Downtown Neighbourhood Plan
Downtown St. John’s is a vibrant neighbourhood, recognized and appreciated for its unique and colourful residential neighbourhoods; its walkable business corridors; its popular arts and entertainment scene; its working port and cruise terminal; its unique collection of heritage buildings; and more recently, its world-class culinary offerings, among many other things.
Like much of the province, however, Downtown has been experiencing change:
- Economic and business activity has wavered;
- Many companies have relocated to other parts of St. John’s, leaving behind large, empty office spaces in the downtown area;
- Retail storefronts are struggling to compete with online shopping, hybrid retail, and the ever-present challenge of big box development;
- Businesses in general are facing a new reality as employees adopt working from home or other alternate live/work scenarios;
- Long-term social changes due to COVID-19, such as increased awareness of hygiene and social distancing, have created challenges in the current compact urban environment;
- There is a need to respond to impacts of a changing climate and improve the resilience of new and existing buildings, roads, and stormwater management infrastructure to extreme weather.
These challenges, among others, raise some big questions: What does all of this mean for Downtown? How do we tackle these concerns and ensure that Downtown St. John’s remains a desirable place to live, work, invest, and play in the future?
Finding the answer to these and other challenging questions is part of this Neighbourhood Plan.
The Downtown St. John’s Neighbourhood Plan will focus on the area highlighted on the following map:
Downtown St. John’s is a vibrant neighbourhood, recognized and appreciated for its unique and colourful residential neighbourhoods; its walkable business corridors; its popular arts and entertainment scene; its working port and cruise terminal; its unique collection of heritage buildings; and more recently, its world-class culinary offerings, among many other things.
Like much of the province, however, Downtown has been experiencing change:
- Economic and business activity has wavered;
- Many companies have relocated to other parts of St. John’s, leaving behind large, empty office spaces in the downtown area;
- Retail storefronts are struggling to compete with online shopping, hybrid retail, and the ever-present challenge of big box development;
- Businesses in general are facing a new reality as employees adopt working from home or other alternate live/work scenarios;
- Long-term social changes due to COVID-19, such as increased awareness of hygiene and social distancing, have created challenges in the current compact urban environment;
- There is a need to respond to impacts of a changing climate and improve the resilience of new and existing buildings, roads, and stormwater management infrastructure to extreme weather.
These challenges, among others, raise some big questions: What does all of this mean for Downtown? How do we tackle these concerns and ensure that Downtown St. John’s remains a desirable place to live, work, invest, and play in the future?
Finding the answer to these and other challenging questions is part of this Neighbourhood Plan.
The Downtown St. John’s Neighbourhood Plan will focus on the area highlighted on the following map:
-
Share What do you love about Downtown? on Facebook Share What do you love about Downtown? on Twitter Share What do you love about Downtown? on Linkedin Email What do you love about Downtown? link
What do you love about Downtown?
10 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.buffyhowse11 months agoProximity to and views of the harbour and Signal Hill
0 comment2Cc11 months agoAfterschool care and daycare downtown. Clear snow adequately. Especially on sidewalks.
0 comment2MylesRussell11 months agoRebuild the shore as a green space. Get a public space, make it climate resilient, reduce and simplify dock security.
