CentreVenture hit with derelict-building order for James Avenue Pumping Station

Winnipeg's downtown-development agency is appealing a derelict-building order against theJames Avenue Pumping Station, insisting the heritage structure is a construction site and not a vacant building.

On Sept. 7, city property officials ordered CentreVenture to seal up the James Avenue Pumping Station, which has been vacant since 1986 but will soon undergo a $17-million renovation.

Developers Rick Hofer and Bryce Alston are converting the 110-year-old building into a mixed-use complex with offices, new residential apartments, parking and a view of the massive gears that once powered Winnipeg's water-distribution system.

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On Sept. 16,CentreVenturepresident and CEO AngelaMathiesonappealed thederelict-buildingorder, along with its $7,300 charge.

"CentreVenturewas of the understanding that the city would no longer require the boarded building permit, as the property was to be under construction in 2016,"Mathiesonwrote.

The appeal is slated for Tuesday. Pre-construction work began at the James Avenue Pumping Station in October and thedevelopers said they expected the building's title to be transferred to them in November.