A bold approach to furthering density, vitality and desirability in downtown Saint Paul

Beginning in early 2023 the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance lead the effort, in partnership with public and private stakeholders, to create a Downtown Investment Strategy that furthers density, vitality, and desirability in downtown Saint Paul. This comprehensive report outlines three key priority areas for the public and private sectors to work on together to dramatically increase density, vitality and desirability downtown: 1) converting office space into housing; 2) investing in pedestrian-oriented streetscape improvements; and 3) advancing downtown Saint Paul’s most strategic redevelopment opportunities.

Urban strategy consulting firm James Lima Planning + Development (JLP+D) worked along side the Alliance, City of Saint Paul and the DIS Steering Committee to develop the Downtown Investment Strategy, along with the local Minneapolis office of global design firm Perkins+Will and Saint Paul-based real estate and engagement firm NEOO Partners.

Read the full report here.

Steering committee

  • Christophe Beck (co-chair), President and CEO, Ecolab
  • Chris Hilger (co-chair), Chairman, President and CEO, Securian Financial
  • Mayor Melvin Carter, City of Saint Paul
  • Councilmember Rebecca Noecker, Saint Paul City Council
  • Commissioner Trista Martinson, Chair of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners
  • Jon Fure, Executive Director, CapitolRiver Council
  • Tina Gassman, President, Saint Paul Building Owners and Managers Association
  • Todd Hurley, President and CEO, Saint Paul Port Authority
  • B Kyle, President and CEO, St. Paul Area Chamber
  • Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, President & CEO, Visit Saint Paul
  • Matt Majka, President, Minnesota Wild
  • Jai Winston, Program Director, Saint Paul, Knight Foundation
  • Charlie Zelle, Chair, Metropolitan Council

Timeline

  • Winter/spring 2023: Market and economic impact analyses
  • Spring/summer 2023: Stakeholder outreach and focus groups
  • Summer/fall 2023: Additional community engagement
  • Fall/winter 2023: Additional market and economic impact analyses
  • Final report released March, 2024.