The Downtown Development Commission (DDC) will be assisting downtown businesses and property owners within the Business Improvement Area (BIA) with the burden of keeping downtown sidewalks clear of snow and ice this winter season.

Each winter the downtown area struggles to keep sidewalks passable, especially in areas where vacant properties exist and at major intersections. The pilot program was designed and initiated to keep these vacant areas clear, and intersections open to allow pedestrian traffic to flow easily in all areas.

The program will not abolish businesses or property owners of their responsibility to remove snow and ice from their sidewalk. Its goal is to help ease the load of snow clearing on the sidewalk prior to the start of business. The City of St. John’s will still be responsible for the removal of the snow from the sidewalks and streets to include the windfall and curb areas once it reaches impassable amounts.

As sidewalks are being cleared, the contractor will distribute salt along a five foot wide pass. The sidewalk is to be cleared within 12 hours of a major snowfall and, where possible, before 7:00 am on business days.

Once again, the pilot project is funded by the Downtown Development Commission. The purpose of the program is to assist businesses and property owners with the clearing of downtown sidewalks within the Business Improvement Area (BIA). The business and property owner will still be responsible for ensuring that their sidewalk is kept clear of snow and ice, and cleared within 24 hours of a snowfall. The DDC is simply trying to ease the burden of snow clearing and to address areas where the sidewalk is bordered by vacant buildings and land.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact the DDC office at 579 4139, or email us at sjddc@nf.aibn.com. For a detailed map of the area being covered, please visit our website at downtownstjohns.com and click on the sidewalk snow clearing route map.

Thanks, and remember, a clear sidewalk, you’ll find it Downtown!