The people who didn't make the guest list for Mayor Sam Katz's invitation-only city summit next month had their say last night.
Although Katz was absent from the meeting requesting feedback from city residents, about 50 people attended a panel discussion at the University of Winnipeg. Issues ranged from downtown revitalization to improving Winnipeg's image on a national stage and future public transit changes.
The feedback will be presented at a conference May 3-4 about Winnipeg's future, thanks to notes taken by a city staffer at the panel.
Attendees had complaints about the city, but also about the structure of the meetings leading to the Winnipeg City Summit.
"I only found out about this because I was going through a business person's e-mail," complained one woman at the town hall last night after the floor was opened up for comments.
The attendee said she was passionate about the city but felt advertisements targeting Winnipeggers' attendance at the town hall were not widely broadcast.
"I wouldn't have known about it otherwise," she said.
The summit itself is open only to 200 guests on a list that has been kept secret, but lead-up events like last night's session were designed to solicit public input.
Four speakers discussed areas where they thought Winnipeg could make concerted efforts, like clear branding of the city's image, a tax-friendly climate for small and medium-sized businesses and a rapid transit system selling incentives like eco-passes to large companies.
"We need massive investment and a powerful political will (to rebuild public transit in Winnipeg)," said Sandy Hopkins, a consultant on the city's now-defunct rapid transit plans, and a former president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
Hopkins pointed out 45 per cent of Winnipeggers do not use public transit, and a multi-pronged approach -- including more adaptable public transit vehicles for disabled riders and perks like air-conditioning for riders -- were necessary to attract more people.
"Only new investment and new infrastructure, and a material improvement of the transit offering, will attract people to leave their cars behind," he said, adding factors like high gasoline prices also push drivers to start considering cheaper options.
Other speakers said the city's residents had to put forth a more positive view about the city, and proposed pursuing aggressive economic development planning to stimulate growth.
"We need an economic partnership... that will create the kind of wealth we need in our community," said Dave Angus, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
Angus pointed to high-growth cities like Omaha and Nashville, saying they were able to attract major companies by pooling public and private resources to develop one major financial strategy to attract investors.
"It needs to have very strong measurable results," he said.
Panelists listened to input from town hall attendees, and agreed vigourously with suggestions like those of Ray England, owner of The Exchange's Toad Hall Toys.
England said paid parking spots drive away clients, but specialty businesses like his own have survived in the downtown core by catering to niche audiences.
"That way we're equally inconvenient to everybody," he said.
"People go to malls, where they don't pay for parking. Why would they pay downtown?"
The second town hall, called Living Here, is to gather feedback about making Winnipeg a more liveable city. It is scheduled to take place today at 10 a.m., at the Canad Inns Fort Garry. People interested in attending are encouraged to call Carrie at the Winnipeg Real Estate Board to reserve a spot.
gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca