The Downtown Alliance was tasked with researching the viability of a downtown improvement district in Saint Paul, based on the results of a year-long, community-based visioning process spearheaded by the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation. Since its formation in 2018, the Alliance has studied and met with other DIDs, and tested the feasibility of one in Saint Paul with its pilot program, Streets of Summer.
In the fall of 2019, the Alliance board voted to move forward with the formation of a district for Saint Paul and acted as a convener of interested property owners to determine the district’s services, programs and boundaries and develop a framework.
SAINT PAUL'S PROPOSED DID
The proposed district encompasses Saint Paul’s most prominent artistic, cultural and entertainment venues, along with theatres, restaurants and other attractions that have unique needs. It would also be home to corporate headquarters for several large businesses including Ecolab, Securian Financial, Travelers, CenturyLink, and others. Funds from participating commercial property owners, as well as voluntary contributions from the City, County and other tax-exempt property owners would provide the following services:
Phase One : A downtown fusion center
This collaboration space would support streamlined communications between street ambassadors, downtown street outreach services, private building security teams and the Saint Paul Police department to ensure efficient and prompt responses to issues, emergencies and events occurring in the designated district.
Phase Two : A high visibility downtown ambassador program
This phase will add eyes and ears to our streets and public spaces in a very public manner, creating a welcoming presence for visitors and dramatically improving cleanliness.
- Increased bicycle, vehicle and foot patrols by street ambassadors and police
- Increased cleaning services including sidewalk and gutter sweeping and pressure washing, as well as graffiti and trash removal
- Curated placemaking activations, such as live music, pop-up art installations and other street-level programming that enhances vitality and community
The district would be managed by a governing board and a district advisory board, representing a cross-section of property owners throughout the identified area.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Interested property owners, with the support of a consultant specializing in DIDs provided by the Alliance, together formed an organizing committee to determine the specifics of a district in Saint Paul.
Clint Blaiser
Osborn370
Julio Fesser
Securian Financial
Dean Freeman
Infor Commons
Todd Geller
Grace Building & Victory Ramp
Matt Majka
Minnesota Wild
Greg Sharpe
Travelers
Pat Skinner
Wells Fargo Place
Jim Stolpestad
Exeter Group
Kris Taylor
Ecolab
Pat Wolf
The 428 & Golden Rule
Steps to make a Saint Paul DID a reality
To officially form a DID in downtown Saint Paul, petitions must be delivered to the Saint Paul City Council signed by at least 25% of the property owners in the proposed district.
On July 1 petitions signed by more than 60% of property owners were delivered.
On August 26 the City Council will have the first reading of the ordinance. The City Council must vote to approve the district, and that process will take place throughout this summer and into fall. If approved, the district would go into effect in January of 2021.