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CAAPB's Capitol Area Monthly Newsletter
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the CAAPB monthly newsletter!
Each month, we'll use this space to share updates on projects and initiatives across the Capitol Area, highlight upcoming events, recognize the work of our many partners, and keep you informed about the issues, opportunities, and activities shaping this unique district. Our goal is to keep you informed about ongoing work, celebrate progress, and provide opportunities to connect through upcoming events and community initiatives. Thank you for joining us as we work together to support and enhance this important civic, cultural, and historic place.
 Erik Cedarleaf Dahl, CAAPB Executive Secretary
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What is the Capitol Area Vitality Program?
The Capitol Area Vitality Program is a coordinated, community-driven effort to strengthen safety, livability, and connection in the Capitol Area. It brings together public safety, youth and family programming, neighborhood cleanup, and community engagement — not as separate efforts, but as one integrated approach to neighborhood vitality.
The physical home of the Capitol Area Vitality Program is Capitol Commons, located at 546 Rice Street, St. Paul, MN. The public is welcome to stop in for community resources or just to say hi. Open hours are Wednesdays - Fridays, 11am - 1pm.
Click the button below to go to the official Capitol Commons Facebook page.
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Vitality Program: What Progress Looks Like
Crime is down 68% in the Capitol Area during the first four months of 2026. That's important, but the number only tells part of the story.
Relationships behind the work: partners coordinating across agencies and jurisdictions, community organizations stepping up, property owners investing in their buildings, artists helping transform neglected spaces, and people working together to create safer, more welcoming places.
There is still plenty of work ahead, but this is an encouraging reminder that positive change is possible.
A big thank-you to Jaidyn, Elijah, and Malikhai from Frogtown Football for showing up and helping Ramsey County Sheriff's Office restore the grounds at one of our multi-housing communities.
They cleared weeds, removed overgrowth, cleaned up the basketball court area, and helped make the space safer and more welcoming for the families who live there.
This is what community looks like — young people giving their time, working hard, and taking pride in the neighborhood. We truly appreciate their help and are proud to have them working alongside us.
As part of the Capitol Area Vitality Program, our partners at the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) recently worked with the property owner at 531 Rice Street to address several long-standing safety and maintenance concerns at the site. The effort included removing two dumpsters of garbage, repairing and removing dangerous conditions associated with deteriorating stairs, securing the condemned building to prevent unauthorized access, and boarding up broken windows.
In addition to addressing immediate safety concerns, the project also focused on improving the appearance of the property and the surrounding area. A temporary mural installed on the boarded windows by KNYAW Visual Arts adds color and creativity to the site while contributing to ongoing revitalization efforts along the Rice Street corridor.
This project highlights the collaborative approach of the Capitol Area Vitality Program and demonstrates how partnerships between property owners, public agencies, and local artists can improve safety while creating a more welcoming environment for the community.
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The Capitol Area Vitality Program hosted this year’s National Night Out at Capitol Commons. There was a great turnout of over 700 residents and local business owners. Attendees enjoyed free food, live music, face paintings, caricatures, a bouncy house, a food truck, and great conversations with their neighbors.
The Capitol Area Vitality Program greatly appreciates the support of their sponsors: Capitol Park Mental Health Hospital and Friendly Grocery and Meat Market (537 Rice Street); as well as their partners: Metro Transit, Neighborhood Block Club, D.E.T.T.O.U.R., Saint Paul Parks and Rec., local law enforcement agencies, Papa Epp Caricatures, Dave Thune (musician), DJ Just Wilson, Gray Duck Concessions, and the St Paul Mayor’s office.
To see more photos from the event, visit Capitol Commons' Facebook Photo Album.
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Investing in Creativity at Saint Paul City School
The Capitol Area Vitality Program is proud to have fully funded a classroom project for Amy Barber, art teacher at Saint Paul City School.
Located at 215 University Avenue West, Saint Paul City School is a public charter school serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Established in 1998, the school now serves nearly 550 students. Its approach combines rigorous academics, culturally responsive teaching, and individualized support to help students succeed in school and prepare for college, careers, and life.
