St. John's Mayor Andy Wells says he will contact the chief of police about dealing with prostitution in the capital city's downtown area.

Some downtown residents say street prostitution has been getting worse, with clients becoming more aggressive in how they look for sex.

Resident Anita Carroll, who is raising a family downtown, says the sex trade is making her feel unsafe.

"The car slows down. It may circle a second time, it may circle a third time," she says.

"And then the guy will get aggressive and call, 'Hey, come here,' and that's the kind of thing that's starting to intimidate us."

Wells says he is sympathetic to residents' concerns.

"It's disconcerting," he says.

Wells suggests that residents write down the licence plates of drivers who are looking for prostitutes, and then get in touch with the police.

"If they write down the names, some of the licence numbers of some of the guys that pull up in their vehicles, that would a tremendous asset to the police," says Wells, who adds that collecting evidence related to prostitution is difficult.

He says publicity may change clients' behaviour. "That may discourage these guys from going down there and cruising," he says.

Bill Mahoney, who heads the Downtown Development Commission, agrees that prostitution is an issue for the police.

"It's a problem that all cities face," Mahoney says.

However, while Mahoney says any notion of downtown residents feeling uneasy or uncomfortable is a concern, he has not seen evidence that prostitution is hurting businesses in the area.

Excerpt from CBC Radio, April 27, 2005

Developer to finish work on old bank soon.

He doesn’t have a tenant yet, but businessman Bill Mahoney expects to complete renovations of the old Scotia Bank building in downtown St. John’s in a couple of months. Mahoney says he’s looking for a unique tenant to occupy the first and second floors.

He knows what he’s not interested in – bars, restaurants, condominiums or a hotel – figuring there’s plenty of those in the downtown market. “I’m looking really for some sort of socialization area, a gathering place,” said Mahoney, owner of Regal Realty, a commercial real estate company.

“We’d like to capitalize on the unique architecture of the building. I’m really hoping to utilize it to its fullest, so I’ll continue to be patient and continue to look.”

Mahoney estimated the renovation will cost about $1.5 million, including the $225,000.00 purchase price. He bought the former bank at a city tax auction in March 2004.

The three-storey building on Water Street had been vacant for almost 15 years. “I expect we’ll be complete, certainly, by the end of June,” he said. “We’re doing a very extensive renovation from top to bottom – literally. All we’re left with is the structure itself – we’re stripping everything out. New roof, new air-handling system, elevator. You name it, everything is being replaced.

“It’s a very extensive and a very expensive renovation.”

The top floor will house Regal Realty and Destination St. John’s, an organization that promotes tourism and is currently located in the Murray Premises and Hotel, which is also owned by Mahoney.

As for hotel rooms, he said that market is well-served downtown. The O’Dwyer block on Water Street, another building owned by Mahoney, has 13 executive suites for business travelers.

Mahoney says he has plenty of options when it comes to developing the former bank building. “I’ve had many, many proposals but I’ve been reluctant to put anybody I there – bars and restaurants, in particular. I think we’re well-served in the downtown for bars and restaurants, so I don’t think we need another.”

He said he might change his mind for a well-known, established chain along the lines of a Hard Rock Café. He’s also interested in a bookstore/coffee shop combination. “We have made some overtures to some of the larger bookstore operators.”

Last summer, Mahoney advertised for expressions of interest from would-be tenants. Among the proposals were a small theatre, bookshop and art gallery. “Unfortunately, the proposals typically involved me financing the business. I prefer to stick to my real estate as opposed to getting involved in the operations side.

“The worst combination is to be both.”

By Moria Baird. The Telegram. April 26, 2005

Condos will also be a part of Water Street east project.

Spa at the Monastery and Suites owner Paul Madden admits he’s a little “off balance” these days, working long hours and even weekends. But he has reason to be – he’s in the midst of a large new development.

Madden has just aquired the former Matchless Paint and Standard Manufacturing buildings at the corner of Water Street and Temperance Street in St. John’s, and has big plans for the site.

He’s going to have the current buildings demolished and replace them with a 100-suite hotel, along with some condominium units. “It’s absolutely the most beautiful property to develop within the city. It has a gorgeous view which will never be lost,” he told The Telegram Sunday.

The Water Street east property has a view of the harbour and The Narrows. Madden figures the finished property will be worth about $25 million. The condos will be approximately 1,350 to 1,400 square feet each, underground parking, while the hotel will likely include a fine-dining restaurant, boutiques and spa.

