The following statistics are based on information gathered and released in March 2006.

People

There are 8,020 people living in the greater downtown area according to the 2001 census. 47% are less than 35 years of age, 42% are between the ages of 36-64 and 11% are over the age of 64. The average age is 37.9 and there are 3,730 private households. 47% of occupied dwellings are owned and 53% are rented.

Business

Approximately 16% (572) of total business occupancies in St. John's were located in the Business Improvement Area (BIA) of the downtown as of December 31, 2005.

Tourism

The number of visits to the St. John's Visitor Information Center, 348 Water Street, increased by 7% to 9,850 in 2005. Since 2001 four new hotels have opened in the downtown. The number of hotel rooms, including the extension to the Delta Hotel, has increased by 23.5% for a total of1097 hotel rooms in the downtown. St. John's hosted 18 cruise ships carrying a total of 20,350 visitors with an estimated economic benefit of $2.61 million during 2005.

Port Activity

Over the last five years the Port of St. John's has undergone over $10.5 M in renovations including redevelopments of Pier 7 and Pier 17. the Port is also an active fishing port, in 2005 St. John's ranked 2nd in volume of landings and 4th in value of landings ($27,777,167) in Newfoundland.

Traffic

Vehicular Traffic
Water at Precott Street
There is high vehicle traffic volume downtown. The Average Daily Traffic in a 24-hour period is 7,749 vehicles west of Prescott Street and 12,958 east of Prescott Street in 2004.

Parking
There are approximately 740 parking meters in the downtown. In addition, there are 311 parking spaces in facilities owned by the City and approximately 2,100 privately owned parking spaces in the area bounded by Springdale Street, New Gower Street, Cavendish Square and Harbour Drive.

Investment

Since 1999 there have been 41 major projects in the downtown (equal to or greater than $500,000) with a total value of over $153.5 M based on building permit data. Pver $58.13 M was private investment and over $40 M was spent on the Harbour Clean-up. Projects included the construction of Mile One Stadium and the St. John's Convention Center, improvements at New Dock, construction of the Harbour View Inn and the Johson GEOCenter.

Culture

The area encompassed by postal code A1C - Downtown St. John's - is the most creative neighbourhood in Newfoundland and Labrador. According to Statistics Canada, the A1C region or "St. John's Harbour", had 250 artists among a labour force of 7,515. This artistic concentration of 3.3% is times the national average.

The following statistics are based on information gathered and released in November 2001.

People

There are 10,025 people living in the downtown area. 52.5% are less than 35 years of age. 36.6% are between the ages of 36-64 and 10.4% are over the age of 64. The average age is 35.9 years and there are 4060 private households.

Business

There are 687 Downtown Properties in the Business Improvement Area (BIA)

Type of Business and #

Mining and Oil/Gas Extraction 9
Construction 1
Manufacturing 5
Wholesale Trade 1
Retail Trade 97
Transportation & Warehousing 6
Information & Cultural Industries 5
Accommodation & Food Services 66
Other Services 23
Finance & Insurance 20
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing 7
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 59
Management of Companies & Enterprises 2
Administrative/Support, Waste Management 20
Education Services 4
Health Care & Social Assistance 2
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 4
TOTAL 338

Major Projects

Since 1998 there have been a total of 10 major projects in the downtown (greater than or equal to $500,000) with a total value of $55.7 M.

Traffic

Vehicular Traffic

Water at Prescott Street
There is a high vehicle traffic volume downtown with westbound traffic during peak periods equalling 2231 vehicles and eastbound traffic during peak periods equalling 1250 vehicles.

Pedestrian Traffic

There are 350 people/hr. on Water Street centre during peak periods and 190 people/hr. centre on Duckworth Street.

Employees

Government* = 1545 (federal, provincial and municipal)
Business - 4612 (in 338 businesses)
*(note: this figure does not include Human Resources Development Canada)

Cruise Ship Activity

St. John's was the port of call for 20 cruise ships carrying a total of 12,001 visitors (passengers and crew) with an estimated economic benefit of $1..6 M during 2000.

In 2001, the port hosted 21 ships with a total of 16,401 visitors with an estimated economic benefit of $1.4 M.

In 2002, the port hosted 18 ships with a total of 18,268 visitors with an estimated economic impact of $1.7 M.

In 2003, the port hosted 16 ships with a total of 12,890 visitors with an estimated economic impact of $1.2 M.

Shopping

29% of St. John's metro area resdients reported shopping downtown once a month.

Sources of Information: Statistics Canada, City of St. John's Building Department, Downtown Development Commission, & CMHC.