Add a wharf and pier to shift berths 8-10 onto the new structure. Convert the former space to a public park. It should have some shoreline returned to a natural condition with applicable flora. It should also have trees reinstated for shade, wind resistance, and animal protection. Trees will also help absorb noise. Pier security would be much easier to control much a much reduced shoreline footprint for the secured section. Vessel turning operations should be more than achievable for even large 300m vessel in the eastern basin of the harbour and docked to berth 9. Cruise ships aren't the end all be all, but berth 9 could be expanded to more than 200m if the need to cruise vessel full berthing is required. This would be an ambitious goal to say the least, but would address a lot of issues with the wharf itself. https://sjpa-apsj.com/about-the-port/port-map/
1 comment1Charlynch10 months agoWalkable spaces, unique shops and restaurants, entertainment spaces
0 comment0ADing11 months agoA number of suggestions
(1) Make the Harbourfront accessible and walkable with benches, hammocks, and public space infrastructure, similar to Halifax. (2) Repair sidewalks in downtown residential neighborhoods and along Duckworth Street. (3) Improve street cleaning services, particularly for litter on sidewalks (at all times of the year). Perhaps through dedicated litter clean up teams. Also, perhaps increase downtown garbage can pick up frequency as these are often overflowing. (4) Designate/Covert the baseball diamond in Bannerman Park as a dog park in the winter months. (5) Tackle the vacant building/storefront issue. This might include rent control, subsidies or incentives for occupancy, or modifying building codes to more readily allow for occupancy of upper levels in buildings. (6) Temporary Farmers Markets or Food Markets or Night Markets in downtown on the pedestrian mall during the summer.” (Eg. These are regular occurrences in Vancouver and interior BC) (7) More access to public bathrooms.
0 comment3 -
Share What is your vision for Downtown St. John's? on Facebook Share What is your vision for Downtown St. John's? on Twitter Share What is your vision for Downtown St. John's? on Linkedin Email What is your vision for Downtown St. John's? link
What is your vision for Downtown St. John's?
10 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.uptown girl12 months agoDevelop the great potential that is already there
We are so lucky to have history, iconic architecture, a strong sense of culture, high calibre food and entertainment scene, a waterfront all inn our downtown area...we need to find ways to highlight these and make them easier to access and be a part of. Number 1...get rid of the fence and open the waterfront. Number 2...promote the downtown for all that it is and all that it can be. Number 3...build on the downtown pedestrian mall and GIVE IT A NAME! "the downtown pedestrian mall" is just not hitting the mark, people...How about "Walk on Water"? give it a name, and promote it? Clean it up...how about more planters and more art work? what about more murals? (sigh, as long as they wont be vandalized...) Number 4. more outdoor activities that are not for profit. the outdoor movies are great...but there's only 3-4 a year...how about more? How about free concerts in that area? Number 5. promote downtown (and all the city, really) for more than just the fairweather days. look to our sister cities in northern climes for ideas. they can do it...so can we! But that isnt it...Downtown is important, but how about promoting all the things you can do near to downtown? Hiking, biking, for example. People who live here and people who are from away want to see vibrancy in not just the downtown, but want to also use it as a jumping off point to explore around our city.
0 comment3Noah11 months agoYear-round pedestrian mall with more streets added. Bonus: protected bike lanes!
Car-free streets are being implemented in many other major cities in Canada, and businesses on those streets have seen an increase in revenue. It creates a more pleasant, lively, and safe place to be which would also be a boon for people living here as well as for tourism (the pedestrian mall is already very popular with tourists). We also need to have protected bike lanes downtown.
0 comment4Cloveless7911 months agoNew businesses
0 comment0StJosephs11 months agoDowntown needs an increased focus on residents from all demographics, not just a hub for the poor and partiers from the burbs
More residents more housing options
0 comment1JoshSmee11 months agoA place where you can live your whole life without a car
Folks who choose not to own a car (or can't drive, or can't afford to) don't have a lot of options in a city like St. John's. Downtown is the one place where you can put all the pieces of a full life together without a car and we need to treasure that.
2 comments3 -
Share How could we make Downtown St. John's easier to move around in? on Facebook Share How could we make Downtown St. John's easier to move around in? on Twitter Share How could we make Downtown St. John's easier to move around in? on Linkedin Email How could we make Downtown St. John's easier to move around in? linkCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Ann12 months ago
Fewer cars and improved public transit. More taxi kiosks
0 comment6Erika12 months agoFewer cars, more pedestrian and e-bike accessible. Direct shuttles from areas like Kenmount Terrace and Airport Heights.
