Department

Tagline

Portage & Main

Revitalization Study

Pop-up Events
May 2023

winnipeg.ca/portageandmain
 Department
What’s happening
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• Waterproofing layer (membrane) that

protects underground concourse must
be replaced (pink area)
• Intersection needs to be excavated to
replace the membrane
• We are developing a vision for the
public pedestrian space when it is
rebuilt
• Focus will be on revitalizing the
intersection, improving its
appearance, making it more resilient
to climate change and more
welcoming to all

winnipeg.ca/portageandmain 2
 Department
Considerations
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• Limited public space for pedestrians at the

intersection
• Difficult conditions for trees
• Wind, shadows, and traffic noise
discourage people from spending time
here
• Accessibility and wayfinding challenges
• Some form of traffic barrier is needed to
prevent vehicles entering pedestrian
spaces
• No pedestrian crossings at street level;
however, new barriers will be designed to
be opened for special events

Legend
Public pedestrian space at intersection

winnipeg.ca/portageandmain 3
 Department
What we’ve heard so far
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Stakeholders have told us they want:

• Increased safety – better lighting, sightlines for
pedestrians
• Better accessibility and wayfinding
• Design that can be maintained long-term
• Art, culture, programming that draws people to the
intersection and represents Winnipeg’s history and
diversity – particularly Indigenous history
• Something that marks this as Winnipeg’s most important
intersection
• More flexibility to allow the intersection to be opened to
pedestrians for special events
• Design that accounts for Winnipeg weather – wind, winter

Stakeholders include: building owners, business tenants,

rightsholders, Downtown agencies, cultural groups,
advocates, social agencies, and others who live and work
near Portage & Main.

winnipeg.ca/portageandmain 4
 Department
Ideas – give us your feedback
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The intersection is organized into four zones:

1. Overhead
2. Street edge
3. Ground
4. Building wall
Ideas for different zones will be combined in
the vision. Not all ideas will be included in the vision.

What we want to hear from you: Which ideas will

improve the intersection? What should we keep in
mind when selecting ideas?
 This idea will improve  Maybe  This idea will not improve
Portage & Main Portage & Main
 Use sticky notes to share your thoughts.

winnipeg.ca/portageandmain 5
 Images from other cities that inspired the ideas
Inspiration images for Portage & Main.

Overhead Street edge

Ground Building wall

1. Ideas for overhead – Sky garden
1 Raised plaza with
plantings
2 Potential bridge to
buildings
1
3 Glass elevator shafts
connect street, plaza,
2 and underground
concourse

4 Sidewalk space
3
4 expanded at corners
5 Concrete barriers
replaced with fencing or
bollards

6 Future Transit Station,

5 location to be
6
determined

• Iconic public open space with views over the city

• Garden is at sixth floor level – higher than the Skywalk
• Glass elevator shafts allow light to pass through and connect sky garden to ground level
and concourse
• Could include four-season sheltered space and connect directly to one or more buildings
1. Ideas for overhead – Monumental public art
1 Large-scale artwork
could incorporate
lighting, motion, season
changes
1 2 Base structures could
include elevators to
concourse
3 Sidewalk space
expanded at corners
3 2
4 Concrete barriers
replaced with fencing or
bollards
5 Future Transit Station,
5 location to be
4 determined

• Large-scale public art piece bridging the four corners

• Drawing is conceptual – actual art would be commissioned
• Artwork bases at four corners offer elevators to concourse
• Art piece could be permanent or change from time to time (seasonally, year-to-year)
1. Ideas for overhead – Living art
1 Raised garden ring, no
public access
2 Column elevators
connect street to
1
underground concourse

3 Sidewalk space
expanded at corners

2 4 Concrete barriers
3 replaced with fencing or
bollards

5 Future Transit Station,

location to be
5 determined
4

• A “living art” piece focused on shade, shelter, greenspace, and stormwater collection and use
• Public elevator access only between ground level and concourse
• Could be permanent or change from time to time
2. Ideas for street edge – Lookout towers
1 Four lookout towers -
one at each corner
1 1
1 2 Viewing platforms with
1 space for plants

3 Sidewalk space
expanded at corners
2

4 Concrete barriers
replaced with fencing or
3 bollards

5 Future Transit Station,

location to be
5 determined
4

• Sculptural lookout towers with elevators connecting to viewing platforms and concourse
• Lookout platforms at various heights
• Can include digital displays, lighting, plants, art, etc.
2. Ideas for street edge – Multi-media lighting
1 Light poles with varying
heights
1
2 Sidewalk space expanded
at corners
1

3 Concrete barriers
replaced with bollards
2
3
4 Future Transit Station,
location to be
determined

• Light poles of varying heights lining the street

edge
• Poles include aimable spotlights, projectors,
speakers, and other components to enliven
events and celebrations
2. Ideas for street edge – Light poles with canopies
1 Light poles
2

3 2 Canopies provide shade

and shelter from the
elements

1 3 Canopies can include

vines and plants

4 Bollard and cable fence

with removable sections
for special events

• Multi-media light poles with added canopies for shade, shelter, planting
3. Ideas for ground – Edge-to-edge paving pattern
1 Accessible, high quality
and durable paving
materials for sidewalks

2 Patterns and materials

continue through
intersection
3
3
3
3 Concrete barricades
1 replaced with more open,
3 transparent and flexible
barriers
2
1

• High quality paving materials used to create rich textures and patterns that connect
the four corners
• Smooth paving material would be used to ensure accessibility for all sidewalk users
• Sidewalks at same level as street to improve flexibility and accessibility when
intersection is opened for events
3. Ideas for ground – Edge-to-edge paving with trees
1 Accessible, high quality
and durable paving
materials for sidewalks
4
2 Patterns and materials
continue through
intersection

3 Concrete barricades
replaced with more open,
transparent and flexible
barriers

4 Trees incorporated at
2 select locations
1 3

• Edge-to-edge paving pattern with addition of trees to provide

canopy, greenspace
• Trees would be grown in select locations with good light, generous
soil volumes, and protection from road salt
4. Building walls
• Building walls can become spaces for temporary public art and accent lighting, telling
stories day-to-day, and celebrating special events.
• There is an opportunity to work with property owners in the future to integrate building
walls into vision for the intersection.
Places for people and activities
Tell us what you think
What kind of activities, events and features would you like to see at Portage & Main?
How can Portage & Main best embrace Winnipeg's rich arts and cultural fabric?
 Use sticky notes to share your thoughts.
 Department
What should we keep in mind when selecting ideas that
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will go into the recommended vision for the intersection?

 Use sticky notes to share your thoughts.

winnipeg.ca/portageandmain 17
 Department

Timeline and next steps

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Project begins Fall 2021

Background research and analysis Winter 2022
Stakeholder engagement Spring to Summer 2022
Review feedback and technical analysis Fall 2022
Public and stakeholder engagement Winter to Spring 2023
Develop recommended vision and cost estimates Summer 2023
Council review Fall 2023
Detailed design* To be determined
Construction* To be determined
*Subject to Council approval and funding

winnipeg.ca/portageandmain 18
 Department
Tagline

Portage & Main Revitalization

Study Department
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Thank you

Take the survey:

QR code to go here winnipeg.ca/portageandmain
Thank You
E: [email protected]
T: 204-410-2050

winnipeg.ca/portageandmain