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.
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Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkView All Ideasover 3 years ago
Busing!
We walked down from near Bowering Park on the T'Railway at least a dozen time. It was great and then we had the option to walk home or take the bus. Bus route changes were frustrating though as we could no longer catch a bus back to the bottom of Cowan Avenue (#6 I think used to come all the way to Sesame Park from the Convention Centre). Missed that. But I think promoting bus routes and even re-visiting them as a means to integrate with the mall would be well worth considering. And, encouraging people to use the city trails. This allows for an enjoyable afternoon with a few drinks and no worries about driving.
over 3 years ago
A public space
St. John's has so few truly public spaces where you don't need to spend money to spend time. Pedestrian Water Street created that space and it was nice to see such a wide range of demographics making use of it.
over 3 years ago
It was a great idea, and should be done next year with and expanded. Should start earlier and be extended longer into the year.
over 3 years ago
It encouraged my household to go for a walk downtown more. It felt safe and enjoyable and allowed an easy way to support local businesses!
over 3 years ago
Each sitting venue should be equipped with a umbrella which would protect customers from sudden rain.
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Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkView All Ideasover 3 years ago
Personally, my family and I had no challenges.
over 3 years ago
early access between restaurant decks. it improved somewhat
over 3 years ago
Ton avoid having to park ever so far away and walking to the mall.
Have small city buses operating from certain locations whereby people would get off on Harbour drive at the mall location.
over 3 years ago
i would like to have more handicap parking spaces close to the pedestrian mall.
over 3 years ago
Cross streets with moving vehicles
There was some lack of clarity of who had the right of way where cross streets cut across the mall - I'm not sure they were necessary at all.
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Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkView All Ideasover 3 years ago
More, just more of everything!
The season should be longer, beginning of June to end of September, maybe even wiggle room to extend if weather is especially good. Adding more patios or small pop-up stalls selling food or crafts or whatever would be great, especially to liven up gap areas with not much going on. Adding part of Duckworth would be great too. Adding a Fall/Halloween market would be good fun, and a Christmas Market is 100% needed. I have been to Christmas markets around the world and they are magical: must have mulled wine stalls so you can walk around the shops and stalls while sipping your warm mulled wine! Patios need outdoor seating with patio heaters and blankets (maybe post-covid anyway). Restaurants should invest in umbrellas and awnings for rain, the weather is not reliable here so we have to be able to make the most of whatever we get.
over 3 years ago
Food trucks, side walk shopping, buskers and street shows
restaurants and bars are great but other opportunities for spending time would be great
over 3 years ago
More of everything
Should be opened to a farmer's market-like experience. Craftspeople, artists, etc.
over 3 years ago
Include Duckworth St. traffic route via new gower to harbour drive to water east and up temperance or hill o’chips. Easy!
over 3 years ago
Expand and make permanent
Figure out a traffic plan which allows large parts of Water and Duckworth (and perhaps more) to be traffic free (except for deliveries). Make it year-round, and permanent, so it is worth businesses investing in the arrangement. It will transform the downtown area ... some businesses will leave, but more will enter, and expand.
