Repurposing Long-Stalled Car Park Impractical says Minister Turner

The Sunshine Car Park in St. John’s is once again a topic of conversation as tentative plans are said to be underway for its completion. In a recent appearance on Pointe FM radio, Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Rawdon Turner discussed the contentious structure.

According to Minister Turner, there is a plan in place for the National Assists Management Company Limited (NAMCO) to finish the the car park. He also explained why it is impractical for the structure to be repurposed for any use other than its original intention.

“There have been a number of questions as to why you can’t just use the entire building as rented space…if you go inside the building, you’ll notice that all the floors are sloped,” said Minister Turner. “That makes it extremely difficult to reconfigure that structure.”

Turner also highlighted factors such as the ceiling height and the distance between floors—elements that are rooted in its original intended use—as reasons why repurposing would pose logistical challenges.

The Sunshine Hub has faced years of delays since NAMCO bought it in 2015, as money and attention shifted to other national projects.

The car park, first built under the UPP, has remained unused due to concerns about its structure.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has blamed what he sees as weak planning by the former administration, while critics argue the government has had enough time to repair the issues and finish the job.

As the city grapples with parking difficulties, Turner expressed optimism that the car park – in addition to other initiatives – will eventually serve as an effective solution for relief.

“What I would like to see is the car park eventually be completed and then…we have a ticketed form of parking within the city,” said Turner. “I think that would help alleviate some of the traffic congestions that we’re seeing in St. John’s.”