Brandon, MB – Six years after adoption of its Downtown Secondary Plan, the City of Brandon is inviting the community to provide feedback as it reviews and updates this important framework for downtown development and vibrancy. Brandon’s Downtown Secondary Plan was adopted by Brandon City Council in early 2012 and identifies the vision by which the City’s downtown might “flourish and grow into a vibrant and dynamic place, the preferred destination in the region, by offering a wide range of unique and diverse experiences and stimulating economic opportunities.” Within it, the three core values of diversity, uniqueness, and character are supported by six themes for organizing action: people on display, mixed-use development, pedestrian friendly, active and engaged merchants, life after dark, and marrying the “building blocks” of heritage and technology. City of Brandon Chief Planner Ryan Nickel says since the plan’s creation, a number of business owners, developers, and community groups have successfully leveraged it to make progress on the desired vision for downtown, but notes that more can and should be done. “Among the successes that have already benefited from the Downtown Secondary Plan are institutional projects such as the YMCA of Brandon’s expanded facility, upper floor residential developments like the Prairie Lofts, or existing building renovation projects such as those that have brought about the Prairie Firehouse, SKIN Clinics and Fraser Sneath Coffee, Tour Indoor Cycling, and Pirouette Activewear,” notes Nickel. “Through our review, we’re now looking to build on these successes by updating the implementation portion of the Plan to identify tangible ‘action items’ for downtown – things like future parks creation, vehicle and pedestrian improvements, urban design, economic development, and land use.” In addition to hosting a focus group with downtown stakeholders earlier this month, the City of Brandon’s Planning, Property & Buildings Department will host a community consultation on Tuesday, April 24th, from 5 p.m.to 7 p.m. within the Brandon Design Studio space of the Cultural Resource Centre at the A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex, 638 Princess Avenue (Entrance B). Residents and business owners from across Brandon are encouraged to attend. “We want to know if the vision laid out for downtown Brandon is still the community’s collective vision, and we want to ensure that we, as a City, are providing the necessary supports needed to achieve that vision,” adds Nickel. “This is an opportunity for downtown business owners, investors and all City residents to have an important discussion with us and be part of developing future actions as the City of Brandon continues its efforts to create a vibrant downtown.” Brandon’s Downtown Secondary Plan can be viewed in full on the City of Brandon website here.

Brandon Police Service Media Release On Sunday afternoon, Police responded to the area of 6th Street and Princess Avenue and receiving a report that a male youth pointed a knife at another male. Officers attended, located the youth involved and investigation revealed that one male youth assaulted the other and when the victim attempted to protect himself, the suspect pulled out a small knife. The 14-year-old youth was arrested for Assault and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose. He was released to his parents and scheduled to appear in Court in April. The male youth victim did not receive any physical injuries because of this incident.

Brandon Police Service Media Release A 25 year old Brandon Female has been charged for Impaired Driving and for a Hit and Run collision.  She was located driving a vehicle with extensive damage in the 1000blk of Richmond Ave.  The female was found to be impaired by alcohol.  Further investigation revealed that she had been involved in a Hit and Run collision in the 1200blk of 9th street.  She will be appearing in court April 12th 2018.

Brandon Police Service Media Release The investigation into a robbery and theft of vehicle reported on April 5th has ended with the arrest of three suspects on Friday.  On April 5th at 1:15 a.m., a man reported his vehicle was  stolen and he was robbed of money from his bank account and other items.  The man attended to a residence on Cornell Bay at the request of an acquaintance to bring coffee for some other acquaintances.  At the residence, he was threatened by two males, one with a knife and the other with an axe and held briefly in a closet.  The two males then took the victim in his vehicle to an ATM where one of the suspects entered the bank to remove money from his account.  The victim was able to distract the other male in the vehicle and run away and contact police.  The two males left in his vehicle, which was recovered later on Cornell Bay. The Criminal Investigations Unit conducted an investigation, identified the suspects and on Friday afternoon the following suspects were arrested…. A  21 year old woman from Brandon is alleged to have planned the robbery and was arrested and charged with Robbery with a Weapon, Forcible Confinement, Extortion, Assault with a Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose.  She was also wanted on a warrant for Breach of Probation and Failing to Attend Court. A 19 year old man and a 22 year old man, both from Brandon, were arrested and are charged with Robbery with a Weapon, Forcible Confinement, Extortion, Assault with a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Possession of Stolen Credit Card, Wearing a Disguise with Intent and Theft of a Motor Vehicle. All three will appear in court on Saturday morning. A second woman, a 24 year old from Brandon, was also arrested for Possession of Property Obtained by Crime as she was found in possession of property taken from the victims vehicle. She was released to appear in court in May.

As part of Enhanced Enforcement of Distracted Driving Awareness Month Brandon Police Service members were on board city buses Friday afternoon, in an effort to help identify people using cell phones.  Police report on their Facebook page that they have issued 18 distracted driving related tickets so far.  Earlier this month the province introduced amendments for stiffer penalties for people caught on their phones while driving including the ability to suspend a driver’s licence for three days for a first offence.