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Friends,


Before jumping into anything else I want to call your attention to the fact that starting Friday night and lasting until early Monday morning, I-94 will be closed in both directions just east of downtown. Don't let this deter you from heading downtown for all the amazing events going on this weekend, just be sure to plan ahead. More information about this closure and the planned detours along with our regular weekly construction update can be found below. 


We’ve had a number of great stories in the news this week. Katie Galioto at the Star Tribune featured some of the amazing small businesses that have opened through our Grow Downtown program. There is a fun interview with Downtown Alliance board member and Mairs & Power executive Mark Henneman about what he loves about living downtown. We announced details on how to enter to win six months of free co-working in downtown (come be our neighbor at Wellworth!). Plus, news about the Central Station development, and a great review of The Little Mermaid at the Ordway and more! Whew! 


Before you check out these wonderfulstories and our packed event calendar, I just want to give a quick shout out to Bill Collins and Mike Peterson (aka Petey) and congratulate them on creating a new, truly great lunch (and dinner) option downtown at Alary's. I stopped in for lunch yesterday and had some of the best barbeque I can remember and will definitely be back again soon. And if you didn't already know, Alary's offers a shuttle over to the X before Wild games and concerts. 


Take care and have a great weekend,

-Joe


P.S. Wednesday morning I'll be joining downtown leaders from Madison, Milwaukee, Cincinnati and Wichita for a virtual panel. It's always great to learn from other downtowns. This panel will be focused on regional growth and collaboration. If you're interested in tuning in you can register here.

Downtown Saint Paul program pairs small businesses with empty storefronts

Business owners get free retail space for six months without having to commit to a long-term lease. Property owners boost their curb appeal and often end up with a tenant who sticks around. And downtown Saint Paul sheds eyesore vacancies and gains foot traffic.


“It’s been more successful than we thought it would be,” said Joe Spencer, the Downtown Alliance’s president. “And also more impactful.”


He and other downtown boosters are touting the program as a win-win-win: Business owners get free retail space for six months without having to commit to a long-term lease. Property owners boost their curb appeal and often end up with a tenant who sticks around. And downtown Saint Paul becomes more vibrant, shedding eyesore vacancies and gaining foot traffic from new retail workers and customers.

Read more from the Star Tribune

Saint Paul, Met Council review proposal for land around Central Station light rail stop

With the goal of redeveloping the vacant land around the Green Line’s downtown Central Station, Saint Paul teaming up with the Metropolitan Council to review a proposal from Indianapolis developer Flaherty and Collins Properties.


The Met Council “anticipates having a tentative development agreement identifying key project milestones in place early next year,” said a Met Council spokesperson on Tuesday in a written statement issued on behalf of the regional planning agency.

Read more from the Pioneer Press

Business leader chooses to live and work in downtown Saint Paul

“I love downtown Saint Paul,” Henneman said. “The things that we love about it are the thriving arts [scene.]” Henneman and his wife enjoy theater and music offerings downtown, which include events at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.


“My wife and I, we just walk to all these different venues,” he said. He noted substantial investments that have been made in cultural venues downtown. “They’re vast and that’s just created a great way of life for us.”


Henneman isn’t naïve about the fact that downtown faces economic and social challenges. He also recognizes that not everybody views downtown Saint Paul the way that he does.

Read more from Twin Cities Business

Wellworth co-working space, city of Saint Paul offer lottery for six months free parking, working space

With the goal of promoting downtown Saint Paul as a positive alternative to working from home, a downtown co-working space has teamed with the city to host a lottery for six months of free work area, as well as free parking in a city ramp.


Wellworth — which offers conference rooms, private phone rooms and open-air work environments for individuals and small companies — is situated on the top floor of the former Woolworth building along Seventh Place and Minnesota Street. The “Workdays Are Perkdays” lottery, which will select 20 winners by early January, is the brainchild of Saint Paul City Council Member Rebecca Noecker and the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance, a partnership between major downtown employers and City Hall.

Read more from the Pioneer Press

Here's a glance at what's happening downtown this week.

A full look at what's coming up can be found on our event calendar. Check it out!

The Saint Paulidays are here!

Find festive events linked in green.

Dec. 5-8

GLOW Holiday Festival

CHS Field

Dec. 5-8

I Am Betty

History Theatre

Dec. 5-8, 10-15

The Little Mermaid

Ordway

Dec. 6-8

46th Annual Holiday Bazaar 2024

Landmark Center

Dec. 6-8

European Christmas Market

Union Depot

Dec. 6-8

North Pole Express

Union Depot

Dec. 6-8

Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Park Square Theatre

Dec. 6

Landmark Jeweler's Annual Holiday Gala - A Winter's Glow

Landmark Jewelers

Dec. 6

Very Delta Live! Podcast Show

Amsterdam Bar and Hall

Dec. 7

Saturday Vibe - Ornament Workshop

George Latimer Central Library

Dec. 7

Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night

Union Depot

Dec. 7

Festive Cultivations with Urban Roots

317 on Rice Park Event Center

Dec. 7-8

Metropolitan Ballet presents Nutcracker

Fitzgerald Theatre

Dec. 7

Joe Russo's Almost Dead

Palace Theatre

Dec. 8

Laugh Camp Open Mic Hosted by James Stanley

Camp Bar

Dec. 10-11

Securian Presents: Sounds of the Holidays

Securian Lobby

Dec. 10

girl in red

Palace Theatre

Dec. 11

Star of the North Concert Band Holiday Concert

Landmark Center

Dec. 11

Luminare Christmas

Fitzgerald Theatre

Holiday arts and entertainment: 14 artisan markets to check out for locally made gifts this winter

