The 2023 Downtown Snapshot released today by the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ highlights developments during the past year and builds understanding of downtown’s current economic landscape. This new annual report provides the most up-to-date information on downtown Winnipeg. Some key highlights include:

• More residents: 18,000+ people live downtown with hundreds more moving here every year. More people means a safer, more vibrant neighbourhood, plus an enhanced customer base for downtown businesses. The estimated number of Winnipeggers living downtown is anticipated to increase by more than 2,000 in the next two years as more residential units are built.


• Increased visitation: People visited downtown for business or pleasure 9.4% more than in 2022, hotel stays more than doubled to almost 60,000 nights booked, and large events produced an estimated economic impact of $60 million.


• Ongoing investment: Over $200 million in downtown investments from all levels of government and the private sector was committed in 2023, for new housing, safety initiatives, infrastructure improvements and more.


• Significant steps towards economic and social reconciliation: Several key downtown properties were transferred and sold to Indigenous organizations including Manitoba Métis Federation and the Southern Chiefs Organization, breathing new life into historic buildings.

We are encouraged by the progress made in 2023 but we know there is still work to do. We need the business and non-profit communities to continue to work together, and for all levels of government to keep the momentum up to support a thriving downtown.

READ THE FULL 2023 DOWNTOWN SNAPSHOT

Our downtown community is committed to reconciliation and we’re taking the next step on our journey. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick will be our keynote speaker next month to discuss reconciliation in action. Join us and learn about the urbanization of First Nations peoples and how we can work together to build understanding to create social, economic, political and cultural cohesion in the heart of our city.

Event details
Date: Thursday, April 4
Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Doors open at 9:45 a.m.
Locations: Alt Hotel, 310 Donald St, Winnipeg, MB

Do you have questions you would like to ask Grand Chief Cathy Merrick? You will have an opportunity during the registration process to submit a question that will be passed on to the Grand Chief. Please note that depending on the time, some questions may not be answered.

CAPACITY IS LIMITED. Limit: two attendees per organization.

For questions or further information, please contact events@downtownwinnipegbiz.com.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

City Council will be debating what to do with Portage and Main. A new report from the City’s Public Service indicates a high cost of repairing the membrane at Portage and Main (estimated at $75M) and makes a recommendation to decommission the underground instead.

While a final decision on what will happen at the historic and important intersection is yet to be determined, we believe Portage and Main should be open to pedestrians. More street level activity increases vibrancy and safety downtown and a major intersection in our city should be inclusive of and accessible to all Winnipeggers.

We don’t yet know what decommissioning the underground of the City-owned property would look like, but we are here to support downtown businesses which may be affected. I have been in touch with the City and we will work together to find the best solutions and mitigate any negative impacts.

Have questions or concerns? Reach out to rhiannon@downtownwinnipegbiz.com.

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