Due to expected high winds, the City of St. John's annual fireworks display will be postponed until 7 p.m., January 1. Street closures will be in effect.

More information available from the City's website, www.stjohns.ca, or by calling 3-1-1.

Media Inquiries:
Bernadette Walsh
Special Projects Officer
City of St. John's
576-8537
682-2841

The spring of 2008 will see an outstanding improvement on the physical appearance of what was once known as the Word Play building at 221 Duckworth Street. The new owner hopes in fact the transformation may result in 221 Duckworth at St. John’s Lane being transformed into the signature building of Duckworth St East.

Under the guidance of architect Beaton Sheppard, this 1947 building is about to undergo a significant restoration and the rejuvenated art nouveau/art deco façade will make this premises the focal point of the vibrant commercial district on the east end of Duckworth Street.

The top floor will be developed into an upscale office and occupied by a brand architecture firm / advertising agency and the other tow levels, 4000 square feet in total, will be available for rent.

Ideally suited for a restaurant/bar combo, professional office, retail boutique, patisserie, or a wide variety of alternate uses. The tenant will have the opportunity to offer input on design elements, particularly the exterior signage, which can be the exclusive domain of the tenant.

For further details or a personal viewing of this project contact Chris O’Dea at 709 685 6559.

Motorists are advised that snow removal and/or street widening operations are in effect tonight. Beginning at 12:30 am and continuing until 7:30 am, Thursday, December 20, 2007 snow will be removed or plowed on the following 5 streets.

1. Cavendish Square
2. Ordnance Street
3. DuckWorth Street
4. New Gower Street
5. Water Street (northside from Job Street to WaterFord Bridge Road)

All vehicles must be removed from the streets noted during this time period. Any vehicles impeding the operation will be removed and impounded at the owner's expense. The impounding fee is $108.30 plus $3.00 for each day the vehicle is held in storage.

Motorists are advised that snow removal and/or street widening operations are in effect tonight. Beginning at 12:30 am and continuing until 7:30 am, Wednesday, December 19, 2007 snow will be removed or plowed on the following 9 streets.

1. Water Street (from Waldegrave Street to Temperance Street)
2. Harbour Drive
3. Bishop's Cove
4. Steer's Cove
5. Beck's Cove
6. Ayre's Cove
7. Baird's Cove
8. St.John's Lane
9. Holloway Street (from Duckworth Street to Water Street)

All vehicles must be removed from the streets noted during this time period. Any vehicles impeding the operation will be removed and impounded at the owner's expense. The impounding fee is $108.30 plus $3.00 for each day the vehicle is held in storage.

As of noon today Water Street east was reopened to vehicular traffic as the 2007 phase of the Harbour Interceptor Sewer (HIS) construction wrapped up for the season in the area. Contractors completed work between Prescott Street and Cochrane Street on Friday, November 30 with some final asphalt repair work completed early this morning.

The reopening of the Water Street east will result in more regular traffic patterns in the area and reduce heavy truck traffic on Duckworth Street. Parking for customers to businesses and services in the area will also return to normal for the Christmas shopping season.

For more information call the DDC Office at 579 4139 or the City of St. John’s 24 Hour Access line at 311.

At its regular meeting on November 26, 2007, Council approved the following to the Downtown Development Commission (DDC) Board of Management for a two year term:

Catherine J. Perry of Perry & Power Law Office
Gail Tucker of Fortis Properties Corp
Peter Belbin of Peter Belbin Steak House
Neil Hardy of the Altus Group
John McCarthy of Benjamin's Menswear
Michael Howard of the Model Shop

Five of the six elected Board members are returning to the Board having previously served on the Board. Gail Tucker of Fortis Properties Corp will begin her tenure on the Board starting January 2008.

For more information call the DDC Office at 579 4139.