Downtown Neighbourhood Plan: The Future of Downtown St. John’s

If you have an interest in downtown St. John’s, we want to hear from you.

Residents, business owners, property owners and community groups are invited to provide input into the development of a new plan for the future of downtown St. John’s. The Downtown Neighbourhood Plan will create a community focused, land-use plan about how to develop the downtown core in the future, define opportunities for growth, protect and enhance cultural and historic assets, and identify opportunities for economic development and community connections.

“Downtown St. John’s is the heart of our beautiful, historic, and vibrant city,” said Mayor Danny Breen. “Future development should build on our natural and cultural heritage, while also serving the needs of people and businesses who call downtown home or visit regularly. I encourage everyone to learn about the public engagement opportunities and participate in the conversation.”

The guiding principles and draft vision for the plan are outlined on the project engagement webpage. The principles include goals around health, quality, sustainability, growth, land-use, and viability of the downtown. Information about the downtown is also featured on the Neighbourhood profiles website.

“I want to see our downtown community thrive, today and well into the future,” said Ward 2 Councillor Ophelia Ravencroft. “This plan looks at a wide range of features and elements that make our community a great place to live, work and visit. It considers elements such as housing, transportation, accessibility, economic opportunities, entertainment districts, pedestrian spaces, streetscapes, the future of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall, land use, and much more.”

To participate in public engagement, visit EngageStJohns.ca, and provide your feedback though the online tools. Other opportunities to provide your input include:

• Visit our pop-up event on Thu. May 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Atlantic Place, 215 Water Street
• Attend a public workshop on Wed. June 7, at 7 p.m. at the Foran Green Room, fourth floor, City Hall, 10 New Gower Street
• Email engage@stjohns.ca with your comments

City Staff have scheduled meetings and focus groups with the city’s advisory committees, and community stakeholders including the St. John’s Board of Trade, Downtown St. John’s, and Destination St. John’s.

Through this extensive public engagement, the consultant, Mills and Wright and The Planning Partnership, will work with City staff to capture feedback and create a Neighbourhood Plan for downtown that is reflective of the Envision St. John’s Municipal Plan, and the unique characteristics of the downtown.

The City of St. John’s has a strategic direction to be a sustainable city where we plan for land use and preserve and enhance the natural and built environment where we live. The Downtown Neighbourhood Plan advances this goal.