245 Forest Road
The City's Affordable Housing Strategy, outlines a commitment to identify city-owned vacant land for potential redevelopment as affordable housing.
Four parcels of land have been expropriated and identified for potential redevelopment as affordable housing to date. These include 245 Forest Road, 80-90 Empire Avenue, 375 Waterford Bridge Road, and 28 Eric Street. A project is already planned on 28 Eric Street. There are no planned projects for the other three sites at this time. We would like to engage with residents, businesses and other stakeholders about these parcels of land.
This page is for comments and feedback about 245 Forest Road. This parcel of land is located next to Quidi Vidi Lake, in the area across from Cuckhold's Cove Road. Use the tools below to provide your feedback or sign up for our virtual meeting (check out the key dates for details).
The City's Affordable Housing Strategy, outlines a commitment to identify city-owned vacant land for potential redevelopment as affordable housing.
Four parcels of land have been expropriated and identified for potential redevelopment as affordable housing to date. These include 245 Forest Road, 80-90 Empire Avenue, 375 Waterford Bridge Road, and 28 Eric Street. A project is already planned on 28 Eric Street. There are no planned projects for the other three sites at this time. We would like to engage with residents, businesses and other stakeholders about these parcels of land.
This page is for comments and feedback about 245 Forest Road. This parcel of land is located next to Quidi Vidi Lake, in the area across from Cuckhold's Cove Road. Use the tools below to provide your feedback or sign up for our virtual meeting (check out the key dates for details).
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If this were developed as affordable housing, what type(s) of housing do you think would work best here?
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.What type of structure would you prefer? Apartment building, row houses, duplexes, etc.? How many storeys? Modular housing vs site built? Other considerations?
Mysteries Not Puzzlesover 2 years agoThe answer should be binary between commercially annexing Bowring Park or Forest Rd side of Quidi Vidi. If HMP is last land left, choose QV.
Eric Street was a precursor to a more emboldened public revolt against plans for developing parts of Bowring Park and/or Quidi Vidi. Politically, the result should be binary so to not foster too much public resentment of commercially annexing too much sacred municipal lands. Surely, there are better parcels of city-owned land to review as options for affordable housing. If pursuance of these vacant lands for development has already been decided, then comparatively, the new street lights system on the intersection of Brookfield and Waterford Bridge would alleviate traffic concerns. But long-term, developing QV on the Forest Rd side would mean there is no more land left to develop on that side. As a positive, that could draw the focus on decommissioning HMP and utilizing that land for a once-in-a-generation commercial development. Furthermore, in the broader scope of affordable housing. Sell the public policy, as such, “the advent of affordable housing gives allowance of citizens to satisfy a physiological need with the secured provision of shelter. As Maslow’s hierarchy would indicate, this is a right to not only enjoy the internal, basic foundations of housing. But, also, offering this type of housing situation could allow citizens the chance to satisfy the complete hierarchy (belongingness, esteem, and even self-actualization). All from having the environment that each of these beautiful vacant lands would be surrounded by to inspire highest civic outputs from the citizens who now inhabit new affordable homes.
0 comment0MLWilsonover 2 years agoPlease don't develop this field.
it is the last piece of undeveloped land on this side of the lake and is part of the beauty of the lake . Also can't bear any more traffic on this road:(
0 comment1JoshSmeeover 2 years agoIdeal for apartments
Given the context of the rest of Forest Road up to that point, I think this is an ideal space for a relatively large apartment building. Not sure whether the grade is as steep as farther west but some of those buildings take advantage of it to have more floors downward than it appears from the street. 3-5 stories above Forest Rd, maybe?
1 comment1JoshSmeeover 2 years agoOne bedroom and accessible units
As far as I understand it, there's a huge shortage of 1-BR and accessible units in our affordable housing mix. Would be good to front-load on these types.
0 comment1vnewhookover 2 years agoThere are MANY many other locations which are WAY MORE suitable for housing then ruining the beauty of Quidi vidi late & historic areas.