Saint Paul City School also operates as a full-service community school, connecting students and families with health and vision care, a food pantry, mental-health support and other community resources. Its commitment to serving the whole student and family closely aligns with the Capitol Area Vitality Program’s focus on supporting youth, families, and stronger neighborhood connections.
Our partnership with Ms. Barber and her students began during the previous school year. Artwork created by her students now hangs on the walls of Capitol Commons at 546 Rice Street. Their work brings color, creativity, and the voices of local young people into a space that belongs to the community.
This donation will provide Ms. Barber with classroom materials and resources as she prepares to teach additional classes during the upcoming school year. It is a direct investment in a local educator and the creativity of her students.
Ms. Barber shared what the support will mean for her classroom:
“Thank you so much for your generosity! This project and these supplies will support so many students and ensure success in the art room this year. My students are going to feel so confident, will have a deeper understanding of our content, and I can’t wait to see the new heights of their creativity!”
Ms. Barber is also looking forward to contributing more student artwork to Capitol Commons. We have discussed the possibility of hosting a future art show at Capitol Commons, giving students an opportunity to showcase their creativity while families, neighbors, and community partners come together to celebrate their work.
We are excited to continue partnering with Saint Paul City School and finding new ways to support its students, educators, and families.
 Previously, Ms. Barber and SPCS students created artwork which is now displayed at Capitol Commons as the Heart Wall.
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The Minnesota Department of Transportation is currently rebuilding the structure of the John Ireland Blvd. bridge over I-94. The original 1967 bridge was in safe condition but needed a structural repair to ensure it remains safe for travelers based on modern weight limits.
Crews began disassembling the bridge immediately after the 2025 Twin Cities Marathon. Starting in the spring, work turned to setting the bridge beams and pouring the deck. The project remains on schedule to open before the 2026 Twin Cities Marathon on October 4.
The new bridge will be within the same footprint as the existing bridge. Other safety and cosmetic changes will be made as well, including sidewalk repairs, updates to existing bike and pedestrian facilities, accessibility updates, and railing replacements.
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Commemorative Works Updates
Sites Selected for Two New Memorials on the State Capitol Mall
On June 4, 2026, the CAAPB approved sites for two proposed memorials under review by the Board. One of these proposed works—a project honoring fallen emergency medical services (EMS) personnel—will have a future home at the site of the former USS Ward Gun.
The other memorial commemorates a historic baseball park on what is now the Minnesota Department of Health and Agriculture’s Lab building at 12th and Robert Streets. The future work is set to be located at the plaza between the Orville Freeman Building and this historic site. The park hosted the all-Black St. Paul Gophers and all-white St. Paul Saints during the sport’s segregated era.
Learn more about site selection and track the progress of the EMS LODD Memorial and the Downtown Baseball Park applications at these links.
Read more about the history of the ballpark in a historical report prepared for CAAPB by Pigeon Consulting linked here.
Public Hearing and Public Comment Period Complete for Two New Applications
CAAPB staff held successful public comment periods and hosted public hearings for two new applications under review by the Board. The first is a request to add a new artwork on the Capitol grounds honoring Minnesota’s Gold Star and Blue Star families. The second seeks to modify the World War I plaque at the Court of Honor to better commemorate those Minnesotans who trained for, but never saw, combat during the global conflict. Both applications are supported by legislation authorized by the Minnesota State Legislature.
The public hearings were held on July 21st at Capitol Commons from 4-5 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., respectively. The public comment period for both applications ran from June 22-July 22, 2026, for both applications.
Information on both applications can be found at the Gold Star Blue Star and World War I Plaque pages on the CAAPB website.
Public Project on Commemoration in the Capitol Area
CAAPB staff are entering the final stages of contract negotiations with two firms for tour program and public history project on commemorative works display at the Minnesota State Capitol Mall. The tour program, funded through a one-time appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature, will align with tours of the Capitol building currently offered by the Minnesota Historical Society. Program design should be completed by June 30, 2027.
