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WFP: Businesses have mixed feelings about proposed pathways at Portage & Main (Apr27'23)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Apr '23

27 Apr '23

*Businesses have mixed feelings about proposed pathways* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2023/04/27/businesses-have-mixed… Businesses below Portage and Main have mixed feelings about proposed pathways above the iconic intersection. On Tuesday, the City of Winnipeg released ideas to revitalize the downtown crossing, seeking public feedback. One rendering displayed a “sky garden” — a circular walkway six storeys above ground level with potential bridge connections to adjacent buildings. Glass elevators would connect to the street, the plaza and the underground concourse. “They already have the connection down below,” said Mike Publicover, owner of Stonework’s Bistro. Publicover opened his Winnipeg Square eatery last year. Connecting to Winnipeg’s skyscrapers, including the new 300 Main, was a major consideration before settling, Publicover said. “So now (people are) going to start walking over and above,” he said. “Will they come down?” Already, businesses below struggle to get customers when the workday ends. Publicover’s feelings would be different if the underground network, which covers Portage and Main and extends outwards, didn’t exist. “The added cost to the city of doing it, I don’t know that there’s value when there’s already something here,” Publicover said. The city is preparing to replace the waterproof membrane protecting the underground concourse. It could cost between $15 million and $20 million to excavate the intersection’s surface for membrane repair, according to one engineering report. More connections above ground could be good for business, said Melani Bastians. “Down here, we do have a lot of folks who are Monday to Friday,” said Bastians, who owns two restaurants in Winnipeg Square. When the weekend hits, customers leave and everything shutters, Bastians said. Taste of Sri Lanka, one of her businesses in the underground concourse, closes after 4 p.m. during the week and doesn’t open Saturdays or Sundays. “I want more customers, always, and avenues of which they can get here,” Bastians said. “If we had overpasses, then it would support the general public.” She’s now doubly invested in Winnipeg Square. Bastians opened The Green Eatery beside Taste of Sri Lanka three weeks ago. “People don’t really know that there are places like this in Winnipeg Square,” added Adanna Hanniford, The Green Eatery’s manager. If overpasses will bring people downtown, that’s good news, she said. The nearby GoodLife Fitness and the 300 Main residences are already positives for the restaurant, which has vegan and gluten-free products, Hanniford said. Above-ground changes to Portage and Main likely wouldn’t affect Cookies by George, predicted Lasha Yaeger. “We get business from there,” she said behind the counter, pointing to the Portage and Main concourse. “They’re coming here anyways. It’s not like they’re going to avoid us.” Still, she worried businesses in the concourse might see fewer visitors if overpasses became concrete. The proposed sky garden’s effect on underground businesses is hard to forecast, according to Loren Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. New infrastructure could draw people to the area, he noted. “Right now, I think our bigger concern isn’t skywalk/underground, it’s ‘How do we get more people downtown?’” he said. Once traffic has increased, the focus becomes guiding people to shops and vendors downtown, he said. “Some of the initial concerns were about costing and city priorities — all legitimate concerns. We really want to be creative, we really want to be innovative, and this is an opportunity to engage Winnipeggers in a conversation around ‘What kind of downtown do we want?’” Remillard said. A public survey to give feedback on potential Portage and Main changes is open until May 26 at winnipeg.ca/portageandmain. The city will also host two events about the ideas in May. — with files from Joyanne Pursaga gabrielle.piche(a)winnipegfreepress.com

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CBC: Winnipeg hires CEO of urbanist consulting firm as new planning, property and development director (Apr26'23)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Apr '23

26 Apr '23

Hazel Borys to divest herself of Placemakers, take on helm of city department https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/hazel-borys-planning-director-1.682… The City of Winnipeg has chosen an urban planner who runs a binational consulting firm to be its new director of planning, property and development. Hazel Borys, the CEO of Placemakers in Canada and the United States, will take over the city department responsible for land use at the end of July, Winnipeg chief administrative officer Michael Jack announced on Wednesday. She will succeed Marc Pittet, who's served as Winnipeg's acting planning, property and development director since John Kiernan retired in 2022. Borys said Wednesday she feels like she's taken on the job at "a really critical moment" in Winnipeg's history. "I think we have a number of significant challenges that we'll need to address together and that's really similar to many Canadian cities right now," Borys said in an interview. "But I think we also have both the opportunity and the responsibility to become a more resilient, livable and inclusive place. One of those challenges will involve stemming a burgeoning trend where Winnipeg is starting to lose development opportunities to several of its immediate neighbours. An increasing concentration of industrial, commercial and residential developments have sprouted up just outside city limits in municipalities such as Macdonald, Rosser, West St. Paul and Springfield. Borys said she plans to work with other municipalities to ensure both the city and its neighbours benefit from a new regional planning framework ordered by the provincial government. "My focus as the director of planning, property and development won't be about fighting over the existing pie that the region has, but how when we all work together, we can grow that pie quite a bit," she said. "So I'm not terribly concerned about where today's development capacity is going." Modernizing land use Borys said she believes development can intensify in existing Winnipeg neighbourhoods if the city modernizes outdated rules that govern land use. "What the development community most struggles with is our zoning bylaw hasn't yet caught up with the policies that we have in place to help do those things," she said. "That means that development takes longer — and time is money, from a developer's perspective." Borys suggested the city must focus on densification to achieve its development goals. "I think we have to get back to our agricultural roots and instead of thinking about dollars per new development, we need to be thinking about dollars per hectare and jobs per hectare," she said. "So how we can use our land more productively, just like a farmer looks at how to use her land more productively as well." Winnipeg's mayor, a centrist conservative who hired a number of urbanists to his own staff, referenced the incoming property director's progressive leanings when he welcomed her to the city. "Hazel has an incredible reputation as an innovator, placemaker and community builder and I look forward to working with her in this new role," Scott Gillingham said in a tweet on Wednesday. Borys, however, chose not comment on several hot-button issues facing Winnipeg's planning, property and development department, including the revitalization of Portage and Main and a pending decision in a lawsuit against the department by developer Andrew Marquess. Born in Alabama, Borys was educated in Ohio before she moved to Winnipeg in 2008 with her husband, Stephen Borys, who runs the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. Borys has worked in the urban planning field for 19 years. With Placemakers, she consulted for both developers and governments. She helped the City of Winnipeg develop its long-term planning framework and also sits on the Manitoba Municipal Board. Borys said she has tendered her resignation from the municipal board, whose powers have been expanded to include the ability to overturn City of Winnipeg land-use decisions. She also said she will divest herself of an ownership stake in the U.S. side of Placemakers and dissolve the Canadian company of the same name.

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WFP: ‘Sky garden’ among ideas floated for Portage & Main (Apr26'23)
by Beth McKechnie 26 Apr '23

