Danny Breen, an eight-year veteran of St. John's city council, announced Wednesday he will be running for mayor in the September municipal election.

"I think it's my time to move forward and to help lead the city into the future," said Breen, who represents Ward 1.

Breen said the city "needs strong and reliable municipal services, responsible residential and commercial development, easy access to recreation facilities and the outdoors, continued support for the arts, and a positive business climate."

A city councillor since 2009, Breen is the first mayoral candidate to announce his intention to run.

Breen told CBC's Here & Now on Wednesday that he's served on various committees of council — including finance and public works — and with St. John's Sports and Entertainment.

The economy is also a big issue, Breen acknowledged, saying potential growth areas include sports tourism with events such as the recent Brier.

"It's one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry in the country and we think we have a unique destination here that we can market for that."

Not a confrontational guy

Sitting Mayor Dennis O'Keefe has not said whether he will be running in what could be his seventh municipal election but told CBC last fall that he is "really, really looking forward to September of 2017."

Former mayor Andy Wells told CBC in October he wasn't ruling out running for mayor, but hadn't made a final decision.

Breen said he has a different approach than the former, sometimes abrasive, mayor.

"My style is looking to the future, building a consensus and having everybody working together and leading a team that will make St. John's the best place to live and work."

In 2014, Breen — running for the Progressive Conservatives — narrowly lost a provincial byelection in Virginia Waters to Liberal Cathy Bennett.