Plans for Downtown Revitalization
Great community and economic development strategies that are entrenched in best practices, comprehensive research, and community engagement and support should always stand the winds of change in government, no matter which government comes to power. This fundamental principle has grounded many local urban planners and community builders in their approach to strengthening our neighbourhoods.
Both the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg continue to demonstrate that the community’s concerns are being heard, and that its ideas about how to manage those concerns are legitimate and well grounded.
In fact, there appears to be a general appreciation in both the provincial and municipal governments that Winnipeg’s downtown is the goose that lays the golden egg. The downtown serves as the city’s economic engine, contributing the greatest amount of tax dollars to city coffers while utilizing the fewest public services per acre of development. Also, in attracting more tourists and pedestrian traffic than any other area, downtown has become a reliable indicator of the general health of the city. Think about it. Where do you stay when you travel to other cities? And where are your social-economic impressions of new cities usually created? I bet it is downtown.
Both Bowman and Pallister clearly recognize the power and influence of the downtown and, as such, have recently reiterated their shared commitment to continue offering the previous governments’ tax incentives designed to stimulate downtown infill and housing, with over 600 new units recently being announced. They know that a denser city is the key to leaner operating budgets and to more vibrant, accessible and safer neighbourhoods, which in turn will lead to greater economic development, which will then create more taxes and more funding for social programs.
At the same time, Bowman and Pallister recognize that government can do more to end homelessness and address the epidemic of substance abuse downtown and Citywide. To that end, End Homelessness Winnipeg Inc., an initiative that is exploring various community supported solutions for the epidemic problem, serves as the conduit for all levels of government and the private sector, which allow them to make a collective impact. Bowman and the City have demonstrated leadership in their understanding of the fact that the well-being of every citizen is enshrined in the City’s Charter and have collectively backed this community led initiative.
Concurrently, Fire Paramedic and Police Services, together with Manitoba Liquor and Licensing and the WRHA, among other community leaders, have been meeting with downtown and community stakeholders to discuss and develop improved harm reduction strategies for those challenged by substance abuse. It has become more apparent than ever that the way we handle this visible epidemic needs to change.
The Winnipeg downtown has enjoyed significant revitalization in the last decade. New buildings have been erected, old buildings have been renovated, and thousands of people have moved into those buildings to live. Thousands more visit the area every day for work and entertainment. This revitalization is bound to continue in the decade to come, but, importantly, it ideally will continue in a manner that embraces everyone in the area regardless of who they are, what they do or where they come from. Supportive housing, innovative harm reduction programs, and job creation will ensure that no one is left behind. Cities, after all, are judged not only by their highest skyscraper, but by how they treat and care for the most vulnerable among them.
Where or whenever there is a change in government, stakeholders naturally worry that that the new government will abandon the successful programs and projects undertaken by the previous administration, if only to ensure a distinction in party policies. The citizens of Winnipeg are fortunate in that our current governments have proved their willingness to build on what has been learned and what has been started in order to enhance downtown life and living for all.
