I
met Robert Ackman and David Asper at a Plan Winnipeg Public Meeting
of June 12/2000, at City Hall. I found the following presentation
that they made worthwhile.
I want everyone that loves Winnipeg to read their presentation.
Proof of their claims should be obvious when you see the hundreds
of vacant stores, not just in the downtown, but throughout Winnipeg.
David Asper sent me the following letter which really states the
case in a few words.
June
20, 2000
Councilor Harvey Smith
Council Building
510 Main Street
Winnipeg, Mb.
Dear Harvey,
I want to thank you for your support regarding the opposition
of allowing further urban sprawl in Winnipeg. While it might
seem that we are strange bedfellows, I don't think this is
really the case. In my view, the urban sprawl that has been
allowed to happen has not resulted in an overall better economic
position for the City. Rather, as you are acutely aware, it
has, in part, sucked the life from the center of the our City
and its Inner City neighborhoods.
I might also add that as a business investor, one of the things
we look for is certainty. If a governing entity develops a
strategic plan but then continues to deviate from it, the
climate of uncertainty is a deterrent to further investment.
This is particularly true for potential investors in a downtown
area who, given the history of exceptions to Plan Winnipeg,
might well conclude that the risk is too high.
In any event, I hope we can slay this dragon and re-focus
our efforts on the real priority, which is repairing our broken
Inner City.
Best regards,
David
Asper
