More than lip service needed for downtown

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This article was published 26/08/2023 (956 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“When Manitobans see people living in bus shelters or underneath bridges, they know that we can do better. This is not just an issue downtown, this is an issue that has spilled into the suburbs and it’s extended into rural communities. We know that the homelessness crisis and crime are connected.”

— NDP Leader Wab Kinew, 2023

“There’s a problem here in Brandon, there’s a problem in Winnipeg. It’s across the province, and we want to make sure that we are having policies that work for everyone and not just someone in downtown Winnipeg or catering to a few people.”

— Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont, 2019

“Our new $10M Downtown Winnipeg safety package is addressing legitimate concerns of Manitobans by building a safer downtown community for our capital city.”

— Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, 2023

When the leaders of Manitoba’s three main political parties descend upon Brandon next month for the first confirmed leaders debate of the 2023 provincial election period, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce will have a splendid opportunity to put them on the spot when it comes to our city’s deteriorating downtown.

More ink than we care to admit has been spilled talking about downtown crime, overt safety concerns, the burgeoning homeless population and the migration of a large number of businesses out of the historic heart of this city.

This is a problem that has been decades in the making, one that has been created over the years by poor decision making by local city councils and various provincial governments — but also by neglect and inaction by citizens, government and the business community.

That’s not to say no actions have been taken — there have been efforts by private and public interests over the years to start new businesses and clean up derelict and unused buildings downtown. And there have been some successes. But while a few battles may have been won, all it takes is one walk downtown among the closed down storefronts, broken glass and varying amounts of graffiti, to see that we are losing the war.

We all wear this blight on our city in some way. And if we are to find a way out of our downtown decay, it will take more than a few hundred thousand provincial dollars funnelled through the Brandon Downtown Development Corporation, or the disgorging of momentary sound bites uttered by government officials, to make it happen.

For the past year, we have watched the province make several announcements that will benefit downtown Winnipeg. Millions of provincial dollars are being funnelled through our provincial capital to rebuild that city’s core business region.

Just last month, the Stefanson government announced it would incentivize $109 million worth of investments into a new boutique hotel and socially inclusive high-rise housing project as a means to “attract tourists, provide affordable living and create new jobs for residents in downtown Winnipeg.”

Another $10 million was invested in downtown Winnipeg safety measures “to enhance public safety and foster a secure environment for all those living, working and visiting downtown Winnipeg.”

That’s on top of a $3-million provincial contribution to Winnipeg’s Downtown Community Safety Partnership last November — which itself was established as a non-profit organization in April of 2020 with a $5-million investment from the Manitoba government.

And Brandon? Last October — nearly a year ago — the province handed this city $400,000 through the Brandon Downtown Revitalization Incentive Program to “help revitalize the city’s core,” as the CBC put it.

“We’re excited to help out the community,” Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen said at a news conference at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce that day. “We know there’s work that needs to be done, but hopefully the $400,000 will help in your endeavours to get that done.”

With all due respect to the minister, what exactly was Brandon to do with $400,000? Repair a few damaged storefront windows?

Brandon’s remaining downtown businesses have been hit with all kinds of challenges — from safety issues, homelessness, addictions, the need for infrastructure upgrades, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our situation is very similar to that of downtown Winnipeg, and as the second-largest city in this province, our provincial and municipal officials should be doing more than paying lip service to the issues.

If provincial leaders want to gain my vote this time, they’ll come to the table on Sept. 21 with something more than empty promises.

Without significant investment — and the creation of a viable plan for the downtown core that has actual merit — it will continue to sink. I can only hope that the Chamber braintrust feels the same way.

» Matt Goerzen, editor