Read more about the project and track its progress here.
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Capitol Rice Reconstruction Project Update
The Capitol Rice Street Reconstruction Project is in the final design phase and on track for construction in 2027. Led by Ramsey County in partnership with the City of Saint Paul, Metro Transit, MnDOT, and the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB), the project will reconstruct Rice Street from John Ireland Boulevard to Pennsylvania Avenue. The effort is backed by a state appropriation and includes the creation of a multimodal mobility hub at the University Avenue and Rice Street intersection.
Planned improvements include a reconstructed roadway, enhanced pedestrian crossings, upgraded streetscape and public realm amenities, improved bicycle and transit connections, and infrastructure designed to support long-term economic vitality and redevelopment throughout the corridor. The design also aligns with the planned METRO G Line BRT project and advances key goals of the Capitol Area Comprehensive Plan.
A defining feature of the project has been the extensive coordination required among numerous public agencies and stakeholders. Throughout 2025 and 2026, the project team has worked closely with property owners, businesses, community organizations, and corridor residents to evaluate alternatives, refine design concepts, and resolve agency priorities. As of summer 2026, the design has been substantially finalized, and the project team is focused on completing approvals and preparing for construction in 2027.
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 On July 7th, the Rice Street team held a pop-up project review at MnDOT.
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Canada–USA 250 Friendship Grove
The Government of Canada has invited Minnesota to participate in a commemorative tree planting initiative celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States by gifting maple trees to Washington, D.C., and the 13 U.S. states bordering Canada.
The Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis has identified the Minnesota State Capitol Grounds as its preferred location for a Canada–USA 250 Friendship Grove. CAAPB and the Department of Administration are currently evaluating potential planting locations throughout the Capitol campus.
Canada is gifting maple trees (Red Maple, Black Maple, and Freeman Maple).
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Meet CAAP Board Members!
Michael James Bjornberg, FAIA
Governor Appointee to the Board
Vice Chair CAAPB
I am a lifelong Minnesota Resident and University of Minnesota Alum. I was inspired to study architecture by my carpenter ancestors and working alongside them as a youth. I have been very fortunate to have worked on many of this country’s iconic buildings including; our State Capitol Restoration and Mall Memorials repairs, the St Paul Union Depot, American Swedish Institute, University of Notre Dame’s Golden Dome, Football Stadium, Architecture School among a $500,000,000 construction campus expansion), Historic Fort Snelling, work on the US Capitol campus, 3 new FBI Headquarters Buildings, work on the University of Minnesota Campuses, the Metrodome (now gone), Minnesota Twins Stadium, the Air Force Academy Chapel, and many small historic sites across the state.
I have taught at the University of Minnesota College of Design and been involved in many non-profit boards in a leadership role.
What drives my interest and passion is the built history of Minnesota, and elsewhere, that is a testament to creating a place for all. I am on the CAAPB to continue to provide my expertise and be a steward for this magnificent public place.
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Upcoming Events
Open Hours
Wednesdays - Fridays, 11am - 1pm, Capitol Commons (546 Rice St)
Como Place Sports Camp
Tuesdays, 4:30pm - 6pm, Como Place Apartments (195 Edmund Ave)
Chess Club
Wednesdays, 4:30pm - 6:30pm, Capitol Commons (546 Rice St)
Button Mashers
Thursdays, 4pm - 6pm, Capitol Commons (546 Rice St)
Free Community Meal
Fridays, 11:30am - 1pm, Capitol Commons Back Parking Lot (546 Rice St)
More fall events at Capitol Commons will be announced soon! Follow them on Facebook to stay up to date on all local activities.
If you have any questions, please reach out to CAAPB or our partners:
CAAPB Staff | Office: 651-757-1500
Erik Cedarleaf Dahl, Executive Secretary
Peter Musty, Principal Planner & Zoning Administrator
Jessie Hughes, Office and Administrative Support
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office
Inspector Darin McDonald, Project Lead
Saint Paul Port Authority | Office: 651-224-5686
Use this link to email questions about grants
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