26 Apr '23

City seeks public input on concepts to improve pedestrian access, enhance appearance at reimagined intersection *‘Sky garden’ among ideas floated for Portage & Main* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2023/04/25/sky-garden-pedestrian-pl… THERE’S a chance Winnipeggers could finally be able to cross the street again at the city’s most famous intersection… but they’d be doing it six storeys above traffic. A “sky garden,” with a plant-adorned circular walkway, potential bridge connections to adjacent buildings and glass elevators connecting the street, plaza and underground concourse, as well as an option to add a set of four lookout towers with viewing platforms (one at each corner), are among several ideas to revitalize Portage Avenue and Main Street the city is now seeking public feedback on. “The City of Winnipeg sees Portage and Main as an iconic, historic destination and worthy of a little bit of extra attention… and that’s why we’ve looked at ideas that are somewhat conventional, as well as some that are more bold,” said Kurtis Kowalke, a principal planner for the city. The changes — advanced by a city consultant — could allow for temporary pedestrian access at ground level, such as for special events. However, the vision doesn’t pursue a long-debated call to permanently restore surface-level pedestrian crossing. The intersection has been closed to pedestrians since 1979, and Winnipeggers voted down a non-binding plebiscite to reopen the corners in 2018. The new vision is being considered as the city prepares to replace an ailing waterproof membrane that protects the underground concourse, which has been deemed beyond its useful life. A deal struck by the city in 1976 to construct the concourse and an above-ground building guaranteed the developer a barricaded intersection for 40 years, forcing pedestrians into the underground mall. Crews must excavate the intersection’s surface to repair the membrane, which an engineering report once estimated would cost between $15 million and $20 million. Kowalke said public input will help the city narrow down design ideas to reimagine the public space, and the crumbling concrete barriers will likely be replaced with more-attractive fencing or bollards. Other options to revamp the site could add “living art” (a raised garden ring with no pedestrian access) or “monumental public art,” such as a large, dome-like structure above the street (depicted as an example in the city survey). Multimedia lighting poles could also be added with or without canopies. At street level, the city could add public art to building walls, plant trees and spruce up the site’s paving. Cost estimates for the new options were not provided. Mayor Scott Gillingham declined to offer an opinion on which, if any, of the ideas he supports. “It has to be something that is reasonable but also exciting. It’s our most iconic intersection,” said Gillingham. The idea of simply reopening pedestrian access at street level has triggered intense debate for years, with supporters arguing the change is needed to help revitalize and better connect downtown. Opponents say allowing foot traffic would snarl vehicle traffic, cost millions of dollars and increase road-safety concerns. In the 2018 plebiscite, 65 per cent of Winnipeggers voted against removing the barriers. Advocates for pedestrian traffic argued most of the no votes were cast by people living in the suburbs who did not want to be inconvenienced by longer stop-light waits at the intersection that would be required for walkers to cross the street. One advocate who urged residents to “vote open” at the time questions the logic of diverting pedestrians upward, instead. “I don’t know if you need to invest as much as some of these designs are going to cost. I think we can have a really great intersection if we have a pedestrian crossing at grade and some nice, artistic, culturally relevant designs going on at street level,” said Adam Dooley. Pedestrian access at an overhead walkway could perhaps be seen as a compromise keeping vehicle and foot traffic apart, but a grade-level crossing remains his first choice, he said. The president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce said the new options to enhance the site are worthy of discussion. “It elevates the conversation that we’ve been having for far too long around this intersection… from one of barricades or removing barricades to one… (about what) kind of downtown centre… we want to have for our community,” said Loren Remillard. Kate Fenske, chief executive officer at the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, said street-level access remains her organization’s top priority. “Allowing pedestrians to cross the street at Portage and Main would have a minimal impact on drivers but drastically reduce the time for pedestrians to get across…. A good design is one that encourages more people at street level. That’s critical for economic activity, for improving safety and for vibrancy of downtown,” said Fenske. She also questioned how adding a raised circular walkway would stack up against other priorities for limited city dollars. Some city councillors agree the primary focus at Portage and Main should be to add a ground-level pedestrian crossing. “Before we start contemplating the budgets involved (with) pedestrian overpasses that might be pretty and might involve greenery… I’d like to just ask that basic question… (of) how to make it accessible at grade,” said Coun. Sherri Rollins. Rollins is backing a new motion at city hall, which calls for staff to study options to add surface-level access at Portage and Main. The public works committee is expected to consider ordering that report next month. On Tuesday afternoon, folks in the Portage and Main area shared mixed views on the ideas. Adam Enns said paving and tree improvements make sense but an above-ground circular walkway isn’t realistic. “What’s the function of it, just to look nice?…. It seems like a waste of money to me,” said Enns. Jennifer Olson feared the “sky garden” walkway may not best serve downtown residents. “It looks nice but what is in it for the people who live here? I’d like to see a grocery store, some more services… not necessarily some elevated walkway. And I would like to see Portage and Main reopened (to pedestrians at the surface level),” said Olson. Jay Rodgers said he liked the “sky garden” at first glance, though its potential cost must be considered. “I think it’s very attractive,” Rodgers said. “It looks modern and I think it would increase traffic circulating in the area.” A survey at winnipeg.ca/portageandmain will seek public feedback until May 26. The city will also host two events on the ideas, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at the lobby of 201 Portage Ave. and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11 at Portage and Main’s underground concourse (near Scotiabank). joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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Nature article: Suburbs are a climate disaster, but they can be redeemed
by Jackie Avent 25 Apr '23

25 Apr '23

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01369-3 How to create liveable suburbs <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> The sprawling outer areas of US cities are the physical embodiment of unequal distribution of wealth and opportunity, argues urban-design researcher Dana Cuff. Rigid and often absurd planning rules prevent the construction of blocks of flats <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…>, shops, schools, health facilities and workplaces. “It will take many creative solutions to redeem suburbs,” Cuff says, such as building housing for teachers on underused school land or offering loans for constructing affordable housing. Nature | 5 min read <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Nature Briefing <briefing(a)nature.com> Date: Tue, Apr 25, 2023 at 1:04 PM Subject: First close-up images of tiny Mars moonlet To: <Jackie.avent(a)gmail.com> What matters in science | View this email in your browser <https://us17.campaign-archive.com/?e=4e0751221c&u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Tuesday 25 April 2023 [image: Nature Briefing] <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Hello *Nature *readers, Today we discover that researchers have sequenced the genomes of more than 10,000 ancient people, find out why parrots like to video call each other and marvel at the first close-up images of Mars’s tiny moonlet Deimos. [image: A bleached human skull lies on its side on mossy ground. The skull’s lower jaw has become detached, lying separately in front of the skull. More bone fragments and broken skulls are visible in the background.] <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> These 2,000-year-old human remains were found in a stone chambered cairn in Greenland. There has been an ‘ancient-DNA gold rush’, with the number of ancient-human genomes exponentially increasing since 2018. (Ashley Cooper/Getty) Ten thousand ancient genomes sequenced <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> More than 10,000 ancient-human genomes have now been sequenced. In 2010, the first ancient-DNA sequence was published, of a man who lived 4,000 years ago. Since 2018, thanks to technological advances, there has been an explosion in the number of ancient genomes sequenced. The vast majority come from people who lived in Europe, Russia and the Middle East <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…>. “We need to shift that focus and obsession with numbers” and look at genomes from other parts of the world, says palaeogenomicist María Ávila-Arcos. Nature | 4 min read <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Reference: bioRxiv preprint <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> (not peer reviewed) [image: A line chart showing the quantity of genome data from ancient-human remains. The data set has grown rapidly since 2018, owing to advances in DNA sequencing, and extraction and has risen to 10,067 in 2023.] <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Parrots call each other to be less lonely <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Giving pet parrots the opportunity to video call other birds helps to counter isolation and boredom <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> in the intelligent animals. Researchers trained 18 pet parrots, ranging from macaws (*Ara*) to cockatiels (*Nymphicus hollandicus*), to phone a friend using Facebook Messenger. “All caretakers reported perceived benefits, some arguably life-transformative, such as learning to forage or even to fly by watching others,” write the authors in their paper, which includes some well-worth-watching video <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> of parrots chatting. The Guardian | 4 min read <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Reference: *CHI '23: Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems* <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> paper <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Reader poll [image: Pie chart illustrating poll results to the question “What do you think about the commercial space age?”] <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Today, a lunar lander built by the Japanese firm ispace will touch down on the Moon’s surface <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…>. It will be the first private company to land on the Moon, and the first of several commercial lunar trips flying this year. Briefing readers had mixed feelings about this burgeoning commercial space age: more than half of the respondents to our poll last week said they preferred when space exploration was led by governments only. Another 40% welcome private space missions. Many readers felt the money pumped into space missions — both private and public ones — could be better spent on Earth, for example on addressing climate change. There were concerns about the amount of space debris that missions would create, and about the environmental impact of rocket launches. “There should be an international agency to regulate who can send what into space and clean up afterwards,” writes librarian Penelope Bulloch. “I think we should reframe the conversation altogether,” suggests sustainability project manager Joan Suris. “Every time we have started mining resources on Earth we have created more environmental and social problems than we have solved. What are the unforeseen consequences of ‘commercial exploitation’ of the Moon?” Features & opinion Deep ocean exploration isn’t about science <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Attempts to reach the bottom of the sea have a surprisingly long history, as Jeff Maynard recounts in *The Frontier Below*. The book is a brisk tour of diving and submersibles <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…>, heavy on engineering and light on science. “That’s fitting, because the endeavour was hardly ever about science,” writes reviewer and *Nature *reporter Alexandra Witze. Instead, it was about retrieving goods from wrecked vessels, military interests or finding a ‘lifeless’ place to dump nuclear waste. Nature | 6 min read <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> [image: Nature Special: Nature+] <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> ACCESS *NATURE* AND 54 OTHER NATURE JOURNALS <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Nature+ gives you immediate online access to *Nature* and 54 other journals. Nature+ is a flexible monthly subscription and is currently available only to personal users in the United States <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> and in the United Kingdom <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> . Learn more about Nature+ in the US <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> or in the UK <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> How to create liveable suburbs <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> The sprawling outer areas of US cities are the physical embodiment of unequal distribution of wealth and opportunity, argues urban-design researcher Dana Cuff. Rigid and often absurd planning rules prevent the construction of blocks of flats <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…>, shops, schools, health facilities and workplaces. “It will take many creative solutions to redeem suburbs,” Cuff says, such as building housing for teachers on underused school land or offering loans for constructing affordable housing. Nature | 5 min read <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> The far-reaching impacts of melting ice <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> How does melting ice contribute to destructive wildfires in the western United States? And how does ice loss lead to extreme floods in Nepal? A sobering yet hopeful quiz, accompanied by stunning visuals <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…>, clarifies how the shape of coastlines, the weather and the survival of communities are all tied to ice. NPR | Interactive 5-min scroll <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Image of the week [image: The moonlet Deimos, looking like a small grey space potato, floats serenely in front of the giant red shape of Mars in the background.] <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> The first up-close images of Mars’s little-known moonlet Deimos have revealed that it is made of the same material as the red planet. The tiny, 12.4-kilometre-wide moon probably formed together with Mars <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…>, rather than as an asteroid that was captured in the planet’s orbit. (Nature | 4 min read <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…>) (Emirates Mars Mission) Quote of the day “I often have a nightmare with my tombstone that reads: ‘What did she think she was doing?’ Because all of us have to reckon with the fact that the future will look back on us with new tools and a new framing.” <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Neurologist Helen Mayberg hopes that deep brain stimulation — invasive surgery that helps people with severe depression — will eventually be seen as outdated. (Nature Careers Podcast | 25 min listen or 15 min read <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> ) As we celebrate World Penguin Day, spare a thought for what the word ‘penguin’ actually means to you <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…>. Psychologists found that even such simple words can signify wildly different concepts for people — and we’re often oblivious to these variations. Send me your definition of the word ‘penguin’, alongside any other feedback on this newsletter, to briefing(a)nature.com. Thanks for reading, *Katrina Krämer, associate editor, Nature Briefing <briefing(a)nature.com>* *With contributions by Flora Graham* We’ve recently launched two new e-mails you might like. They’re free, and of course you can unsubscribe at any time. - *Nature Briefing: Cancer* <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> — a new weekly newsletter written with cancer researchers in mind. Sign up here <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> to receive the next one. - *Nature Briefing: Translational Research* <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> covers biotechnology, drug discovery and pharma. Sign up here <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> to get it free in your inbox each week. [image: nature] <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> Join our community [image: twitter] <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> [image: Facebook] <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…> You received this newsletter because you subscribed with the email address: Jackie.avent(a)gmail.com Please add *briefing(a)nature.com <briefing(a)nature.com>* to your address book. Enjoying this newsletter? You can use this form to recommend it to a friend or colleague <https://us17.forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d&id=9…> — thank you! Want to switch to the weekly edition? Update your preferences <https://nature.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2c6057c528fdc6f73fa196d9d…>. Had enough? 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CBC: Circular walkway, massive orb, towers among Portage and Main redesign options (Apr25'23)
by Beth McKechnie 25 Apr '23

