Downtown Pedestrian Mall Pilot Project
Consultation has concluded
The City of St. John's opened the Downtown Pedestrian Mall on July 3. The purpose of the Mall was twofold:
- to allow the business community to expand their space thereby stimulating the downtown economy, and
- as a means to allow people to use public space while adhering to required public health physical distancing guidelines stemming for the Covid 19 pandemic.
The Mall was open from July 3 to Sept. 7 with many businesses making changes to their outdoor spaces to accommodate increased foot traffic/patrons.
As this was a pilot project for the summer of 2020, it is important that staff determine whether the project goals above were met and make recommendations to Council on how a Downtown Pedestrian Mall could work for the future.
There are many stakeholders who will be consulted throughout this review process. This page is primarily designed to solicit feedback and perspective from consumers - people who visited the mall or those who chose not to visit the Mall. Take a few minutes to review the content on the page and provide your input.
Businesses in the Downtown will be consulted via survey and stakeholder meetings.
The City of St. John's opened the Downtown Pedestrian Mall on July 3. The purpose of the Mall was twofold:
- to allow the business community to expand their space thereby stimulating the downtown economy, and
- as a means to allow people to use public space while adhering to required public health physical distancing guidelines stemming for the Covid 19 pandemic.
The Mall was open from July 3 to Sept. 7 with many businesses making changes to their outdoor spaces to accommodate increased foot traffic/patrons.
As this was a pilot project for the summer of 2020, it is important that staff determine whether the project goals above were met and make recommendations to Council on how a Downtown Pedestrian Mall could work for the future.
There are many stakeholders who will be consulted throughout this review process. This page is primarily designed to solicit feedback and perspective from consumers - people who visited the mall or those who chose not to visit the Mall. Take a few minutes to review the content on the page and provide your input.
Businesses in the Downtown will be consulted via survey and stakeholder meetings.
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Share As a consumer, what worked well with the Downtown Pedestrian Mall? on Facebook Share As a consumer, what worked well with the Downtown Pedestrian Mall? on Twitter Share As a consumer, what worked well with the Downtown Pedestrian Mall? on Linkedin Email As a consumer, what worked well with the Downtown Pedestrian Mall? link
As a consumer, what worked well with the Downtown Pedestrian Mall?
over 3 years agoCLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.Big Mikeover 3 years agoExcellent
I loved the pedestrian mall. I remember the last one in 1969. It is a great idea that needs to be continued. Good for both Pedestrians and businesses.
0 comment2Maria Penneyover 3 years agoIt encouraged my household to go for a walk downtown more. It felt safe and enjoyable and allowed an easy way to support local businesses!
0 comment4Sheldon1over 3 years agoAbsolutely loved this summer, many trips downtown. Shops should expand to sidewalk sales for more impulse buys. Should be every summer.
0 comment1Ange709over 3 years agoGreat addition to our city!
The Pedestrian Mall added life and inspiration to our city. Families, friends, pets and bubble provinces were able to gather and enjoy a thriving downtown scene while supporting local businesses in an especially precarious time. With this downtime, my hope is that the Pedestrian Mall will be bigger, better and open longer next time 'round.
0 comment1BetaRover 3 years agoThe relaxed, community vibe of no vehicle noise (esp the lack of motorcycles)
I enjoyed walking among other citizens and being part of the relaxed community vibe of the DT pedestrian mall! So great to see kids having fun there. The absence of vehicle noise - especially those noisy, revved up motorcycles - made for an enjoyable, pleasant experience. You could stop and talk to people without having to compete with vehicle noise. I spent more time and money downtown this summer than I have in years. Please make it permanent!
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Share As a consumer, what was challenging or difficult for you related to the Downtown Pedestrian Mall? on Facebook Share As a consumer, what was challenging or difficult for you related to the Downtown Pedestrian Mall? on Twitter Share As a consumer, what was challenging or difficult for you related to the Downtown Pedestrian Mall? on Linkedin Email As a consumer, what was challenging or difficult for you related to the Downtown Pedestrian Mall? link
As a consumer, what was challenging or difficult for you related to the Downtown Pedestrian Mall?
over 3 years agoCLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.catteauover 3 years agoexpansion of the mall
You should have continued it until the weather got too bad for anyone to want to be there - the arguments against extending it ("because it was an experiment that we plan through early September") were feeble. You should have realized that the Duckworth Street merchants would lose out, and made Duckworth pedestrian only as well.