From pop-up craft markets to cultural fairs, local artists and creative vendors are in full force during the holiday season. And Saint Paul knows a thing or two about supporting local artists — many of the markets in this roundup have become annual traditions, some with several-decade anniversaries behind them.

Read more from the Pioneer Press

Ever had a sublime wish to fly like a fish?

A reimagined 'Little Mermaid' takes to the air in Saint Paul.

Saint Paul's Ordway stages a splashy reimagined version of the Disney classic "The Little Mermaid," and it includes deepening the characters and featuring new songs.


The latest regional production, which began in La Mirada, Calif., and stopped at Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre, opens its last (sea) leg Tuesday at Saint Paul’s Ordway Center.


Casale describes it as one of the grandest venues in the country.


“I don’t want to toot my own horn but if it looks like a million bucks, it’s because it is,” he said. “I think Minnesota audiences are in for a treat.”

Read more from the Star Tribune

Demolition of Kellogg Boulevard bridge will close I-94 in both directions between I-35E, U.S. 61 this weekend

Just east of downtown Saint Paul, a major section of the Kellogg Boulevard/Third Street bridge over Interstate 94 will be demolished this weekend, closing I-94 in both directions between Interstate 35E and U.S. 61 from late Friday night until Monday morning, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.


The $91 million bridge replacement project, long awaited by city officials, is expected to take another 2½ years.


Westbound I-94 traffic will be able to exit at U.S. 61/Mounds Boulevard. Eastbound I-94 drivers will be able to exit the interstate at Seventh Street and U.S. 52/Lafayette Freeway. Mounds Boulevard local traffic will be able to enter both eastbound and westbound I-94.


The interstate will close at 10 p.m. Friday and reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.

Read more from the Pioneer Press

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 a Wild game, a show or work.

The update as of December 5 is as follows, changes highlighted:


Kellogg Boulevard: Bridge Closure


The demolition of the Kellogg-3rd Street Bridge over Interstate 94 will start on Friday, Dec. 6 at 10 p.m., continue throughout the weekend including overnights, and end on Monday, Dec. 9 at 5 a.m. During this time, Interstate 94 will be closed.


Detour Route and Local Access


Traffic on I-94 will be detoured to Interstates 694 and 35E. Please follow signs.


To access downtown Saint Paul:

  • From the west (I-94) and south (I-35E), exit at Kellogg Boulevard. You can also exit at 5th Street, 10th Street, and 7th Street.
  • From the south (I-94), exit at Kellogg Boulevard.
  • From the east (I-94), exit at Highway 61 south/Highway 10 east. Head south and use Warner/Shepard Road to access downtown Saint Paul via Sibley Street or Eagle Parkway/Exchange Street.
  • From the north (I-35E), exit at Wacouta Street or 10th Street.
  • Please note: From Mounds Boulevard, local traffic will be able to enter Interstate 94 heading eastbound and westbound.
  • For more information about the Kellogg/3rd Street Bridge project, detours during the Interstate 94 closures, visit the Kellogg-3rd Street bridge project website.


Ongoing activities on Robert Street


Utility work continues through spring 2025 on Robert Street between 11th and 7th streets and through December 2024 between 7th Street and Kellogg Boulevard in advance of the reconstruction project.


Please be aware of the following impacts: 


Between 9th and 7th streets

  • Robert Street is closed to all traffic between 9th and 7th streets. This closure is needed for Xcel Energy and Xcel Gas to work on their utilities. Robert Street is anticipated to remain closed for up to four weeks, or until work is completed.


Between 9th and 11th streets

  • Robert Street is reduced to one lane in each direction between 11th and 9th Streets and between 7th Street and Fillmore Avenue.


6th Street

  • Reduced to one lane of traffic between Wabasha and Cedar streets.


9th Street

  • Parking and sidewalk restrictions will be in place between Minnesota and Robert streets. Please pay extra attention to signage and follow any posted pedestrian routes.


11th Street: Lane restrictions between Robert and Jackson streets.


Minnesota Street

  • Minnesota Street has lane restrictions between 9th and 11th Streets for utility work.
  • In the coming weeks, intermittent lane closures are anticipated to occur for private utility work.
  • For more information, visit the Minnesota Street reconstruction project website


St. Peter Street: Lane restrictions between 5th Street and Kellogg Boulevard.


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

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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