Plans to develop Parker lands return to council after 11 years of planning, lawsuits and delays

After 11 years of planning and delays that inspired two court cases, a new proposal to develop Winnipeg's Parker lands is winding its way through city hall.

On April 4, council's City Centre community committee will consider plans to rezone a 19-hectare triangle of Fort Garry land wedged between the Southwest Transitway and the CNR Rivers rail line to make way for a 1,918-unit residential development called Fulton Grove.

Developer Andrew Marquess hopes to build 23 apartment towers on the east side of the triangle, closer to Pembina Highway, and a mix of townhouses, triplexes, duplexes and single-family homes on the west side, closer to Waverley Street.

Marquess said he has already pre-sold some units on the land, should city council approve his latest proposal.

"The interest from the development community has been very, very strong," Marquess said Wednesday in an interview. 

"Clearly the development community want to build on this site, so I'm really hopeful that council sees it to allow development to move forward."

Marquess initially acquired the property from the city as part of a land swap in 2009. He has spent the past 11 years trying to get city council to approve his development plans.

Along the way, Marquess has repeatedly accused city planning officials and River Heights-Fort Garry Coun. John Orlikow of placing roadblocks in the way of the development and has been vindicated by the courts on two occasions.

In 2018, a judge ordered the city to hold hearings over the Fulton Grove development. In a separate case in 2023, a judge determined two city officials had engaged in misfeasance by holding back the development and ordered the city to pay Marquess $5 million.

The city appealed the latter ruling. A court hearing for that appeal is scheduled for April 10.

Marquess said he is pleased to see his proposal back before council, but he's not ready to celebrate just yet.

"We're a long ways until we really can start building," he said. "We're still a ways away in as much as we have to navigate the city process, and I'm not sure the outcome of the city process."

In a new report authored by City of Winnipeg planner James Veitch, the property, planning and development department recommends council approve the Fulton Grove plans.

Marquess, however, said he is surprised by several aspects of the report, including a recommendation regarding how close the development can come to the rail line along the north end of the property.

"This surprises me, because I didn't think there were any issues," Marquess said. "It's not the 11th hour and 59th minute. It's kind of like the horses are out of the barn."

Couns. Orlikow, Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) and Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) will consider the latest Fulton Grove proposal on April 4.

It must then come before council's property committee, executive policy committee and ultimately, council as a whole.