Saint John Looking To Reduce Red Tape For Street Events

SAINT JOHN- City council is looking for ways to reduce red tape for event organizers who’d like to use city streets.

Previously, organizers faced possible months-long waits for approval from various city departments.

Now, the city is considering a motion that would create a special events task force and a one-stop-shop for event approvals.

The city’s population growth manager David Dobbelsteyn says they are looking at ways to improve efficiencies within event applications.

“In what used to take 90 days, we are now turning around applications in three,” Dobbelsteyn said. “I’m not suggesting we’ll be able to as quickly turn around events like Moonlight Bazaar in three days. But certainly, we have all the pieces necessary to start being attractive to host more outdoor events.”

He says the current Open Streets pilot project has given insight into ways they can speed up the application process.

Council passed the first two readings of the motion, and will discuss the third at its next meeting on August 3.

Dobbelsteyn says the one-stop-shop would bring all the departments together that event organizers had previously been responsible for chasing down individually.

“For all inquiries related to events, there will be one application form, one single point of contact, and they’ll be able to meet with the task force all together at once,” he said.

Multiple councillors voiced support for the motion during the meeting.

Councillor Donna Reardon said she’s seen first hand how tough the event application process can be on organizers.

“This is a case where we’ve done things a certain way for 100 years,” Reardon said. “And now we’re doing to change the way (it’s done). We’re going to be nimble and pivot on this one.”

Ben Burnett is a reporter with Country 94/97.3 The Wave, a Huddle content partner.