Pleasantville area, Virginia park area, ballast road area, the old janeway area. Anything besides more unwanted development that will ruin one of the best attractions & historic places in our city. These places are becoming less and less.
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If this were developed as affordable housing, what would you like to see incorporated into the design?
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Are there any new technologies you'd like to see incorporated? Would you like to see mixed-use spaces included such as retail or community space? What additional features should be considered?
JoshSmeeover 2 years agoRetail and community spaces
A mixed-use element to this site would be great. Other than Dominion, there is little retail in the area and folks could surely use some other things such as dentists/doctors/barbers/etc. Same with shared community space - would be nice to have some available for resident and community use.
0 comment0JoshSmeeover 2 years agoRegatta Infrastructure
I wonder if there would be some creative ways to design outdoor spaces facing the lake that could also serve as viewing or activity spaces during the regatta?
0 comment0JoshSmeeover 2 years agoA public library branch
Dreaming here (I know library budgets are tight), but it's a long haul from this spot to the nearest library. A small branch with some great hangout spaces and resources would be really neat. Nice spot to read/learn/work overlooking the lake.
0 comment0JoshSmeeover 2 years agoCarsharing
If anyone actually gets a carshare arrangement going in St. John's, this would be a great place to park a couple of vehicles so that both development residents and neighbours could access them
0 comment0JoshSmeeover 2 years agoA community garden
Both residents of this development and of the surrounding area could make use of a well-designed community garden area.
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What are your concerns about a potential development on this site?
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.How can the City address these concerns?
JoshSmeeover 2 years agoCareful not to ghettoize folks
This is a big site and, if designed badly (closed off to the outside world) could replicate some of the less pleasant dynamics of earlier affordable housing projects.
0 comment0JoshSmeeover 2 years agoAccessibility without a vehicle
There is a bus that goes right by the door, which is a plus, but there isn't that much within easy walking distance for households without a car. Would be ideal to make the bus service more frequent
0 comment0vnewhookover 2 years agomaxwell place off cuckholds cove, ballast road, janeway place(which has a massive amount of cleared land) and also by the Tommy Sexton cent
Here’s another idea/ picture besides what I suggested above/ before. Even more space Behind Bally haly instead of cramming it in the little spot/ marsh land directly on the lake.
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Other comments or ideas?
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.If you have other ideas or comments that do not fit into the other categories, please add them here.
JoshSmeeover 2 years agoAccess to beauty is important
This is a really beautiful site and I really love the idea of having affordable housing there rather than fancy condos.
0 comment1vnewhookover 2 years agoInstead of ruining one of our few beautiful/ historic areas we have left in the city. Here’s more suggestions of areas
So many better places that won’t fully ruin Quidi vidi history and it’s beauty. I can’t believe the lake was even a suggestion. If more people knew about this it would be a uproar. You should take a look at all the comments on your Facebook post about using this area. There’s a crazy amount of negative comments. No one wants that built there, especially when there are so so many other areas to use. Too many people use this area to enjoy the outdoors. One of the very few spots we have left in the city. Below is yet another suggestion of land to use. If your wanting it to be on top of a lake here’s more green space to develop around a different lake. Even tho this is my least favourite idea. Better areas would include maxwell place off cuckholds cove, ballast road, janeway place(which has a massive amount of cleared land) and also by the Tommy Sexton certer, on the side of Bally haly near, langley road. Anything is better than Quidi vidi lake.
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Life Cycle
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Open
245 Forest Road has finished this stageThis consultation is open for contributions until August 13th.
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Under Review
245 Forest Road has finished this stageContributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.
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What we Heard Released
245 Forest Road is currently at this stageA summary of what was heard will be discussed at Committee of the Whole on December 1, 2021. Check it out here.
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Final report
this is an upcoming stage for 245 Forest RoadThe final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
Who's listening
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Council Lead - Housing
Phone 576-8243 Email oravencroft@stjohns.ca -
Affordable Housing and Development Facilitator
Phone (709) 570-2096 Email affordablehousing@stjohns.ca