We’re done accepting ‘good enough’

The majority of Manitobans (77 per cent, according to a recent Probe Research survey) see downtown Winnipeg as struggling or declining.

It’s a gut punch, but it’s not surprising. The work of urban place management often feels like pushing a boulder uphill. It takes relentless optimism to keep going.

Every day I walk by broken garbage cans, crumbling sidewalks, empty tree wells and “for lease” signs in building windows. It’s hard to imagine a bustling, vibrant and thriving neighbourhood when this is the image we see. It’s the same when our riverbanks and trails are littered with garbage, when I’m fishing plastic bottles out of our waterways while kayaking.

It feels like we’re teetering on the edge. While violent crime has dropped four per cent year-to-date downtown, overall crime is up 14 per cent. Our survey with Probe Research shows only 69 per cent of Winnipeggers feel safe downtown during the day and just 20 per cent at night. In our Business Improvement Zone, 90 per cent of businesses have dealt with erratic behaviour, and over 60 per cent usually lock their doors during business hours. We can’t allow these statistics to become our new normal.

The concerns go far beyond criminal activity. A humanitarian crisis is playing out right in front of us. Homelessness, toxic drugs and mental health present serious challenges for the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals and the overall health of downtown. It’s no surprise public confidence in our downtown is low.

There’s a reality we need to face, but there is hope. Right now, over 3,000 residential units are planned or under construction and both private and public sectors have committed significant dollars to major redevelopment projects.

The future is being built around us, but businesses can’t wait years for transformational change.

So how do you create a downtown that attracts top talent, encourages young people to stay in the province and generates far more than its fair share of economic activity to support services and amenities across Manitoba?

We need to take care of the spaces and the people in between. This means buying from the small business owner, welcoming the hopeful newcomer, supporting vulnerable individuals and saying hello to the stranger walking by.

It means fixing the little things like replacing garbage cans, lighting up our streets, planting trees, adding public art and animating spaces so the walk from one place to another feels good. It’s about creating a downtown for people.

Decision makers understand that our economy relies on a strong downtown. It’s why we’re seeing major investment in key redevelopment projects like Portage Place by True North Real Estate Development, the redevelopment of the Bay building by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization and a new Métis National Heritage Centre by Manitoba Métis Federation at the corner of Portage and Main — an intersection you can now cross at street level, something we weren’t able to do for more than 40 years.

Big things are happening downtown. Two new hotels — Hyatt Centric and Sutton Place — are under construction, and Fairmont Winnipeg’s exciting renovation is underway. The Downtown BIZ welcomed 30 new businesses this year and housing for all income levels is being built, including at Railside at the Forks, Market Lands, Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, and Portage Place. We’re also seeing economic reconciliation in action — a model for the rest of the country.

To ensure these and other projects are successful, and public investment is protected, we need to make sure the everyday spaces in between are cared for.

Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is doing what we can. Our team picked up more than 1.7 million litres of litter this year, removed almost 10,000 graffiti tags, cleaned over 6,700 transit shelters, planted trees and installed 270 flower baskets. The Downtown BIZ created almost 350 linear feet of colourful murals and welcomed more than 80,000 people to our signature events like the Downtown Farmers’ Market and family movie night. I’m proud of what our dedicated team has accomplished, but we know it’s not enough.

In 2026, it’s time for a reset. We’re ramping up what works and ditching what doesn’t. We’re going to focus on what’s within our control and double down on making downtown as clean and beautiful as we can. We’ll deliver activations and programming that reflect the community and give people reasons to spend time downtown. We’ll continue to support businesses holding on during this transition period by promoting downtown and sharing positive stories.

There’s big work ahead. Downtowns across North America are at a pivotal moment and Winnipeggers deserve a vibrant and thriving city. That can only happen with a strong downtown. Winnipeg’s future competitiveness depends on getting this right. We need to raise the bar and refuse mediocrity.

Thankfully, I know we’re not alone. There are countless community organizations, businesses, elected officials, public servants and individuals who care too much to leave downtown to chance. The key will be getting everyone moving in the same direction, to align around a shared vision rooted in reconciliation. It’s time to turn priorities into action and create a downtown that drives prosperity, invites belonging and feels alive year-round. We all have a role to play, and we’re not giving up.

Kate Fenske is the CEO of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.