25 Apr '23

Circular walkway, massive orb, towers among Portage and Main redesign optionsCity seeks public feedback on designs that would see existing barricades come down — without pedestrian access https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/portage-main-redesign-options-1.682… A circular walkway above Portage and Main, a massive orb and a quartet of lookout towers are among eight potential and in some cases fanciful redesign options for Winnipeg's most famous intersection. The City of Winnipeg is seeking public opinions about new designs that would see the existing concrete barricades at Portage Avenue and Main Street be replaced by a more esthetically pleasing streetscape that would still bar pedestrians from crossing at street level. The city must remove the barricades as part of a multimillion-dollar repair job at the intersection, where a leaky membrane allows surface runoff to damage the underground pedestrian concourse. The barricades are to be replaced as part of a broader redesign. The city has launched a public opinion survey <https://engage.winnipeg.ca/portageandmain> and will hold a pair of public events in May to solicit feedback on the options. They include an above-ground walkway called a "sky garden," a hanging garden with no pedestrian access, lookout towers, a row of lights, a row of lights mixed with trees, new paving, both with and without trees, and a "monumental" orb at Portage and Main reminiscent of the laser pyramid floated by former mayor Susan Thompson after she left office. None of the options are costed out in the survey, which is open until May 26. The survey asks whether respondents live or work downtown. The public events will be held May 10 in the lobby of 201 Portage Ave. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and May 11 in the underground concourse, also from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The survey also asks what other amenities Winnipeggers wish to see at Portage and Main, such as food trucks and Indigenous programming. The City of Winnipeg will make officials available to speak about the project this afternoon. Portage and Main closed to pedestrians in 1979. Winnipeggers voted against reopening the intersection in a non-binding plebiscite in 2018.

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WFP: Residents weigh in on Portage and Main proposals (Apr22'24)
by Beth McKechnie 24 Apr '23

24 Apr '23

*Residents weigh in on Portage and Main proposals* Report renews debate over iconic intersection https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/04/22/residents-weigh-i… A report regarding the future of Portage Avenue and Main Street has renewed discussions surrounding the contentious intersection, with residents weighing in on the potential of street-level pedestrian crossing. On Tuesday, the city will release the findings of a study it commissioned in 2021 to assess upgrades for the iconic intersection. Current plans involve removing and replacing the concrete barriers that bar pedestrian passage, but future designs may be adaptable, allowing people to cross at street-level for special events, or during designated times, city documents show. “The debate over Portage and Main has been a perennial discussion in Winnipeg for more than 40 years,” Winnipeg transportation planner Jairo Viafara said by phone Saturday. “If we are to open it, there must be a balance.” The intersection, which spans up to eight lanes at some points, presents a particular challenge for city planners. While keeping the intersection closed to pedestrian traffic compromises accessibility, opening it will likely impact traffic flow and may frustrate stakeholders who’ve made significant investments in and around the underground concourse, he said. Among possible solutions is a suggestion from Coun. Jeff Browaty to allow pedestrians to cross outside of peak traffic times, possibly between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. when the underground passage is closed. Viafara was hesitant to endorse this idea, citing safety concerns because the area is surrounded by several bars and restaurants. “I do not want pedestrians who have drinking and dancing their way through the night to step out on the street in their merriment and (be struck by a vehicle),” he said. Pedestrian safety and economic development must be paramount concerns as the city deliberates how to improve the intersection, he said. City officials are not exploring permanently opening the intersection, but promised to allow residents to weigh-in on the design options through an online survey. People passing though the underground concourse Saturday afternoon voiced mixed opinions on the subject. “It is a bit of a nuisance to have to come down particularly because… downtown has gotten a lot sketchier in the last few years,” said Francine Martin. “It doesn’t always feel (safe) and it’s dirtier than it used to be.” Martin, who described herself as a “non-motorist” pointed to a 2018 plebiscite in which 65 per cent of people in Winnipeg voted against reopening street-level crossings at the intersection. According to voter demographic data released at the time, people in suburban areas felt most strongly that the intersection should remain closed. “Maybe they should survey people in the core areas who actually use this intersection as non-motorists,” Martin said. “If we’re the ones using it, or perhaps more likely to use it, then maybe our vote should count for a little bit more.” Others passing through felt the opposite. “I don’t think its a good idea to take the barriers down. It’s going to snarl traffic even more than it is now. It will be a complete hassle,” said Lisa, an Exchange District resident who asked to withhold her last name. “Yeah, its a hassle to come down here, but I’d rather have that hassle (than open the intersection),” she said. “If you live (downtown), you understand why the barriers are there… We’re going to find out real fast if they allow pedestrian traffic up there how inconvenient it is.” Another group of men, who declined an interview but paused long enough to offer their opinion, agreed. “There’s just way too much traffic on Portage and Main,” one said. Corey Yantha, a visitor from Halifax who found himself lost in the underground concourse, said he’s encountered similar underground crossings in other Canadian cities, but found navigating Winnipeg’s confusing. “I think it’s pretty annoying… I don’t really know which way to go,” he said. “It should be a lot easier to get to the other side of the street.” Others passing through had similar experiences, with one group saying they paused several times to check if they were heading the right direction. Regardless of the proposal report, the intersection is likely to see significant construction in the near future. A waterproof membrane surrounding the underground concourse needs to be replaced and it can only be accessed from above. Preliminary estimates suggest the project could cost between $15 million and $20 million. tyler.searle(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: New vision for Portage & Main coming next week (Apr22'23)
by Beth McKechnie 22 Apr '23

