VISION
The vision for Downtown Winnipeg is clear – a place where people are living, working, and playing in a vibrant and dense environment. Our downtown is a complete collection of unique districts and strong connections need to be maintained for every mode of transportation. Pedestrian connections are of upmost importance, as it is only by walking that people frequent the shops, restaurants and services lining our major streets. With the ongoing revitalization of our downtown, there are increased opportunities to physically connect our emerging Waterfront, Forks, Exchange and Portage Avenue districts for pedestrians. Our Mayor, City Hall and downtown stakeholders are commitued to this vision for the downtown. But the barricades at Portage and Main are a barrier for people wanting to walk freely in our downtown. So there is a sense of urgency to re-open Portage and Main to pedestrians, at the same time setuing the development framework for the next two decades.
OPPORTUNITIES & CONSTRAINTS
For Portage & Main to re-open to pedestrians, there is a need for a broad coalition of stakeholders to come together to take charge of this vision and set into motion a series of steps aimed at removing the barriers to create the change envisioned. How can people cross Portage and Main to get to their favourite restaurant, or visit their most loved park, while addressing the real and perceived challenges such as pedestrian and vehicular safety, as well as, automobile and transit delays? What are the design and engineering solutions to create a win/win scenario? How can all businesses benefjt from more people at the corner of Portage and Main? For this to happen, a signifjcant cohort of residents, businesses, workers and Winnipeggers must rise and be part of this transformation to re-open Portage and Main.
Caption on fjle, 1979: “Residents of Winnipeg who for a hundred years have fought the wintry winds at the corner of Portage and Main will now cross in summertime comfort with the provision of an environmentally controlled pedestrian concourse beneath Canada’s most famous corner.” (photo courtesy of the City of Winnipeg Archives) People crossing Portage and Main prior to the opening of the underground concourse, 1979. (photo courtesy of the City of Winnipeg Archives) Caption on fjle, 1979: “Shivering on the corner of Portage and Main on a cold, windy day waiting for traffjc lights to change will now be just a memory with the opening of a climate controlled underground pedestrian concourse linking the four corners of Winnipeg’s famous intersection.”(photo courtesy of the City of Winnipeg Archives)
NEXT STEPS
What is the future vision for Canada’s most important intersection? Can it be more than a traffjc crossing, but integrates people, events and historical connections too? How do we continue to celebrate the heart of our city? Creating a downtown for and by Winnipeggers is the key. What is your vision? Throughout the year, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and its partners will be engaging with the public to imagine what is possible for this iconic intersection. GET INVOLVED! Atuend the Portage and Main Panel Discussion at The Fairmont Winnipeg, Feb. 4th, 2016, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. GET INVOLVED! Send your photo and a quote about your favourite Portage and Main memory, or ideas for what you’d like to see at Canada’s windiest corner! + Be entered to win a picnic at Portage and Main in the Spring of 2016. Email jason@downtownwinnipegbiz.com For more information: htup://downtownwinnipegbiz.com/portageandmain/