December 16, 2008

PROVINCE, CITY TO ACCELERATE CAPITAL PLANS AS PART OF PROPOSED IKEA SITE


The Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg will work together to accelerate the widening of Kenaston Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway to meet the timelines of a proposed new Winnipeg Ikea site, Premier Gary Doer and Mayor Sam Katz said today.

The premier said the province will advance its share of capital funding to the city of up to $8 million for the projects. The widening of Kenaston Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway is already included in the city’s Plan Winnipeg, but would be accelerated to accommodate Ikea’s development plans, pending a public rezoning process and open house that will take place this spring.

“Advancing already scheduled infrastructure will help this project move forward,” said Doer.

“The city has worked diligently to create an ‘open for business’ environment that attracts growth and positive developments like Ikea,” said Katz. “By accelerating existing infrastructure plans, we are encouraging smart responsible development and I am thrilled to see this major retail project transform from talk to action.

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