22 Apr '23

*Survey to allow input into options for intersection* *New vision for P&M coming next week* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/04/21/new-vision-for-po… A LONG-AWAITED vision to revamp the iconic Portage Avenue and Main Street intersection will be released to the public Tuesday. In 2021, the City of Winnipeg hired a consultant to provide options to improve the above-ground crossing and its “pedestrian environment.” A request for proposal noted the design should also be adaptable to potentially let pedestrians cross at street level on a temporary basis, such as for special events, without permanently restoring that access (which was blocked in 1979). On April 25, the city will release design options for the site, along with an online public survey. “We’ve known for a lot of years that there needs to be repairs to Portage and Main, and we did call for a report to come back two years ago, so we’re going to get it soon,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, who declined to share further details. The consultant was also tasked with providing options to replace a waterproof membrane that separates the underground concourse from the road above, which has been deemed beyond its useful life. A preliminary estimate found it could cost between $15 million and $20 million, according to a 2019 engineering report. Since the 40-year-old membrane is located two to three metres below the pavement and can only be accessed from above, “any investment in streetscape design enhancements will need to be co-ordinated with membrane renewal work,” the RFP notes. Coun. Jeff Browaty said councillors expect to receive updated cost estimates for replacing the membrane later this year — though there is now some sense of what the intersection might look like after current barricades at the surface are replaced. “Subject to what the public comes back with (as input), I think the thinking is that the new barricades… will be more visually appealing,” said Browaty. He expects it could include options for a transparent material that can be altered to allow foot traffic during special events. Browaty, who has been a vocal opponent in the sometimes heated debate on reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians, said he remains concerned doing so full-time would wreak havoc with traffic. “I have zero appetite to the opening of the intersection to regular pedestrian crossings during the day.” However, Browaty said, he is now open to exploring whether pedestrians could cross the intersection at the surface overnight, when traffic volumes are lower. In the middle of the night, when the traffic impact isn’t going to be material… there’s really no cost, in terms of… making physical changes to the intersection (once it is altered).” The North Kildonan councillor said there may be a growing need for overnight pedestrian access because the underground concourse at Portage and Main was open 24-7 before the COVID-19 pandemic, but is now restricted to daily hours of 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. “So, in the middle of the night, you literally do have to go and walk several extra blocks to get through that intersection,” said Browaty. Supporters of reopening the intersection to pedestrians argue doing so would better connect downtown, making it more walkable and vibrant. The consultant was not asked to create a plan for a permanent reopening of the intersection to pedestrians. The report notes 65 per cent of Winnipeggers voted against the reopening in a 2018 plebiscite. Meanwhile, a councillor whose ward includes part of downtown, said she fears the feedback of residents who live closest to the intersection won’t be privileged over other public input — even though consultations on intersections outside downtown focus more on immediate neighbours. “It can be very frustrating, as a downtown councillor, to… understand there are shared interests there, but… watch your residents take back seat to the discussions of whether or not they can cross a street near where they live,” said Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry). joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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Road Safety week - May 15-21
by Kristine Hayward 17 Apr '23

17 Apr '23

The UN Global Road Safety Week is coming up – May 15-21. #RethinkMobility is the theme. See additional information and resources - https://www.roadsafetyngos.org/news-events-orig/events/un-global-road-safet… Kristine Hayward (she/her) Physical Activity Promotion Coordinator Population & Public Health MB Health and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 2nd floor - 490 Hargrave Street Winnipeg, MB R3A 0X7 Email khayward(a)wrha.mb.ca<mailto:khayward@wrha.mb.ca> Bike racks are available in front of the building at the corner of Hargrave and McDermot. Plan your Winnipeg Transit trip: http://winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo__;!!IqQd2s…> Metered street parking and pay lots in the area – please note designated loading zones and spots requiring a disability permit. Disclaimer : This email (including any attachments or enclosed documents) is intended for the addressee(s) only and may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, distribution, copying or dissemination is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately, return the original (if applicable) and delete the email. Avis : Le présent courriel (y compris toute pièce jointe) est destiné à la personne ou aux personnes à qui il est adressé, et peut contenir des renseignements confidentiels, privés ou protégés par un privilège juridique. Toute utilisation, divulgation, distribution, copie ou diffusion non autorisée est strictement défendue. Si vous avez reçu le présent courriel par erreur, veuillez en informer immédiatement l’expéditeur, retourner l’original (le cas échéant) et supprimer ce courriel.

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WFP: Council to consider sidewalk snow-clearing cost study (Apr15'23)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Apr '23

15 Apr '23

Council to consider sidewalk snow-clearing cost study https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/04/14/council-to-consid… FOLLOWING repeated complaints that snow isn’t cleared off sidewalks quickly enough, the city may study an option to speed up the service. An annual snow-clearing report could be tasked with determining a cost estimate to clear snow off all sidewalks and active transportation paths within 72 hours after a significant snowfall. That measure would be reached when an inspection finds clearing is needed following a five-centimetre snowfall or equivalent drifting. A motion passed by public works committee this week calls for that element to be explored in the report, though the change requires a full council vote. “I think it’s important that people understand the cost and the requirements (to ramp up service this much). Dozens of machines would have to be purchased, dozens of staff would have to be hired,” said Coun. Janice Lukes, the committee’s chairwoman. The motion, raised by Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt, also calls for the city to study how the increased service level could be phased in. Wyatt’s motion states the current frequency of clearing sometimes forces pedestrians to walk on roads and suggests the proposed change would improve quality of life. Under city policy, plowing on all sidewalks on major routes and collector streets should be completed within 36 hours after an average storm ends. Sidewalks on residential streets should see plowing completed within five working days after it begins. Lukes (Waverley West) said she expects continuing to clear sidewalks by priority may better fit the city’s budget. “(It) would be better for the taxpayer to realign the priority system versus making everything a (top priority for clearing). I think we need to do a better analysis on where high density is, where high needs are,” said Lukes. Council will vote on the matter later this month. The annual snow-clearing report is expected in June. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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new date - Rapid Implementation of Bikeways webinar
by Kristine Hayward 13 Apr '23

13 Apr '23

[cid:image003.png@01D96E1A.5F3F2880] More information and to register - https://ncceh.ca/hbe-forum#webinar1 Kristine Hayward (she/her) Physical Activity Promotion Coordinator Population & Public Health MB Health and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 2nd floor - 490 Hargrave Street Winnipeg, MB R3A 0X7 Telephone 204 232-7546 Fax 204 940-2690 Email khayward(a)wrha.mb.ca<mailto:khayward@wrha.mb.ca> Bike racks are available in front of the building at the corner of Hargrave and McDermot. Plan your Winnipeg Transit trip: http://winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://winnipegtransit.com/en/navigo__;!!IqQd2s…> Metered street parking and pay lots in the area – please note designated loading zones and spots requiring a disability permit. Disclaimer : This email (including any attachments or enclosed documents) is intended for the addressee(s) only and may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, distribution, copying or dissemination is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately, return the original (if applicable) and delete the email. Avis : Le présent courriel (y compris toute pièce jointe) est destiné à la personne ou aux personnes à qui il est adressé, et peut contenir des renseignements confidentiels, privés ou protégés par un privilège juridique. Toute utilisation, divulgation, distribution, copie ou diffusion non autorisée est strictement défendue. Si vous avez reçu le présent courriel par erreur, veuillez en informer immédiatement l’expéditeur, retourner l’original (le cas échéant) et supprimer ce courriel.

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WFP: Icy sidewalks create shut-ins, city told (Apr12'23)
by Beth McKechnie 12 Apr '23