Take away the parking issues by offering alternative transportation
0 comment8thnidan12 months agoCarew St. + Bishop Feild Elementary
Carew St. is very narrow (with nearly non-existent sidewalks) and is frequented by children accessing the school and Bannerman Park. It also accesses the school parking lot. Could this street be made pedestrian priority to improve safety for children (remove sidewalks and make the entire street a pedestrian space)? And could the crossing to Bannerman Park be upgraded (raised crosswalk, bump outs, pavers)? The current crosswalk is somewhat obscured by parking and a utility pole, does not nicely flow into the park, and could be relocated so you only have to cross one street to go from the ice cream shop to the park.
0 comment6thnidan12 months agoFunicular
A funicular could make the hike up (and down!) the hill more accessible.
0 comment1Elk202311 months agoBetter snow clearing in the winter!
0 comment1 -
Share What would make Downtown more attractive to young people and young families? on Facebook Share What would make Downtown more attractive to young people and young families? on Twitter Share What would make Downtown more attractive to young people and young families? on Linkedin Email What would make Downtown more attractive to young people and young families? linkCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.NB11 months ago
Actually having housing available - in our row of 7 houses, 3 of them are AirBnBs
This leaves less housing downtown for locals and makes the houses and street empty for 60% of the year. It is also contributing to the sense of community downtown being taken away because your neighbours are there to turn a profit and not to even introduce themselves to you
0 comment2frank11 months agoaffordable housing/mix use facilities/downtown community centre
Pretty sure we are the only capitol city in the country that lacks a community hub. This could have been done both with Mile one and the convention centre bit again the theory at the bunker is 1970s in scope.
0 comment3JoshSmee11 months agoNeighbourhood retail
One of the reasons my young family chose to live downtown is to have access to as much as possible on foot. Give us more! I would love to see commercial uses all through downtown, on the residential streets too, as it used to be historically.
0 comment3thnidan12 months agoFamily friendly third places
With no public library, there are not very many reasons to go downtown if the weather is not nice and you're not planning to spend money.
0 comment4JoshSmee11 months agoSafe routes to school, especially in Winter
My kiddo starts at Bishop Feild in the fall. The City defininition of a "School zone" for snow-clearing purposes is just the sidewalks immediately around the school itself (ie, just the places where kids are dropped by car, nothing for those who actually walk there). When she gets older she'll walk up to Brother Rice and then Holy Heart, which involves crossing the dangerous mess at Garrison/Harvey/Military/Bonaventure - that intersection is a key gateway into and out of downtown and could be made much safer
0 comment3 -
Share What would make Downtown more attractive to seniors and people who want to "age-in-place?" on Facebook Share What would make Downtown more attractive to seniors and people who want to "age-in-place?" on Twitter Share What would make Downtown more attractive to seniors and people who want to "age-in-place?" on Linkedin Email What would make Downtown more attractive to seniors and people who want to "age-in-place?" link
What would make Downtown more attractive to seniors and people who want to "age-in-place?"
10 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.JoshSmee11 months agoIndoor gathering spaces
This comes up all over this consult, but an indoor public space downtown would be a huge asset for seniors as a place to gather particularly when weather is not conducive. A library is the obvious one but there are other options.
0 comment3Horto11 months agoFocus infill and adaptive reuse development downtown.
The current focus on Downtown has taken years to bleed out to other suburban areas like Galway, Kimble Drive, Stavanger Drive and Hebron Way to mention a few. In doing so we have diluted the development potential throughout the city because our “market” is not big enough to support economic development in all of these locations. How many commercial tenants have left downtown as a result and yet residents continue to pay for the new infrastructure costs when that money could have been invested in our downtown. This is just short sighted poor planning/engineering that lacks any genuine cost benefit analysis.
0 comment1JoshSmee11 months agoThe same things we all want!
Building a downtown that is walkable, mixed-use, and vibrant is also building a downtown that is friendly for seniors.
0 comment2Stjohnsneeds11 months agoAccessibility
Build high rise/apartments that have amenities inside or nearby. Have better public transport to and from the city that’s free that runs multiple times per hour
0 comment5Brian_6912 months agoOne stop shopping
Need accessible shopping for medications, food, clothing and other necessities. This would make the location better for all, not just seniors.
