FAQs

The City of St. John's opened the Downtown Pedestrian Mall in 2020 as a way to increase foot traffic into the city's downtown and give businesses added attention during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Downtown Pedestrian Mall (DPM) also allowed people to use public space while adhering to required public health physical distancing guidelines stemming from the pandemic. The DPM has had several iterations and in 2023 Council approved the current footprint.

The Downtown Pedestrian Mall is also an opportunity to offer visitors a variety of free performances, activities, and events. New initiatives introduced in 2024 include Markets on Water, Music on Water, and Public Art displays.

The Downtown Pedestrian Mall is located on Water Street, extending from Adelaide Street in the west to Prescott Street in the east.

Input will be used to:

1. Better understand visitor experience and gather perspectives on such things as the activities and events offered at the Downtown Pedestrian Mall.
2. Identify activities, events or other changes that visitors would like to see at the Downtown Pedestrian Mall.
3. Better understand why some individuals choose not to visit the Downtown Pedestrian Mall and what changes would encourage people to attend.

This engagement project is to help inform a plan for 2026 and beyond. Businesses/commercial property in downtown, both inside and outside the Downtown Pedestrian Mall footprint, will be consulted in 2025. 

More information about consultation with business owners will be provided in the future.

Before any recommendations are made in 2025, impact to parking will be considered. 

The development of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall Long-Term Plan is in the early stages and any recommended changes have not yet been identified. As recommendations are developed, accessibility will be considered and discussed with the Inclusion Advisory Committee.