12 Apr '23

Delegate tells committee obstructed, slippery paths a human rights issue Icy sidewalks create shut-ins, city told https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/04/11/icy-sidewalks-cre… THE mounds of ice and snow that can bury sidewalks in winter too often put people with mobility issues at risk of isolation or dangerous slips and falls, multiple delegates told council’s public works committee on Tuesday. Any effort to clear more sidewalks to “bare pavement” would mark a good first step to ensuring active transportation routes are accessible throughout every season, they argued. Marika Prokosh, who is visually impaired and not able to drive, said the condition of sidewalks is declining, making it increasingly difficult to get around on foot and by bus. “Every year, it’s getting a little harder… It has an effect on how often I choose to go out (and so) it limits the scope of my life,” said Prokosh. Unexpected dips and inclines created by uneven snow clearing can be tough to avoid, she told reporters. Prokosh said she understands many factors, including cost, influence snow-clearing policies. But she stressed the city must also view the service through a disability lens. “What I’m looking for, ultimately, is for the city to figure out a way logistically, economically to ensure that, the majority of the time, the pavements are clear enough that wheelchairs and strollers and people with canes and walkers can pass them with minimal difficulty,” said Prokosh. Sidewalks covered in ice and snow can prove daunting to seniors, said Connie Newman, executive director of the Manitoba Association of Senior Communities. “Many seniors become shut-ins in winter because venturing out onto the sidewalks is just too dangerous,” said Newman. She told the committee the matter is a human rights issue, as mobility should be possible for people of all ages. “We should all feel safe to walk on our sidewalks… For many, six months of icy sidewalks limits us from getting to the grocery store, to the drug store, to exercise. Access to food is a basic human right,” said Newman. Coun. Matt Allard is making his fourth attempt to have the city explore clearing more sidewalks to bare pavement; three previous motions failed. Allard’s latest recommendation calls for city staff to report on options for a pilot project that would clear snow off sidewalks to a “bare pavement” standard on one street that connects to a bus stop in each council ward. He wants that report to review several options to achieve that, including: testing various de-icing material; plowing efforts specific to snow drifts and windrows; and reducing snow banks at intersections and crosswalks. Allard told the committee Tuesday the matter is an urgent human rights issue. “Do we need someone to bring the City of Winnipeg to the Manitoba human rights tribunal to demonstrate that their human rights have been violated… because they were not able to participate in society like any other able-bodied person could?” he asked. Under city policy, downtown sidewalks adjacent to major routes and collector streets are plowed to a paved surface “whenever conditions allow,” while such sidewalks outside downtown are maintained to a compacted snow surface. Plowing on all sidewalks on major routes and collector streets should be completed within 36 hours after an average storm ends. Sidewalks on residential streets should normally be maintained to a compacted snow surface, with plowing completed within five working days after it begins, the policy states. Some council members stressed work is underway to improve snow-clearing on active transportation paths. Mayor Scott Gillingham said a neighbourhood action team, whose tasks will include sidewalk snow clearing, will be hired by the end of this year. He noted city staff will report back in June on more options to improve snow clearing. “We need to do all we can to assist people to navigate our sidewalks and our streets. I want to see people able to get around,” said Gillingham. When asked if the city could pursue the bare pavement pilot project, the mayor suggested it could come at a significant cost. “We don’t know the price. I think the average person could… (imagine) what it may cost to clear snow to (bare pavement) on all sidewalks across the city,” said Gillingham. Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of the public works committee, said she expects the June report to help enhance winter sidewalk clearing. “When you are harnessing Mother Nature… you’ve got to use many tools in your toolkit to get to the end result… The public service is looking at all kinds of things. New technologies emerge, new machines emerge, new approaches emerge. Winnipeg really leads the way in snow and ice removal,” said Lukes. Last year, council approved $3 million to buy 15 additional sidewalk-clearing machines to ramp up the city’s resources. Due to supply chain delays, those are expected to arrive around June and help improve clearing next winter. The public works committee voted to receive Allard’s motion as information, which means taking no immediate action on it. Council will cast the final vote on the matter. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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CBC: Committee rejects motion to study plowing Winnipeg sidewalks to pavement (Apr11'23)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Apr '23

11 Apr '23

Committee rejects motion to study plowing Winnipeg sidewalks to pavement https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/sidewalk-snow-clearing-motion-1.680… The city's public works committee rejected a proposal on clearing sidewalks to bare pavement for the fourth time this term. St. Boniface Coun. Matt Allard brought forward a motion asking council to approve a study of a pilot project that would clear one sidewalk in each of the city's 15 wards down to bare pavement. On Tuesday, Allard told the committee the way the city clears sidewalks — leaving a layer of compacted snow that turns to slush and ice during the spring freeze-thaw cycle — hinders Winnipeggers' right to freedom of movement, particularly for seniors and people with disabilities. "People have the right to participate equally in society," Allard told the committee. Numerous delegates spoke to the committee in favour of Allard's motion. Marika Prokosh, who is visually impaired, said the icy sidewalks are dangerous. "Maybe there's like a two-inch drop down where they've shoveled, and if you don't see very well, as I don't, and you miss that, you can twist an ankle on that," she said in an interview. Seniors advocate Connie Newman said the uneven walking surface keeps many people in their houses and limits their ability to stay healthy. "We wanna continue to walk and sometimes during November to April, it's difficult. And we become isolated," said Newman, executive director of the Manitoba Association of Senior Communities. Allard has criticized some of his council colleagues, including public works chair Janice Lukes and Mayor Scott Gillingham, for rejecting it. "My criticisms of Coun. Lukes, and of the mayor, have been based on their comments not supporting this particular idea and not proposing any other solutions," he said. The committee unanimously voted to receive Allard's motion as information, meaning they are taking no action on it. Before the vote, Lukes told reporters the public works department is preparing a report evaluating the city's snow-clearing operation will come to council in June. It will look at alternative ways to clear ice on sidewalks. "I know for a fact that they're looking at a lot of data points right now for high-frequency use. I know that they're looking at possibly changing priorities," Lukes said. "I wish there was one silver bullet … but [the public service is] looking at a lot of different things and then they will be coming forward in June." Gillingham campaigned on creating neighourhood action teams that will look for issues in communities, including icy sidewalks, he said. "I've been working to, and will continue to work to improve snow clearing in this city, our winter city. I think the neighborhood action teams are really going to help," he said. Council will hold a final vote on the matter at its meeting later this month.

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WFP Analysis: Winnipeg winter shouldn’t translate to lower quality of life (Apr11'23)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Apr '23

11 Apr '23

*Winnipeg winter shouldn’t translate to lower quality of life* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/2023/04/10/winter-should… FALLING is the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations in Winnipeg, and more than one-third of the province’s direct health-care costs are accounted for by injuries related to falls. The financial costs, however, are far less impactful than the personal effect on health and well-being that falls can have, particularly for older adults. A fall can often trigger a downward health spiral for seniors, where injuries limit mobility and independence, and a fear of falling again leads to anxiety, depression and social withdrawal. According to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, 20 per cent of falls that require hospitalization are the result of slipping on ice and snow. In Winnipeg, a typical winter month can see more than 300 people, more than 10 per day, visit urgent care or an emergency room to treat injuries from a fall caused by snow and ice. Understanding these impacts has many people in Winnipeg lobbying to improve our city’s sidewalk snow-clearing policies. This includes Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface), who has introduced a motion to be debated today at city hall, to establish a pilot project studying the challenges of clearing sidewalks to the bare pavement throughout the winter. The City of Winnipeg’s policy on snow clearing and ice control dictates sidewalks outside of downtown be maintained to a compacted snow surface, meaning a layer of snow several centimetres deep is left on sidewalks all winter. This layer creates significant challenges for pedestrians and can be an impassable barrier for people using wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. There is a common misconception the condition of city sidewalks is inevitable because it’s caused by water from adjacent melting snowbanks. Most regular sidewalk users, however, understand this “compacted snow surface” is what creates the most significant safety issues, and it’s a problem not only in the spring but throughout the winter. As long as the surface remains frozen and compacted, it’s fine; but on warmer days throughout the winter, it becomes soft and, as people walk over it, the surface breaks up, becoming pitted and uneven with slush and water filling the crevices that form in the layer of snow. When the temperature drops again, it freezes in place, creating a slippery and unstable surface that can remain until it’s re-compacted during the next significant snowfall. This cycle is compounded in the spring months, as temperatures fluctuate daily. Allard’s motion to address this issue by keeping sidewalks snow-free has been presented many times in the past and is always met with opposition claims it’s not possible to clear to pavement because it’s too costly and sidewalk conditions are too poor to allow it. Other cities, however, have successfully used pilot projects to experiment, innovate and establish a greater understanding of the issues and costs involved. In Ottawa and Montreal, ice-breaker machines that resemble small steamrollers with spike-studded drums were tested for two years, before large numbers were purchased and are now in successful use. Machinery such as rotating brushes being used in other cities could also be tested to see if they can alleviate the sidewalk condition obstacle. In Edmonton, a pilot study investigated the use of a calcium chloride solution instead of salt, finding it was highly effective at removing ice even at low temperatures, reducing falls and accidents, and actually saved money by reducing the need to plow. The cost of sidewalk clearing represents only 10 per cent of the overall Winnipeg snow-clearing budget, so understanding the scale of any increases might allow us to devise a strategy that is manageable. If sidewalk condition is a limiting factor, accelerating sidewalk renewal would be an important solution. Extrapolating public works’ estimates, the cost of replacing all 3,400 kilometres of sidewalk in Winnipeg would be about $500 million, a similar price tag to the Chief Peguis Trail extension the mayor made as a campaign promise. Of course, there is no need to replace every sidewalk, but the comparison demonstrates the things we can and can’t afford are defined more by priority than economics. Even if we decide complete sidewalk snow-clearing isn’t feasible citywide, we might make targeted changes. In many mature neighbourhoods, sidewalks are vital arteries of mobility, essential to life in the community. They connect people to things such as work, school, shopping and public transit. As an example, in the Osborne area, more than 11,000 trips per day are taken on foot, with 22 per cent of the neighbourhood walking or biking to work. Another 23 per cent walk to the bus. In Wolseley, 27 per cent commute on foot or bike, and 20 per cent by bus. In St. Boniface, 19 per cent walk to work, and 8,500 pedestrian trips are made every day. In most newer communities, less than one per cent of the population walks or bikes to work, and even in older areas such as North Kildonan, only four per cent do. A study that allows us to create data-driven policy that at least ensures sidewalks are safe in areas where they are most used and are most important to quality of life, would have valuable societal impacts. The fact Winnipeg is a winter city shouldn’t mean its residents accept a lower quality of life. We should be driven to become the most livable winter city in the world. Central to this goal is ensuring sidewalks are safe and accessible to all people of all ages and abilities in all seasons. Innovative cities set ambitious goals and through testing, research, and experimentation, work to achieve them. They look for solutions, not excuses. *Brent Bellamy is senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group*

