Pedro Park Neighborhood Workgroup
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
- August 26, 2021 Meeting
-
July 29, 2021 Meeting
- July 15, 2021 Meeting
- June 17, 2021 Meeting
- June 10, 2021 Meeting
- May 20, 2021 Meeting
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.
- The study area for the Fitzgerald Park Precinct Plan is bounded by I-94 on the north, Seventh Street on the south,
- 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
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.
Submit a project idea to the CRC!
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.