A St. John’s businessman is pointing the finger at the city for stopping him from opening a courtyard in downtown St. John’s – and he believes it’s personal.
Vic Lawlor is the owner and operator of the Salt House restaurant, and The Dockyard, a small courtyard on Harbour Drive. The Dockyard was recently shut down for failing to obtain a liquor license.
But, Lawlor is unable to obtain that license without an occupancy permit from the city, and that’s where the problem lies.
He says he was told it was due to his courtyard being in a residential area, something he says doesn’t make sense.
When asked how difficult the city is to deal with on projects like The Dockyard, Lawlor had a pretty simple answer. He chuckled and said he’s not the only developer who has dealt with issues like this. He says the City talks about discretionary use, but it’s always about making things more difficult.
He says the biggest loser in all of this is the community, as he wanted the space to be used as a community area for people to hang out on the water front. He also wants to add a splash pad for kids.
Lawlor, who has had a number of run ins with the City in the past, says if you look at the track record, it’s pretty clear it’s a personal matter.
Lawlor says he had to kick tenants out of the Neal Building after 30 because the City wouldn’t issue an occupancy permit. Now he’s being told he doesn’t have parking when he has 300 spaces. That may not be approved because they’re located in a lot across the street.
Another hotel was permitted to use the same lot, which Lawlor owns, and he says there is no way it’s not personal.
The City of St. John’s declined an interview request from VOCM News.