Downtown Winnipeg

DOWNTOWN WINNIPEG

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce believes there are a number of challenges that continue to face downtown Winnipeg. In order to address those challenges we must outline specific goals for downtown and principles to base policy recommendations on so those challenges can be addressed.

Objectives for Downtown Winnipeg

In order to assess success it is critical to measure results in specific areas of downtown development:

Residential Development

1. The Chamber recommends that the City place a higher priority on the issue of downtown housing with the intent of increasing the population in downtown Winnipeg.

2. The Chamber recommends that CentreVenture be responsible and accountable for downtown housing strategy.

3. The Chamber recommends that targets be set that define the proper mix of residential options in downtown Winnipeg.

4. The Chamber recommends a well-defined strategy with a more open and transparent level of participation from the various levels of government in residential development.

Business

1. The Chamber recommends that a greater focus be placed on increasing business attraction, retention and expansion through the establishment of an economic partnership (Adopt current Chamber Policy – Selling Winnipeg to the World).

2. The Chamber recommends that the City look at implementing economic incentives such as tax increment financing, tax free-zones and other financial incentive programs to help attract new businesses to downtown Winnipeg.

3. The Chamber recommends that the various levels of Governments when making decisions on government office space in Winnipeg place a priority on a “Downtown First Policy.”

4. The Chamber recommends that governments continue to look at ways of reducing tape and regulations to eliminate barriers for developers.

Safety

1. The Chamber supports the need for more Police on the streets – through community policing - and recommends that the City of Winnipeg direct additional resources to downtown Winnipeg.

2. The Chamber recommends the establishment of a coordinated Downtown Security Network that would bring together the various Downtown Business group watch programs, WinnipegPolice and the private sector.

3. The Chamber recommends the establishment of a downtown camera program that would be a collaborative effort between the Winnipeg Police Service and the private sector

4. The Chamber supports the efforts of the Downtown Biz patrol and that the City should look at increasing their responsibilities.

Transportation

1. The Chamber recommends that the City of Winnipeg commit to the development of a long term plan for a rapid transit system and begin implementation of that plan in partnership with both the provincial and federal governments.

2. The Chamber recommends that the City of Winnipeg encourage and further develop transportation modes that currently exist in downtown Winnipeg (Downtown Spirit, water taxi service, bike paths).

3. The City of Winnipeg should place a priority on traffic signal synchronization in downtown Winnipeg to improve mobility.

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1. The Chamber recommends that a marketing and education campaign focusing on the many positives of downtown Winnipeg be established and implemented. The organizations that make up the Downtown Council should take the lead and coordinate investment and develop the strategy for the campaign.

2. The Chamber recommends that business and property owners take greater responsibility for care of their property (eg. Snow clearing in winter, cigarette butts, signage, lighting, graffiti).

Amenities / Building a Community

1. The Chamber recommends the development of a downtown retail strategy in conjunction with stakeholders that identifies potential opportunities for retail development. The strategy should include the attraction of amenities required for residential development (eg. Grocery store, pharmacy etc.).

2. The Chamber recommends the City of Winnipeg undertake a comprehensive survey of parking requirements in downtown Winnipeg and establish a parking strategy that will provide adequate supply to meet the growth in residential development.

Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Recommendations:

The Chamber supports the CentrePlan Framework and would strongly urge City Hall to adopt it and put in place a long-term strategy with specific timelines for implementation of the recommendations
The Chamber endorses the establishment of the Downtown Council, which is made up of the various organizations involved in downtown development along with the City, Provincial and Federal governments. This provides a vehicle through which better coordination of effort and leveraging of resources can happen.
The Chamber recommends that the City take a more aggressive approach to the development of secondary plans for the downtown.
The Chamber recommends that the City of Winnipeg undertakes a proper inventory of downtown Winnipeg buildings and implements a long-term development plan, and that the various levels of government provide greater incentives to encourage the development of vacant buildings in downtown Winnipeg.
The Chamber recommends that a coordinated effort involving the City, the Province and downtown stakeholders be established to develop a vision and plan that addresses the economic and social challenges facing downtown Winnipeg.

Adopted by The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce board of directors, June 2008