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WFP Editorial: Speed reduction first step toward safer streets (Apr10'23)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Apr '23

10 Apr '23

Speed reduction first step toward safer streets https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/2023/04/10/speed-reduc… WINNIPEG’S residential speed-reduction pilot program is crawling along and the early results appear to be getting the green light from community members. “It’s nice,” Shannon Shields told the Free Press recently of the speed reduction in Bourkevale. “It just gives it a little bit of a different vibe that other neighbourhoods don’t have.” Bourkevale, a St. James subdivision along the banks of the Assiniboine River, is one of four neighbourhoods in which speed limits have been temporarily reduced to see whether drivers adjust accordingly and how those changes impact local livability. Speed limits have been lowered from 50 km/h to 30 km/h in Bourkevale and Tyndall Park; and to 40 km/h in Worthington and Richmond West. Signage was erected in March and will remain in place for one year. This pilot project has widespread potential to rewrite how our streets are designed and how drivers interact with people and infrastructure around them — for the better. It’s no secret that Winnipeg is a car city. Urban sprawl and lacklustre public transportation make it nearly impossible to navigate life without a vehicle. This hierarchy puts human beings at the bottom and creates an adversarial relationship on the road. Perhaps it should be a little more difficult for drivers to get around, especially in residential neighbourhoods where vehicles and pedestrians often mingle more closely. Research shows the likelihood of death or serious injury for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle is greatly reduced when speed limits are lower. Winnipeg is grappling with a major uptick in traffic fatalities. Last year, 28 people died in vehicle collisions, including 12 pedestrians, compared with nine fatalities in both of the previous two years. This is a horrific and unacceptable trend. Vision Zero is a road safety movement, popularized by the Swedish government, that aims to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and injuries. The campaign has been gaining traction in North America and is a stated goal of the Winnipeg Road Safety Strategic Action Plan released in 2022. While the document cites research, infrastructure and policy as ways to move “towards zero,” it also points to the need for a culture shift. Could a culture shift be achieved through speed reduction and physical roadblocks? The aforementioned “vibe” described by Ms. Shields can be summed up as a sense of mutual respect between drivers and other road users. The simple act of travelling at a lower rate of speed signals care for those who aren’t protected by thousands of pounds of steel. Care and respect make for closer communities and safer streets. Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt recently raised a motion to include traffic-calming measures in street-renewal projects. If approved, road repairs could involve the addition of speed bumps, curb extensions and road narrowing. These design elements would make it harder to speed and force drivers to pay closer attention while behind the wheel — beneficial outcomes for everyone involved. At the same time, if we are to make driving more difficult, we need to make alternative modes of transportation more accessible. Sweden is now “moving beyond vision zero,” an initiative that seeks to eliminate road fatalities while also creating a strong multi-modal system that prioritizes public transit, cycling networks and walking paths. While roundabouts and 30 km/h speed limits won’t make sense for every neighbourhood, it’s imperative that the city explore every opportunity to improve road safety. Everyone has the right to get where they’re going safely. It’s encouraging to see citizens and politicians moving (carefully) towards the same goal

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Fwd: [BW_Advocacy] Halifax's bike mayor reflects on end of 3-year term
by Dave Elmore 07 Apr '23

07 Apr '23

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/halifax-bike-mayor-reflects-on-e…

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WFP: Councillor seeks speed-reduction in street-fix plans (Apr5'23)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Apr '23

05 Apr '23

*Councillor seeks speed-reduction in street-fix plans* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/04/03/transcona-council… WHEN Winnipeg residential streets are torn up for repairs in the future, some civic leaders hope they may also be redesigned to slow down drivers. A new motion calls for city staff to study how traffic-calming measures could be added during the local street-renewal process. “You don’t need to (slow traffic) through (speed) enforcement, which is next to impossible, because you can’t put a police car on every street. You can do it from design… make the streets tighter in some places and it allows folks to naturally slow down,” said Coun. Russ Wyatt, who raised the motion. Wyatt (Transcona) said he supports efforts to slow down drivers on local streets to reduce the risk to pedestrians. However, he believes changing the way streets get built would be more effective than simply lowering speed limits. Last month, council voted to reduce speed limits to 30 km/h from 50 km/h on 14 Winnipeg streets, an effort supporters say will make them more “livable” and welcoming to pedestrians and cyclists. Those speed limits will be gradually implemented over the next two years. Reduced speeds are also being tested in a one-year pilot project in four neighbourhoods, which began in March. Wyatt said he understands the impetus behind those changes. But he expects designing roads differently would be more effective. He said he would call for public consultation on any changes. Coun. Janice Lukes, council’s public works chairwoman, said she also believes traffic-calming measures would have a lasting impact on drivers. “Yes, we can drop speed limits, sure, that helps. But what really changes driver behaviour is the built environment,” said Lukes (Waverley West). “And when you can change the built environment, that is where you succeed with really effective traffic calming.” Lukes said the potential changes could involve narrowing some roads, adding speed tables (sections of raised road) and/or installing curb extensions that create more space for pedestrians. “This would be having the department — instead of just ripping up and replacing (roads) — actually think about a different design,” she said, adding plans for new developments, such as Bison Run in Waverley West, include some traffic-calming measures but implementing them during road repair would slow traffic on existing streets. Lukes said the public has mixed views on the matter, noting she receives complaints when traffic-calming measures are installed but also receives demands for the features to be added. Wyatt’s motion will be considered at next Tuesday’s public works committee meeting. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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France’s Plan For Universal Cycle Training Is A Win For Equity. Here’s How It Works.
by Beth McKechnie 03 Apr '23

03 Apr '23

France has implemented a nationwide effort to get young students comfortable on bikes. In priority school districts, this program could help lead to long-term equality. Full story: https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/frances-plan-for-universal-cycle-trainin…

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WFP: Design unveiled for Osborne Village bike route (Mar31'23)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Mar '23

31 Mar '23

*Design unveiled for Osborne Village bike route* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/03/30/design-for-osborn… THE City of Winnipeg has unveiled the final design for a key cycling route. In June, the city will begin building protected bike lanes on River and Stradbrook avenues (from Harkness Avenue to Wellington Crescent), and Wellington Crescent (between River and Stradbrook), as part of a larger road renewal project. A cycling advocate says the link will add a key connection to the city’s bike route network and help many people commute. “We’re really happy to see this moving through. We think it’s a big part of the city network moving forward and it’s something that we feel is going to get used right from the start,” said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. Cohoe noted the route could help cyclists from parts of St. Vital and Fort Garry head downtown and will serve riders in densely populated Osborne Village. The city’s website says the project will make travel for cyclists safer and more convenient by using a raised curb to separate bikes from vehicles. “It’s definitely a safety improvement. Right now, if you look at both Stradbrook and River, it’s mixed traffic. So, if you’re riding your bike on those roadways, you’re mixing in with vehicles and parked cars. You’re more likely to get into a collision in that kind of situation,” said Cohoe. “Mixed traffic with parking on roads like River and Stradbrook with the heavier volumes of traffic is the thing that people find the least friendly to ride on. It’s the thing they fear most.” The plan includes “two-stage” leftturn areas where space outside of bike and traffic lanes allows cyclists room to stop outside of the flow of traffic and wait for a safe moment to turn. The new safety features are meant to help ensure riders of all ages and abilities can travel safely, said Chris Baker, the city’s active transportation co-ordinator. “This protected bike lane will separate those on bikes from those in a car by a concrete curb. This really increases the comfort of cycling there. What that does is attract riders who might not be comfortable riding in a different condition, riding on a painted bike lane or riding in mixed traffic,” said Baker. This particular route is a priority in Winnipeg’s pedestrian and cycling strategy and should help the city meet a few different goals, he said. “Creating a safe and comfortable and high-quality cycling network is critical to encourage more people to use… this mode of transportation. Getting more people on their bikes can reduce traffic congestion (and) it helps the city meet its climate change goals,” he said. The city does not yet know the cost of the project since it’s part of larger road renewal contracts that are still open for companies to bid on. Nearly all of the bike route will be protected from traffic, except for a short, narrower segment of River Avenue west of Harkness Avenue, Baker said. At that spot, the city proposes to eventually reduce the vehicle speed limit to 30 km/h and possibly add traffic- calming devices. The routes will also be made safer for pedestrians, Baker said. “This (project) has some major pedestrian improvements… (including) five new crosswalks that will be upgraded to (a) flashing beacon (to be more visible),” he said. A survey on the final design has been posted on the city’s website (engage. winnipeg.ca). Construction on the protected bike lanes is expected to wrap up in October. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP Community News: Fort Rouge Yards proposal approved (Mar29'23)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Mar '23

