Media Advisory
Aug. 11 community celebration for completion of Dale Street reconstruction and public art project
County leaders, community members and partners will gather Aug. 11 to celebrate the completion of Ramsey County’s Dale Street reconstruction project in Saint Paul. The multi-year, $14.7 million project involved rebuilding Dale Street between Iglehart and University avenues, including reconstructing and widening the bridge over Interstate 94. Construction began in March 2020 following extensive planning and community engagement.
What:
Dale Street reconstruction and public art celebration
When and where:
Wednesday, Aug. 11*
- 9 a.m. – Walk from Rondo Community Library (461 N. Dale St.) to bridge.
- 9:30 a.m. (estimated) – Remarks and celebration at the ball field near the southeast corner of the bridge.
Parking is available on side streets or at Benjamin E Mays School near the ball field where remarks will occur. Parking is also available at Rondo Community Library for the beginning of the walk.
*In the event of rain or inclement weather, the celebration will be moved to Thursday, Aug. 12. A decision to postpone the event will be made no later than 8 a.m.
Who:
- Ramsey County Board Chair and District 4 Commissioner Toni Carter
- Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter
- Dale Street public art project artists
Speakers and artists will be available following the program for interviews and photos.
The celebration will begin with a walk from Rondo Community Library to the bridge highlighting several design features that improve safety for all users, particularly pedestrians. Features include wider sidewalks and boulevards, curb extensions (bump-outs) and improved lighting. The new design also includes reconfigured vehicle through lanes and left turn lanes to better accommodate traffic volumes and flow.
At the bridge, the celebration will focus on the numerous public art elements incorporated to commemorate the history, community and cultures of the vibrant Rondo neighborhood including:
- “I am Rondo” text imprints in 11 languages representing the neighborhood’s various ethnic communities, as well as the original Dakota name of the land.
- Inlaid leaves along the sidewalks mimicking Lindy Hop dance steps.
- Columns imprinted with neighborhood homes destroyed during construction of I-94 in the 1960s.
- Large-scale oak tree silhouettes referencing the canopy of oak trees that once lined the neighborhood.
The art elements were designed by local artists Mica Lee Anders, Hawona Sullivan Janzen and G.E. Patterson under the mentorship of Seitu Jones through a partnership with Springboard for the Arts.
Both the road design and public art were significantly influenced by an extensive multi-year community engagement process.
Media contact: Allison Winters, Deputy Director of Communications,
651-401-5703
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