A sign announces the future location, in 2013, for a community centre and housing to serve Winnipeg's growing African population. (CBC)

Winnipeg's 20,000-member African community is looking to make its mark on the downtown.

The African Canadian Foundation (ACF) is buying a vacant lot on Hargrave Street, between Ellice Avenue and Qu'Appelle Avenue, to build an $18 million complex that will include a community centre and housing.

Foundation head Akim Kambamba said the project will continue on the revitalization work recently done in the Central Park area of the neighbourhood.

"It will make the issues of crime be reduced because the youth who are hanging around in the area and have nowhere to go can now be able to come there," he said, noting donations are starting to come in and the Winnipeg Foundation has pledged financial support.

The group is well trying to raise $7 million to start the first phase of the project, which is on track to begin next year.

Central Park reopened in August 2010 after a $5.6 million revitalization that changed it from a dingy area once known for violence, drugs and gangs, into a family-friendly gathering place with a playground, water park and soccer pitch.

Kambamba said the community centre will provide a much-needed resource and give young people a place to learn about their new home and also provide them with positive role models.

"African youth having difficulties in adapting to this new country that we are in. And our goals as mentors of these young people is to ensure that we take care of them," he said.