A Winnipeg businessman who has spent more than $1 million trying to renovate a West End property into low-income housing for students and single mothers, has been told it must be demolished.

"I followed every step, had all city inspections and permits for my building, and when things started to go wrong I continued to trust the city and follow the process. But the city has now said, based on all of my information, they have no responsibility and I am on my own," Sal Infantino told reporters outside the building at 543 Sargent Ave. on Tuesday.

Sal Infantino stands outside his building at 543 Sargeant Ave. on Tuesday. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC) "They won’t let me have access to any of their materials and refuse to mediate the situation in and because I don’t have unlimited money to fight with them I am now in this position facing possible bankruptcy."

Infantino, who also owns X-Cues Billiards and four rental homes in the West End, said the process of transforming the property has been slow and through every step along the way, he has respected all of the bureaucratic regulations and requirements outlined by the city.

"The point that this can actually destroy what my family's built, you know, for the last 46 years in this neighbourhood is kind of sad," he said.

"I just found it's the oldest building on the street, and it was going to be completely renovated," he added. "Like, there are brand-new apartments upstairs."

Infantino's project is not yet complete but he has already put in more than $1 million in fees, building supplies, engineers, architects and labour. Now he's been told the building is unsafe and needs to come down.

Sal Infantino's low-income housing project is not yet complete but he has already put in more than $1 million in fees, building supplies, engineers, architects and labour. Now he's been told it is unsafe and needs to come down. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC) "There has been no effort to work together to address the issues plaguing me and every time I think it can’t get worse it does," he said.

"I am completely discouraged and am scratching my head because there is no level of co-operation and unless you have a big wallet the city is prepared to hang guys like me out to dry."

The city has encouraged developers to create access to more affordable housing and Infantino said he ensured it was a mixed-use residence because the city has cited that as most desirable.

“The city says it’s committed to the community and wants to ensure the West End flourishes, but through this process Sal has learned that hard way that just isn’t true,” states a news release sent out by Infantino.

The release includes comment from the area's MLA Andrew Swan, who said he has known Infantino since 2004.

"He is an active member of our community, from his involvement with the West End BIZ to organizing street festivals to hosting charitable events at X-Cues. It is my hope that there will be a timely and fair resolution to his dispute with the City of Winnipeg," Swan is quoted as saying.

A City of Winnipeg spokesperson told CBC News in an email that "the initial unsafe condition order to comply was issued to the property owner in November 2014 and directed the property owner to either repair or demolish."

Infantino said the city gave him a deadline of April. He argued that damages exceeded $200,000 and without the city willing to chip in, it would be too costly to repair.

Infantino said he has two choices at this point: file a claim with the city or pursue legal action.