0 comment3 -
Share What is the biggest change or improvement that should be considered for Downtown St. John's? on Facebook Share What is the biggest change or improvement that should be considered for Downtown St. John's? on Twitter Share What is the biggest change or improvement that should be considered for Downtown St. John's? on Linkedin Email What is the biggest change or improvement that should be considered for Downtown St. John's? link
What is the biggest change or improvement that should be considered for Downtown St. John's?
10 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.JoshSmee11 months agoAll the raised crosswalks!
On the residential "grid" intersections, all 4 crosswalks at every intersection should be raised to calm traffic and prioritize pedestrians.
0 comment4Jen Anderson11 months agoWaterfront Development
Move the cars and fences elsewhere. The harbour should be a place for the community to stroll, sit, snack, and chat.
0 comment5Jackieb11 months agoHarbourfront development
Greatest asset is not accessible (get rid of the fence)… could be a fabulous outdoor meeting space with picnic tables and trees!!! Foodtrucks, and other pop ups. Would also better visibility and access to businesses in the harbourfront.
0 comment2ae12 months agoActually Listen to People!
This city council, and our councillor in particular, are terrible at taking the actions that the people want. You "consult" and then ignore what the people think. Take action accordingly.
1 comment2JoshSmee11 months agoCreate a proper public square at the bottom of Solomon's Lane
Pedestrian Mall aside, one piece of infrastructure that Downtown is really crying out for is a permanent public square. The City could (should!) purchase the parking lot at the bottom of Solomon's Lane (where movies are shown in Summer) and turn it into a permanent square. This would remove a point of conflict between parking and pedestrian mall use and create a gathering space for events, markets, seating, etc.
0 comment7
Documents including What We Heard
- What We Heard Downtown Plan.pdf (753 KB) (pdf)
- Downtown St. John's Existing Conditions Maps (10.2 MB) (pdf)
-
Background Documents
- Envision St. John's Municipal Plan
- Envision St. John's Development Regulations
- Envision St. John's Municipal Plan Appendices
- Our City, Our Future Strategic Plan
- St. John's Parks & Open Space Master Plan
- Bike St John's Master Plan
- St. John's Affordable Housing Strategy
- St. John's Healthy City Strategy
- Resilient St. John's Community Climate Plan
- Paid Parking Management Strategy
Lifecycle
-
Public Engagement
Downtown Neighbourhood Plan has finished this stageJoin the discussion and help shape the Downtown St. John's Secondary Plan.
Attend an in-person public engagement session:
- Pop-Up Engagement – May 25, 11:30am-1:30pm, Atlantic Place Lobby (215 Water Street)
- Public Workshop – Wednesday, June 7 at 7 pm in the Foran Greene Room, 4th Floor, City Hall (10 New Gower Street)
If you are unable to attend the engagement sessions, use the tools on this page to provide your feedback or email your comments to engage@stjohns.ca.
-
Feedback Under Review
Downtown Neighbourhood Plan has finished this stageContributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.
-
What We Heard Document Released
Downtown Neighbourhood Plan has finished this stage -
First Light Community Feast
Downtown Neighbourhood Plan is currently at this stage -
Secondary Plan Being Drafted
this is an upcoming stage for Downtown Neighbourhood Plan -
Secondary Plan Released for Public Review
this is an upcoming stage for Downtown Neighbourhood Plan -
Approval of Secondary Plan by Council
this is an upcoming stage for Downtown Neighbourhood Plan -
Amendment to Envision St. John's Municipal Plan
this is an upcoming stage for Downtown Neighbourhood Plan
Key Dates
-
23 May 2023
-
25 May 2023
-
07 June 2023
-
21 March 2024
Important Links
Who's Listening
-
Council Lead - Downtown St. John's
Phone 576-8243 Email oravencroft@stjohns.ca -
KO
Email kobrien@stjohns.ca -
Planner III - Urban Design and Heritage
Department of Planning, Engineering & Regulatory Services
ACEmail acashin@stjohns.ca -
Phone 770-5035 Email matthew@millsandwright.ca