Mayors approve of opening Portage & Main to pedestrians

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/mayors-approve-of-opening-portage--ma...

Mayor Brian Bowman has found some strong support from visiting mayors to the controversial proposal to re-open Portage and Main to pedestrians.

Bowman told reporters Friday that he hopes the intersection can be opened by next summer, in advance of the Canada Summer Games which are being held in Winnipeg.

Bowman took some of the visiting mayors on a walk Thursday night through the East and West exchange districts, city hall and around Portage and Main.

"Some were just shocked that you couldn’t walk across Portage and Main," Bowman said. "There was unanimity from all who were walking with us that it’s just ridiculous in this day and age, when you have so much positive growth going on around that intersection, not to open it to pedestrians."

Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi took a tour of Winnipeg’s downtown on Wednesday and described the concrete barriers at Portage and Main as the most hostile pedestrian environment he had ever seen.

Edmonton mayor Don Iveson said the barriers are counter-productive to what the city’s objectives should be.

"It’s not a great pedestrian experience," Iveson told reporters Friday. "When you’re trying to create a downtown that’s vibrant and has a great street life to it, your major intersections have to be a hub of pedestrian activity – not a zone to be avoided."

Bowman said he is continuing discussions with property owners at the intersection and expects to get unanimous agreement to remove the barriers.

"We’re having good discussions with the property owners," Bowman said. "It would be wonderful the next time we have so many people here for such a huge event, it would be great for them to be able to cross."

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca