Transforming Our Capital City

During its first term, the UPP was challenged to repair the decades of neglect inflicted on our Capital City by a wanton and callous ALP regime that had no appreciation for the importance of inspiring pride and self-esteem in our nationals through our identification with an orderly, clean, and well organized Capital City. The UPP’s record in building, repairing and maintaining the Capital’s infrastructure, its public spaces and cultural facilities is widely applauded.

Building on the first term successes in raising capital locally, regionally and internationally as a result of its fiscal prudence and effective management of the economy, the UPP will seek to source international financing for various infrastructure development projects required to complete the transformation of the city of St. John’s.

Specific initiatives in this transformation process will include:

• A planned rationalization of the movement of traffic through the city, to include a number of no-parking and pedestrian-only areas.
• Ensuring the early commissioning of the multi-storey car park to lessen the traffic load on the city and as a convenience for motorists visiting the city.
• Enhancing security within the city, especially in the commercial areas, by increasing the police presence on a 24-hour basis and strategically placing CCTV units throughout the city.
• Providing incentives for city property owners to maintain their structures in good repair and assisting the owners of derelict properties to demolish and remove those that detract from the aesthetics of the city.
• Increasing designated areas for establishing Vendors’ Kiosks, as a means of boosting the opportunities for micro and small businesses in the Capital.
• A methodical approach to upgrading the physical and infrastructural conditions of the City’s suburbs and residential areas, including public beautification and tree-planting drives. Among the specific initiatives will be the construction of public restrooms and the installation of a sewage system.
• Encouraging a programme of Urban Beautification where unused land in the City and suburbs will be converted into flower gardens and small parks.
• Paying special attention to the Waterfront and Port areas for development of facilities for recreation and small business activities.
• Strengthening the oversight of building, design construction and maintenance
• Identifying and protecting historic structures through the establishment of a National Trust for heritage sites and buildings.