City of St. John’s Seeks Public Input to Plan the Future of Downtown

The City of St. John’s is inviting residents, businesses, and interested parties to an 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.

“We’ve heard from residents, business owners, and community leaders that downtown matters — and they want to see action,” said Mayor Danny Breen. “The message is clear: people want a downtown that is safe, welcoming, full of opportunity and thriving year-round. The City is ready to build an action plan that will help strengthen downtown, but we cannot do it alone. We want to hear your ideas so we can find a way forward together.”

A key focus of the event will be to provide feedback on Downtown Forward, a new Neighbourhood Plan that outlines a vision for growth, investment, and renewal over the next 10 years. 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 also provide feedback on the plan 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 Friday, June 20, 2025.

In addition to the Downtown Forward Plan, the City will share outcomes from the recent Downtown Summit held in April 2025. The summit, hosted by Destination St. John’s, 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 what we heard during the Downtown Summit, the Open House will give participants an opportunity to reflect on the themes and ideas identified to date and provide input on what matters most to them. Feedback collected will help shape a Roadmap to Revitalization — a community-driven action plan to complement the Neighbourhood Plan by exploring and implementing practical solutions, partnerships, and new ideas for downtown’s future. Information will also be taken into account for the long-term plan for the Downtown Pedestrian Mall.

“Downtown is the heart of our city and belongs to everyone, and this is a chance for people to shape what comes next,” said Councillor Ophelia Ravencroft, Ward 2 Councillor “We were encouraged by the recent Downtown Summit and the willingness for collaborative action. Now we want to hear your feedback so we can build an action plan that reflects our shared values and vibrant identity together.”

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.

For more information on how to engage, visit StJohns.ca/Downtown.

Helpful Links

• Draft Downtown Forward Neighbourhood Plan
• Downtown Neighbourhood Plan Engage St. John’s Project Page
• Downtown Pedestrian Mall Engage St. John’s Project Page