Upper Fort Garry: Downtown Community Residents' Association / by Grey Gallinger

The area between Main St. and Fort St., Broadway and Assiniboine is where it all started! We watched in awe as the Manitoba Hydro building was erected, in anticipation as the MTS Centre was completed, and in relative confusion as almost every building on Broadway received a face-lift in unison. Yet we often forget that one of the most significant developments in our area is happening as we speak – a development that has been two centuries in the making.

I live one block away from Upper Fort Garry, however because it's essentially a fenced off plot of dirt I haven't ever paid much attention to it.

After reading about the Friends of Upper Fort Garry plans for the new development of the land I now know the fenced in dirt is actually an archaeological dig site. University of Winnipeg students have been studying and cataloging the site before construction starts.

I'm intrigued by the so-called Heritage Wall and its use of audio visual elements, as well as the Interpretive Centre, which will supposedly house interactive exhibits and act as a space for school groups and meetings.

After strolling through the recently opened Millennium Library Park I am optimistic for what Upper Fort Garry could become, I just hope it doesn't take 12 years to complete it.