Around (down)town: Help clean up downtown on July 16, Food Truck Festival, restaurant openings and more

Friends,

With the Fourth of July holiday behind us it sure does feel like summer is in full swing, especially here in downtown Saint Paul. There are tons of events happening this weekend and next, including a summer favorite, Ordway Inside Out in Rice Park on Saturday. Plus, the Saint Paul Food Truck Festival returns to Union Depot this weekend and the inaugural Minnesota Yacht Club Festival will take place at Harriet Island Regional Park in the heart of downtown next weekend. Details on these events and more are below.

The news about Lunds & Byerlys reducing its hours at its downtown location got a lot of attention this week. We deeply value their presence in downtown Saint Paul, and our hope is that these adjustments will allow them to continue being successful and providing a much-needed resource to the residents and workers downtown.

That news aside, there is a lot of buzz about new and returning restaurants downtown. Check out a few highlights in the news below.

I also want to highlight that our friends at the City of Saint Paul have organized a downtown cleanup day this coming Tuesday, July 16, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. It would be great to have a strong showing of volunteers so if you can, head over to Mears Park, Rice Park or the LRT Central Station to lend a hand. See details below.

Have a great weekend,

Joe

We invite you to participate in a service opportunity to clean up our downtown parks and shared public spaces on July 16.

With a number of events taking place in our community this summer – including the Yacht Club Music Festival on July 19-20 on Harriet Island, Saints games, concerts and more – this is a chance to showcase the very best hospitality and beauty of our city.

Join us Tuesday, July 16, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. to clean up downtown, with stations to collect supplies and deposit bags at Mears Park, Rice Park and the LRT Central Station (5th and Cedar streets).

Please join us as we continue our efforts to keep Saint Paul clean, safe and welcoming for all residents and visitors. Everyone is encouraged to take part in this initiative.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to making Saint Paul a great place to live, work and visit. Let’s come together to show the best of Saint Paul.

Amtrak's Borealis route sees strong ridership, turns early profit

Amtrak's new route running between Saint Paul and Chicago is right on track to meet ridership expectations, and in its early days turned a profit, a rarity for the company providing intercity passenger rail service.

More than 18,500 passengers have hopped on the Borealis since its maiden voyage May 21, a monthly figure on par with the projected 232,000 riders expected to use the service in its first year.

"The number of rides in the first month clearly demonstrates the need for this route," said Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. "We are optimistic numbers will remain strong and the Borealis service will continue to provide a safe, sustainable and accessible transportation option."

Ordway Inside Out — free arts programming at Rice Park this summer — returns July 13

The Minnesota Opera, Ordway, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club are again presenting Ordway Inside Out this summer, an initiative that utilizes digital technology to dramatically increase access to artistic programming in Saint Paul. This summer, audiences will be able to experience free programming from all four organizations, streamed onto a giant 23’ x 13’ video wall in Rice Park. The next event is this Saturday, July 13.

Schubert’s The Great C Major Symphony with Richard Egarr

presented by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

Saturday, July 13 at 7 p.m.

Learn more and see the full lineup

Did you know there is a National Park in Saint Paul? Grab a friend or co-worker and experience a fun and informational lunch overlooking the river. Bring a picnic or visit the Science Museum’s outdoor food cart and learn about the Mississippi River from a National Park Service Ranger.

Great River Passage Conservancy Patio Thursdays

Science Museum of Minnesota – Kellogg Mall Plaza

12-1 p.m. on select Thursdays (7/25, 8/8, 8/22, 9/19)

Free!

Learn more.

Landmark Jewelers Estate Costume Jewelry Trunk Show: July 17-20

Explore a beautiful collection of vintage costume pieces — perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your style — at Landmark Jewelers Estate Costume Jewelry Trunk Show! 💎✨

Bring a friend and enjoy a glamorous shopping experience at this popular annual event, held July 17-20. 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 28 is as follows:

Robert Street: Only open to northbound traffic between 6th and 4th streets and remains reduced to one lane in each direction between 7th and 6th streets through early July.

7th Street: No active closures; work is expected to resume in mid-July.

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

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

Smith Avenue: Only open to southbound traffic between 5th Street and Kellogg Boulevard.

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

Kellogg Boulevard: Major construction activities are completed. Expect periodic, short-term lane closures between St. Peter and Cedar streets.

Shepard Road and 2nd Street: Temporarily closed between Eagle Parkway and Highway 61 due to flooding. More flood information here. Two-way traffic is temporarily allowed on Jackson and Sibley Streets between Kellogg Boulevard and Shepard Road for local access.

Jackson Street: Closed between 2nd St and Shepard Road.

Sibley Street: Lane restrictions between 5th and 4th streets. Road closed between 2nd Street and Shepard Road.

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

Have questions?

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