Winnipeg mayor looks forward to True North development downtown

Winnipeg mayor Brian Bowman said he is looking forward to seeing True North Sports and Entertainment develop the city's downtown area. 

True North bought the property at 220 Carlton Street with the plan to develop the land into a $400-million hotel, office and residential complex by 2017, the company announced Monday. 

• True North confirms it will buy downtown land to build True North Square

"It's a sizeable investment in our downtown. I think Winnipeggers should be happy to see this level of an investment in our downtown," Bowman said Tuesday. 

There have been no formal requests made by either company for municipal backing for the development to move forward, including the $3.75 million that Stuart Olson was penalized for failing to develop the site, the mayor said, but he added that any request made would be considered.

The mayor commended CentreVenture for their role in making strategic investments and spurring investment by private investors in the area. 

• Winnipeg mayor Brian Bowman mends fences with True North
• True North's Mark Chipman fires back at mayor, puts Carlton Street project on hold

"We want more people living downtown," Bowman told CBC's Information Radio, looking forward to the residential spots that will be opened up by the development. 

"We're looking forward to this proceeding and I think everybody involved is looking forward and trying to move things forward in the most productive way possible."