Portage & Main

The iconic Winnipeg intersection at the corner of Portage Avenue and Main Street became a stagnant, vehicular exclusive no-man’s-land when an underground pedestrian and commercial zone was carved out below it in the 1970’s.  Crossing at grade on foot was banned until the mid 2020’s.  Numerous ideas have been floated over the decades to reimage this oversight, including this one.  The essence of the proposal is the desire to re-inhabit the zone, focused on a new civic living room, made far denser with new structures invading the street and reclaiming the median boulevards.  Cafes, restaurants, rollercoaster, driving range, rooftop camping, hostel, residential lofts, media tower, stacked parking, etc. would active the scene 24-hours a day.  Traffic would be slowed, with the decelerated pace promoting engagement of both pedestrians and commuters.

with Travis Cooke + David Penner + Todd White