Carter's budget eyes a better Saint Paul

Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has the right 2024 budget priorities: public safety, infrastructure and operational improvements. How those areas are funded is open to debate, and taxpayers should weigh in while the budget process continues.

Read more from the Star Tribune Editorial Board.

Saint Paul may have $6 million in funding for downtown Pedro Park

In downtown Saint Paul, a long-stalled park project could benefit from a domino funding effect following a major cash infusion from the state.

When the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, or DEED, recently smiled on the prospect of funding a new public recreation center in Saint Paul’s North End, the $6 million state grant created a bit of a ripple effect, freeing up some money already allocated for the North End project from the city’s general fund and capital improvement bonds.

And what kind of parks project could use $6 million? In two words: Pedro Park.

Read more from the Pioneer Press.

Irish Fair is this weekend at Harriet Island, will feature visit from Ireland’s ambassador to the U.S.

The Irish Fair of Minnesota will take place this weekend at Saint Paul’s Harriet Island and feature a visit from the ambassador of Ireland.

Geraldine Byrne Nason, who became the Irish ambassador to the U.S. in 2022, will take part in the opening ceremony on Friday and give an address at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Among the music acts performing at the event will be Gaelic Storm, Socks in the Frying Pan, JigJam, Doolin’, Screaming Orphans, Clare Cunningham, Wild Colonial Bhoys, Boiled in Lead, and the Real Irish Comedy Tour.

Read more from the Pioneer Press.

Saint Paul City Council approves $21 million tax incentive for office-to-residential conversion at Landmark Towers

Developer Chris Sherman of Sherman Associates said he’s little more than a week away from finalizing a deal to acquire the 26-story Landmark Towers office building off Fourth Street, the first step toward a complete office-to-residential conversion that will create 187 new units of market-rate housing downtown, filling commercial space that’s increasingly becoming vacant.

“We need a transformation of our downtowns, and it needs to happen starting now,” said Sherman, calling the alternative more vacancy and more blight. “There’s a long, long list of office users who are at risk of not renewing their leases.”

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Visit Saint Paul names Hendrikson its new CEO

Visit Saint Paul has named Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson as their new president and CEO.

“Visit Saint Paul is a crucial economic development partner for the city, especially as we adapt to the changes brought on by the pandemic and embrace the incredible diversity that makes Saint Paul so special,” said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter in a statement. “I know that Jaimee will bring unique insights and a deep love for Saint Paul to this role, and I look forward to continuing our work together.”

Read more from the Pioneer Press.