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Friends,


Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of attending the annual Breakfast with the Mayors event hosted by the St. Paul Area and Minneapolis Regional Chambers. As usual, it was a great opportunity to hear from the leaders of both our great cities. You can read more about their conversation here.


Along with a number of other local business advocacy groups, the Downtown Alliance has partnered with our friends at the St. Paul Area Chamber in order to hear from the business community about the proposed one-cent sales tax increase. We're hoping to hear from as many Saint Paul businesses owners as possible, so if that's you please take take a moment or two to submit your responses to the brief survey here. Please also feel free to share with other business owners.


A major goal of the Downtown Alliance is to grow the density and residential population downtown and we will continue to advocate for projects and policies that make it easier to reach our goal. There are two recent news stories linked below that I'd encourage you to check out. Both very relevant to this work.


Finally, the Winter Carnival is officially here and it seems Mother Nature is in on the fun looking at the forecast this weekend. Luckily cold temps are the least troublesome weather for Carnival events and there are no shortage of them downtown over the next 10 days.


Have a great weekend,

Joe

Ramsey County raises concern about proposed downtown Saint Paul riverfront height limits

In downtown Saint Paul, the tallest tower in Ramsey County's RiversEdge project could stretch 40 stories above Kellogg Boulevard, putting it on a collision course with City Hall. The city's newly proposed height limits would restrict river bluff development downtown to fewer than 10 stories.


Ramsey County leaders, business officials and even some environmental advocates sounded an alarm on Friday over the proposed riverfront zoning restrictions, which they said could derail plans for badly-needed rental housing at the long-awaited RiversEdge development overlooking the Mississippi River.


Read more from the Pioneer Press

Inland acquires former Ecolab building, plans apartments

Chicago-based Inland Real Estate Group has acquired the former Ecolab University Center in downtown Saint Paul with plans to convert the 16-story tower into modern apartment complex with up to 175 units.


Joe Spencer, president of the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance, said Monday that it’s exciting to see a “good, quality developer” take over the site.


“It’s a great site. Unfortunately, it got tangled up with a colorful character that wasn’t able to perform. I’m really glad to see some movement there. Adding residents to that building, to that part of downtown, is going to be just fantastic,” he said.

Read more from Finance & Commerce

Calling all downtown businesses

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The Center for Economic Inclusion's Racial Equity Dividends Index is a comprehensive analytical tool to help businesses measure their progress towards building racially equitable and inclusive workplaces. The Index was first released in June 2022 and highlighted progress on racial equity among 40 businesses in Minnesota that collectively employed over 200,000 Minnesotans.


The Racial Equity Dividends Index offers a measurable, comprehensive assessment of existing policies and practices within organizations and provides each participating company with a unique, confidential score report that outlines strengths, opportunities, and a potential roadmap for further action.


Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to consider being a part of the 2023 Index. Registration for the is open through Friday, February 24, click to learn more.

Events around downtown

January 27

2023 Royal Coronation | RiverCentre

Saint Paul Winter Carnival Ice Carvings | Rice Park

Lake Street Dive | Palace Theatre


January 28

Winter Carnival Puzzle Contest | Landmark Center

2023 Saintly City Cat Show | RiverCentre

2023 King Boreas Grande Day Parade | Rice Park

Yoga with Pete | Amsterdam Bar and Hall

Lake Street Dive | Palace Theatre

The Root Beer Lady | History Theatre


January 29

Ice Carving Competition | Rice Park

Summit Brewing Freeze Your Bags Off Tournament | Rice Park

Rock The Palace | St. Paul Hotel

The Root Beer Lady | History Theatre


February 1

NEW Ice Carver Camp | Landmark Plaza

Music Mayhem Trivia | Camp Bar


February 2

Rondo Night | Landmark Center

Riffs, Rails and Cocktails at Station 81 | Union Depot

Trivia Mafia at Camp Bar | Camp Bar

The Root Beer Lady | History Theatre



A full look at what's coming in the week ahead, and many more Winter Carnival events, can be found on our event calendar. Check it out!

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


Event season is in full swing! 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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