I'm going to keep my message short today as we have a lot of information to share! I've started to see a bit more activity downtown with the Province easing restrictions but it's still pretty quiet. At this stage I think that's okay. We've heard from some businesses who started reopening this week and we're happy we can help make that process a little easier. Other businesses have decided to remain closed for the time being and we're all waiting to see how the next couple of weeks play out. As always, please feel free to reach out any time. We can't fix everything but our team is committed to helping you however we can!

COVID-19 Survey #2

We are asking Downtown Winnipeg BIZ members to fill out a short survey to understand how businesses downtown are managing the pandemic at this point in time.

This survey should take no more than 5 minutes of your time. Please complete it by 8pm today. Once again, you'll have a chance to win a 100 dollar gift card to a downtown Winnipeg business of your choice and help support a fellow Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Member.

Spring cleaning in downtown Winnipeg

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Enviro Team works hard to provide a downtown environment that is free of litter and graffiti.

As spring has officially arrived, the focus of the Enivro Team shifted from snow removal to graffiti removal, sidewalk sweeping and pressure washing. Tasks like cleaning transit shelters and litter pickup continue year round. The team has been exceptionally busy these past few months as we prepare to slowly welcome people back to our neighbourhood.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ can remove graffiti on behalf of the City of Winnipeg for downtown Winnipeg property owners. Here's a PDF graffiti removal form that the property owner can fill out so we have permission on file to remove graffiti as quickly as possible. Please contact the Enviro Team at enviroteam@downtownwinnipegbiz.com or 204-958-4640 to report any graffiti.

Downtown Winnipeg BIZ can assist with temporary outdoor restaurant and retail space

The City of Winnipeg is allowing businesses to set up temporary patios. Information about the temporary patio guidelines, along with the online registration form is available at winnipeg.ca. Fees will be waived for registration.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ recognizes the opportunity for restauranteurs and retailers to have outdoor space to assist with serving your customers while maintaining physical distance. Our team can work with businesses to simplify the process to implement an outdoor retail and restaurant space downtown. We will help our members get up and running in a reasonably fast amount of time with limited financial and infrastructural resources. At this time following Phase 1 provincial guidelines, the temporary patios are only permitted until May 31, but our team can help you navigate the patio process through Phase 2 and onward. If you would like more information, please contact Tracey at tracey@downtownwinnipegbiz.com.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is working with the city to make temporary patio set-ups as safe and efficient as possible. Our goal is to have them permitted through the summer and pandemic recovery period.

Downtown Pavement Renewal Project construction launches next week

The City of Winnipeg is continuing with the planned construction schedule for the five year Downtown Streets Renewal Project. Here are the locations and estimated timelines:

• Fort Street from Broadway to Graham (May 11, 2020 until September 2020)
• Hargrave Street from Portage Avenue to Ellice Avenue (May 11, 2020 until July 2020)
• Portage Avenue from Memorial Boulevard to Fort Street (July 2020 to August 2020)
• Carlton Street from Portage Avenue to Ellice Avenue (August 2020)

For more information, please see the preliminary construction notice (PDF) and the Downtown Streets Renewal Project website.

Posters, decals and hand sanitizer leads for businesses

As businesses reopen, the Province of Manitoba requires hand sanitizer plus signage at the business entrance indicating COVID-19 physical distancing protocols. Floor markings where service is provided or lines form is also required.

Here are posters that you can download and print: 8.5"x11" PDF or 11"x17" PDF. Printed posters will also be available from our office at 426 Portage Avenue (Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm) or we would be happy to deliver a poster to you at no charge.

Due to the generous support of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ member Lorne from PrintedShirts.ca, we will also have 200 floor decals available for members next week at no charge.

If you would like to request floor decals and/or posters, please contact us at info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com or 204-958-4640 to request material.

Two Downtown Winnipeg BIZ members have hand sanitizer for sale:

• Lake of the Woods Brewing Company – contact Ron: 431-373-0799 or ron@lowbrewco.com
• The Hartmont Candle Company

GoodLocal offering an online shopping platform for everything good and local

Good local is a new solution to get products into customers' hands and help businesses build back up in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Co-created by fellow Downtown Winnipeg BIZ member Obby Khan, GoodLocal is an Amazon meets Etsy style platform where vendors load up products online and GoodLocal gets the products to customers. Check out this PDF for more information and sign up at goodlocal.ca

Again, please don't hesitate to reach out of there is anything we can do to support you: info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com or 204-958-4640.

Thank you,

Kate Fenske, CEO
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