WELCOME TO DOWNTOWN ST. JOHN’S Open Spaces Revitalization Project.

Our organization first formed in 1966 under the name Downtown Development Corporation (DDCorp) in response to the creation of shopping malls on the periphery of Downtown and had a primarily retail focus. Years later, in 1985 the City of St. John’s partnered with the DDCorp and Heritage Canada through the Main Street Program to undertake the redevelopment of George Street. Who We Are: A Brief History

When that partnership ended in 1988 with the completion of the George Street project, it was determined by the City that a Business Improvement Area (BIA) should be created to continue with the redevelopment of Downtown that had been kick-started through the Main Street Program. The City decided that the DDCorp would be the appropriate organization to govern the BIA and set out to establish a set of by-laws that would see the DDCorp morphed into the Downtown Development Commission (DDC) in March The BIA is outlined on the right in yellow.

If a business lies within the geographical boundaries of the BIA, it is automatically a member of our organization. To fund the activities of the organization previous to January 2013, members were accessed a levy equal to 10 % of their occupancy tax to a maximum of $ per year. Now under the new blended tax regime brought in by the City this month a new method of assessment is currently being developed that will most likely be based on the square footage of a member’s business. Above are before and after pictures of the capital works projects that were the primary mandate of the DDC during the 1990’s. BIA : Membership and Funding Above: Post office on Water Street during new sidewalk construction. Right: The same area after, notice the new light poles.

Now called Downtown St. John’s, the mandate of our organization is to make the Downtown core a more attractive place to live, work, shop and visit while preserving and enhancing Downtown as the dominant commercial center of St. John’s. We strive to recognize the important balance between the office, retail, hotel, service, and industrial sectors of the area while working to preserve it’s historic and traditional character. A volunteer board consisting of business owners from our membership directs the activities of the organization to ensure they adhere to our mandate and the board is assisted by our full-time staff. Downtown St. John’s Mandate Today

This is a picture of site one, New Gower St. at Queen St., before work began. It had previously been a small green space that was under utilized and due to poor lighting it was also a hang out for vagrants and unsavory activity. It was also a dumping ground for all sorts of garbage from residential to industrial. The fencing that was on site also blocked a potential pedestrian access to George St. Entertainment District. Open Spaces Revitalization Project, Site One Before.

Pictured above is the New Gower St. at Queen St. site after completion. Improvements included: a raised grassed area, tree planting and other plants, informal seating, hard surface treatment to create a plaza for pedestrians and buskers, lighting, information boards, stone walls and creation of a formal pedestrian link to George St. Entertainment District. Total cost of this project was $264, ($260, USD). One third funding partners included: Downtown St. John’s, City of St. John’s, and the Canadian Federal Government through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Open Spaces Revitalization Project, Site One After.

Above is a picture of site two, Duckworth St.at Prescott St. before the work began. It was an under utilized piece of vacant property owned by Fortis Properties that was a collection point for litter and vagrants. It is a very important location as it is at an entry point to Downtown and has fantastic views of our beautiful harbour. Open Spaces Revitalization Project, Site Two Before.

Pictured above is the Duckworth St. at Prescott St. site after it was completed. Total cost of the project was $196, ($193, USD). One third funding partners included: Downtown St. John’s, City of St. John’s, and ACOA. Fortis Properties donated the land valued at $50, ($49, USD). Improvements included: installation of a hard surface lower plaza with seating and information boards, installation of trees / plants on upper level, creation of a fountain / water wall, and lighting.. As you can see, it made a huge difference to the area and it is a popular lunch time destination and resting place. It has fantastic views of the harbour and it is a favorite spot among tourists. Vagrants have move away from the area due to new lighting as well. Open Spaces Revitalization Project, Site Two, After.

Above is a picture of site three, Gower St., before construction began. As you can see, it was pretty much a neglected grassy knoll that was under-utilized. It has some wonderful old trees and a high profile and historic location that made it an ideal location for an open spaces project. Open Spaces Revitalization Project, Site Three, Before.

Above is site three at New Gower St, now called Constabulary Court, after the project was completed. The park has a new stone wall with a wrought iron fence, brick work, furniture, landscaping and the center piece is a bronze statute of an RNC officer in period clothing holding a lantern and leading a lost girl to safety. The park was opened by the Governor General of Canada and was part of the Freedom of the City Ceremony given to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC). Total cost of the project was $345, ($339, USD). The RNC Historical Society donated the statue at a cost of $375, ($368, USD). One third funding partners included: Downtown St. John’s, City of St. John’s, and Grand Concourse Authority. Open Spaces Revitalization Project, Site Three, After.