A city committee will consider a request Tuesday to “point” a few roads
in a new direction.
But a proposal to remove “Avenue” from the names of the northernmost
streets in Point Douglas — Magnus, Burrows, Alfred and Aberdeen — and
replace it with “Point” is already being shot down by the councillor who
represents the area.
“I don’t think much of that idea,” said Coun. Harry Lazarenko, whose
Mynarski ward includes the four streets. “What would ‘Point’ mean to
people not familiar with the area? I’d rather see something like ‘Avenue
East.’
“I would never even put anything on the agenda unless I knew it had
the support of the community. The first time I heard of this was when I
saw it on the agenda.”
Winnipegger Eeva Solomon has suggested renaming the portion of the
four streets east of Main Street in order to create a better sense of
community. Solomon could not be reached for comment Monday, but in an
e-mail to Coun. Mike Pagtakhan she wrote that the new names — Magnus
Point, Burrows Point, etc. — would “help make residents of Point Douglas
feel their community is a special, stand-out community of its own.”
Pagtakhan, whose Point Douglas ward actually ends a few blocks south
of the area in question, said it’s a great idea “that definitely
warrants consideration” and has included it on the agenda for Tuesday’s
Lord Selkirk-West Kildonan Community Committee meeting, which takes
place at city hall at 4 p.m.
“I don’t see a downside to it,” Pagtakhan said. “I think it’s a great
way to build a sense of community.”
Lazarenko argued that changing the names could be confusing to
drivers trying to find addresses, might involve some costs with respect
to postal service, and might not have the support of area residents.
Pagtakhan said he too would like to gauge community support for the
idea, suggesting that could happen while city administration reviews the
implications of a possible change.
“I think it’s a terrific idea,” said Sel Burrows, a community
activist and Point Douglas resident who’s advocated for the area for
years. “Five years ago people wouldn’t have been very proud to say they
live in the Point. What’s really neat for me is this comes from local
residents. It just shows the increased pride in the community.”
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