0 comment0A1CMelanieover 3 years agoPersonally, my family and I had no challenges.
0 comment0JoshSmeeover 3 years agoThe end date came too early :-)
I'm writing these responses on September 30th and it's 20 degrees out at 9 PM! If Water Street were still closed, we'd be down there!
0 comment3Dalmanneover 3 years agoThere should definitely be a fall and Christmas market It will attract sooo many people This is such a fantastic idea for all seasons
0 comment4roseandgerrytilleyover 3 years agoParking
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Share From a consumer perspective, what should be changed or modified for a future Downtown Pedestrian Mall? on Facebook Share From a consumer perspective, what should be changed or modified for a future Downtown Pedestrian Mall? on Twitter Share From a consumer perspective, what should be changed or modified for a future Downtown Pedestrian Mall? on Linkedin Email From a consumer perspective, what should be changed or modified for a future Downtown Pedestrian Mall? link
From a consumer perspective, what should be changed or modified for a future Downtown Pedestrian Mall?
over 3 years agoCLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.kmorryover 3 years agoI'd love to see a bigger pedestrian area! Duckworth Street would be great too.
Downtown is a destination and having a large pedestrian-only area makes it all the more pleasant.
0 comment6JoshSmeeover 3 years agoInclude partial closures (one lane) on Duckworth
I understand that closing Duckworth entirely along it's full length may not be feasible for access/fire services reasons, and the professional mix on that street is a bit different, but some major benefit could happen through partial closures (ie, closing one lane and making the street one way) Specifically, I'd suggest closing the southern half of the road from Church Hill to New Gower and making it one-way Westbound - that preserves access to the parking garage there while providing space for patios and pedestrians where most of the businesses are (on the South side). Similarly, you could close the north side of Duckworth from Cathedral Street all the way to Ordnance Street - once again, the vast majority of businesses that would take advantage of the closure are on that side, and you could have one lane of one-way traffic for vehicles headed Eastbound on the south side of the road.
0 comment2SusanSarahover 3 years agoexpand to harbor side park and Duckworth and provide trolley service
promote subsidized trolley from large metrobus stops (village mall, avalon mall, mun...)
0 comment0JoshSmeeover 3 years agoExtend the season as a bridge to permanence
It's easy to imagine a pedestrian closure working well from May-end of December with minimal new infrastructure needed - I'd suggest that for next season and beyond. That provides some breathing room to work out the logistics of making it permanent
0 comment1Maria Penneyover 3 years agoMore involvment! Have local music/art groups. Businesses selling on the street as well. Include Duckworth!
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Lifecycle
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Public engagement underway
Downtown Pedestrian Mall Pilot Project has finished this stagePublic surveys and the engage page will be open for feedback until Oct. 9 2020.
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Public engagement concluded- review underway
Downtown Pedestrian Mall Pilot Project has finished this stage -
What we heard document released
Downtown Pedestrian Mall Pilot Project has finished this stage -
Final Report/Evaluation
Downtown Pedestrian Mall Pilot Project has finished this stageThe outcomes of the evaluation including feedback received through the public engagement process are submitted to Council.
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Recommendations to Council for 2021
Downtown Pedestrian Mall Pilot Project has finished this stage -
Decision of Council on 2021 Mall
Downtown Pedestrian Mall Pilot Project is currently at this stage
FAQs
- What was the purpose of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall?
- How were businesses consulted in determining the location of the mall?
- Why was the Mall a pilot project?
- How will you know if the Mall was a success?
- How are you evaluating the effectiveness of the mall?
- Will the city have the Mall in the future?
- How will my input be used?
- I own a business in downtown, how will I be consulted for my feedback?
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Important Links
Looking for more information about this project?
Contact us at engage@stjohns.ca or call 709 576 8510