Public battle over True North Carlton deal hurts business: Winnipeg developer

A Winnipeg developer says the public fight between Mayor Brian Bowman and Jets owner Mark Chipman won't do anything to help the business community.

Chipman says his company, True North, is putting a $400-million project on hold because he's upset over being accused of making deals in secret. 

Adrian Schulz is a developer with Imperial Properties in Winnipeg. He said it's clear Chipman felt his reputation and that of his company, True North, had been tarnished.

"I think if a legitimate and very collected businessman like Mark Chipman stands in front of a microphone in the form of a corporate press conference to defend his reputation and his company's reputation, I think that is saying a lot about his values and how he wants Winnipeg to view him and his organization. So is this hurting the business community and the potential for future transactions? It certainly doesn't help."

Chipman announced plans for a $400-million dollar development project on Carlton is on hold because of allegations of secret deals from the mayor.

Mayor Brian Bowman says he hasn't seen the details of a deal between CentreVenture and True North to build a hotel next to the Convention Centre.

But yesterday Chipman revealed that Bowman had seen a corporate promotional video of the project in November.

Schulz says that puts Bowman in an awkward position.

" I think he got caught with his pants down. Given that there was Kevin Chief who was also in the room and saw the same video at the same time. And that location was clear."

Bowman said he believed the video was for a development at a different address on Carlton Street and was told it did not involve the city.

Earlier this week, Bowman called for a review of CentreVenture for more transparency.

Schulz supports that move. And he agrees with Bowman that the process should have been opened up to give other businesses a chance. 

"In the fair interests to all citizens and companies in Winnipeg, yeah, there should be the opportunity to bid on this type of project. But at the same time, I am happy someone is trying. "

Schulz is hoping Bowman and Chipman can move past what happened...to salvage the deal.

"I think I am going to give this one up to a new mayor and a new administration learning the ropes on how these things work. Let's hope it doesn't happen again. And let's hope that there's enough collected and cool minds that we can sort this out. At the end of the day we want to see something happening there."