HEATHER KLEIN: Heritage or headache: Winnipeg’s rules lead to empty buildings and demolition

Irecently had the privilege of spending time in several European hotels that were historically significant to the area. From the outside, the façades were original and breathtaking, every brick and stone telling a story hundreds of years in the making. Step inside, however, and the experience was modern and comfortable. Energy-efficient windows, up-to-date plumbing, climate control, and contemporary furnishings made these buildings appealing places to stay. The history was preserved, but the buildings were functional, vibrant, and economically sustainable. Winnipeg could learn a thing or two from that approach.

Instead, here in Winnipeg, Heritage Winnipeg and the city council enforce rigid rules that often turn historic buildings into liabilities. The city’s heritage bylaws, designed to p