Friends,

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our DID Community Information Sessions. We truly appreciate everyone who took the time to come learn more about the proposal and asked thoughtful, engaging questions. I've been in community work in one way or another for much of my career and these meetings have easily been the most rewarding I have ever been a part of. As I said at each meeting, our goal to create a new Downtown Improvement District is not a guarantee at this point, we need all the support we can earn. But after these past six meetings I am more optimistic and heartened to know that we have the support of so many of our downtown neighbors. Our final scheduled meeting was last night, but I am still very willing and available to come and meet individually with anyone or visit with any neighborhood or building associations, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Second, a huge congrats to our friends at Lowertown Sounds for such a great season opener in Mears Park last night. It was great to see so many people in the park enjoying the beautiful evening and music. Don't forget that you can spend Thursday evenings all summer enjoying this incredible downtown staple event. Also a reminder that another of our favorite summertime events kicks off tonight with Roller Disco in Rice Park. As always, skates are free to use and all ages and abilities are encouraged to come down. More info on both of these events and more— including a fun video celebrating the return of Rosé Fest tomorrow in Kellogg Mall Park and the opening of “Come From Away” at the Ordway — can be found below.

Take care and enjoy the weekend,

Joe

After TKDA's Departure, What's Next for Downtown Saint Paul?

For Saint Paul Downtown Alliance president Joe Spencer, TKDA’s plans to leave Minnesota’s capital city for the suburbs are heartbreaking, but not entirely surprising. In his view, it only reinforces the need to ramp up commercial-to-residential conversions in Saint Paul’s central business district.

Early last month, the engineering and architecture firm announced that it will relocate from its longtime home in downtown Saint Paul to a new 87,000-square-foot office in Bloomington in early 2025.

“We’ve known there’s this kind of shakeup coming in commercial real estate here for a while,” Spencer said. “That’s one of the reasons why we are getting ahead of things with our Downtown Investment Strategy,” which was released in March.

Rosé Fest is back at Kellogg Mall Park on June 8!

Watch the full clip and get excited for Saturday!

Mark your calendars - Next Speaker Series event June 26

Special Guest Speaker: Michaela Neu, Green Cities Accord

Green Cities Accord, a nonprofit conservancy with a mission to foster climate resilient communities through investments in tree canopy infrastructure, will share information regarding its Twin Cities Climate Resiliency Initiative, and highlight its latest urban tree carbon offset project recently launched in partnership with the City of St. Paul.

Join us at the home of Page and Jay Cowles at 475 Grand Hill for drinks, appetizers, and engaging conversation.

This event is free to attend but space is limited. Please register in advance by June 18.

Reserve your spot early!

Construction season is underway and each week we'll provide updates on projects and road closures happening around downtown to ensure a smooth trip whether you’re coming for dinner, the farmer’s market, a show or work.

Robert Street: Reduced to one lane in each direction between 7th Place and 5th Street through early June.
Minnesota Street: Lane restrictions between 11th Street and Kellogg Boulevard.
7th Street: Reduced to one lane in each direction between Cedar and Jackson Streets
6th Street: Reduced to one lane between Minnesota and Jackson Streets and between Wabasha and Washington Streets.
St. Peter Street: Lane restrictions between 7th Street and Kellogg Boulevard.
Smith Avenue: Lane Restrictions between Kellogg Boulevard and 5th Street.
Kellogg Boulevard and Wabasha Street intersection: No right turns allowed from northbound Wabasha Street onto eastbound Kellogg Boulevard.
Kellogg Boulevard: reduced to one lane in each direction between St. Peter and Cedar Streets.
Sibley Street: Lane restrictions between 5th and 4th Streets.

NOTE: All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change.

Click this link to sign up for weekly updates directly from the City regarding all downtown road construction projects.

Are you following the Alliance on Facebook? What about Instagram?

Make sure you're following the Downtown Alliance on social media to stay up to date on all the latest downtown events and news. Plus, we do love giveaways, so you never know when you could end up with tickets, swag or other great downtown prizes.

@StPLdowntown

stpdowntownalliance.org

2023 Annual Report now available

As the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2023, we are reflecting proudly on the remarkable resilience and growth our downtown has achieved in the face of collective challenges and change.

We're excited to present this year's annual report, including a timeline highlighting key milestones and achievements that shaped our journey.

Download the full report here.

Have questions?

Drop us a line!

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