Madden said he is in consultation with a number of large hotel chains, but if a deal doesn’t pan out, there are prominent businesspeople interested in getting in a stand-alone hotel.

The current buildings were shut down about 10 years ago, after being in operation for close to a hundred years, Madden said. “It’s starting to become an eyesore for the traffic coming in and out of the waterfront through the The Narrows.”

Madden said he expects to see a revitalization of the east end of downtown in the near future, and knows of at least two more development plans in the progress for the area.

Condos will mesh well with the site because of the elevation and zoning of the location, he said. “There seems to be a pretty hot market for condominiums, and things seem to be very good in the downtown area, and it gives an opportunity to bring some residences back in the downtown,” Madden said. “That’s one thing the city has been lacking a little bit – a residential component in the downtown area.”

Construction is expected to begin on new site in May or June, Madden hopes everything will be complete by the spring or summer of 2006. He hopes the development will generate about 150 new, full-time jobs, not including the labour involved in the construction phase.

In late 2003 Madden bought Capt. Murphy’s Boat Tours in Witless Bay, and plans to build a restaurant and 15-20 – room hotel at the site.

In 2000, he turned the former Irish Christian Brothers monastery in St. John’s into a spa, and last May renovated the adjoining former Alexander Street school into a 21-room hotel.

By Tara Bradbury, The Telegram, Monday

Major chains have their sites set on the capital city; effects on locally-owned operations unknown.

Jean-Pierre Andrieux calls it just another straw hat, but seeing legendary gangster Al Capone’ hat displayed under glass is a memory few tourists forget after visiting his St. Pierre-Miquelon hotel.

Andrieux, who is currently constructing a four-story addition to his Harbour View Inn on Water Street (it will become the Marriot after the addition is complete), says Capone’s hat is nothing compared to the attractions in this province.

“Anything is good for an attraction and Newfoundland is very rich with its history on its own,” Andrieux tells The Independent.

The infamous hat was given to his grandfather, whose general store was converted to an inn by Andrieux and his wife. Capone visited the island in its glory days as a rum-running hub.

During one such trip, Capone stopped by the general store and his grandfather commented on Capone’s hat. The world’s most notorious gangster gave the hat to the shopkeeper. The famous hat wasn’t immediately enshrined; it first spent time as a play toy for Andrieux’s mother at the family’s country home.

“I rescued it….If it had stayed (there) much longer, it would have been destroyed,” he says.

Not only has Andrieux brought his considerable hotel experience to St. John’s, he’s also brought on the largest hotel chains in the world with him. With only a handful of Canadian properties just a few years ago, Marriott has been on a buying binge and now operates more than 50 hotels in Canada. They’re aiming for 150.

“It should bring tourism that follows Marriott products around the world, with their 2,600 hotels, they have a strong following. We think it will perhaps bring extra people in that fashion also.”

Within the next two years, at least 400 hotels rooms will open in the city. It’s a much needed boost to a market that often has no room at the inn during the months of July, August and September, when the occupancy rate often pushes the 100 per cent mark. Since 1999, according to a Destination St. John’s study, occupancy has actually declined by six per cent, as more hotel chains set their sights on the capital city.

Bill Mahoney, chairman of the Downtown Development Commission, says the decline in the occupancy rate is not a negative. “The hotel business in St. John’s is one where you have 12 months of expenses and seven months of revenue,” says Mahoney. “It creates some challenges to operate a business under those circumstances.”

The expansion of The Delta will add 125 rooms to the market this summer. On Higgins Line, economy hotel giant Super 8 will open its doors this year. A number of other projects are currently under construction or in the planning stages.

“St. John’s is a very attractive conference destination so when these conference planners look to St. John’s and they see a shortage of accommodations, there’s no that’s going to impact on their decision.”

For every dollar spent by those attending conventions, according to Mahoney, nine times that amount trickles through the economy. For each day spent in the capital city, the average amount injected into the economy is $250 per person. Hotels are also large employers, though most of the jobs usually pay minimum wage. Typically, the ratio is one employee for every guest room. The average hotel room can cost more than $100,000 to construct.

“It’s a great expression of confidence in the city, in the economy of the province because those people study the market very carefully,” says Mahoney.

“They’re here to stay. They have deep pockets and they have staying power.”

But with larger chains locating in St. John’s, bed and breakfast operations and local hotels could fall victim to the growth in the city’s hotel industry.

