News from the Downtown Alliance
November 30, 2018
A note from the president
Happy Holidays friends!

A little snowfall, and I am reminded that no city presents a better holiday face than downtown Saint Paul. This week Visit Saint Paul brought the community together for its annual tradition of hosting a Saint Paul food and beverage sampler, and I thought of a couple belated items for my Thanksgiving gratitude list: 1) How lucky we are to have such a fantastic community of chefs, brewers, and baristas surrounding us in downtown Saint Paul. And 2) I am grateful to have such great partners in Visit Saint Paul that do so much promote our downtown to the rest of the world.

Much is happening this weekend. The High Bridge is officially celebrating its reopening after what seemed like 2.5 eternities. The European Christmas Market is back again this year at the Union Depot. And finally, near and dear to my heart, I want to thank and congratulate Kristin Makholm, her staff, and the board of The M for bringing this treasured institution back to life. The M reopens this week – another huge step forward for downtown cultural life, and a key investment in this important corner of downtown. I hope to see you there on Sunday.

See you all around (down)town,

Joe Spencer
President
The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance
The M is back
The Minnesota Museum of American Art, or The M for short, has made a new home in Lowertown. For years pieces from the The M's impressive collection have been on display in national exhibitions and tours but this Sunday the newly constructed permanent museum space within the Pioneer Endicott building will open its doors. We are incredibly fortunate to have access to a world-class museum in our own backyard and we hope you'll join in the celebration this Sunday.

Smith Avenue High Bridge reopened
The Smith Avenue High Bridge is open once again. The bridge had been closed to be re-decked since September 2017 and was originally not scheduled to re-open for several more months . An official ribbon cutting and community celebration is happening this Sunday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. Join friends and neighbors at the south end of the bridge and then walk together across to the Capital View Cafe to warm up.

Outdoor festivities at Union Depot
Returning for its fifth (and biggest) year yet, the European Christmas Market is taking place at Union Depot starting this evening and running weekends through December 10.This outdoor market is not to be missed. With live music and dancing, and dozens of vendors selling handmade gifts, mulled wine, beer and food (pierogies and brats and spaetzel, oh my!), you'll feel like you've traveled to the quaintest Bavarian village, without the jet lag.

Downtown Saint Paul in the news