MISSION STATEMENT

The Saint Paul Downtown Development Corporation was formed with a mission and mandate to invest in, develop, and redevelop, catalyst properties in downtown Saint Paul. This effort will be executed in partnership with local public and private stakeholders, and investors broadly, who prioritize and focus on urban development and revitalization with a commitment to accelerating the next chapter and long-term success of Minnesota's capitol city.

Why downtown, and why now?

It’s no secret that the last several years have been hard on the Central Business District in downtown Saint Paul. But transforming into a modern, lively city center is key to cultivating and securing economic and residential stability for the future across the city and region.

In spring 2024, the Alliance released its Downtown Investment Strategy calling for critical changes in approach and underscoring key priorities. As an initial step in executing the strategy, in fall 2024, the Alliance released the findings of an office-to-residential conversion study of 20 downtown Saint Paul commercial buildings, which found that half of the properties studied meet preliminary key criteria for a successful conversion and warrant further exploration.

In preparing the Downtown Investment Strategy and through broader market discussions, it became clear downtown required a centralized organization to drive its turnaround in order to be successful. The Saint Paul Downtown Development Corporation will be that driver.

GOALS

Embracing proven tools that have successfully revitalized downtowns across the nation, as well as others sourced and tailored locally, the Saint Paul Downtown Development Corporation will pave the way for a more vibrant downtown Saint Paul by investing in, developing and redeveloping catalyst properties.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS

  • Increase investment
  • Add 20,000 residents
  • Maximize property tax revenue
  • Improve experience

LEADERSHIP

Dave Higgins

President
With more than two decades of experience, Dave Higgins has expertise across the life cycle of real estate development and investment. He previously worked on large-scale urban redevelopment and public-private partnership initiatives in Boston and New York City, including four years with the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the real estate group of global law firm DLA Piper. Other prior roles include chief operating officer of Business Technology Partners in New York and vice president of development for both McGough and Roers Companies in Minnesota. Higgins holds a bachelor's degree in English from Colby College in Maine and a Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law.