Portage and Main fight isn’t over

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This article was published 10/08/2021 (1234 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg is seeking a new vision for Portage Avenue and Main Street that could include pedestrian access to the intersection during special events.

A new request for proposal seeks bids to design a major revamp of the iconic civic space.

“This project will lay out a path for critical reinvestment of (some) Portage and Main infrastructure for the first time in over 40 years,” the document states.

In a 2018 plebiscite, 65 per cent of Winnipeggers voted against a long-debated permanent reopening of Portage and Main to pedestrians, a result Mayor Brian Bowman has promised to respect.

The RFP suggests new pedestrian safety barriers should, however, be removable to allow for temporary crossings.

“Design work should consider adaptability for the long-term evolution of the intersection to be able to accommodate opening to pedestrians, potentially on a temporary (e.g. special event) basis,” it notes.

Coun. Jeff Browaty, who has long argued against such access, said he fears such a change would set the city down a “slippery slope” toward additional foot traffic that could delay commuters.

“I’m a little upset that they’re contemplating future temporary openings, and I don’t think that’s within the public will,” Browaty said Tuesday.

The North Kildonan councillor said it’s “premature” to seek a new blueprint.

“The city should not be proceeding with a lot of taxpayer dollars on various types of plans until we understand the level of (financial) commitment from the (Portage/Main-area) property owners going forward,” he said.

The contractor would be tasked with costing out improvements for accessibility at the above-ground crossing and its “pedestrian environment,” which could include adding trees, lighting, way-finding elements and art.

Street-level improvement should “ensure this iconic intersection serves as a source of pride for Winnipeg,” said Kurtis Kowalke, city principal planner, in an emailed statement.

The winning bidder is also expected to offer options to replace a waterproof membrane that separates the underground concourse from the road above, which a previous consultant’s report deemed beyond its useful life. That report estimated the membrane alone could cost $15-$20 million to replace.

Coun. Sherri Rollins said the intersection should be a priority for council’s budget: “I can’t think of a more important priority than the Main Street of your city.”

The Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry councillor also hopes adjustable pedestrian barriers will serve as a first step toward a permanent reopening in the future.

“Portage and Main matters deeply. It needs to be open,” she said.

Coun. Brian Mayes said he expects new investments at the ground level of the intersection could lead the city to be accused of ignoring the plebiscite results. However, he believes the proposed changes would not amount to that, and would improve the site.

“This modernizes (the intersection) a bit, this tries to address the concern about the ugly concrete bunkers… I think we should be putting some money into that intersection (to make it look better),” said Mayes (St. Vital).

The city expects to award the contract in September. Kowalke said a council vote on the resulting proposal will likely take place next year.

Other underground concourse repairs are being considered through a separate contract.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga