Friends,

I was delighted to see the Star Tribune's feature of the newly expanded Minnesota Museum of American Art published yesterday. I know I've previously mentioned the expansion in recent notes, but it really can't be overstated how tremendous this transformation is not just for The M itself, but for downtown.

Despite moving to downtown in 2018, The M has been in a near constant state renovation since then and many people remain unaware of the fact that downtown Saint Paul is home to the art museum and its collection of more than 5,000 works of art. The completion of this long-awaited, $14.5-million phase of construction is so much more than a new gallery opening; with triple the space it really has created an entirely new museum for visitors to explore. If you've never taken the time to visit now is the perfect opportunity to do so.

So while I may sound like a broken record, it is incumbent on all of us to keep beating the drum and sharing stories like these.

Finally, I want to call your attention to two events happening next week. First, you are all invited to join us for the first Lowertown Social Hour happening this coming Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Bullvino's. More details can be found below but I want to thank our inaugural sponsors the Minnesota Wild and City of Saint Paul. Second, I can hardly believe it, but a week from tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 16, we'll throw the giant switch and light up Rice Park with twinkle lights, and for the third year the Salvation Army is bringing back its 40' Tree of Light. This year's event will feature guest speaker Lindsay Whalen as well as other fun surprises. We hope to see you there.

Take care,

-Joe

Minnesota Museum of American Art finishes $14.5M new wing that triples gallery space

The makeover of the Saint Paul museum includes a restoration of the 1889 Cass Gilbert-designed stained glass arcade ceiling.

The Minnesota Museum of American Art has reopened. The museum, known as the M, now offers more than 6,000 square feet of gallery space in Saint Paul’s historic Pioneer-Endicott Buildings, and the new wing hosts a rotating exhibition of more than 150 artworks from the museum’s permanent collection.

“When I came in, everything was closed down,” said the M’s executive director, Kate Beane, who started in December 2021. “We weren’t even open to the public. We were slimmed down to the leanest crew possible. The first few years here, what I’ve really been doing is listening and paying attention.”

Read more from Minnesota Monthly

Lowertown Social Hour series kicks off next Tuesday

The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance and its supporters are launching a new monthly social hour series to show Lowertown and downtown businesses a little love and provide an opportunity for connection. The locations and hosts will rotate each month. To kick things off, the Minnesota Wild and City of Saint Paul are hosting the first Lowertown Social Hour on Nov. 12.

Join us for this fun, casual opportunity to support our local businesses and spend time with other people working in downtown Saint Paul!

Lowertown Social Hour

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 4-6 p.m.

Bullvino’s

Stop by to show your support for the businesses that make Lowertown special and connect with others who feel the same. We hope to see you there!

Learn more

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!

Nov. 8	Funny Asian Women Kollective (FAWK)	Fitzgerald Theatre
Nov. 8	Special Show: Zainab Johnson with Ben Katzner and Randall Reid	Camp Bar
Nov. 8	After Dark: St. Paul's Hilarious Comedy Improv Show!	Camp Bar
Nov. 9	Science Rocks	Science Museum
Nov. 9	Jessica Kirson	Fitzgerald Theatre
Nov. 9	Minnesota Roller Derby Season Opener	Roy Wilkins Auditorium
Nov. 9	Godspeed You! Black Emperor	Palace Theatre
Nov. 9-10	Romeo and Juliet	Ordway
Nov. 10-11	Billie Eilish	Xcel Energy Center
Nov. 10	MN Quinceanera Expo	Union Depot
Nov. 11	Downtown Residents Meeting	Barrel Theory
Nov. 12	Downtown Residents Meeting	Lost Fox
Nov. 12	Ballet Tuesdays	Landmark Center
Nov. 12-13	Leonidas Kavakos	Ordway
Nov. 12	Lowertown Social Hour!	Bullvino's
Nov. 14	Minnesota Wild vs. Montreal	Xcel Energy Center
Nov. 15-16	The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra: Haydn’s Il Distratto Symphony	Ordway
Nov. 16	Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas	Xcel Energy Center
Nov. 16	Craig Finn with Katy Kirby	Fitzgerald Theatre
Nov. 16	Rice Park Tree Lighting 2024	Rice Park

2024 Rice Park Tree Lighting is next Saturday, Nov. 16!

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 November 8 is as follows, changes highlighted:

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

6th Street

Traffic restrictions expected near the Robert Street intersection through mid-November.
Traffic restrictions expected through the intersection of St. Peter Street.
Reduced to one lane of traffic between Wabasha and Cedar Streets.

9th Street

The east side of the intersection is closed to/from Robert Street.
Robert Street will remain open to northbound and southbound traffic.
Access to the west side of the intersection to/from Robert Street will remain open.

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

Kellogg Boulevard: Bridge Closure

Kellogg Boulevard will have periodic lane closures between Wabasha and Jackson streets, and around the Xcel Energy Center.
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 to thru traffic between 9th Street and 7th Street, and between 4th Street and Kellogg Boulevard.
There are lane restrictions between 11th and 9th streets and between 6th Street and 7th Place.
Access to local businesses will be maintained.
For more information, visit the Minnesota Street reconstruction project website.

Robert Street:

Robert Street is reduced to one lane in each direction between 11th Street and Kellogg Boulevard.
Reminder that businesses along Robert Street remain open during construction!

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

Have questions?

Drop us a line!