Winnipeg | Downtown | The Forks Market | Railside at The Forks

[bon_vivant]

Originally Posted by The Jabroni

Definitely the space needs to be opened up to the public. Either as open air and made an observation area for both summer and winter, or open to the public with smaller merchants and vendors inside.

It's been 20 years of twiddling thumbs with restaurants that have came and went with little to no return because of its isolated location. I don't know who's original idea it was for what is essentially the "$1 million toilet" on the bridge, but this has proven all these years later that this was concept that has failed numerous times.

The city should just cut its losses and have The Forks manage that space, and get whatever tax revenue they can get from The Forks instead.

Agree. The city clearly has no vision for it. It makes me angry because it was built for locals and tourists alike to enjoy, an added attraction to the Forks. A couple of restaurant failures and they give up and rent it out as office space. Try harder, Winnipeg.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by bon_vivant

Agree. The city clearly has no vision for it. It makes me angry because it was built for locals and tourists alike to enjoy, an added attraction to the Forks. A couple of restaurant failures and they give up and rent it out as office space. Try harder, Winnipeg.

To be fair, the City’s last RFP for 50 Provencher Boulevard attracted only two proposals. One was the successful bid from the Manitoba Technology Accelerator (MTA). The other, if I recall correctly, came from a local high school interested in leasing the space.

That said, the process felt rushed. You’re right that, given the iconic location on the Esplanade Riel, the City should have worked harder to secure a tenant whose use better serves both the community and tourists.

MTA’s proposal sold the City on the idea that they would renovate the space to house their head office and an “applied innovation and celebration centre.” In hindsight, it appears they significantly overstated their plans.

[Wpg_Guy]

live cam:


Screenshot 07/18/2026:

[bon_vivant]

"Applied innovation and celebration centre"(?) – that's never open. All it brings to the area are bewildered looks from passers by.

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

To be fair, the City’s last RFP for 50 Provencher Boulevard attracted only two proposals. One was the successful bid from the Manitoba Technology Accelerator (MTA). The other, if I recall correctly, came from a local high school interested in leasing the space.

It feels like the standard City approach of "post an RFP on MERX and wait to see what comes in" is probably the wrong way to find the highest-value use of a distinctive but challenging public property.

[bomberjet]

Definitely the wrong approach. This location is more of a service to the public than a private money making venture. And i dont want to subsidize some ice cream stand that operates 3 months a year. Make it something else. What that something is, I have no clue.

Sals was great, I loved going there. The location is maybe not the best for that, as Sals attracts an older crowd. And being out on a bridge obviously was not great for that.

I wouldn't be sad if it was turned into an open air seating area..

[Phil's neighbour]

The city should treat this as a seasonal asset and lease it for six months of the year when pedestrian traffic would support a restaurant. Let them put small tables and benches along the railing. Make it a destination. Forcing someone to run a business there in the middle of winter is nuts and has been shown not to work. Or simply price it for six months for a longer term tenant.

[Wpg_Guy]

Vertical on 3 sites now, site 12, site 10, site 08.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

Vertical on 3 sites now, site 12, site 10, site 08.

And construction on two others now it looks like.

[bomberjet]

What's the timeline for completion on these builds, if anyone knows? I'd expect it'll probably be 2 seasons before it'll be open to public.

[trueviking]

the big building under construction will be complete in December 2027.
It will start rising out of the ground in the second week of September.
Framing finished end of March.

the other three smaller ones under construction are slated to be complete mid 2027.

[bomberjet]

Thanks for the info. What is the plan to finish the courtyard and surrounding spaces. Is that up to the Forks to complete?