St. John’s reports progress on strategic plan, outlines 2026 priorities

St. John’s city council has received an update on progress under its 10-year strategic plan, along with a draft list of initiatives for 2026.

The report, presented March 31 at a committee of the whole meeting, shows 47 initiatives were completed in 2025, bringing the total to 235 since the plan began. Overall completion across the plan’s four strategic areas is above 80 per cent, with some exceeding 90 per cent.

City staff have identified 48 new initiatives for 2026, bringing the total number of projects in the plan to 357. Some initiatives are expected to span multiple years.

Planned work for 2026 includes developing a neighbourhood plan for the Goulds, designing a flood control structure at Long Pond, and completing a climate risk assessment for critical infrastructure. Economic development efforts include identifying companies for potential investment in the region.

Transportation-related initiatives include Metrobus service improvements, intersection safety studies and road upgrades in the Kelsey Drive and Thorburn Road areas.

Other projects include construction of a new fire station in the Goulds, development of a new accessibility plan, upgrades at Rotary Park and the creation of a corporate accessibility and inclusion program for staff. The city also plans to begin work on an election reform report and launch a new municipal website.

Highlights from 2025 include the addition of eight hybrid buses to the Metrobus fleet, development of a heritage strategic plan, safety design work at high-collision intersections and updates to residential property standards.

The report also notes progress on continuous improvement projects. In 2025, 12 projects were completed, bringing the total since 2018 to 107. The city estimates these efforts saved more than 148,000 hours of processing time last year and allowed more than 12,000 staff hours to be redirected to other work.