30 Mar '23

*Fort Rouge Yards proposal approved * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/west/2023/03/29/fort-roug… The City Centre community committee considered several development and re-zoning proposals at its March 17 meeting. First up, the committee voted to approve Sunstone’s plans for construction of a new multi-unit building at 15 Walker Court, in the Fort Rouge Yards development, just west of Argue Street. The approved design is for a four-storey residential multi-family building containing 100 residential units, with 116 parking stalls (69 underground, 47 surface, 12 guest) and *92 bicycle parking stalls. It will also be serviced with pedestrian connections to the nearby active transportation pathway and rapid-transit station.* The committee then concurred with a public service recommendation to reject an application by J. Wintrup Consulting for subdivision and rezoning of 963 Centennial St. to allow for construction of a multi-family dwelling. Coun. John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry) cited concerns about the number of proposed units in the back lane, the objections of neighbours and the possible removal of several trees that currently sit on the property in moving to reject the application. The committee also heard an application for subdivision and rezoning from Cambridge Health for lots at 90 Wellington Cres., and 586 and 588 River Ave, three adjoining properties situated at the southeast corner of the junction of Wellington Crescent and River Avenue. If approved, the rezoning and subdivision would allow for the construction of two four-storey buildings with a combined 51 supportive-housing units. Cambridge Health wrote in a supporting document that the buildings will provide non-medical, community home care support for adults aged 50 to 65 “who display complex behaviours, such as people who have complex mental health conditions.” Most of the units would be considered affordable housing and 20 of them will be accessible units. The committee adjourned its hearing on the application to its next meeting, on April 25.

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A feature interview with the teacher who started Portland’s bike bus
by Beth McKechnie 30 Mar '23

30 Mar '23

Sam Balto is having a moment. What, you don’t know Sam? Well, this Portland, Oregon-based physical education teacher has become something of an internet sensation thanks to a bike bus he established at his school Alameda Elementary. The bike bus is a major local happening every single Wednesday when more than 100 students join the two-wheeled parade on the way to class. And it could be inspiring others in the United States and beyond to do the same thing. So, we tracked Sam down to ask him just what happened and what others can do to start a bike bus in their neighbourhoods. Full story: https://momentummag.com/a-feature-interview-with-the-teacher-who-started-po…

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WFP: Early days of pilot program’s reduced speeds finding support from residents in affected neighbourhoods (Mar30'23)
by Beth McKechnie 30 Mar '23

30 Mar '23

*Early days of pilot program’s reduced speeds finding support from residents in affected neighbourhoodsSlowing winning fast approval* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/03/30/slowing-winning-f… A PILOT project to slow traffic in four neighbourhoods is being met with generally positive reviews from residents in its early stages. New signs installed during the first two weeks of March reduced the speed limit to 30 km/h from 50 in the Bourkevale and Tyndall Park South neighbourhoods and to 40 km/h from 50 in Richmond West and Worthington. Shannon Shields, whose son attends school in Bourkevale, said the reduced speed appears to be a good fit for the neighbourhood. “It’s a very, very busy walking area…. It’s nice to see the official signs go up and it kind of just matches what the community wanted,” said Shields, noting some residents previously posted their own signs that urged drivers to slow down. “It’s nice. It just gives it a little bit of a different vibe that other neighbourhoods don’t have.” Mike McMullen said he hopes the Bourkevale change becomes permanent. “I think it’s a good idea, especially with a school nearby and all the kids,” said McMullen. Josh Dyck said he also supports the change in Bourkevale but feels a 30 km/h limit would prove too slow and disruptive for larger residential thoroughfares. “I would be fine if (on busier residential routes drivers) slowed down to 50. As long as they’re paying attention and being responsible, I think that’s reasonable,” said Dyck. “I understand people’s concerns about slowing down to 30 in certain neighbourhoods.” Another driver, who did not want her name published, said the focus should not solely be on drivers to improve safety. She said more effort is also needed to teach pedestrians to travel cautiously, such as by looking both ways before crossing a street. The pilot project is expected to have widespread implications. “The reduced-speed neighbourhood pilot is the first step in determining the future of speed limits in Winnipeg’s residential areas,” city spokesman Ken Allen said in an emailed statement. Allen said the test will help determine how reduced maximum speeds affect neighbourhood livability and driver behaviour. “The pilot will help us determine if changing the posted speed limit changes how fast vehicles actually travel,” he said. In Bourkevale’s case, many community members urged the city to reduce the speed before the pilot began. Daevid Ramey, who helped launch the group Bourkevale 30 to advocate for the change, said desire to slow vehicles grew during the pandemic. He said the vast majority of his neighbours felt the standard 50 km/h residential speed limit didn’t mesh well with increased pedestrian and cycling traffic. Ramey said the new lower speed limit is a better fit. “It’s 30 km/h all the time. That makes our neighbourhood safer, it makes it quieter and it’s clear for drivers,” said Ramey. Many supporters of reduced speed limits believe they make streets safer. Studies show that a pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling 50 km/h is much more likely to be killed or seriously injured than if the vehicle were travelling 30 km/h. While noting serious collisions typically occur on busier traffic routes, Coun. Janice Lukes said she supports reduced residential speeds for a separate reason. “It really will improve neighbourhood livability, (creating) calmer traffic, less noise, a more peaceful neighbourhood,” said Lukes (Waverley West), council’s public works chairwoman. She said the changes will also offer a potential method to address an “outcry” for traffic-calming measures on many neighbourhood streets. Lukes, whose ward includes Richmond West, said she received initial pushback on the reduced-speed pilot project in the form of a few dozen emailed complaints, which mostly alleged the program amounts to a tax grab or wastes city money. However, she said she also received plenty of positive feedback over the last few weeks. Coun. Shawn Dobson, whose St. James ward includes Bourkevale, said the 30 km/h speed limit makes sense for that area but he doesn’t believe the city should impose it on all residential routes. “In an isolated area like this, it would probably work but (in some other) residential areas I don’t think it would…. It would be just too slow for (thoroughfares),” said Dobson. The reduced-speed neighbourhood pilot project is scheduled to last one year. Once it concludes, a city report will recommend next steps. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: Freeze-thaw cycle reignites public efforts to clear bike lanes (Mar28'23)
by Beth McKechnie 28 Mar '23

