Friends,

We shared with you last month that the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance is leading an effort to create a development strategy that furthers density, vitality and desirability in downtown Saint Paul. In partnership with public and private stakeholders, the Downtown Investment Strategy will use a number of methods to identify priority development opportunities, including community engagement. There are several community engagement opportunities coming up where we'd love to have as many stakeholders involved as we can. Read on to find out more.

While it looks like it will be a hot one, there are a number of great things happening this weekend around downtown, including a chance to see the Viking Cruise Ship! Early risers on Saturday can greet this state-of-the-art ship and enjoy live music, food trucks and more from 8-10 a.m. at Lambert's Landing. Check out the details on that and other downtown happenings — like the Saints hosting four straight games versus Indianapolis — below.

I also got a kick out of the profile below of Kelly McGrath — general manager and executive director of the Xcel Energy Center — that ran in the Pioneer Press this week. What a job!

See you around downtown,

-Joe

Downtown Investment Strategy engagement opportunities

The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance is leading an effort in partnership with public and private stakeholders to create a development strategy that furthers density, vitality, and desirability in downtown Saint Paul. The Downtown Investment Strategy will identify three to five priority development opportunities and/or initiatives based on stakeholder input, community engagement, market analysis, and an economic impact assessment.

We're partnering with local events to collect community input. Join us for the following upcoming engagement opportunities:

Aug. 19: Asian Street Food Night Market | 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Minnesota State Capitol
Aug. 30: Osborn 370 Music Nights | 4:30-6 p.m., Osborn 370
Sept. 9: Selby Avenue Jazz Fest | 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., Golden Thyme Coffee & Cafe
Sept. 9: Uniquely East Side Festival | 12-7 p.m., 901 Payne Ave.

Kelly McGrath's path to general manager of the Xcel Energy Center - from planning for the Pope to 50 Cent and the Minnesota Wild

Kelly McGrath took a moment between back-to-back meetings to walk the floor of the Xcel Energy Center, where Matt “Fuji” Fujinaka, director of operations, measured and chalked the spots where chairs would be deposited for last Monday night’s Nickelback concert, a nearly sold-out draw for almost 14,000 hard rock fans.

In a few days, McGrath — who was named general manager and executive director of the “X” in July — will do the same before the Sam Smith concert, the Pearl Jam concert and the Greta Van Fleet concert, the latter being a rock band that developed a modern following on social media platforms like TikTok.

Viking River Cruise docking celebration

Come see the Viking Cruise Ship as she makes her stop on the shores of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul! Join us as we greet this state-of-the-art ship and its guests, get a photo and marvel at the sight of its cutting-edge design, and enjoy live music food trucks and more from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, August 19.

Lambert's Landing

494 Shepard Rd.

Saturday, August 19:

Wakey Wakey Food Truck

Live music from Rena

Food Truck Wednesdays - August 23

This summer you'll be able to enjoy lunch and music in Rice Park at Food Truck Wednesdays. Each week will feature multiple different trucks as well as live music.

Mark your calendars and tell your coworkers - on Wednesdays, we dine al fresco!

WHAT: Food trucks and live music

WHERE: Rice Park

WHEN: Wednesday, August 23

Food trucks from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Peppers and Fries
The Bougie Waffle
Montebello
Music from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Follow the Alliance on Instagram to get the latest updates on trucks and musicians.

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

Have questions?

Drop us a line!

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