Rice & Larpenteur Alliance Updates

February 1, 2022

You're Invited!

Annual Community Gathering

February 23, 2022

11:30-1:30

Zoom

Each year, we gather as a community to celebrate accomplishments, highlight exciting things ahead, and discuss our vision for the future of the Rice & Larpenteur area.

Whether you are already involved or just curious about the Rice & Larpenteur Alliance, we invite you to join us virtually on Wednesday, February 23 from 11:30-1:30.

Come hear from the elected leaders of Maplewood, Roseville, St Paul, and Ramsey County on their commitment to the neighborhood and thoughts about the future.

Registered guests will receive a packet of meeting goodies (at a pick-up party!) , including our 2020 Annual Report, Shop Local Guide, and a voucher for a FREE meal ($12 value) at Nepali Kitchen (for use within 2 weeks).

The event will also feature an unveiling of designs by local artists for utility box wraps celebrating Lake McCarrons and our neighborhood's natural resources. Read more about our Connecting Community to Lake McCarrons through Public Art project below.

Finally, guests will have the opportunity to join small group discussions and provide insights and direct feedback on the direction of the Rice & Larpenteur Alliance that will impact our work moving forward.

Please register today on Eventbrite to receive instructions on picking up your packet and access to the zoom event.

Meet The Artists!

Connecting Community to Lake McCarrons

In partnership with the Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD), and these local artists, the Rice & Larpenteur Alliance is excited to Connect Community to Lake McCarrons through Public Art!

Lake McCarrons is a beautiful natural resource and recreational amenity that belongs to everyone. Through this program, made possible with a grant from CRWD, we have selected three local artists to create original art that celebrates our watershed for future utility box wraps on Rice Street. Thank you to everyone who submitted ideas to inspire the designs.

You can meet these artists as they unveil their utility box designs at our Annual Community Gathering on February 23!

Fresh Vibes is an initiative to empower youth to actively participate in the process of development within their neighborhood. Local artists Malia Lee and Oo Meh, and students June Lee, and Mary Yang, make up the Fresh Vibes crew.

Briauna Williams is a Minnesota native using multiple mediums of art as a tool for healing and storytelling. "My goal in life is to inspire and uplift my community."

Venla Vang is an illustration and craft artist. She enjoys creating Hmong and non-Hmong creations that are shiny and bubbly. She began creating art as a way to cope when her mother passed in 2011.

Support Local Businesses

We are proud of our Rice & Larpenteur community businesses and excited to present the Shop Local Guide.

The last few years have been extra challenging for many small businesses. Its time we all shop with intention. Explore a new store, restaurant, or service provider right here in the neighborhood!

All registered guests of the Annual Community Gathering will receive a hard copy of the Guide.

Stay tuned for more information on our Shop Rice & Larpenteur Challenge for chances to win gift certificates to local businesses!

Get the Guide

Business Resources

Rice & Larpenteur businesses and apartments can reduce their waste and save money with a free consultation and grant of up to $10,000 from Ramsey & Washington County's BizRecycling program. Sign up for a free consultation.

Ramsey County is partnered with the St Paul Area Chamber to offer Worksite Wellness Grants to businesses to help make improvements that will improve employee health. Learn more about how to get cash to improve your workplace.

The City of St Paul and Visit St Paul are working together to help service industry businesses improve their Google Search and Google Map results. Help customers find you with this free resource. Sign up now to show up more in search!

In Case You Missed It:

Ramsey County Reveals Rice Street Design

Ramsey County held an Open House on Nov.16 to announce the future road design for Rice St from Pennsylvania to Wheelock Pkwy.

The selected design will change Rice St from 4 driving lanes to 2, plus a center turn lane. It also adds a shared use path for bicycles and pedestrians on one side (with a traditional sidewalk on the other side). Over the next two years, engineers will design the corridor block by block. Construction will begin in 2024.

The section of Rice St North of Wheelock to CR-B is also on Ramsey County's to-do list and County and City partners are asking the State for bonding funds to build that project in the next five years. Metro Transit's G Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will also eventually run the length of Rice St. and enhanced bus service will be included in the County's plans for redesigning the roadway.

View the Open House Presentation Slides Here

View a Video of the Open House Here

Partnerships Make It Possible!

The Rice & Larpenteur Alliance is a collaboration of the City of Maplewood, City of Roseville, City of Saint Paul, and Ramsey County, along with neighborhood residents, businesses, and nonprofits.

We want to thank the St Paul and Minnesota Foundation, the F.R. Bigelow Foundation, and our Annual Corporate Partners and donors for their financial support.

Our 2021 Annual Corporate Partners are: Hamernick's Interior Solutions, PAK Properties, HBG, JO Companies, Xcel Energy, Bix Produce, and American National Bank.

If you would like to make a gift to support Rice & Larpenteur Alliance programs in 2022, please donate here or contact Kim.

More information at riceandlarpenteur.com.