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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Residents nervous about night's perils

Condo owners say daytime safety not a concern

By: Aldo Santin

Posted: 08/29/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Katharina Smutny (left) and Kaley Maksymyk are enjoying downtown living after moving into condos in the Exchange District this summer. (BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

The survey said...

Participants of an online survey were asked if they agreed with the following statements:

"I feel safe downtown during the day."

Downtown residents: 82%

Near downtown residents: 73%

Suburban residents: 72%

"I feel safe downtown during the night."

Downtown residents: 41%

Near downtown residents: 23%

Suburban residents: 16%

"I feel my vehicle is safe during the day."

Downtown residents: 62%

Near downtown residents: 57%

Suburban residents: 55%

"I feel my vehicle is safe during the night."

Downtown residents: 28%

Near downtown residents: 20%

Suburban residents: 12%

OTHER ISSUES EXPLORED BY THE DOWNTOWN BIZ ON-LINE SURVEY:

Transportation

The most common way to travel around downtown for downtown residents is: walking (78.6%), busing (40%).

Shopping

A majority of downtown residents prefer to shop after work (56%).

The most popular downtown shopping area for downtown residents, where they shopped at least once a month or more:

Portage Place (67%), cityplace (50%), The Forks (44%), Winnipeg Square

(39%), Portage Avenue (24%), the Exchange District (24%), Graham Mall (16%)

Entertaining

18% of downtown residents eat out downtown at least once a week, compared to 6% for those who live near downtown, and 4% of those who live in the suburbs.

ABOUT THE SURVEY

Developed by the Downtown BIZ and the U of W Institute of Urban Studies.

Respondents were contacted by e-mail in January from the mailing lists of Downtown BIZ members.

1,583 individuals participated in the survey.

Since the participants were not chosen at random, it's not considered a representative sample of those living downtown or in Winnipeg. Of the respondents, 25% lived downtown, 32% lived near downtown, and 44% lived in the suburbs (combining 37% in the suburbs and 7% out of town).

Of those living downtown, 14 % were owners and 86% were renters.

The benefits of living downtown outweigh any concerns that Kaley Maksymyk and Katharina Smutny might have had about their safety when they moved into Exchange District condo units this summer.

The 20-something best friends live one floor apart in the same building and work only a few minutes' walk away in the same office building.

"Honestly, just living here has changed my perspective of downtown," Maksymyk, a former resident of East St. Paul, said. "I often thought where I would buy a house and settle down and a few years ago I never would have thought I'd be living downtown but I just think it's the best thing ever."

An unreleased survey by the Downtown Business Improvement Zone found 82 per cent of downtown residents feel safe in the area during the day, an improvement from similar surveys of a few years ago. However, those same residents are fearful of the night and some believe their vehicles are at risk around the clock.

Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown BIZ, says demand for apartments and condominium units downtown is continuing to increase, adding that any "fear factor" is outweighed by people like Maksymyk and Smutny, who want to live downtown.

"Judging by how quickly units are being snapped up, (safety) is not a concern," Grande said. "The Downtown residential population has increased significantly over the last 6 years -- from 12,000 to 16,000 people. Most people that will want to live in downtown have a good understanding that living downtown is a different experience as opposed to living in Lindenwoods."

Smutny admitted that she was concerned about safety when her employer moved into the Exchange District in February. But Smutny said being downtown was such a positive experience that she opted to rent a condo close to her work June 1.

"When we first moved into (the area in February), I was a little iffy about safety," Smutny said. "But just being here for a while, it wasn't a concern when I actually moved into the condo."

Both young women said they don't feel safe walking alone in their new neighbourhood at night -- echoing the BIZ's survey that found only 41 per cent of downtown residents said they feel safe at night.

"Not that I've ever seen anything happen, but just being a girl alone I wouldn't go outside by myself at night," Maksymyk said. "If I was with someone I'd probably feel safe."

"We have been tracking this for about six years so we are aware that this is a public perception," Grande said. That's "why we have created an overnight Watch patrol and are advocating for more police presence. And more residents will help."

Maksymyk said she never had any qualms about moving into the downtown and scored a great deal on her condo. In the month she's been living there, Maksymyk said she doesn't regret a thing about the move.

"The area is really beautiful. The area by the river is so nice," Maksymyk said. "Another reason is it's close to my work. I don't have to drive to work, I just walk.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 29, 2010 A7

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