| The City of Winnipeg Department of Environmental Planning 100 Main Street Winnipeg Manitoba R3C 1A5 (Mr. I. Torry Phone 985-5165) File No: EP 7.10c September 29, 1975 Mrs. F. Riley Communications Clerk St. Vital Community Committee, 604 St. Mary�s Rd. Winnipeg, Manitoba R2M 3L5 Dear Mrs. Riley, Research studies by the Urban Design Section of the Seine River Task Force have revealed a site of considerable historic significance north of John Bruce Road and west of the Seine River. Perusal of detailed topographic maps and other plans dating to the mid-1800�s indicate many conditions of man-made rather than natural origin indicating the presence of the last grist (and carding or stamping) mill of Louis Riel Sr., one of the three believed to have existed on the Seine River. Several field trips to the area, latterly accompanied buy Mr. Marius Benoist, curator of the Mus�e de St. Boniface, Mr. Alec Mackay, a historic researcher on western Canadian grist mills and Mr. Geo. Lalor, a Riel family researcher, tend to confirm earlier revelations. Mr. McFarlane, the Province of Manitoba Archivist, has been contacted and a field trip to the site is planned for October 1st to gain further confirmation. Presently demolitions are underway on old farm buildings near the site (believed to have been constructed by descendents of Louis Riel) in preparation for the construction of a senior citizens home. Much of the area bounded by John Bruce Road, Richfield Avenue, Seine River and St. Anne�s Road is currently under development pressure. This area is situated on River Lots 50 and 51, owned in the 1800�s by Louis Riel Sr. and Jr. If this historic mill, millpond and homestead is to be preserved, prompt action will be required in terms of: 1. An immediate building freeze on all areas indicated for minimum or maximum property acquisition; 2. Acquisition of land (indicated on the accompanying maps) by the city and an eventual cost-sharing arrangement, regarding the acquisition, between the three levels of government; -2- To be logically followed, as funds allow, by: 3. Archeological exploration of all sites on the designated properties by such offices as: a) Provincial archivist, b) Departments of Anthropology and Geography- University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba; 4. Possible reconstruction of Riel�s mill, millpond and homestead; 5. Establishment of a Riel Historic Park and Interpretive Centre. Future contacts with Mr. Benoist and Mr. McFarlane will reveal where and whether funds from historic sites land acquisition and development can and will be made available from provincial and Federal government levels. In view of the historical significance of the Seine River, it is recommended that your committee recommend that: 1. The Land Surveys and Real Estate Department commence negotiations concerning the acquisition of the following properties (as illustrated on the Plan dated September 24, 1975): a) the most easterly 100 feet, measured perpendicularly to the western edge of the Seine River, of Lot 4, Plan 6213; b) all of River Lot 49 lying east of a line 200 feet east of and paralleling the eat edge of St. Anne�s Road; c) all of River Lot 50 lying north and east of the proposed senior citizens housing project, excepting thereout a parcel described as being 200 feet in depth, east of and paralleling St. Anne�s Rd., for a distance of 110 feet south of the northern limit of River Lot 50. 2. The Commisioner of Environment advise the Building Permits Branch of the Department of Environmental Planning not to issue any building permits, in accordance with Section 607 (1) of the City of Winnipeg Act, on Lot 4, Plan 6213, River Lots 49 and 50 in the community of St. Vital; and, -3- 3. The Committee on Environment confirm the withholding of any building permits on the above-mentioned properties at its next regular meeting. Yours truly, J. Irwin Torry District Planner Ed Letinsky, Chairman Seine River Task Force Ralph C. Baker Recreation Planner IT/dh Encl. cc/St. Vital Resident Advisory Group |