Downtown Buzz News from the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone


Snow- and ice-free sidewalks downtown Pedestrians concerned about slipping and falling on winter sidewalks can feel safe in downtown Winnipeg where the street cleaning brigade is out in full force immediately following a snowstorm


Winnipeggers who live, work and visit downtown. Tat’s because the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Metro Enviro Team was out in full force the moment that it began to snow – and they have been out again to cope with the more recent snowfalls. Te Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Metro Enviro Team works


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to keep the downtown clean, beautiful and accessible. Te team operates year round, picking up litter, washing bus shelter windows and removing graffiti tags from exterior walls, but in the winter the team’s main focus turns to snow and ice removal. “It is the team’s focus right after a snowfall to ensure


access and safety is restored to sidewalks as soon as pos- sible,” explains Stephanie Voyce, the Downtown Win- nipeg BIZ’s Manager of Placemaking, and Cleanliness & Transportation. To accomplish this, the 22 full, part-time and contract


employees of the Metro Enviro Team generally work back- to-back shifts from the moment it begins to snow. Using a stockpile of shovels, ploughs, brooms and ice picks, the team clears snow and ice from the neighbourhood’s main pedestrian areas, including sidewalks, intersection curb ramps, building and storefront entrances, and the pave- ment immediately surrounding bus stops, bus shelters and parking pay stations.


SPOTLIGHT


Portage Place re-invents itself Support agencies, pop-up retail space, and improved shopping opportunities bring new vibrancy to the 80s mall


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ortage Place has proudly built the reputation of being more than a mall by extending support to the commu-


nity it serves in more ways than one. Te mall celebrates its status as a “meet-


ing place". And it is supported from people from all walks of life,” says general manager David Stone. “(We’re) very pleased to be in the position


to support agencies and groups who need space, so they can extend their services to those who need them. Whether it is a day program in Edmonton Court or a longer term arrangement in a vacant unit, it is always our goal to support the community if we can.” In offering such a mix of tenants, Portage


Place has become a place not only to shop, but where persons with disabilities can obtain support services, youth can visit Studio 393 for a positive space to collabo- rate and participate in creative workshops, and professionals and downtown residents can grab lunch or meet before heading to a Jets game. Te mall has also been able to cultivate


exciting new experiences for its shoppers while benefitting young entrepreneurs. By offering limited-term, rent-free spaces


to new businesses as part of the Launch It! Retail Incubator & Pop-Up program, young entrepreneurs have been given an incred- ible opportunity to test their businesses’ viability in the downtown market. Te program capitalizes on vacant store-


fronts by bringing life to them, showcasing innovative businesses in their infancy that enrichen the shopping experience. Long-term, Portage Place hopes to engage


more exciting young start-ups like these to invest in the opportunities downtown. “Our downtown was built on local own-


The fountain in Kennedy Courtyard.


ers with up-start businesses, and we need to continue to give young people the op- portunity to experience real-life business situations,” says Stone. “Giving young entrepreneurs the oppor-


tunity to open a business and to see the ups and downs and the ins and outs of running a business is very valuable.” Visitors love perusing these new concepts


as they’re getting their start, and with a little leniency, both parties benefit from using the vacant space productively. “I would love to see all downtown proper-


ty owners participate in providing unused space to young entrepreneurs,” says Stone. “It doesn’t have to be a long-term arrange- ment or an agreement that prevents the property owner from leasing the space out permanently – all it takes is a little flexibility from both parties. “Our downtown would look much better


if everyone took the time to allow pop-up shops to fill vacant spaces or even allow local small businesses to build displays in vacant storefronts.” Portage Place was awarded the 2016


Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s Significant Contribution to the Downtown Commu- nity Award.


The clock tower in Edmonton courtyard in Portage Place.


downtownwinnipegbiz.com (204) 958-4640


info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com 426 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0C9 8 Smart Biz www.smartbizwpg.com February 2017


inter finally arrived in Winnipeg for Christmas, but the first snowfall of the season did not hin- der the enjoyment or safety of the thousands of


Te Metro Enviro Team is committed to clearing all snow


and ice from the downtown’s four main pedestrian zones – Broadway, Portage, Graham and the 11 block Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment District known as SHED – within four hours of a snowfall! Tis commitment ensures that downtowners – whether


they are walking to the office, catching a bus, running into an appointment or shopping for holiday gifts – do not have to worry about cautiously manoeuvring through snow drifts or gingerly walking on thin ice. Once these high traffic pedestrian areas are cleared, the


Metro Enviro Team turns its attention to secondary side- walks, as well as the areas surrounding outdoor benches, sculptures and planters. It continues its work throughout the winter, whether there is light, heavy or no snowfall at


all,constantly chipping away at ice,and sweeping, salting and sanding on an ongoing basis in order to reinforce the downtown’s accessibility and safety. Te Metro Enviro Team always works in conjunction with


the City of Winnipeg snow removal services, but usually it is the first on the scene on downtown sidewalks after a snowfall. Tis collaboration is really key to achieving the clear sidewalks we all desire. The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ recognizes that quick


and efficient snow removal must always remain a priority. Safe and clean sidewalks, and unencumbered access to


and from the area, after all, help ensure that downtown Winnipeg remains an attractive, vibrant and exciting gathering place for all Winnipeggers all of the time, even in the middle of the snowiest winter.


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