b'Photos by David Lipnowski PhotographyMAIN STREET PROJECT GETSFAST-TRACKED FOR REDEVELOPMENTCOVID-19 changes original construction plans and forces emergency five-week renovation of Mitchell Fabrics. By Twila DriedgerWhen the COVID-19 crisis hit, construction projects slowed,urgency of COVID, we looked to do as much as possible some stopped, but one particular project sped up. Due to anwithout introducing items that would have drastic impacts urgent need for beds for Winnipegs homeless community,on schedule. The COVID-19 redevelopment also focused Main Street Projects (MSP) original plan to create a newprimarily on bed space to meet the needs for physical shelter space and sustainable future in the Mitchell Fabricsdistancing during the pandemic, while the long-term project building was reimagined and accelerated.is to include additional spaces for mental and physical The original project involved a complete redevelopmenttreatment, community gathering, offices and kitchen.of the space, with significant reframing and a completeTo expedite the undertaking, the federal government building envelope retrofit, explains Dan Bockstael, Viceapproved an emergency advancement of $2 million in President, Preconstruction, Bockstael Construction Limited,funding for the renovation of the building at the corner of and the construction manager on the project. With theMain Street and Logan Avenue, and crews got cracking. The work included a gut of the existing floor plan, reduction and structural repairs to the mezzanine level and basement, abatement of asbestos and mould, redevelopment of stairwells to meet building code and security requirements, new lighting and HVAC, flooring, coffee counter and front desk millwork, 16 bathroom and shower stalls, laundry facilities, administration space on the mezzanine level and painting of the building exterior.In total, since conversations began in late March, Bockstael says the $2.5-million renovation to the 37,000-sq.-ft. property was designed, built and ready for use in five months.In my career I have never seen more cooperation between client, designers, construction manager, trades and the permitting authorities to get a project done as quickly as this, explains Bockstael, whose team partnered with Arta Architects and Cibinel Architecture on the design and Tower on the engineering. Bockstael adds that the project took yet another turn one month into construction. At the outset, a two- to three-month timeline was targeted with a much-reduced scope of 20 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'