Community Center for Downtown/Lowertown
Project Idea
With the Capitol River District's increasing population, the lack of a Community Center is becoming a conspicuous problem. The neighborhood needs and deserves a reasonable, well-located facility to serve important community groups: Youths, Seniors, Active adults needing recreation, and Minorities, to mention just a few. The closure of the downtown YMCA makes this problem worse. It is time to find an effective solution, even if a creative new solution like a public-private partnership is needed.
Prepared by
Joe Baierl, 10/8/2020
Location
To be Determined. The Union Depot, the Downtown YMCA, and the St. Paul Athletic Club are possibilities. There are no doubt others.
How does this fit the CRC Mission?
Building community within the district.
What are the first steps to take?
- Confirm that District 17 is the only one without a Community Center. If true, urgency will increase.
- Learn the YMCA's plan for its facility.
- Check in with John Rupp of the St Paul Athletic Club to see if he is still interested.
- Explore spaces available in Union Depot and what it would take to use some for a Community Center.
- Assemble a team to define and pursue the best option. Consider adding the large downtown Corporate residents who do not have club facilities for their employees.
Estimated Schedule
It depends. If there is an opportunity to repurpose an existing facility at reasonable cost, rapid action may be possible. Otherwise: 6 months to study and build a team, 6 months to plan, and another 1-2 years to implement. With a stronger team, possibly a formal consortium spreading capital and operating costs across private and public sponsors, a reasonable timeframe may be possible.
Other organizations that might support this project?
To be determined. There will be groups to support this, but finding funding and defining a reasonable plan will be important.
What community engagement do you think would be involved?
This is a big idea, and maybe all of the above will eventually apply. At this moment, I am thinking we study the options and assess potential funding before getting the Community too excited. In a robust City economy we might do it differently, using excitement to encourage action.
Estimated project budget
> $25,000
Specific funding source idea?
Not yet.
Additional Info
None.
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Lowertown Senior Center
Project Idea
Downtown, and Lowertown specifically, is home to many retirees and senior citizens. Lack of social activity and loneliness is a serious issue for many seniors. This project would investigate potential and logistics needed to advocate for a Senior Community Center somewhere in the district.
Prepared by
Shevek McKee (at the request of Ann Idzik), 8/6/2020
Location
Lowertown
How does this fit the CRC Mission?
Building community within one of the stakeholder groups in the district.
What are the first steps to take?
Look into other urban Senior Centers and understand how they work and who runs and manages them.
Estimated Schedule
A year.
Other organizations that might support this project?
Lowertown Future Fund, Knight Foundation, Cultural STAR Program
What community engagement do you think would be involved?
Online Survey/Petition, Special Community Forum, Ongoing Special Meetings
Estimated project budget
> $25,000
Specific funding source idea?
Not at this time.
Additional Info
None.
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Support the C/Arts
Project Idea
Springboard for the Arts moved out of Lowertown and left their free-to-use Artist C/Arts behind! The carts are housed in the basement of the Northern Warehouse building, and the program is still being managed by Eric Carranza, who lives in the building. The program is relatively "stable" for the moment, but has no structured ongoing funding source. I believe CRC is well positioned to find the program some funding.
Prepared by
Shevek McKee, 8/6/2020
Location
Lowertown
How does this fit the CRC Mission?
Supporting the C/Art program would help enhance neighborhood vibrancy in the essential Lowertown Arts Community.
What are the first steps to take?
Gather previous funding information from Eric Carranza.
Estimated Schedule
3 months with a motivated team.
Other organizations that might support this project?
Lowertown Future Fund, Councilmember Noecker, The M, Saint Paul Public Art, St. Paul Arts Collective, Springboard for the Arts
What community engagement do you think would be involved?
Discussion at regularly scheduled CRC meetings, Online Survey/Petition
Estimated project budget
$2,500-$25,000
Specific funding source idea?
I think Lowertown Future Fund is an obvious first ask. Possibly Downtown Alliance and their partners in the future.
Additional Info
Springboard C/Art Program website: https://springboardforthearts.org/c-art/
Eric has suggested the program may "soon" have its own independent website.
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Downtown Development Strategy
Project Proposal
Make sure CRC is prepared to properly contribute to the development of the Downtown Development Plan. This involves preparing notes from the 2019 community forums in a presentable way, and being ready to actively participate in whatever workgroup is established to prepare the plan.
Board Sponsor
Shevek McKee, 11/9/2019
Location
N/A
How does this fit the CRC Mission?
It is my understanding that the development of such a plan is one of the mandates of the District Council system. It is the embodiment of our mission, really.
What actions have already been taken?
Several community forums lead by Tabitha Benci-DeRango.
What are the next steps to take?
Go through notes from forums. Keep in touch with Saint Paul PED about next steps.
What are the projects short term goals?
Be prepared for Downtown Development Plan workgroup when it is formed.
What are the projects long term goals?
Produce an updated Downtown Development Plan to file with the City.
Schedule
Expected to take somewhere between one and two years (According to Kady Dadlez of PED at Public Realm meeting on 11/7/19)
Other organizations being asked to support this project?
Saint Paul PED, likely: Downtown Alliance, Chamber of Commerce?, Catholic Charities?, other city departments
What community engagement will be involved?
Discussion at regularly scheduled CRC meetings
Project budget
Money has already been spent on Community Forums. Moderate staff time will likely be required.
Specific funding source plan?
not sure
Additional resources needed?
Forum notes. Familiarization with existing DDP and supporting documents.
Additional Info
DDP and other D17 plans can be found on city's website here: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/planning-economic-development/planning/neighborhood-plans.
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Arts, Culture & Entertainment
The arts are a vital part of downtown Saint Paul, and for that reason the CapitolRiver Council has established an Arts, Culture & Entertainment Committee to coordinate and oversee arts development and events in the neighborhood. This Committee will have responsibility for literary, creative, performing and visual arts in downtown Saint Paul, and in building relationships for CapitolRiver Council in these areas. The Arts committee will continue to make sure that downtown Saint Paul is a place that welcomes artists and arts projects. Arts Committee members will collaborate with the City of Saint Paul on public art policies, bridge connections with local artists and arts organizations, and advocate for artist-friendly neighborhoods downtown.
This committee is not meeting at this time.
For more information about the committee, please contact the CRC Executive Director.
- Chair: Chris Beckstrom
- Meetings: This committee is not meeting at this time.