City to Assist Tenants Impacted by Convention Centre Expansion

The City of St. John's has responded to the concerns of residents on both New Gower and Waldegrave Streets who may be impacted by the planned expansion of the St. John's Convention Centre.

"While the City will eventually acquire these properties, through purchase or expropriation, we are not the current owners," advises Mayor O'Keefe. "Tenants in the affected properties must continue to deal directly with their present landlords."

The Mayor further advises that once the City acquires the properties in question the landlord-tenant relationship will change.

"When the City takes ownership of the properties and becomes the landlord, we will accept responsibility for assisting its tenants in every way possible to locate suitable alternate accommodations," says the Mayor. "We will not allow these people to be put out on the street."

The relocation of the tenants is not anticipated before the fall of 2012 which will provide sufficient time to secure other housing. In the meantime, the City will be undertaking inspections of the rental properties to ensure the building standards are met.

For further information:
Jennifer Mills
Communications Officer
City of St. John's
Phone: 709-570-2037
Cell: 709-690-7586
E-mail: jmills@stjohns.ca

Dennis O'Keefe
Mayor
City of St. John's
Phone: 709-576-8477
Cell: 709-685-5657
E-mail: dokeefe@stjohns.ca