WINNIPEG — Portage and Main is famous as Canada’s windiest corner and the heart of downtown Winnipeg but for 34 years, something’s been missing.
“Portage and Main which was, it still probably is, the symbolic heart of the city has become a place for cars, not a place for people,” said Prof. Richard Milgrom, the head of the department of city planning at the University of Manitoba.
For decades, people crossed Portage Avenue and Main Street freely. Then in 1979, the city signed a contract with area businesses that closed the intersection to pedestrians for 40 years and built the underground concourse.
The contract expires in six years and key players are talking about plans to reopen the famous intersection to pedestrians.
“85 per cent of our BIZ members would like to see Portage and Main reopened. Part of what makes downtown vibrant and excited is the ability for people just to walk around,” said Stefano Grande of the Downtown BIZ.
Some city councillors are on board but say discussions haven’t started at city hall yet.
“I like the idea of putting people on Portage and Main. You could do it on a gradual basis, like starting at six or on weekends,” said St. Boniface Coun. Dan Vandal.
“I would love to have that happen somehow,” said River Heights Coun. John Orlikow. “I know there’s issues down below with some of the shopkeepers.”
To take down the barricades, all the property owners on the famous corner must first agree.
The Bank of Montreal and Creswin Properties (owners of the office tower at 201 Portage Ave.) want it opened.
But the Richardson Centre “wants things to stay the same” and Artis REIT, the owner of the underground shops of Winnipeg Square, said “it’s premature to discuss the idea.”
A lot has changed downtown since the 1970s, with the MTS Centre being built, several new condo and apartment developments going up and the Human Rights Museum slated to open next year.
“The downtown in the last seven years has become a much more vibrant place,” said Jino Distasio, urban studies professor at the University of Winnipeg.
But it’s not that simple, he admits.
“There will be some growing pains. It’ll be some frustrated drivers who are going to have to wait on a corner that they’ve been able to speed through.”
Former Mayor Glen Murray tried to open the intersection in 2002, asking architects to design a safe pedestrian crossing, but the 40-year agreement derailed those plans.
“I’m disappointed it didn’t happen because I think it was critical for the city,” said Murray. “You can’t find a major city in the world anymore that has blocked off a street, never mind its main corner.”
So will seeing people crossing Portage and Main remain a distant memory, or is there a new future for this famous intersection?
“I think it has to happen if our downtown is going to become a vibrant place, an exciting place,” said Grande.
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