'Lots of lessons': Winnipeg learns how to revitalize downtown from former American mayor

Winnipeg's business community, along with several mayoral candidates, received a lesson Tuesday on how to transform the city's downtown.

Winnipeg's business community, along with several mayoral candidates, received a lesson Tuesday on how to transform the city's downtown.

Mick Cornett, a four-term mayor of Oklahoma City, was a guest speaker at a downtown luncheon.

He was able to transform Oklahoma City's downtown, describing it as once neglected to now vibrant and prospering.

He said to succeed, cities need to be able to attract young educated people to the core, and they will drive the economy.

In Winnipeg right now, it's not hard to find empty storefronts, addictions and homelessness front and centre -- something the city is trying to get back on track.

"Businesses do continue to struggle as they pull themselves out of pandemic survival debt," said David Pensato, the executive director of Exchange District BIZ.

"The quality of life in the suburbs is directly related to the energy of the core," said Cornett.