News from the Downtown Alliance
December 20, 2018
A note from the president
Hello friends!

It was a newsworthy week for the City of Saint Paul. Not only did City Council pass the Mayor's budget, which includes significant investment in downtown, but our longest serving councilmember also announced his retirement. Thank you Councilmember Bostrom for your 22 years of service to the people of Saint Paul!

This week also marks six months on the job for me here at the Alliance. The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundations were kind enough to sit down with me to reflect on those six months and our focus as an organization - you can read it here . I am proud of the work we have done so far and look forward to the work we will do in the months and years to come. 

Wishing you all safe and very happy holidays!

See you all around (down)town,

Joe Spencer
President
The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance
Downtown shopping guide
If you plan to spend the weekend shopping, trust us - you're not alone. Thankfully, our friends at Visit Saint Paul recently published a comprehensive downtown (and near downtown) shopping guide. Downtown is home to some of the finest gift shops,specialty shops, museum stores and independent artisans around. Browse the full list before making your weekend plans and discover somewhere new to stop in and shop local.

Conservancy forms to support Great River Passage Initiative
A big congratulations is in order to the City of Saint Paul and all the members of the newly-formed Great River Passage Conservancy , which was unveiled this last week. The cross-sector group of leaders who make up the founding conservancy board will be focused on supporting the City’s Great River Passage Initiative by advocating and guiding private fundraising efforts for projects that reconnect Saint Paul to the Mississippi River, such as the River Balcony and the Environmental Learning Center . Much of this work includes finding more connections between downtown Saint Paul and the river, allowing for continued vibrancy and activation in our great downtown.

Downtown Saint Paul survey
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time so far to weigh in and complete the Downtown Saint Paul survey we sent out last week. The response has been overwhelming and we are grateful (though not at all surprised) to know that we live among such engaged neighbors.

If you haven't had a chance to take the survey yet, there is still time to submit your thoughts and enter to win an awesome prize package.

Downtown Saint Paul in the news