ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — St. John's Mayor Danny Breen said this summer’s Water Street pedestrian mall was successful “beyond anybody’s wildest imaginations.” So why bring it to an end?
The pilot project — initiated to stimulate business during the pandemic — was scheduled to end Sept. 7, largely because many businesses were initially skeptical of how the pedestrian mall might affect them, said Breen.
However, in recent days, many businesses said they wanted to see the mall extended to at least the end of September.
“The pilot project was successful in identifying some challenges with the pedestrian mall, including issues with accessibility and concerns for businesses operating outside the mall footprint."
Breen said the city stuck to the original end date for a few reasons.
Firstly, not all businesses benefited from the mall.
“The pilot project was successful in identifying some challenges with the pedestrian mall, including issues with accessibility and concerns for businesses operating outside the mall footprint. Businesses inside the mall also had concerns for their operations which need to be taken into consideration,” reads a news release from the city.
Breen said there’s a diverse range of businesses within a small area on Water Street, and while some saw a great benefit in closing the street to vehicular traffic, others did not.
He said several retail businesses felt the foot traffic wouldn’t be sufficient during the fall and winter months to justify extending it, and felt it would have a negative impact.
Coun. Debbie Hanlon said some businesses’ clientele had trouble accessing their business, especially businesses with many elderly customers.
She said others complained of loud noises disrupting their operations in the middle of the day, and there were also reports of vandalism.
In short, Breen said there was no consensus from downtown businesses to extend the pilot project.
Therefore, he said the city will engage the businesses and the public on what they thought went well — and what can be improved — so that it can be even better next summer.
Coun. Dave Lane said he heard from a number of business owners who said the pedestrian mall turned things around for them in a positive way this summer when they were looking at dire straits amid the pandemic.
However, he said the reason the city is sticking with the original end date is because it has also heard from businesses who were negatively affected.
“Let’s listen to what everyone has to say. In the public, you’re not hearing from, I think, a lot of the shop owners who have had a negative experience because they want to be positive.” — Coun. Dave Lane
“Let’s listen to what everyone has to say,” he said.
“In the public, you’re not hearing from, I think, a lot of the shop owners who have had a negative experience because they want to be positive.”
Meanwhile, the city is looking at doing a fall and Christmas market within the pedestrian mall area this year, with details to be figured out in consultation with businesses.
Businesses who built decks will be permitted to keep those extensions in place until the end of September, as long as sidewalk access is maintained — similar to decks that were installed in areas outside of the pedestrian mall. Those businesses should get in touch with the city’s inspection services about modifications that might be needed.
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