Downtown Revitalization in Progress
Downtown Projects
Revitalizing downtown Saint Paul will take work, and will benefit generations to come. There's a lot of progress already underway. Learn about the work being done by the City's Department of Public Works.
Capital City Bikeway
The Capital City Bikeway provides cycling routes throughout downtown Saint Paul. It connects existing bike trails and on-street bikeways. The City continues to expand the bikeway to allow cyclists safe and convenient access to downtown.
Riverfront Projects
The Mississippi riverfront is a unique feature of downtown Saint Paul. It offers many recreational and cultural opportunities. Building on decades of work, there are over $1 billion in public and private investment planned for the downtown riverfront.
How We’re Revitalizing Downtown
Together, the City of Saint Paul and downtown partners are taking advantage of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to adapt and innovate the City’s urban core. We’re leading with vision, action, and a sense of urgency to drive transformational change.
Investing in Safety
Both real and perceived safety in downtown is critical. How safe people feel is as important as how safe they are. The Saint Paul Police Department is increasing patrol units in downtown neighborhoods. They are also upgrading their network of security cameras.
The City of Saint Paul also provides ongoing financial support for the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance’s recently expanded Downtown Improvement District.
Creating Welcoming, Vibrant Green Spaces
Downtown parks attract visitors and residents. These public gathering spaces encourage people to stay, connect, and come back. As one of the best parks and recreation systems in the country, we take pride in the many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors downtown.
- Ecolab is investing more than $2 million in a new beautification project outside of its headquarters. This will be a new space for pedestrians and small events.
- The City recently broke ground on Pedro Park in July 2024. This project brings a 10-year vision to life in the summer of 2025. The park will be home to an event pavilion, play area, and interactive water feature. Donate to the Pedro Park Project through the Friends of Pedro Park.
- One-time funding for Public Works projects will support tree-trimming, new trash cans, and updated wayfinding signage.
Turning Empty Buildings to Homes
The City of Saint Paul is using opportunities to transform vacant downtown office space into housing. This initiative aims to:
- Add to Saint Paul's housing supply of affordable and market-rate units
- Support the City’s goal of attracting 20,000 new residents to downtown
- Reimagine uses for vacant buildings
The first office-to-housing transition is expected to open in May 2025. This is the reconstruction of the Landmark Tower into over 175 apartments. The former Ecolab Headquarters is also set to become The Stella, offering 178 apartments.
A recent outside study identified another 10 downtown buildings as strong candidates for successful conversion.
Learn more in this office-to-housing study commissioned by the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance.
Renovating the Xcel Energy Center
The Xcel Energy Center Arena Complex includes the Xcel Energy Center arena, Saint Paul RiverCentre, and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. This complex requires extensive upgrades if the City of Saint Paul is to remain competitive. Plans include:
- Significant updates to arena seating, HVAC systems, security and accessibility
- New street-level, public-facing bars and restaurants
- Roughly $200 million in upgrades to the convention center and auditorium
The City of Saint Paul is seeking funding from state and federal partners in the upcoming legislative session.
Downtown Saint Paul in the News
Community Reporter: Downtown on the cusp of major redevelopment
”The week of February 17 saw some major development news for downtown St. Paul, including a potential $130 development project.” Read more from February 2025.
Finance & Commerce: 20-story tower proposed for Central Station
In February 2025, Flaherty & Collins proposed $130 million mixed-use project would bring hundreds of market-rate apartments and more to the site of the Green Line Central Station.
MinnPost: Downtown airport got 11% busier in 2024
Winter Keefer reports in February 2025 that the Saint Paul downtown airport saw 42,476 takeoffs and landings last year.
Pioneer Press: New nonprofit tackles downtown redevelopment
The new Saint Paul Downtown Development Corporation, established in February 2025, will help “set the table” for large-scale redevelopment.
MPR: Promising buildings for residential conversion
In November 2024, a study commissioned by the Downtown Alliance found ten downtown buildings that could be converted into almost 4,000 new places to live.
MinnPost: New plan for downtown is full of good ideas
A new study commissioned by the Downtown Alliance is thorough and realistic. Read more from urbanism expert Bill Lindeke in March 2024.