The capital city has released its “What We Heard” document on the potential redevelopment of city-owned vacant land.
The city is proposing the development of three pieces of open land—a portion of forested property next to the Bowring Park gravel parking lot on Waterford Bridge Road, another wooded property on Forest Road overlooking Quidi Vidi Lake, and a piece of property currently used for parking in the east end of Empire Avenue.
All public engagement sessions saw good interest with many of the views expressed outlining how residents currently view or use the land to access walking trails and parks. Most of the concerns expressed surrounded the loss of greenspace and destruction of mature forest where it exists.
Among the sites residents identified for possible redevelopment were the Grace Hospital site, the Hoyles-Escasoni Building, vacant retail buildings on Stavanger Drive and vacant land further west on Empire, none of which are owned by the city.
245 Forest Road
80-90 Empire Avenue
The Affordable Housing Strategy outlines a commitment to identify city-owned vacant land for potential redevelopment.
The summary of What We Heard during engagement for 375 Waterford Bridge Rd, 245 Forest Rd & 80-90 Empire Ave is now available.
Details: https://t.co/SkwN7EuD9l pic.twitter.com/QfEX7TIgdv
— City of St. John's (@CityofStJohns) November 30, 2021