Major Project Downtown 1999- 2003

Project Value

Pier 27/HMCS Cabot $6,396,000.00
Southcott Hall/Forest Road $1,826,000.00
296-300 Water Street (Bridie Molloy’s)$500,000.00
115 Forest Road Myles Leger (Res) $580,000.00
New Dock, 475 Water Street $845,000.00
Murray Premises, Water Street $750,000.00
Presentation, Barnes Road $500,000.00
Stratos Global, Harvey Road $500,000.00
Geo Centre $868,000.00
Marine Institute, Southside Road $3,300,000.00
Boathouse, Clancey Drive $1,250,000.00
Convention Center $8,865,606.00
Mile One $29,982,061.00
Oceanex $2,500,000.00
Berths 28/29 Southside Road $3,713,569.00
Geo center office/Signal Hill $1,200,000.00
Law Society, 196 Water Street $1,594,569.00
Youth Detention, Parade Street $600,000.00
220 Southside Road $767,507.00
Bailey’s Harbour View Hotel $1,036,050.00
Pier 7, Phase 1 $945,000.00
Gentara – 348 Water Street $1,000,000.00
Choices for Youth – Carter’s Hill $935,500.00
Bonaventure Place Condos (Res) $4,000,000.00
Pier 7, Phase 2 $1,700,000.00
Pier 15/16 $7,000,000.00
Harbour clean-up $15,443,646.00
Duckworth Street Inn $5,000,000.00
Spa, 40 Alexander Street $500,000.00
TOTAL $104,098,508.00

Major Projects Institutional

Project Value

Pier 27/HMCS Cabot $6,396,000.00
Southcott Hall/Forest Road $1,826,000.00
Geo Centre $868,000.00
Marine Institute, Southside Road $3,300,000.00
Convention Center $8,865,606.00
Mile One $29,982,061.00
Berths 28/29 Southside Road $3,713,569.00
Geo center office/Signal Hill $1,200,000.00
Youth Detention, Parade Street $600,000.00
Gentara – 348 Water Street $1,000,000.00
Harbour clean-up $15,443,646.00
TOTAL $73,194,882.00

Downtown Market - Residential Real Estate

In 1999 there were 238 sales with an average price of $72,498.00.
In 2000 there were 259 sales with an average price of $77,310.00.
In 2001 there were 273 sales with an average price of $82,565.00.
In 2002 there were 303 sales with an average price of $98,824.00.
In 2003 there were 309 sales with an average price of $99,096.00.
In 2004 there were 260 sales with an average price of $125,634.00.
In 2005 there were 296 sales with an average price of $124,318.00.

Commercial

Downtown vacancy rates for all three classes of office space (Class A, B & C) have decreased from 23.88% in December 2001 to 11.36% in December 2005, with Class A vacancy the lowest at 2.08%. The average net rental rate in the office market was $13.35 per square foot in 2005.

Between 1999 and 2002, residential realty assessment in the greater downtown area increased by over 14% to $238 million - City of St. John's Assessment Department. According to the MLS the average selling price of a house in the Downtown/Central area has increased by over 60% since 2000.

Usage and Attitude Study June 1999

In June 1999, the DDC commissioned a research investigation through Market Insights Inc. The research investigation was commissioned to delve into the minds of St. John's CMA residents and determine their perceptions of and attitudes towards and motivations for shopping downtown.

The study had a total market of 400 fully-completed interviews with residents of St. John's CMA. Data collected began on June 22, 1999 and was completed on June 24, 1999.

Here are some of the highlights and recommendations of this research investigation:

* Respondents had a positive opinion towards downtown shopping because of the 'good variety of stores/more stores', 'nice atmosphere/setting', and 'outdoor shopping/fresh air'. Conversely, respondents had a negative opinion towards downtown shopping because of the 'lack of parking/inconvenient to pay for parking', 'lack of parking/inconvenient to pay for parking', 'lack of variety of stores/need more stores' and 'outdoor shopping'.

*Respondents reported shopping at malls much more frequently and much more recently than shopping downtown. 42% reported shopping at malls 'once a week' versus 8% for downtown. 83% reported shopping at malls 'once per month' versus 29% for downtown.

*On an unaided basis respondents reported buying a wide variety of products downtown including: Services of hotels/restaurants (32%), souvenirs/NF crafts (15%), food and drinks from bars and pubs (14%), food and drink from coffee shops (12%), women's clothing (10%) and men's clothing (10%).

*The majority of respondents reported that they go downtown to shop at 'one particular store' (54%) rather than 'browse several stores' (37%) in the downtown area.

*Saturday (42%) is the most popular day for shopping downtown followed by Thursdays (14%) and Fridays (14%).

*'More parking' (31%) was the most frequently mentioned suggestion whcih would encourage respondents to shop downtown more frequently. Other suggestions included: 'more stores' (24%), 'more department stores' (19%), 'more specialty stores' (12%) and 'free parking' (11%).

*Seven in ten (70%) indicated that they would shop at a farmer's market if it was to be set up in the downtown area. As well, approximately half of all respondents indicated that they would visit a movie theatre (55%), ice cream shop (51%) or hardware store (45%) located in the downtown area. Over three in ten respondents indicated that they would visit a grocery store (32%) or card shop (31%) located downtown.

*Stores located downtown were perceived to be more expensive, less convenient and have less selection in comparison to stores located in the mall. However, stores located downtown were perceived to have higher quality products than stores located in the malls.

*Approximately seven in ten (69%) respondents indicated that they visit the downtown area more frequently as a result of attending special events in the downtown area.

*Respondents reported visiting downtown area for many different reasons other than shopping. Other motivations include 'sightseeing/waterfront/scenery' (47%), 'for a walk or drive' (41%), 'go to bars' (26%), 'eat/dine at restaurants' (25%), 'special events' (23%) and 'work-related meetings/activites' (15%).