News from the Downtown Alliance
November 18, 2021
A note from the president
Friends,
 
I hope you'll join us tomorrow evening to flip the giant switch on the holiday light display in Rice Park. This year's display will be a new take on our classic park. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the event will include live music, outdoor games and food trucks, as well as opportunities to win StPL swag and giveaways from local organizations. We've also partnered with Landmark Center on a special opportunity for Alliance readers to attend their show after the lighting event. All the details can be found below. 

This week we learned about several new programs coming to downtown in the coming year, from large-scale art installations, to educational centers and a new vision for an old building. Keep reading to learn more about all of that and more.

I'll also take this opportunity to wish you all an early happy Thanksgiving! The Downtown Alliance continues to be incredibly grateful and humbled by the ongoing support of our entire downtown community - the businesses small and large, public sector partners, residents and workers who make this place second to none. I'll be busy preparing and devouring a Thanksgiving Feast next week, so look for our next newsletter in two weeks. Stay safe and have a fantastic holiday break.
 
Take care,
 
Joe Spencer
President
Events around downtown this week
After watching the lights come on in Rice Park tomorrow evening, plan to head over to Landmark Center for their Friday evening concert, Landmark LIVE.

Named to the Chicago Tribune’s list of the “50 Most Significant Songwriters in the Last 50 Years,” Austin, TX-based singer/songwriter Danny Schmidt has amassed a cult following for his poetic, poignant lyrics. Sing Out Magazine proclaimed that: “Schmidt is a force of nature: a blue moon, a hundred-year flood, an avalanche of a singer-songwriter. His songs are a flood of poetry, mythology, folk wisdom, and surprise. He is perhaps the best new songwriter we’ve heard in the last 15 years.”

Landmark Center is offering a special Buy One, Get One offer for Saint Paul Downtown Alliance members for Landmark LIVE featuring Danny Schmidt. Cocktail hour begins at 7 p.m., with concert following at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here, use code DTABOGO21 at checkout where it says "Have a discount code?". * Please note: Proof of full vaccination or negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours required for entry.

Contact Alicia Wiesneth with questions.

Here's a glance at what else is coming up:

  • November 19: Rice Park Powered by Xcel Energy Light Event | Rice Park
  • November 19: Landmark LIVE featuring Danny Schmidt | Landmark Center
  • November 20: Sundays at Landmark: Walker West Student Concert | Landmark Center
  • November 26: MN Wild vs Winnipeg Jets | Xcel Energy Center
  • November 26-28: Opening Weekend, European Christmas Market | Union Depot

Be sure to check WelcomeBackStPL.com for full details.

*Not valid on previously purchased tickets and valid for a maximum of two tickets.
New Minnesota Justice & Democracy Centers to open
U.S. District Court Judge John Tunheim announced this week the plan to open two Minnesota Justice and Democracy centers in the Twin Cities. The first of which will open next year in the Federal Courthouse Building in downtown Saint Paul. Lowertown resident Bill Hanley has been working with Judge Tunheim as the executive content officer to develop programming for students (and adults!) that stresses the importance of history, civics and education about our democratic institutions. The space will feature exhibits, interactive experiences, and plans to host a variety of live events in the future.
Great Northern Festival art happening in downtown
This winter downtown will host "Conservatory," an interactive art project from Jovan C. Speller and Andy DuCett as part of the 2022 Great Northern Festival. The immersive experience will bring a greenhouse built entirely of ice and filled with thousands of living plants into one of Lowertown's many amazing alleyways.
New things planned for Saint Paul Athletic Club building
This week it was announced that after being closed for repairs for the past several months, the Saint Paul Athletic Club would sadly be shutting its doors for good. The storied building at 340 Cedar Street has seen many iterations over the years and owners John and Stephanie Rupp have shared their vision for an expanded hotel and wedding venue in the future.
Skip the cooking this Thanksgiving
Our friends at Visit Saint Paul recently rounded up a great list of local restaurants that are offering ready-to-go Thanksgiving meals that can be ordered ahead. From full meals to pies and desserts, some of our favorite downtown restaurants are making things easy this year!
Snap, Tag, Win!
This weekend is the final week the StPL letters will be outside for the season! Stop by Rice Park tomorrow night through next Tuesday to grab a photo with the StPL among the twinkle lights. After that you'll have to find the sculpture's landing place for winter.

Attendees of tomorrow night's Rice Park Lighting Event will have a chance to win special giveaways for tagging photos!

To participate:

  • SNAP a picture with the statue - a selfie, a shot of your dog, or just admiring the scenery, we love them all!
  • TAG us in your post - use #WelcomeBackStPL and @StPLdowntown on your favorite social channel.
  • WIN - each tag gets you entered to win a downtown gift card. Winners are selected randomly.
Follow downtown Saint Paul on social media
Downtown has a lot going on these days and we're not slowing down anytime soon.

Make sure you don't miss anything by following along on each of our channels:
Downtown restaurant and retail options
Stumped for where to order dinner from these days? Or who has a patio to visit?

Have questions?

Banner photo cred : Visit Saint Paul