Siamandas.com - Commercial stock photos of over 25,000 images for print, web and multimedia.

Portage Avenue:
Dreams of Castles
in the Sky

<- Previous page • Next page ->

<- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ->

Page 12

DAVID ASPER
The construction of the new arena on Portage Ave could be a huge catalyst. But the experience across North America has been mixed as to whether these projects actually do enliven downtown. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. If our city and provincial governments remain committed to creating a village downtown. To densify and to congest then I can see a great renaissance for Portage Ave. But it takes a real steadfast commitment to rebuild downtown.

If you had the magic wand and the resources to do it what would you do with Portage Ave., is quite simply. I would turn it into an entertainment strip. I would see a lot of restaurants probably at the expense of a traffic lane on either side so that you could create proper set backs from buildings and patios out front and create a Champs Elysees kind of stroll. As they have constructed the arena they have closed two lanes of traffic, and you know its funny, but we are surviving.

CORYDON AVE
NAR: One of Winnipeg's success stories is truly Corydon Ave. An Old World flavour created by the Italian business community. Alive with people, long into summer nights. Can this be the future of Portage Avenue?

DAVID ASPER
Corydon Ave has become a stroll. And it's dotted with all kinds of restaurants and patios and cinzano umbrellas. And people laughing and having a good time. There is a lot of traffic. It moves very slowly. There is a lot of people watching, the sidewalks are crowded... And why not do it on Portage Ave. Why not?

You have to plan it you have to design it, and you have to have the guts to say. I am getting outside the box here. Come along with me, and smile, and let's enjoy the street again.

Let's make Portage Corydon.

NAR: Through its long life Portage Ave has been the lifeblood of the city. The challenge in its second century is not to try to recapture its long gone past, but to try to re-energize its soul. Put people and attractions back on the street. Tell its stories; interpret its rich architecture. And to once again proudly celebrate - Portage and Main.

THE END

Permission to use script:
Courtesy; Prairie Public Television ©2004
This document is copyrighted and may not be used or excerpted without the permission of the author.

You can order a videocassette
of this program online from:
Prairie Public Television
or phone:
1-800-359-6900

<- Previous page • Next page ->

<- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ->

Contact