28 Mar '23

*Freeze-thaw cycle reignites public efforts to clear bike lanes* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2023/03/27/freeze-thaw-cycle-reigni… DOWN a stretch of Assiniboine Avenue, a bike lane switches from being underwater to a sheet of ice and back again, depending on the time of day. It’s a brief but dangerous time of year to be using active transportation in Winnipeg, caused by the freeze-thaw cycle of warmer temperatures zig-zagging with cold ones. It’s the city’s responsibility to ensure bike lanes and sidewalks are usable, but Hillary Rosentreter knows how it feels to take matters into her own hands. The Winnipeg resident was the organizer of several public snow- and ice-clearing efforts — initially under threats of fines — earlier this winter. When she fell while cycling a few days ago, and later saw a pair of older women struggling to support each other while navigating an icy walkway, she knew it was time again to pick the shovel up. “For me, although I’m young and able-bodied, I know that at some point, I’m going to be there, my mom is going to be there, all the people I love are going to be there, in a position where the city’s just not treating us to the kind of standard that we all deserve,” she told the Free Press on Monday. “And for a lot of people, that’s already the case.” Rosentreter took to social media looking for allies to help clear a bike lane along Assiniboine Avenue, which she said experiences a lot of use but had gotten dangerous to traverse. By Sunday afternoon, she and six other people were working, shovels and ice-breaking tools in hand, to clear the pathway to the pavement. The group even drew in the efforts of a passerby. “Losing that really crucial corridor, that just makes it that much more difficult at this time of year to actually avoid using your vehicle to get around, which shouldn’t be the case,” Rosentreter said. It feels a bit like déjà vu. Just months ago, Rosentreter was warned by the city of a potential financial penalty for clearing bike lanes. (After being publicly questioned, officials quickly said it would not happen.) It’s not a fear she has this time around, and Rosentreter is actively trying to ensure streets maintenance workers know where and when organized ice-clearing efforts are being made. “I think it’s kind of important to keep the city in the loop when we do intend to go out and do this kind of thing. I have no intention of cutting the city out of the picture, in fact, I would love if they would take over, so that we didn’t have to do it,” she said. “But the problem is the policies are what they are, and it’s just not conducive to the freeze-thaw cycles that we experience.” Communications co-ordinator Ken Allen said the city is still not considering issuing fines to vigilante ice clearers, adding early spring is a typically treacherous time for pedestrians and cyclists. “Under such conditions, plowing the ice that refreezes onto sidewalks each night is problematic, given that the ice is firmly adhered to the pavement surface, and the fact that there are over 3,000 kilometres of sidewalks and pathways across the city,” he said in an email. “Plus, the next-day thawing temperatures causes more water to accumulate and again refreeze overnight, which causes icy conditions to reoccur on almost a daily basis.” However, that explanation isn’t good enough for some at city hall. Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface) has put forward a proposal for a pilot project testing the feasibility of clearing sidewalks all the way to the pavement (by clearing one in each of the city’s 15 wards) but said the idea has been consistently shot down. Currently, only downtown sidewalks are required to be plowed to pavement. Sidewalks along major routes, non-regional bus routes and collector streets are required to be cleared to a compacted snow surface, following about five centimetres of snow. Allard said considering the efforts of winter cities such as Edmonton, where service level requires many roadways be plowed to bare pavement within less than five days, Winnipeg should create a civic report to see if it would be able to do the same. “I struggle to understand why we wouldn’t ask for a report. It doesn’t mean that we’re doing it, it means the public service would write a report saying, ‘If we were to do it, this is what it would look like.’ There’s zero expense,” he said. At a council meeting March 23, Mayor Scott Gillingham said he was firm on his stance on the idea, but looked forward to debate on the motion. “I think that the councillor has brought the motion that’s about to be introduced, to refer it to public works, he’s brought it several times,” Gillingham said last week. “My position has been clear on that: I don’t think clearing snow on sidewalks to pavement is realistic across the entirety of the city… We have a very strong snow-clearing policy, as it is already.” Allard, however, plans to persist: the motion will be discussed at the standing policy committee on public works April 11. “I want to look at the snow-clearing bylaw to find out if it’s providing the right level of service, and from what I’m hearing from the community of those who use sidewalks is that it’s not to the right level of service,” he said. malak.abas(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: City council approves more 30-km/h speed limits (Mar25'23)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Mar '23

27 Mar '23

City council approves more 30-km/h speed limits https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/03/24/city-council-appr… DRIVERS must prepare to slow down, permanently, on 14 Winnipeg streets. On Thursday, city council cast the final vote to reduce the speed limit on four “neighbourhood greenways” to 30 km/h (from 50 km/h), along with 10 of the 2022 enhanced summer bike routes. The new speed limits will apply at all hours, once they are gradually implemented over the next two years. All 14 routes will be permanently declared neighbourhood greenways: on-street routes that typically use reduced speeds and traffic-calming measures to “comfortably and safely move cyclists, pedestrians and motor vehicles.” Supporters say this improves safety for active transportation options at a much lower cost than constructing separated bike lanes. Winnipeggers appear to have mixed views on the change. City consultations about a pilot project that tested the reduced speed on the four initial neighbourhood greenways found 59 per cent of residents who lived on an affected street supported making the speed reduction permanent. That number dropped to 48 per cent among nearby residents, while 70 per cent of other road users opposed a permanent speed reduction.

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WFP: Allard opposes both budgets, pans major road projects (Mar23'23)
by Beth McKechnie 23 Mar '23

23 Mar '23

*Capital, operating budgets get thumbs-up* *Allard opposes both, pans major road projects* https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/03/22/majority-of-counc… A DECISIVE majority of council members cast a final vote to approve the City of Winnipeg’s 2023 budget Wednesday, amid concerns about climate change and calls for more community safety hosts at the Millennium Library. The city’s capital and operating budgets passed in separate 14-2 votes. Mayor Scott Gillingham said the financial plan funds both social services and economic initiatives. “I think that this 2023 budget offers a balanced approach,” said Gillingham, making note of funds for 24-7 safe spaces, the downtown public washroom and key roads. Coun. Matt Allard, the only councillor to oppose both the capital and operating budgets, argued paying for preliminary work on widening Kenaston Boulevard and extending Chief Peguis Trail doesn’t make sense in the midst of a climate-change crisis. Past estimates indicate those projects would each cost more than $500 million. “We have roads we can’t fix and this budget says we should spend $2.8 million in imagining a billion-dollar road project. It is so much money relative to all of the other things… we could do with that kind of money, the transit we could invest in. We could build (out) the entire active transportation (strategy),” said Allard (St. Boniface). Allard raised an unsuccessful motion to amend the budget, which called upon council to increase the St. Boniface Street Links grant to $220,000 from about $119,000, spend $240,900 on a city-wide community garden strategy and hire a consultant on reducing Winnipeg Transit fares to $1. It also called for the city to devote $600,000, and seek another $600,000 of external funds, to replace the Winakwa Community Centre wading pool with a spray pad. Allard told media the Street Links funding would have been enough to persuade him to support the 2023 budget, since he deems it essential to helping folks cope with homelessness and addictions, though he will continue advocating for priorities to address climate change. Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) joined Allard to oppose the operating budget over concerns it didn’t offer enough investment in recreation and other city services, while Coun. Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) cast the second vote against the capital budget over concerns it fails to properly account for construction inflation. The vote followed one last collective plea from social service organizations to add four more full-time community safety host positions at the Millennium Library, based on previous success. “Our community safety hosts have de-escalated 209 out of 260… events that they’ve been involved with at the Millennium Library. That’s 80 per cent of the interactions that they’ve had where police did not need to be called,” said Michael Redhead Champagne, a board member with Fearless R2W, which trains the specialized security staff to provide trauma-related crisis work and connect vulnerable folks with resources. Champagne said the community safety hosts have secured shelter for eight people and given naloxone (to reverse opioid drug overdoses) to nine people. Champagne believes the hosts could replace security staff at other civic buildings, as well. “There are many other municipal spaces, such as community centres and (the council building) where community safety hosts would be more appropriate than traditional security,” he told reporters. He said two community safety hosts currently work at Millennium Library, though both of their terms will end in the next few months. Council didn’t alter the budget to grant the request on Wednesday. However, community services chairman Coun. John Orlikow said he also wants to see more of the specially trained hosts replace standard security staff at the downtown library in the near future, potentially even before the city approves a long-term safety strategy for the facility. “It’s a good program. It has people that really can connect with people… so I do really think the program has lots of merit,” said Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry). Gillingham said he’s “certainly open” to the idea of adding more community safety hosts but expects that would be considered after a report is released on long-term safety options at the library. “The conversation is, by no means, over with this budget. It’s just the timing of this budget is such that we still don’t have that report back,” he said. There is no set date for the report’s release. Efforts to improve safety at Millennium Library were thrust into the spotlight after 28-year-old Tyree Cayer was stabbed to death on the main floor on Dec. 11, leading the library to close. It reopened most services on Jan. 23, with metal detectors and police on site. Meanwhile, the budget received praise from members of the business community Wednesday, partly due to its funding to extend city water and sewer service to help develop CentrePort South, as well as the plans to expand Chief Peguis and Kenaston. “These decisions tell our trade partners continentally and globally that Winnipeg is a trade hub and we are open for business,” said Chris Lorenc, president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. The 2023 budget also includes a 3.5 per cent property tax hike and a $1.50 per-foot frontage fee increase, which will cost the average single-family homeowner $142 more. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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Report: US Pedestrian Death Rate Increased 9x Faster Than Population During COVID
by Beth McKechnie 22 Mar '23

22 Mar '23

*Sadly applies to Winnipeg too...* Pedestrian deaths are continuing to skyrocket even as the pandemic wanes — and since 2019, the death rate for walkers has eclipsed the rate of population growth by a factor of at least nine, analysts say. https://usa.streetsblog.org/2023/02/28/report-us-pedestrian-death-rate-incr…

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