Portage & Main Revitalization Study

On March 21, 2024, Council approved the recommended design vision for the Portage & Main intersection with the exception that future designs should include street-level pedestrian crossings. Future design work will be included in the upcoming Rapid Transit (Downtown Corridors) Preliminary Design Study.

Recommended design vision of Portage & Main looking northwest

Council also approved the following items related to the Portage & Main intersection and concourse:

• Open the street-level pedestrian crossing at Portage & Main by July 1, 2025.
• Determine the steps, costs, and traffic impacts required to decommission and close the concourse to public access.
• Consult with the Winnipeg Arts Council in an effort to address concerns related to the public art in the concourse.

For a detailed list of items approved by Council, read the minutes from the Council meeting.

What we heard

During Phase 2 engagement, you shared feedback on ideas for the public space at Portage & Main at two pop-up events and an online survey. Feedback helped draft the recommended design vision for the intersection.

Read the Phase 2 public engagement summary and appendices, as well as the Phase 3 stakeholder engagement summary. The summaries provide an overview of what we heard from the public and stakeholders.

Next steps

An administrative report will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development on March 7, 2024. If you would like to participate in the Committee meeting, submit your comments in writing or register to appear as a delegation by noon on March 6, 2024.

The report includes recommendations for the design vision and membrane replacement strategy. Before any further steps, such as detailed design and construction, Council would need to allocate funding.

Thank you to all who participated in public and stakeholder engagement. Public and stakeholder engagement opportunities included two pop-up events, a survey, and meetings with stakeholder organizations. Feedback is currently being considered and a summary of the engagement process will be posted online.

In Phase 1, we asked for input from property owners, business tenants, rightsholders, Downtown agencies, cultural groups, advocates, social agencies, and others who live or work near Portage & Main. Stakeholder input and technical analysis was used to draft a design vision.

Now we have some ideas for the public space at Portage & Main. These ideas focus on improving the appearance of the intersection and making it more vibrant, resilient to climate change, and welcoming to all.

Your feedback will help the project team create a vision of what the intersection could look like and how the space could be enjoyed by people that visit, live, or work near Portage & Main.

Take the online survey by May 26 or join us at a pop-up event to learn more about the ideas for the intersection, speak with the project team, and share your thoughts. The survey is also available in French/Ce sondage est également disponible en français.

Pop-up #1
Date: Wednesday, May 10
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 201 Portage Avenue (lobby)

Pop-up #2
Date: Thursday, May 11
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Underground concourse near Scotiabank (accessible directions provided below)

Accessible directions to pop-up #2

1. Enter 330 Main Street (there is a drop-off area in front of this building).
2. Go through the double doors and turn right; the elevators are on the right side of the hallway.
3. Take the elevator to C – Concourse / Winnipeg Square.
4. Turn right when leaving the elevators.
5. Follow the concourse to the Portage & Main circus.
6. Go through the doors and press the “call car” button to take the elevator down.
7. Turn left when leaving the elevator to find the pop-up.

In spring of 2022, we met with key stakeholders to discuss the project and get their insight about what Portage & Main is now and what it could be in the future. During the summer, we held a workshop with stakeholders to identify opportunities to make Portage & Main more vibrant, resilient to climate change, and welcoming to all.

The Stakeholder Engagement Summary and appendices from Phase 1 are now available and provide an overview of the feedback collected for the project.

Thank you to all the stakeholders who participated. Stakeholder input helped develop ideas for the design of the shared public space at Portage & Main.