on the wider child-care system,” he said in an interview. “Child care as a barrier has been named by many employers across the city. Having child care in general would actually be beneficial for the workforce in general.”

Renovations could also create opportunities for local builders, contractors and suppliers, while the proposed facilities could generate jobs for office and child-care staff, Brown said.

He identified parking and traffic associated with daycare drop-offs and pick-ups as possible concerns but said they appeared manageable.

“The Chamber welcomes MMF’s growing investment in Brandon,” Brown said. “It’s good for downtown. It’s good for the workforce, and overall good for local businesses.”

Redevelopment of the two downtown properties isn’t a done deal yet, though.

Chartrand has said renovation costs could be high and that the MMF would continue looking elsewhere if the offers for the properties at the corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue are unsuccessful.

The federation is also considering options beyond the two properties.

“Something’s coming for sure,” Chartrand said. “Whether they’re in or not, I’m coming (to Brandon).”

The federation is assessing Brandon’s housing needs and considering a mix of affordable units for people, Peter Fleming, the MMF’s minister of housing, said.

“We are seeing that there is a need for affordable homes, affordable units for families, for single persons, for elderly persons,” Fleming told the Sun Sunday morning.

“It’ll be a combination of those within an apartment block. If we were to do an apartment complex, it would have (to address) the needs of each of those different demographics.”

Fleming said the federation has not settled on a specific development, location, number of units or construction budget for a housing development. Its approach will depend on the needs of the community and the properties available.

“There’s no plans set in stone right now to do a specific build, but we are looking to build,” he said.

“We’re looking at encompassing a lot of different needs into one build, trying to maximize the dollars and the investment. Also, looking to make an economic development within the regions that we employ these builds.”

Fleming said the MMF wants to ensure any development is supported by research into local demographics and long-term demand before committing to construction.

“You know, if there’s not a need for a $30-million build, and there’s only a need for a $10-million build in the housing, we’re not going to build something that’s only going to be used for five years,” he said.

“We have a long-term vision, a long-term goal. We want to be able to keep that complex, that unit filled for the next 25, the next 30 years.”

He said the federation is conducting surveys and population research to determine the appropriate scale of development. Timelines will depend on securing land or buildings, confirming the need and obtaining the necessary funding.

“I’d love to be able to start tomorrow,” Fleming said. “But there’s a lot of preparation, a lot of background, a lot of funding dollars that have to be secured in order to proceed with the build.”

The Brandon initiative comes as the Manitoba government and the MMF signed an $18-million bilateral housing agreement on Saturday during the federation’s annual general assembly.

The agreement, announced by Premier Wab Kinew, is expected to support the development of more than 70 affordable homes for Métis elders and families across the province over five years.

Under the agreement, Manitoba and the federation will each contribute $9 million to support the Red River Métis Housing Strategy, which aims to address chronic homelessness and expand affordable housing options.

“Building more affordable housing is part of our government’s commitment to lowering costs for families,” Kinew said. “We are proud to partner with the MMF to help hard-working families who are struggling with the cost of living finally be able to afford their own home. The agreement today is part of our longstanding commitment to working with the MMF to make life more affordable for Métis people and all Manitobans.”

Fleming said the federation hopes to work with Brandon and surrounding communities to identify opportunities that meet local housing needs while supporting economic development.

“We look very much forward to working with the City of Brandon, surrounding communities, in housing development and economic stimulus,” he said.

Fleming said the federation is open to proposals from property owners who believe their buildings or land could accommodate its housing and community-service plans.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com with file reports from Gabrielle Piche

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