City Seeking Feedback on Draft Heritage Strategic Plan

The City of St. John’s invites residents and businesses to share their thoughts on the draft Heritage Strategic Plan which outlines how historic resources will be managed and protected from 2025 to 2035.

“The Heritage Strategic Plan is an important step in strengthening how we honour, preserve, and promote what makes St. John’s unique,” said Councillor Maggie Burton, Council lead for Planning and Heritage. “We’re now in the final stage of public engagement, and this is a key opportunity for residents and businesses to help shape the direction of the plan before it’s finalized.”

St. John’s has a long history of heritage conservation, including regulations for development in Heritage Areas and renovations to designated Heritage Buildings. However, the City has not previously had a single document that sets out a long-term vision, goals, and actions for protecting and promoting heritage. The Heritage Strategic Plan expands the City’s approach beyond built heritage to also recognize and celebrate natural, cultural, and intangible heritage.

Input is welcome from all, with several ways to participate:

• Submit ideas at EngageStJohns.ca. 
• Attend the in-person open house session on Wednesday, June 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Foran Greene Room, City Hall – no registration is required. 
• Email engage@stjohns.ca; and/or
• Call 311 and ask to speak to a member of the project team.

Feedback will be collected until Friday, July 4.

This is the final stage of engagement following extensive consultation in 2023, which included:

• a project page on EngageStJohns.ca;
• online and in-person public meetings;
• consulting with the City’s Advisory Committees, Working Groups and Experts Panels; 
• focus group meetings with heritage organizations, development/business organizations and community organizations; and
• a meeting with designated Heritage Building property owners.

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.

The City of St. John’s has a strategic direction to be a Sustainable City, planning for land use while preserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for residents. The Heritage Strategic Plan plays a key role in advancing this direction.

Read Draft Heritage Strategic Plan