Building a Better Downtown

The cranes are out in droves but so are 'for lease' signs. Where we're at and where we're going in terms of urban renewal.

By Holli Moncrieff

Winnipeg's downtown is undergoing a period of exciting revitalization. In just ten years, the city has become a leader in economic growth and development.

New developments strategically chosen to add life and vibrancy to the area have enjoyed brilliant success. The MTS Centre continues to draw people in record numbers, while Red River College's Princess Street campus attracts students and young professionals to the neighbourhood.

Dozens of new boutiques, restaurants and condominiums have made the Exchange one of the hippest, fashion-forward districts in the city, while older attractions like the Forks, the Manitoba Museum, and the theatre district continue to hold their own, says Stuart Duncan, president of Destination Winnipeg.

"Winnipeg is a city on a roll. It has a great history and a bright future," Duncan says. "The number of people coming downtown today has literally transformed the area, and our job is all about creating more reasons to come to Winnipeg."

Downtown The Canwest ballpark, the Millennium library, and the new Manitoba Hydro building have also had significant impact, says Jim August, CEO of the Forks North Portage Partnership.

"Our objective is to create a welcoming and interesting downtown that is clean and safe, where people feel comfortable," he says. "Any great downtown does have great public spaces, places where people can relax and enjoy themselves."

August is excited about the upcoming Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which he's convinced will bring even more people downtown. "The museum will stabilize one end of the Forks that was waiting for something to happen," he says. "With the museum coming on, we'll have to develop a few things."

The developments will include a parking structure against the rail line. Condominiums at the Forks are still in the business plan as well. "Many would argue that a place like the Forks needs people living on it to keep it dynamic," says August. "We currently have 13,000-14,000 people living downtown, and it would be nice to double that in 15 years."

Lisa Holowchuk, executive director of the Exchange District Biz Improvement Zone, agrees that encouraging more people to become residents is the next step that needs to be taken.

"More people living downtown will lead to improved shops and services," she says. "There are interesting opportunities for residential living in the Exchange District. You can't find this type of architecture anywhere else in the city."

The Exchange District Biz has undertaken a three-phase, $3-to-$4-million project to revitalize Old Market Square, which is the heart of the annual jazz and fringe festivals. The renovation will include landscaping, improvements to sidewalks and hard surfaces, sinking the lawn and slanting it toward the stage to provide perimeter seating, more trees and flowers, and an improved stage.

"The Exchange District is well positioned for growth. There's a boutique flavour developing, with a lot of new shops opening up," says Holowchuk. "It's becoming more of a neighbourhood. It's still 9-to-5, but that's slowly changing."Red River College has plans to develop another historic building in the Exchange. If the deal goes ahead, the College will turn the old Union Bank Tower into a unique residence for students in the culinary arts program. "Converting historic buildings for modern use is a fairly expensive venture. Many are still empty or under-utilized for this reason," Holowchuk says. "The best way to preserve a historic building is to find a new use for it."

The University of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Convention Centre also have expansion plans. The proposed Convention Centre expansion will be over 100,000 square feet."This expansion will put us back in competition with other cities for the big conventions," says Justin Swandel, city councillor for planning and development. Creating more reasons for people to come downtown also means ensuring that the area feels safe, welcoming and comfortable.

Downtown The Downtown Biz and Exchange District Biz have worked hard towards that end by implementing programs that focus on community policing, litter and graffiti removal, and sidewalk cleaning. They also beautify the downtown with flowers, greenery, murals and banners."We provide extra ears and eyes, which is effectively reducing the rate of crime downtown," says Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown Biz Improvement Zone. "We want people to have a pleasant experience when they come downtown."

The Downtown Biz's outreach program has operated for the past two years to resolve another issue--helping intoxicated people get off the streets. The program responds to business and public concerns, and will transport people in need to shelters, clinics, or even hospitals. During the year, the outreach program also hands out water and snacks to the homeless, along with mitts and toques in the winter months."We'll connect them with service providers if they're willing and ready to get off the street. If they are ready to work, we'll hire them to help us clean up the downtown," Grande explained. "It's been extremely successful."

The implementation of closed-circuit security cameras, starting next January, will also improve people's level of comfort when walking downtown, says Swandel."The cameras will help deter some of the negative activity happening downtown," he adds. "People will have a feeling of security, which will encourage more to want to live downtown." Convincing beverage rooms to change their function in the downtown would also be a step in the right direction. August commends the Gordon Hotel, which has been transformed into a youth hostel and neighbourhood pub. "All of the new projects are important," he says. "The challenge is making the economics work."The Downtown Biz is actively involved in lobbying for tax cuts for developers to make building in the area more economically feasible. They are also strongly behind the plan for rapid transit.

"We're advocates for a strong housing market in the downtown," says Grande. "Over a billion dollars has been invested in our downtown in the last five years, but we need more people living there." Everyone agrees that the city still has a lot to do in order to completely revitalize the downtown, but all are excited about the steps that have been taken so far. "I would like to see Winnipeggers enjoying the rewards of an efficient rapid transit system and the residential and commercial development that comes with it. I would like to see us make significant progress to repair our crumbling roads and bridges, and efficient alternative transportation routes so that our cyclists can safely commute city-wide," says Mayor Sam Katz. "I would like to see Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans cheering our home team to victory in a brand new stadium, and most importantly, I would love for Winnipeg to be a city where everyone feels safe on our streets."

Duncan would like to see more Winnipeggers feel proud of the city they live in."Winnipeg needs to cultivate a more positive attitude toward our city. When opportunity exists, people and investors follow. The key is to develop more opportunities," he says. "Winnipeg succeeds when public and private partners work together. It doesn't happen overnight, but it all adds up." August is convinced that Winnipeg is capable of creating a vibrant and well-populated downtown.

"There are people who would say 'who cares about the downtown?' but the downtown is the heart and soul of a city," he says. "If you turn your back on it, it won't come back."