Partners Form Revitalization Framework
Capital City Partnership's first priority was to create strong partnerships to facilitate an organized approach to the city's revitalization. The Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework, published in 1997, was created to answer the need for a compelling, unified vision for the downtown core connected to its Mississippi Riverfront and serve as a compass to guide future development. This urban framework is built on the understanding that a high quality of life and the ability to balance community needs give the city a powerful, competitive advantage.
The focus was to develop St. Paul as a vibrant, healthy riverfront downtown that is an attractive place for people to live, work, play, and shop. This requires a strong partnership between the public and private sectors, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Each organization involved in developing the Framework brings a particular expertise on economic development, planning, marketing, and implementation. The collaboration has evolved and matured over the past ten years and the partners continue to pledge their commitment to the ongoing revitalization of the Capital City.
The goals and objectives in the Framework derive from a set of 10 guiding principles. Together, the principles signify a more holistic approach to city building. The adoption of the principles has guided major reinvestment in the core area.
Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework
Principles of City Building
1 Evoke a sense of place
2 Restore/establish the unique urban ecology
3 Invest in the public realm
4 Broaden the mix of uses
5 Improve connectivity
6 Ensure that buildings support broader city building goals
7 Build on existing strengths
8 Preserve and enhance heritage resources
9 Provide a balanced network for movement
10 Foster public safety
Framework Vision Continues
2007 marks the tenth year of implementing the Saint Paul on the Mississippi Development Framework.
The plan for a vital riverfront downtown set forth in the Framework has brought tangible development projects that are turning the Framework vision into reality. Nearly $3 billion of new investment has been made in downtown St. Paul in the past 10 years. These improvements to the core area represent approximately 30 to 35 percent of the Framework's total vision. Each successive year is critical to maintaining the momentum, using the Framework principles as a development guide.
In 2007, the development agencies that created the Framework will reconvene to chart the ten-year progress, and identify new priorities for the downtown of the 21st century based on their respective missions. This will allow the key stakeholders to reaffirm the principles of the Framework, and recommit the leadership and vision necessary to continue with the same fortitude, collaboration, and focus for the next phase of revitalization for St. Paul.
Emerging issues and development strategies have been identified to ensure that existing elements of the downtown urban core and new development opportunities will work together. They include:
- Transportation systems - ingress, egress and circulation, the Central Corridor LRT Line, and Union Depot utilization;
- Housing development - Creating a downtown population of 17,000 people to support neighborhood services and retail;
- Urban ecology - Blooming St. Paul, rain gardens and using more green building techniques;
- Pedestrian paths - linking downtown parks to each other and to the riverfront;
- Vision plans - for Kellogg Mall Park area, the Upper Landing and the Great River Park.
Saint Paul's Economic Health
St. Paul's strategic approach to city building has resulted in nearly $3 billion of major new investment in downtown since 1998. St. Paul has experienced sweeping economic changes and prosperity, which has led to tremendous growth. St. Paul now has a thriving, livable, and vibrant downtown core that is the center of the East Metro region.
For the first time in history, St. Paul received Standard and Poor's AAA bond rating indicating the highest level of confidence in the city's financial health in 2001, and it has been reaffirmed each subsequent year. Moody's has maintained its Aa2 rating, raising its outlook from "stable" to "positive" based on expectations that "the city will be well-positioned" if current economic and financial uncertainties reverse.
Saint Paul Economic Development Partners
Capital City Partnership, the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development, Saint Paul Port Authority, and Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation are economic development partners that will guide the implementation of the Framework and downtown development, to continue the revitalization of Minnesota's Capital City.
Capital City Partnership
A CEO-led, private, nonprofit corporation funded by larger Twin Cities' metropolitan area corporate members dedicated to revitalizing the urban core of Minnesota's Capital City.
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
A broad-based membership organization - the leading public policy advocate for Saint Paul area businesses.
Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation
A private, nonprofit corporation primarily funded by Twin Cities' foundations whose mission is to promote the development of the downtown waterfront, and facilitate community involvement and input.
City of Saint Paul Department of Planning & Economic Development (PED)
A public entity that works for economic growth and community development in partnership with business and community leaders, developers and neighborhood groups.
Saint Paul Port Authority
The industrial development agency whose main role in economic development is to assist growing industrial businesses in site selection, expansion and equipment financing, and loan guarantees.
