The Downtown Development Commission (DDC) is developing a calendar to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the creation of the Downtown Development Commission and the Business Improvement Area of Downtown St. John’s.

A photo contest has been announced to gather compelling images of the history, architecture and culture of Downtown St. John’s. Now through July 6, 2009, the DDC is accepting submissions from photographers who wish to capture the character of Downtown St. John’s through a photographic image to be featured in a 12-month 2010 calendar. Calendars will be sold to the public beginning September 2009 through the end of the year.

Entry forms are available at the DDC office at 155 Water Street, Suite 202 or via email scott@downtownstjohns.com or call 579 4139 and a form can be faxed to you as well!

Sponsored by Hits 99.1 FM and the Downtown Development Commission

Eligibility
•The photo contest is open to photographers residing in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
•Images should have been taken with the past year
•Photography students, amateurs and professionals are encouraged to apply
•No application fee is required

Guidelines for Photos
•The subjects of submitted photographs must be located within the following boundaries:
South to the Harbour and Harbour Drive
North to Military Road and LeMarchant Road
East to Quidi Vidi Road
West to Patrick Street

*Preference will be given to photos taken within the defined Business Improvement Area boundary (Temperance Street to Springdale Street, Harbour Drive to New Gower Street and all streets in between).
•Content and subject matter of the images must be deemed suitable for public display

Selection Process
The Commemorative Calendar Committee will make up to 13 selections for the calendar based on:
•The aesthetic appeal of the photo
•Its reflection of the character of Downtown St. John’s

Entry Procedure
Each photographer may submit up to three (3) images for consideration. To apply, please submit the following:
•A completed Commemorative Calendar Photo Contest application form (contact the DDC office via email or call 579 4139)
•Up to three (3) images must be submitted in digital format (delivered on PC CD-ROM) CDs. All CDs should be labeled with the photographer’s name and telephone and must:
•Be submitted on a PC-platform CD along with a hard copy of the application (email entries will not be accepted) Images files must be in .jpg, .tff or .eps format
•Each image must be in a stand-alone file (i.e. myphoto1.jpg); PowerPoint presentations will not be accepted
•Images should have a resolution of at least 400 dpi at 14”W x 11”H. (final printed calendar images will be sized at approximately 14”W x 11”H)
•Include a hard-copy reference sheet with the thumbnails of the images on the CD, including the artist’s name. Individual images should be title to match the application form.
•Brief photographer biography and description of each photo

Contest Prizes
During the selection process the Commemorative Calendar Committee will identify three photographs that most embody the spirit of the calendar and cash prizes will be awarded in the following way:
1st Prize: $1,000
2nd Prize: $500
3rd Prize: $250
All selected photographers will receive honorable mention, photo credit, 5 calendars and a framed photo of their image.

Marketing & Programming
The 2010 Commemorative Calendar will be heavily promoted to the public and programmed to encourage sales of 1000+ units. Marketing and promotional activities will include:
Calendar launch in September 2009
Point-of-sale collateral including posters and other signage throughout the Downtown
Kick-off event marketing and promotion
Extensive press and media outreach and coverage
Coverage on DDC website

The Awards will be presented by His Worship, Mayor Dennis O'Keefe on Thursday, June 11 at 3:00 pm in Council Chambers. The City will be presenting the 18th Annual Tourism Awards as part of Tourism Awareness Week. The Awards recognize the contributions of local people to the growth and development of the industry.

The Annual Downtown Christmas Parade is organized by the Downtown Development Commission and a dedicated Committee of volunteers. It's held on the last Sunday of November and draws crowds in excess of 30,000 people each year to historic Downtown from all over the North East Avalon.

The DDC Board of Management would like to extend congratulations to the staff, Parade Committee, the hundreds of volunteers, participants, spectators and Parade sponsors for help making the Annual Downtown Christmas Parade the City of St. John's Event of the Year!

Congratulations are also extended to Mr. Armand A. Agabab, Legend Award winner; Mr. Paul Aitken, Signal Award winner; Mr. Ian Nightingale, Victoria Wagon Award winner and the organizers of the 2008 Search and Rescue Conference and Expo (SARSCENE), winners of the Admiral Award.

PUBLIC MEETING PROPOSED HOTEL DEVELOPMENT 123 WATER STREET

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Foran/Greene Room, 4th floor, St. John's City Hall.

The purpose of the public meeting is to provide an opportunity for public review and comment on the proposed new building design for the hotel development application at Civic Number 123 Water Street (the south-east corner of the intersection of Water Street and Prescott Street). This new design has been submitted by Architects Four Ltd. on behalf of the proponent: 3103301 NS Ltd. (WARD 2)

Under the proposed new design, the hotel remains as a 140 unit full-service hotel on six (6) floors above Water Street and parking on two levels below the Water Street level. The height of the hotel building along Water Street is proposed to be reduced from 18.3 metres from the top of the parapet to 17.9 metres from the top of the parapet. The height of the hotel building from Harbour Drive is reduced from 27.3 metres to 22.3 metres by the removal of the pool and spa from the roof level and relocating these amenities to the parking level. The total floor area of the hotel is reduced from approximately 10,885 square metres to approximately 10,370 square metres, a reduction of approximately 515 square metres.

For more information please visit www.stjohns.ca/csj/NewsDetails?id=832

A Public Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Foran/Greene Room, 4th floor, St. John's City Hall.

The purpose of the public meeting is to consider an application from Powderhouse Hill Investments Inc. to renovate and extend the former CBC Radio Building at Civic Number 344 Duckworth Street, The building is proposed to be redeveloped for residential use as well as for offices, possible retail and indoor parking in the building. It is also proposed to increase the height of the building so that the height of the building will be 15 metres as measured from Henry Street. (WARD 2)

The building is proposed to be renovated to include thirty-one (31) residential apartment units. It is proposed to provide eleven (11) interior parking spaces. The site is located in the Parking Exempt Area.

This application may be inspected during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the office of the City's Department of Planning, located on the third floor at St. John's City Hall, New Gower Street. Telephone enquiries may be directed to the Department of Planning at (709) 576-6121 or 576-8380 or by e-mail to: planning@stjohns.ca.