“The B&B’s have really flourished because of the demand for that accommodation in the summer months … and now that the larger chains want to establish themselves here, those B&B’s won’t enjoy the same level of revenue they have in the past,” says Mahoney. “Hopefully we won’t lose any.”

While the occupancy rate for those few summer months is among the highest nationally, which should drive room rates up, rates in St. John’s are among the lowest of Canada’s major cities.

“It is a bit of an anomaly,” says Mahoney.

Other cities may have theme parks or professional sport teams, but Andrieux says St. John’s has what those cities will never be able to construct – million-dollar views.

“I think to a visitor this is very important,” says Andrieux, looking out the window. “We don’t appreciate the beauty of this.”

Jeff Ducharme, The Independent, Sunday through Saturday, April 17-23, 2005.

The DDC recognized the efforts of several past Board members as well as its past Council representative at its Annual General Meeting held today at the Anna Templeton Center on Duckworth Street.

Mr. Peter House formally of Patterson Palmer, Mrs. Nycki Delisle of Hempware, Mr. Patrick Martin of DRAY Inc and Councilor Art Puddister, Ward 1 Councilor with the City of St. John’s.

Mr. House joined the DDC Board in 1995 and served until his resignation in 2004. Peter served on several committees within the DDC but dedicated most of his time on the City’s Heritage Advisory Committee.

Mrs. Delisle joined the Board in 2000 and served two terms with the Board until 2004. Nycki served on the Retail Committee and played an instrumental role in starting the Downtown Buskers project. The pilot project was greeted with much success and has since grown into an annual event for the DDC.

Mr. Patrick Martin joined the Board in 2003 and unfortunately had to resign his position on the Board as his office moved outside the BIA area. His term with the Board was short lived but Patrick assures the group that should the opportunity present itself he will return.

Councilor Art Puddister served two years as the Council representative on the DDC Board of management. As part of the DDC Bylaws, a member of Council must sit on the DDC Board of Management. Councilor Puddister worked diligently as a liaison between City Hall and the DDC ensuring the line of communication remained clear and open at all times.

DDC Chairman, Mr. Bill Mahoney, presented the group with plaques as tokens of the Board appreciation for their efforts over their tenure. He also expressed thanks and well wishes to them in their future endeavors.

The DDC holds its annual Board elections each November with a number of seats available for representation. Board positions are open to any member of the BIA. For more information on how you can become involved in the DDC please call us a t 579 4139 or visit us at 155 Water Street Suite 202.

The DDC Board of Management held its Annual General Meeting today, Friday, April 15 at 8:30 am at the Anna Templeton Center on 278 Duckworth Street. The 2004 Annual Report was presented to those in attendance as well as the 2004 Audited Financial Statements as 2005 Operating Budget.

Chairman, Bill Mahoney presented an overview of the work of the DDC over the last year as well as a report of exciting projects for the 2005 year. He highlighted the hard work to date by staff and Board on the upcoming Open Spaces Revitalization Program. The program will see the revitalization of three open spaces in the BIA in 2005. He went on to discuss future plans that will see the revitalization of up to 25 spaces throughout the area as identified in the DDC Open Spaces Inventory conducted by the Grand Concourse Authority. The conceptual drawings were on display for viewing and will be on display at the DDC offices at 155 Water Street.

Mr. Charles Cook, DDC Treasurer, presented the 2004 Audited Financial Statements as well as the 2005 Operating budget. Representatives from the auditing firm Deloitte and Touche were present to assist in any questions brought forward by those in attendance.

With the formal part of the meeting completed, presentations were handed out to past DDC Board members as well as past City Council Liaison Art Puddister. The Chair presented Mr. Peter House, Mrs. Nycki Delisle, Mr. Patrick Martin and Councilor Art Puddister with tokens of appreciation for their efforts with the DDC Board of Management over the years.

The final part of the meeting allowed for questions and discussion from the floor. The meeting was adjourned and an invitation from the staff of the Anna Templeton Center was extended to those in attendance to tour the facility and learn a little more of its history and programs.

The AGM of the Downtown Development Commission will be held Friday, April 15 at 8:30 am at the Anna Templeton Center on Duckworth Street. The 2004 Annual Report and Audited financial statements will be presented. All DDC members are encourged to attend. Refreshments and snacks will be served. Following the AGM a tour of the Center will be offered for those interested.

For more information and to reserve a seat please contact the DDC offices at 579 4139. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 13.