The Pedro Neighborhood Workgroup discusses the long and short-term future of Pedro Park and the surrounding neighborhood. Workgroup updates and info are posted below, if you have any questions please email [email protected].

Read the Workgroup's Final Report on Pedro Park

Background on Pedro Park Engagement:

Over the past several years community members led an effort to expand the existing Pedro Park space at 10th & Robert to include the adjacent land which contained the vacant city-owned Public Safety Annex. This expansion didn't happen, and the PSA building was slated to be sold. The community members who worked on the plan were understandably disappointed. In late 2020, the sale of the PSA building fell through and a lawsuit over the park expansion was dismissed. The 2021 Pedro Workgroup will be a community led discussion about what happens next with the park and surrounding neighborhood.

Pedro Workgroup Overview:

Criteria:

• 12-14 Members (incl. City Staff)
• City Staff Members of workgroup will be responsible for any necessary research/city based outreach for the duration of the Workgroup (PED, Parks, Public Works, Finance)
• If additional community input is needed on an item it can take place at the regularly scheduled CRC Public Realm Meeting or digital engagement (survey, etc) can be distributed through CRC’s outreach channels.
• Regular updates on Workgroup meetings will be given at CRC Public Realm Meetings and the CRC Website (and/or City Website)

Goals:

• Review Fitzgerald (Pedro) Park Precinct Plan and past scenarios for context
• Develop options or Pedro Neighborhood placemaking opportunities (signs on light posts, better representation in downtown visitor materials, etc).
• Advocate for park improvements while keeping future park expansion (into the City-owned Public Annex land) on the table.
• Evaluate and support City efforts on Public Safety Annex building reuse/redevelopment scenarios - financial feasibility, sources, RFP, etc.
• Consider Pedro Park options for the 2022 and 2023 City Budget and community budget initiatives.
• Recommendation for instituting official Friends of Pedro Neighborhood Group.

Timeline:

• Announce Workgroup Application Form at March 4th Public Realm Meeting
• CRC Board members given an opportunity to weigh in on the make-up of Pedro Workgroup at a special meeting on March 26.
• Workgroup meetings begin May 20.
• Workgroup will work within a 6-Month Timeframe and meet twice a month. (May-November)

Meeting Schedule:

• May 20, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• June 10, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• June 17, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• July 8, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• July 15, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• July 29, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• September 9, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• September 23, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• October 14, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• October 28, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• November 11, 2021 - 4 p.m.
• November 18, 2021 - 4 p.m.

Zoom Meeting Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89948674170?pwd=OCtseUh0WWNqTGhKSGRzWE40ejNxQT09

Meeting ID: 899 4867 4170
Passcode: 355835

One tap mobile
+13126266799,,89948674170#
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799

Past Meeting Documents:

• September 23, 2021 Meeting
  • Meeting Notes (.docx)
  • Park Options Refined (.docx)
• August 26, 2021 Meeting
  • Meeting Notes (.docx)
  • Park Options Based on Discussion (.docx)
• July 29, 2021 Meeting
  
  • Meeting Notes (.docx)
  • Summary of Meetings through July 29 (.docx)
• July 15, 2021 Meeting
  • Meeting Notes (.docx)
• June 17, 2021 Meeting
  • Meeting Notes (.docx)
• June 10, 2021 Meeting
  • Pedro Workgroup Session 2: History (PDF)
• May 20, 2021 Meeting
  • Meeting Minutes (.docx)
  • Pedro Workgroup Session 1 Slides (PDF)

Additional Resources:

• Fitzgerald Park Precinct Plan (2010)
  
  • The study area for the Fitzgerald Park Precinct Plan is bounded by I-94 on the north, Seventh Street on the south,
    Main Street on the west and Jackson Street on the east.
• City of St. Paul Pedro Park Project page
• Pedro Park Design Advisory Committee Document (2018)
• 2009 Pioneer Press Article Re: Pedro Park
• 2020 Villager Article Re: Pedro Park