St. John’s to temporarily install landmark sign near Mary Brown’s Centre

The City of St. John’s will temporarily install its planned landmark sign near Mary Brown’s Centre next week as part of a public engagement process to determine where the structure should be permanently located.

Site preparation is taking place this week, with installation scheduled for the week of Aug. 10. The installation is expected to take a few hours but will depend on dry conditions and low winds.

The sign will remain at the temporary location throughout the fall, while residents have until Sept. 18 to provide feedback.

Mayor Danny Breen said the temporary installation will allow residents to experience the sign in person and provide more informed feedback about its size, appearance and potential location.

The city received significant feedback after announcing the landmark sign in 2025, prompting officials to pause plans for the original location at Bannerman Park.

Residents can provide feedback through the project page on EngageStJohns.ca, by emailing engage@stjohns.ca or by calling 311 and asking to speak with a member of the project team. City staff will also periodically be at the site to collect feedback in person.

The city said a permanent location must be on municipal land, have adequate pedestrian access, provide visibility and allow for safe and accessible interaction.

Officials said locations including Signal Hill, the Southside Hills, Quidi Vidi Village, Harbourside Park and Cape Spear are not being considered because of land ownership, operational, accessibility or environmental constraints.

The landmark sign is designed to serve as both a community feature and visitor attraction. It will feature the city's name in large block lettering and colour-changing LED lighting that can be used to recognize social causes and special occasions.

The back of the sign will also feature decals showcasing local art and community pride. For 2026, the city has provided the artwork for the decals.