This summer, one of downtown Winnipeg’s busiest transit corridors is getting a major makeover. Graham Avenue, long known as a dedicated bus route, is being closed to vehicle traffic over a four-block stretch to create a new pedestrian and cyclist-friendly street filled with art, activities and places to hang out.

The transformation is part of the city’s “Reimagining Graham Avenue” initiative, designed to turn the street between Carlton and Garry into a lively, pedestrian-first street. Instead of the usual lineup of buses, Winnipeggers can expect bright murals covering the asphalt, street furniture like benches and picnic tables, protected bike lanes and even ping pong tables set up for public use.

Marcede Sebelius is the owner of Lavanda Café, which sits near Graham Avenue. Sebelius said, “it is such a positive change. If we look at bigger cities, a lot of them have similar things.

“Winnipeg’s intentions to create a better space downtown will be great for walking traffic and less vehicle traffic,” she added.

The street is one of just ten projects across North America to receive funding from the Asphalt Art Initiative by Bloomberg Philanthropies, which awarded Winnipeg a $100,000 grant to support large-scale mural installations. Starting this week, local artists will be out on the asphalt, painting roughly 18,000 square feet of surface area.

Beyond the art itself, the city plans to install new landscaping, planters, lighting and custom-designed furniture to encourage people to linger, meet friends, or simply enjoy a walk through the downtown core. The hope is to give Winnipeggers one more reason to visit and explore the area, discover local businesses and cultural destinations nearby.

The bus changes and Graham Avenue redesign could be just the start.

“I’d like to see more businesses down here. It’s easier said than done, but when I walk downtown or drive, I’m seeing empty spaces, and I think, ‘oh! A business would be so great here,’” said Sebelius.

“The more businesses and shops we have down here the more we’ll attract people.”

The redesign of Graham Avenue aligns with Winnipeg’s larger transit overhaul launched Sunday. As the city rolls out its new Primary Transit Network, a spine-and-feeder model that shifts many routes off downtown streets, Graham Avenue will see most buses routed elsewhere. Rather than reintroduce car traffic to the space, the city chose to prioritize walking and cycling, using the freed-up street to experiment with placemaking and public art.

While only a pilot project for now, these changes reflect a growing push to make Winnipeg’s downtown more inviting and accessible for everyone, not just drivers and commuters passing through. For students and young people living, working, or studying downtown, Graham Avenue is set to become more than just a way to get somewhere else. It is being reimagined as a space to explore and connect in the heart of Winnipeg.