Mayor Brian Bowman ready to mend fences but no apology for True North

WINNIPEG Mayor Brian Bowman is saddened to hear how Jets owner Mark Chipman feels about the citys handling of a downtown property, but hes not going to back down, he said as he stepped off a plane Friday.

We obviously have some fences to mend, Bowman said at the Winnipeg airport as he returned from the big city mayors conference in Toronto. Im obviously saddened to hear how he feels about the situation.

Chipman on Wednesday held a news conference where he said he felt his True North Sports and Entertainment has been tarnished by discussions around proposals for city-agency-owned land at 220 Carlton St. Chipman said a lack of trust prompted him to step back from a plan for a $400-million development on that land and another parcel across the street at 225 Carlton.

READ MORE:Whats next for Mark Chipmans paused downtown development

Bowman said hes reached out to Chipman and hopes to sit down with him in the coming days. However, the mayor said hes not willing to back down on his stand that the land at 220 Carlton St. should be subject to a public request for proposals.

Bowman admitted he doesnt have the power to quash a development deal between True North and city development agency CentreVenture. However, he threatened to withhold $3.75 million that had been part of the 220 Carlton development plan if a request for proposals isnt made.

This deal can proceed. City council doesnt have the ability to stop CentreVenture from completing this deal, Bowman said. All were saying is if $3.75-million of taxpayers money, your money, is to flow to CentreVenture, then wed like to see public expressions of interest so that its a level playing field.

They can decide if they want to take the money or not.

READ MORE:Timeline: Conditional offer with TNSE for 220 Carlton

While CentreVenture board chair Curt Vossen said they have no plan to back out of the deal with True North, they cant move ahead without the $3.75 million.

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Mayor Brian Bowman ready to mend fences but no apology for True North