Help Shape the Future of Downtown

Join us for an Open House on Tuesday, June 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn more and share your feedback on important initiatives that will help shape the future of our downtown. Further details can be found below. 

The following are ongoing initiatives that will be open for discussion at the Open House.

Downtown Forward: Downtown Neighbourhood Plan

Downtown Forward is a new 10-year Neighbourhood Plan that outlines a vision for investment, development, and vibrancy in the downtown core. Aligned with the City’s Envision Municipal Plan and Strategic Plan, the plan was developed following public engagement and includes recommendations across several key themes:

• Supporting Development: A new pre-application process and updated design guidelines aim to clarify expectations and improve collaboration with developers.
• Boosting Business and Economic Activity: Targeted studies and strategies will help attract new retail, office, and commercial uses and address key gaps.
• Enhancing Public Spaces: New investments in George Street, potential marketplaces, and placemaking initiatives will contribute to a more vibrant, welcoming downtown experience.
• Improving Transportation and Mobility: A city-wide integrated mobility plan will support better movement for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, with downtown as a key hub.
• Celebrating Design and Identity: The plan proposes exploring gateway features and enhanced branding for the downtown.

Residents and interested parties can provide feedback on the plan at the open house, online at EngageStJohns.ca, by email at Engage@StJohns.ca or by dialing 311 and asking to speak to a member of the project team. Feedback will be collected until June 20, 2025.

Learn More

Roadmap to Revitalization: From Ideas to Action

In April 2025, Destination St. John’s hosted a Downtown Summit which, marked a major collaborative step toward reimagining the future of the city’s downtown. Bringing together over 110 interested parties from the business community and both municipal and provincial government, the summit explored various key topics such as safety, cleanliness and beautification, transportation and parking, and economic development.

Building on ideas shared during the Downtown Summit, the City is developing a Roadmap to Revitalization — a community-driven action plan focused on practical solutions and partnerships to enhance the downtown experience. The City will be sharing outcomes from the summit at the Open House on June 17 and collecting feedback from the public.

The open house will provide an opportunity to:

• Reflect on themes from the summit, including safety, cleanliness, transportation, beautification, and economic development.
• Help identify what actions and initiatives are most important to you.
• Contribute to a shared, actionable plan that reflects the priorities of those who live, work, and spend time downtown.

Your voice will help shape real, achievable steps toward a safer, more vibrant, and more inclusive downtown.

Downtown Pedestrian Mall: Planning for the Future

Since its launch in 2020, the Downtown Pedestrian Mall has grown into a hallmark summer experience for residents and visitors alike — a vibrant space to shop, dine, and connect in the heart of St. John’s.

The current format of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall is approved to continue through the 2025 season. Now, the City is looking ahead and reviewing the long-term future of the Mall for 2026 and beyond.

Public and business engagement has already taken place, and the City has released a What We Heard report summarizing feedback from both visitors and non-visitors, as well as members of the downtown business community.

The Open House on June 17 will provide a final opportunity to provide input on how to evolve this seasonal space before recommendations for the future are presented to Council.

Learn More

Open House: Know Before You Go

Date: Tuesday, June 17

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Location: Foran Greene Room, Fourth Floor, City Hall, 10 New Gower Street

Parking & transportation:

Parking is available in the parking garage adjacent to City Hall or in the downtown area. Please note that parking is free after 6 p.m.

For local Metrobus transportation routes to City Hall, please visit metrobus.com.

Open House on June 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall to provide feedback on several initiatives to plan the future for downtown.

Accessibility:

Accessible parking is available outside the main entrance of City Hall on a first come first serve basis. City Hall also has an elevator and accessible washrooms. Wayfinding signage will be in place.
For accessible public transportation routes to City Hall, please visit metrobus.com.

The City recognizes that some people may need alternate ways to provide feedback. If accommodations are required for an in-person meeting or to provide feedback, please email Engage@StJohns.ca or call 311 and ask to speak with a member of the project team.