On June 9, a newly refurbished Broadway Centennial Fountain and large copper plaque dedicated to the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation community were unveiled.

Located on Broadway and Donald, the new landscaping was designed as a tribute to the community that provides the city with clean drinking water. The plaque has been placed adjacent to the water fountain and inscribed with a message of gratitude and support.

This project is one more step in the important transformation happening downtown to honour, recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples. As thousands of people pass by this fountain each day, we hope they will see and acknowledge the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation community.

As part of the Broadway Revitalization Project, Downtown Winnipeg BIZ worked collaboratively with Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the City of Winnipeg, and the Government of Canada.

The preliminary concept plan and design intent for the future of Air Canada Park was shared as part of a community celebration at the annual Indigenous Garden planting on Monday. The planting event, which is in its ninth year, was the last one before the park goes under construction later this summer.

Air Canada Park is getting a complete redesign thanks to a $2.5M investment by the City of Winnipeg. Landscape architecture firm Scatliff + Miller + Murray has led community engagement since last fall to help inform the redesign of the park.

The event started with a blessing by Elder David Budd and included a hoop dance by the Mason Sisters. In addition to Scatliff + Miller + Murray sharing the city park’s redesign plans with the community, Downtown Winnipeg BIZ staff and volunteers planted the Indigenous Garden surrounding the park.

Thank you to all the community members who have contributed their time, ideas, and feedback for the re-imagined space. We are excited for the future of the park and the meaningful and welcoming space it will be for the downtown community.

Downtown – thank you for embracing the spirit of Pride!

This year’s celebration marked the largest parade and festival to date, with 10,000 people celebrating in the heart of the city. Participants and spectators flocked to the downtown area, increasing vibrancy and foot traffic during the week.

Celebrations like Pride also show our neighborhood's commitment to building stronger relationships with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Thank you to all businesses and organizations who came to celebrate and create a safe space for everyone.

Because of our partnership with DCSP, members of their team walked with our Downtown BIZ team in the parade. The Downtown BIZ RTVs were transformed into colourful floats representing both organizations’ colours and Downtown Dino brought smiles to people’s faces.

Let’s carry this spirit of inclusivity beyond the parade and into our everyday lives. Together, we can continue to create a downtown community that is welcoming to all.

The Strategic Priorities Action Plan (SPAP) is Winnipeg City Council’s roadmap outlining their key initiatives and priority themes for 2023 to 2026. Downtown is one of the five key initiatives.

SPAP has now passed City Council and funding allocation will be determined. The public service will create a framework that measures progress, key performance indicators, and alignment with Council policies/strategies. They will be reporting back to the council in September 2023.

A historic building downtown is undergoing a remarkable transformation!

138 Portage Avenue East, a seven-story brick building and its surface parking lot, has been approved by City Council to be redeveloped into 146 rental housing units and a commercial space.

Revitalization efforts like this transform underutilized properties into vibrant spaces, create places for more people to live downtown, and help inject new life into the neighborhood. We can’t wait to see this project take shape!

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions:
204-958-4640
info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com

Thank you,

Kate Fenske, CEO
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