Around (down)town: Celebrate Fourth of July with the Saints, Star Tribune supports the DID expansion and more

Friends,

This week I was proud to see that the Star Tribune Editorial Board is supportive of the proposal to create a new Downtown Improvement District that would cover all of downtown and expand the scope and services offered in the current district. Read on below to see their take on why the proposal "merits support" and how this is an important step for our downtown's continued improvement.

As you make your plans for the Fourth of July holiday, what's more American than celebrating at a baseball game? The Saints have a whopping six-game series July 2-7 including three nights of fireworks next week. Check out the schedule below and get in on the festive fun.

And finally, road closures downtown due to flooding and construction persist. Updates are below – travel safely.

Enjoy the weekend and the holiday week ahead. We'll take a break from our newsletter next week and be back in your inboxes the week of July 8.

Joe

P.S. Be sure to be among the first to check out the newly reopened Alary’s!

EDITORIAL | Expand downtown Saint Paul safety program

They're the friendly people in the neon-colored vests or jackets you'll see on the streets of downtown Saint Paul and Minneapolis. As one of the most visible parts of the Downtown Improvement District's (DID) programs, they have become a familiar, helpful presence as safety ambassadors who offer directions, keep things clean and provide help to those in need of services.

In Saint Paul, a proposal to expand the DID to the Lowertown part of downtown merits support. The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance wants to extend the mostly privately funded DID into that neighborhood, an area that has seen growth in its residential population in recent years.

"Making half of downtown better isn't enough," said Joe Spencer, president of the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance. "People don't recognize those imaginary lines between one part of downtown and another."

St. Paul Saints games, monster food truck rally & fireworks shows July 2-7

Take me out to the ball game! Enjoy fun-filled nights as the St. Paul Saints take on the Gwinnett Strippers during America's birth week, with games each day July 2-7.

Plus, enjoy the post-game Monster Food Truck Rally and Fireworks Supershow presented by CHS on July 3 and 4, and one more fireworks show after Friday's game on July 5!

Get tickets

Alary’s Bar reopens to the public Thursday, June 27

Alary's Bar, which has been in downtown Saint Paul since 1949, closed last June. Under new ownership, the bar and its large patio have undergone a facelift in the past months and Alary’s is ready to be reintroduced!

This weekend, Saint Paul's original sports bar will be open Thursday to Sunday, 4 p.m. to midnight. To celebrate, Alary's will be offering two-for-one drinks from 4-8 p.m.

Yes, but are the shuttles coming back? Click here to learn more!

Construction season is underway, and each week we'll provide updates on projects and road closures happening around downtown to ensure a smooth trip whether you’re coming for dinner, the farmer’s market, a show or work.

The update as of June 14 is as follows:

Robert Street: Only open to northbound traffic between 6th and 5th Streets and remains reduced to one lane in each direction between 7th and 6th Streets through early July

7th Street: Reduced to one lane in each direction between Robert and Jackson Streets

6th Street: Reduced to one lane between Minnesota and Jackson Streets and between Wabasha and Washington Streets

Kellogg Boulevard and Wabasha Street intersection: No right turns allowed from northbound Wabasha Street onto eastbound Kellogg Boulevard

Kellogg Boulevard: reduced to one lane in each direction between St. Peter and Cedar Streets

St. Peter Street: Lane restrictions between 7th Street and Kellogg Boulevard

Minnesota Street: Lane restrictions between 11th Street and Kellogg Boulevard. More activities are expected to begin in July

Sibley Street: Lane restrictions between 5th and 4th Street

NOTE: All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change.

Click this link to sign up for weekly updates directly from the City regarding all downtown road construction projects.

Are you following the Alliance on Facebook? What about Instagram?

Make sure you're following the Downtown Alliance on social media to stay up to date on all the latest downtown events and news. Plus, we do love giveaways, so you never know when you could end up with tickets, swag or other great downtown prizes.

@StPLdowntown

stpdowntownalliance.org

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