Monday evening, join us with Sustain Saint Paul for a presentation by Joe Spencer about the future of our downtown. Joe will walk through the report’s findings and what they mean.

Monday, March 25, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Osborn370, 4th Floor Meeting Space

Access the 4th Floor Event Space via the main lobby elevator bay.

Light snacks provided, presentation starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by Q&A discussion.

With office building owners struggling to find tenants in the post-pandemic era, conversions are fashionable again — and downtown Saint Paul is in a good place to capitalize on that trend, according to a new report from the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance.

The Downtown Investment Strategy report — which was based on market analysis, community input, stakeholder feedback and an economic impact analysis — cites public realm improvements and robust predevelopment efforts as keys to improving downtown.

But conversions stand out in the 115-page report as perhaps the most impactful way to increase density and vitality.

“I think we have a number of good conversion candidates, and it’s worth pointing out that we’re not new to this,” Joe Spencer, president of the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance, said in an interview.

The founders of the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival are taking their show downtown on April 6.

After selling their Selby Avenue coffee shop they ran for more than 20 years, Mychael and Stephanie Wright planned to do some cooking at home, maybe build a pizza oven. Instead, the founders of the Selby Avenue JazzFest are launching a new community event at downtown Saint Paul's historic Union Depot.

The Capital City Village Bazaar Extravaganza, scheduled for April 6 and free to the public, will feature food trucks, craft vendors and local jazz bands. Mychael Wright said he hopes this new venture proves as popular and long-lasting as the couple's previous efforts.

Choo Choo Bob's Train Store, the popular train-themed train store and play space, will close its location in Saint Louis Park and move back to Saint Paul, opening a new location in Saint Paul's Union Depot this spring.

The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority approved the store's Union Depot lease agreement Tuesday.

"I think this is cool," said Regional Railroad Authority Chairman Rafael Ortega, a longtime Union Depot advocate who represents downtown Saint Paul on the Ramsey County Board.

The St. Paul Saints have announced their new menu items for the 2024 season, and excess seems to be the theme.

From a foot-long hot dog topped with brisket hash and pepper gravy to a giant sundae featuring three full-sized candy bars, Oreos, peanut butter cups, caramel and whipped cream, you’ll not walk away hungry.

Click below to se what's new and where to find it at the stadium during the upcoming season, which kicks off with opening weekend on Friday, March 29 (the first 2,000 fans Friday and Saturday get a free Saints hoodie).