Progress wouldn’t be the same without you—tell us what you think
On April 19th, the Station Area Planning Task Force took to the streets along West 7th. The goal of this walking tour was to examine the existing conditions at or near potential station locations and look for ideas to improve station access, safety and traffic flow. The group discovered distinct characteristics defined by diverse building sizes around West 7th at Grand and Kellogg. The area within a ½ mile radius is robust with residential homes, key destinations and major employers from medical services to hospitality and entertainment. Having a reliable transportation option, like the Riverview Corridor Modern Streetcar, provides a great way to connect people to these places and beyond.
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 Ride the wave of public transit potential
The Milwaukee Hop modern streetcar
Riverview Corridor continues to review and develop the best public transit options for our corridor, including the vast potential of modern streetcar service. We certainly know from other examples in other cities how public transport leads to community growth and prosperity. Here are some ways public transport benefits your community:
Equitable transportation system
One way to expand the workforce and improve citywide economic success is to give more ways for people to get to their jobs. Modern streetcars in the Riverview Corridor will expand and complement the existing transit network by efficiently connecting with existing bus routes and light rail lines.
Economic growth for communities
Every $1 invested in public transportation, like modern streetcars, generates $5 in economic benefits (source: APTA). This includes supporting a workforce with thriving business clusters as well as attracting tourists for both business and pleasure.
Reduced air pollution
Less fuel burned means better air quality. As noted in the Star Tribune, the transportation sector is the highest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota. As the population in the Twin Cities continues to increase, so does travel demand. Modern streetcar service is the right transportation solution to meet the demand of the growing Riverview Corridor.
Improved community mobility
Modern streetcars enhance community connections with greater accessibility for everyone. In fact, the Riverview Corridor modern streetcar service features level boarding – so you can step or roll right aboard.
Less road congestion
Modern streetcar vehicles are smaller than light rail trains and carry more people than buses, which translates to more flexibility and less congestion. Not only that, they operate safely alongside cars and other vehicles sharing the same roadway. But when the streetcar isn’t present, the road is just the road.
Hope—it’s what’s for breakfast
Hope Breakfast Bar in St. Paul
Among the many organizations in the Riverview Corridor dedicated to improving the lives of others, Hope Breakfast Bar is a standout. It's located in the oldest historic firehouse in Saint Paul near Grand Avenue and West 7th. The owners believe delicious food brings people together and delivers on that belief offering a safe and inclusive space where everyone is treated with respect. Hope Breakfast Bar also donates 3% of sales from their extensive breakfast menu to non-profit organization Give Hope MN.
In the early days of the pandemic, Hope Breakfast Bar operated as a community kitchen where donated food was transformed into meals for people throughout the Twin Cities. In addition to Hope Breakfast Bar locations in Saint Paul and St Louis Park, they have built a family of purpose restaurants, including the Gnome Craft Pub and the newly opened Apostle Supper Club in Duluth this spring. Another location is also coming to Saint Paul this summer. Stop in to any of these great restaurants to enjoy yourself while making a difference.
 Mark this important date
 Although only recently adopted as a full national holiday, Juneteenth is the oldest, nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. Unfortunately, news did not travel fast back then.
Minnesota became the fourth state to acknowledge Juneteenth in 1996, and last year Gov. Walz proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth Freedom Day in the state. Locally, Ramsey County and Hennepin County have made Juneteenth a paid holiday. Both Minneapolis and Saint Paul Public Schools are taking it a step further by making Juneteenth an official school district holiday.
Be sure to check out the many celebrations in Saint Paul and the greater Twin Cities area.
 Connections through coloring
Our artists attended both the West 7th Art Crawl in April and the Lowertown Art Crawl in May to engage the community in a creative conversation about streetcars. The team set up shop in the Keg and Case building and Union Depot where they brought out the inner artist with over 400 people. While interested bystanders colored a whimsical streetcar poster, the team talked with people about the benefits of a transit improvement along the West 7th corridor.
To get the conversation started, participants were asked where they want to go now and where they want to go in an improved metro transit network.
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 Community engagement at the West 7th and Lowertown art crawls
 Juneteenth Celebrations: Join events with the Saint Paul Public Library as part of Juneteenth Commemoration 2022: A Celebration of African American Music, Art and Literature hosted in partnership with the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota Humanities Center, OMG Media, Ujamaa Place, and Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds. For more information visit: sppl.org/Juneteenth.
Happy Father’s Day! Enjoy one of the many restaurants along the corridor, Saint Paul offers a wonderful list of possibilities for dinner with Dad or take Dad for a stroll and visit one of the many poetry locations embedded in sidewalks all over town. Visit Public Arts St. Paul for a full list.
Mall of America: For summer inspiration, check out a fantastic art display called Kaleidoscope. A massive 30-foot monarch butterfly, suspended from MOA’s rotunda skylight, features over 300 smaller butterflies. The idea is to bring attention to the pollinator populations and the habits they rely on. For more information, visit the Mall of America website.
Historic Fort Snelling: Minnesota’s first National Historic Landmark has recently completed a major restoration with the creation of the new Plank Museum & Visitor Center. Inside a rehabilitated 1904 cavalry barracks, the new space which offers exhibits and galleries, meeting rooms, a museum store and a grab-and-go food and beverage services. They have also expanded the outdoor learning opportunities including a stunning river overlook plus paved trails, native plantings, picnic areas, improved accessibility, and parking. To learn more, visit the Fort Snelling website.
Twin Cities Pride Family Fun Day: Twin Cities Pride Festival is one of the largest pride celebrations in the nation and what better way to celebrate than with some family fun. Mark Sunday, June 19 on your calendars for a pride event at the East Pavilion at Como Park. Visit the Twins Cities Pride website for details.
 For additional questions about Riverview Corridor, check out the FAQ section.
If you have an upcoming event, a great story idea or interesting news you’d like to see in ‘Riverview Streets’ email us at info@riverviewcorridor.com
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