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WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government has announced it will move forward with True North Real Estate Development (TNRED) to create a Health-Care Centre of Excellence as part of the redevelopment of Portage Place. 

The provincial government and TNRED have signed a letter of intent for a 35-year lease agreement to build the 200,000-square-foot 12-storey centre in downtown Winipeg.

“Winnipeg’s downtown is Manitoba’s downtown and all Manitobans want to be proud of it. This project will fundamentally change what our downtown looks and feels like for the better. Our government will do its part by delivering new and improved health care services that make Portage Place a centre of excellence for clinical care and research that is convenient and accessible for everyone,” Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said in a statement.

The centre will add health care to the downtown core with key services such as a primary-care clinic, mental health and addictions support services, and additional renal dialysis capacity, as well as an expansion of Pan Am Clinic.

The Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) also plans to redevelop the former Hudson’s Bay location into a modern campus connecting health care services with affordable and family housing, a full-scale grocery store, neighbourhood services and urban green spaces., the release said.

TNRED and SCO have also entered into a letter of intent regarding shared ownership of a 15-storey multi-family tower with market-leading percentages of affordable and accessible one- two- and three-bedroom units.

“The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is pleased to advance our partnership with True North Real Estate Development. This important Portage Place initiative will provide a hub of housing and health that will strengthen our downtown,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniles in the release.

“Together, we have agreed to principles of shared ownership and key priorities for the multi-family housing tower that will provide much-needed safe, accessible and affordable housing in downtown Winnipeg with direct connection to our Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project at the former HBC building.”

��������ion on the Health-Care Centre of Excellence is planned to begin in 2025, with a target for completion of construction in 2028, Kinew said. The multi-family tower is anticipated to begin building in 2025 with targeted completion in 2026.