CentreVenture reveals details of True North plaza plans at EPC

Detailed plans for the True North plaza in downtown Winnipeg were revealed at city hall on Wednesday, as the city's executive policy committee was updated on development plans for the Convention Centre expansion.

CentreVenture CEO Angela Matheson briefed councillors on plans for two properties adjacent to the Convention Centre at 220 and 225 Carlton St.

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The $400-million mixed use development will have three towers with office space, a 275-room four-star hotel and a plaza.

Matheson said it will take an estimated two years to start construction.

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The project has been embroiled in controversy since late January, when city council raised questions about how and why a deal with True North and CentreVenture was struck to develop the property.

Ultimately, CentreVenture decided to foregomillions of dollars in funding from the city, instead ofopening up the hotel project near the Convention Centre to bidders other than True North.

In January, city council voted to have CentreVenture report back to EPC within 120 days with an update on development plans for the site.