The Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) represents 1,400 businesses in the district and runs programs targeting downtown image, cleanliness, safety, transportation and parking.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is committed to the downtown community, providing programs that respond to the needs of business members, residents and all visitors to the downtown. Programs include the Downtown Watch safety ambassadors, Easy Streets™ Blue Loonie loyalty program to save on transportation, and the Out to Lunch summer concert series, among many others. More recently, we have focused on promoting downtown living and business development.

The Downtown BIZ also hosts events and promotes downtown as a great place to work, shop, live and enjoy.

In addition, the BIZ advocates for downtown revitalization and enhanced services on behalf of our members. Our many partnerships and sponsorships are key to our success. The Downtown BIZ management board and staff are committed to making downtown Winnipeg a better place.

Our program areas include:
Community Safety
Running programs that create a safe downtown for you, your family, your customers and your staff.

Image & Cleanliness
Creating wonderful, welcoming spaces for you to enjoy.

Transportation, Parking & Transit
Helping you get around downtown easily by car, bike, bus and on foot.

Events & Promotions
Providing you with fun events and great downtown experiences.

Communications & Marketing
Inviting you to enjoy shopping, entertainment, dining, and the unique environment only found here, in the heart of our city.

We also target downtown living, business development and advocacy.

About the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ
The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, established in August 1989, is the oldest of Winnipeg’s 16 business improvement zones. Directed by a Management Board elected by businesses at the Annual General Meeting, the Downtown BIZ markets the city centre on behalf of businesses, operates programs and events to enhance the area, and gives BIZ members a voice in the political sphere. Every retail, commercial and professional business in the zone automatically becomes a BIZ member.

Downtown BIZ Stakeholders
It can be confusing hearing about what all the different downtown agencies are doing, and differentiating what each actually does and how they fit together.

Each downtown agency serves a purpose and has a specific role downtown. We also often work together on a variety of efforts, bringing to the table different skills and viewpoints.

Here’s a quick summary of each of our roles:


Vision for our Downtown
A vibrant and thriving downtown neigbourhood that is alive with unique entertainment, culture, arts, heritage, retail, housing and street culture which reflects our ethnic and social diversity and together leads to the creation and expansion of business, a strong tax base, and employment opportunities that will excite our youth and attract even more people to the heart of our city.

Downtown BIZ Mandate (from the City By-law)
 

• To promote, maintain, improve and beautify the downtown
• To undertake and promote economic development
• To attract and encourage the development of new businesses in the zone
• To undertake other actions to carry out its mandate

Our Focus
Especially for people who are downtown, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is the friendly and hardworking host that improves the perception of downtown by providing a welcoming environment, keeping things clean and safe, and advocating for change.

Downtown BIZ Reports & Publications
 Download 2010 Strategic Plan

 Download 2009 Annual Report

Download 2008 Annual Report

Download current MEMO newsletter

 Download printable Downtown Parking & Walking Map

 Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Boundary Map


More information about BIZ groups
Check out the City of Winnipeg's information about Winnipeg's 16 business improvement zones.

Looking for stats on downtown?
The Downtown Profile provides detailed information on downtown's economy, neighbourhoods, arts and culture, parking and transportation, and land use. Get the information you're looking for: www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/planning/pdf_folder/dwntwnprofile.pdf

The Downtown Trends market research report provides a snapshot of the people who work, live and play downtown. It also lists perceptions of the public, market research, and development projects. We also conduct regular pedestrian counts on downtown streets.

Interested in making downtown a better place?
Here are a few ways you can get involved. Click Here!

In the past ten years over 50 major developments have taken place downtown! Click here for a listing of downtown projects.

Check out our Principles for Revitalizing Downtown\. Click Here

• Over 80 recent and upcoming development projects since 2001
• Almost $1 billion in investment in downtown since 1999
• $278 million new Manitoba Hydro headquarters, with 1,800 workers, opening in 2008
• $64 million invested in Waterfront Drive condo projects
• Over 700 new residential units completed or underway downtown
• $12 million economic impact of the IIHF World Women’s Hockey Championship, April 3-10, 2007
• 2008 Tim Hortons Brier - estimated $20 million economic impact
• 2008 Canadian Country Music Awards - estimated $20 million economic impact
• MTS Centre listed as 3rd busiest arena in Canada in 2006 (Pollstar Magazine)