Around (down)town: Honoring a Saint Paul icon, where you can see "rejected" crop art in Lowertown, and more

Friends,

Earlier this week, I was able to join the crowd celebrating the life of Saint Paul's longest-serving mayor, George Latimer. While a lot has been written about his commitment to downtown Saint Paul and role in its development, I would argue that one of his most significant coups was getting a $10 million grant from the McKnight Foundation in 1978 to revitalize Lowertown. As I was reflecting on his legacy, it was a good reminder that we’ve been through these cycles before in downtown, and bold action is what pulls us out of them. Today, the Downtown Alliance has a great table of leaders from the public and private sector, and we can all take a measure of inspiration from Mayor Latimer’s legacy.

Otherwise, it's still all about the State Fair as we head into the holiday weekend. Read on below for a fun story about the artworks submitted to the State Fair’s juried Fine Arts Competition that were ultimately rejected, which you can see at the Burl Community Art Gallery in Lowertown.

If you are able to donate blood, there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive next Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Wells Fargo Place in the second floor atrium. Walk-ins welcome.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Joe

George Latimer, Saint Paul's longest serving mayor, honored by his adopted city

George Latimer, the longest serving mayor in Saint Paul history, was honored during a Monday funeral in the adopted city he affectionately served for a 14-year tenure in City Hall and for many decades beyond.

Latimer, a labor lawyer who worked as mayor from 1976 to 1990, was remembered as a gregarious, kindhearted leader whose accomplishments in the legal realm never overshadowed his quip-laden, day-to-day interactions with everyday residents.

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

If you are, you'd see we celebrated #NationalDogDay earlier this week by featuring some super pups who call downtown Saint Paul home (and who love their downtown dog businesses like Dreadlocks For Dingoes and Jack and the Pack!) 🐩🐶✨

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

Summer Nights in Rice:

Turn Turn Turn | Aug. 29

Join the Rice Park Association and Landmark Center for a free concert series, Summer Nights in Rice, on select Thursdays, from 5-7 p.m., through September. Grab a hot dog from Deb's Hotdogs or a bite to eat at a local restaurant and then stop by for live music, dancing and community connections in Rice Park! Make it a night of outdoor music by attending Summer Nights in Rice and then make your way down to Lowertown Sounds in Mears Park!

Check out upcoming performers

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 Aug. 23 is as follows:

4th Street: Closed between Sibley and Wacouta streets.

6th Street: Reduced to one lane between 7th and Cedar streets and between Robert and Jackson streets.

7th Street: Reduced to one lane between Minnesota and Jackson Streets.

Kellogg Boulevard: Bridge Closure

Kellogg Boulevard/3rd Street bridge is closed between Broadway Street and Mounds Boulevard.
Access to parking lots and businesses will be maintained.
For more information and detailed access maps visit the Kellogg-3rd Street bridge project website.

Minnesota Street: Closure

Minnesota Street is closed between 9th and 6th streets.
There are lane restrictions between 11th and 9th streets.
Access to local businesses will be maintained.
For more information, visit the Minnesota Street reconstruction project website.

Robert Street: Robert Street remains reduced to one lane in each direction between 7th and 6th streets.

Pedro Park: No current traffic impacts expected. For more information, please visit the Pedro Park project’s website.

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

St. Peter Street: Closure

St. Peter Street will be closed to traffic between 6th and 5th streets.
Lane restrictions between 6th Street and Kellogg Boulevard.

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

Washington and Market streets:

Closed to through traffic at 6th Street.
No left turns to 6th Street from Washington and Market streets.
No left turns from 6th Street to Washington and Market streets.

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.

Have questions?

Drop us a line!