Butt still focusing on Carbonear’s downtown

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With 2025 having just begun, Mayor Frank Butt of Carbonear recently reflected on the achievements of last year and future goals for the town.

Butt has been mayor eight years and prior to that served as a councillor and deputy mayor for four years. When asked about challenges he faced as mayor in 2024, he cited the time it can take to complete projects.

“The red tape that accompanies projects is very frustrating and at the end of the day costs more money,” said Butt.

Hoping that it might ensure projects are completed in a timelier manner, Butt has recommended that time clauses be included in tenders.

That’s not to say the projects that have been completed weren’t welcome. Butt counted completion of phase two of the Carbonear Downtown Revitalization Project as an achievement for the town and aims to see phase three finished this year.

“The restructuring of the downtown area of Carbonear is important for a couple of reasons,” said Butt.

First, he explained, the project creates an “economic infusion of commerce” into Carbonear. He noted that sometimes people travel far to visit Carbonear for a day, and the town would like these visitors to be able to stay overnight. At the moment, however, there’s a shortage of accommodations.

Second, said the mayor, the restructuring in phase three will enhance the waterfront as a gateway to Carbonear.

 “We have the crown jewel at the mouth of our harbour waiting to be preserved and developed,” Butt said. “The idea of cruise ships visiting us is becoming more and more of a possibility.”

Carbonear must also continue being “the Hub of the Bay,” Butt argued, something which requires promotion of the town as a place to live, play, and do business.

“We will encourage businesses to set up shop in our beautiful community with plenty of commercial area to the west,” said the mayor.

On the to do list, Butt would like to see improvements to Carbonear General Hospital, specifically bringing back “services that have been eroded from this institution.”

Upgrading Line Road is also as an imperative project, he said. “

The time saved by making this road passable all year long would decrease the time it takes to travel from that part of Trinity Bay to the Carbonear General Hospital,” said Butt. “It would also be an economic boost to the Town of Carbonear by enabling residents from this part of Trinity Bay to travel a shorter distance to our town.”

Butt would also like to see upgrades to the War Memorial on Water Street, and the addition of a structure in the downtown that could house a year-round farmer’s market.

Some Carbonear residents have also been asking for a Splash Pad. “With global warming, higher temperatures warrant a place for our residents of all ages to cool off,” said Butt. “We have started the process to ensuring this becomes a reality.”

Butt said he is happy with the direction Carbonear is headed while acknowledging improvements can be made. He has about 10 months left in his term as mayor, and within the next several months will decide whether he will run again.

“If candidates offering themselves for the position of mayor did not have the good of their town in their platform, I could not let them go unopposed,” Butt said.