They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. And for many visitors to Winnipeg, the impression made by run-down city streets is not great.
The business community has long lobbied for improvements to beautify so-called "image routes".
"One of the things that have been a challenge and has been pointed out to us numerous times is that you look back and all you see is these rickety old fences," said Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Chuck Davidson.
Davidson says he would like to see the broken down chain link fence along Century Street between Ness and Silver Avenue replaced with trees and a cement barricade with lit up billboards.
Funding could be raised through the private sector but government money is needed too.
"We should be taking responsibility to make sure people have that good first impression," said Davidson.
The plan would mean moving sewers and power lines, costing about $8-million.
But one city councillor has a much less expensive plan in mind.
Councillor Gord Steeves says putting down flower beds along the boulevard will cost around $30,000.
"What’s been talked about in the past has been circling around landscaping for the boulevards," said Steeves.
If approved by the Property and Development Committee, city staff will have 120 days to complete the report.
"If we do anything, it will only help," said Steeves.
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