Layoffs, lost assessment base will result if lots unavailable
Winnipeg Free Press
Monday, January 2nd, 2006
Your New Home/Garth Steek
Residential construction is a $1.6 billion industry in Manitoba. If building lots are not available in the fall of 2006, industry layoffs, reductions in goods purchased, and lost assessment base are inevitable.
Nearly one year ago today, city council held a public hearing for a Plan Winnipeg amendment. The meeting, on Jan. 4 and 5, 2005, which ultimately led to approval of Waverley West, was marked by strong support as well as vehement opposition.
City council supported Waverley West. The third and final reading of the amendment occurred in late April.
The Manitoba Home Builders' Association has consistently maintained that if Waverley West was not approved, there would be severe building lot shortages in Winnipeg and that housing prices would rise dramatically.
Opponents of the development stated that there were hundreds of inner-city building lots awaiting development.
However, this was simply not the case. Many of those so-called lots were little more than side yards and in many cases could not be developed.
Population growth, pent-up demand, low mortgage rates and significant capital projects have all contributed to the need for new housing in Winnipeg.
At present, both the Province of Manitoba and Ladco Co. Ltd., the two major land owners in Waverley West, are working with the city to have public hearings for their area structure plans. The most recent open house to review the area plans was held on Dec. 15 at the Holiday Inn on Pembina Highway.
The province is working with the city to have its plan for the first neighbourhood at public hearing (community committee) in the early spring after a January open house.
These time frames are essential if the province is to realize its goal of having serviced lots available by the late fall of 2006.
The need for these new lots is readily apparent. There are virtually no building lots left in the southwest quadrant of the city, while the southeast has perhaps one year's supply.
Residential construction is a $1.6 billion industry in Manitoba. If building lots are not available in the fall of 2006, industry layoffs, reductions in goods purchased, and lost assessment base are inevitable.
The City of Winnipeg administration must work effectively and efficiently to ensure building lots are on stream for the fall of 2006. The MHBA and its associated partners are committed to working with the city. The result will be of immense economic benefit to the city and the province.
Garth Steek is president of the Manitoba Home Builders'
Association