We'd love to see you at one of these events
We’d also love to get your comments, reactions and ideas on the modern streetcar project. The project website has a list of upcoming events. Please join us.
Wednesday, Aug. 14 11 a.m.-1 p.m. East Side Health and Wellness Collaborative Sanneh Foundation 1276 University Ave., Saint Paul
Wednesday, Aug. 14 2-3 p.m. Allina Health Virtual meeting
Thursday, Aug. 15 5-7 p.m. Summer Nights in Rice Rice Park 109 W 4th St, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Friday, Aug. 16 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Quarterly Board Meeting Grand Portage Lodge 70 Casino Drive, Grand Portage, MN
Visit our website to stay tuned for more events.
Your opinion matters
The Riverview Project Team knows that public engagement is critical to informed decision-making. We have several ways you can share your ideas and insights about the modern streetcar project and arterial bus option. Please tell us what you think by taking this brief survey.
Or comment on this interactive map of the proposed streetcar and bus routes.
There's LOTS TO LOVE about the progress so far
The Riverview Corridor Modern Streetcar project is more than a transportation project. It’s a chance to leverage federal funding to transform West 7th Street and construct an iconic multi-modal river crossing that could reshape the future of West 7th Street, Saint Paul and Bloomington.
A streetcar’s hop-on, hop-off nature lets riders truly choose their own adventure, offering the flexibility and opportunity to experience the city in a convenient and memorable way.
For biking enthusiasts:
- New pedestrian and biking top deck with plaza over Highway 5 bridge, creating a space for community and cultural programming.
- Improved pedestrian and cycling connections to Historic Fort Snelling and the Sam Morgan Regional Trail.
Better transit connections:
- A new elevated station at the Mall of America, also be used by METRO Blue Line, that improves safety, reduces congestion and opens up developable parcels of land next to the Mall.
- More stops for better connections and access along West 7th
- A new stop at historic Fort Snelling, close to the new visitor center and the Dakota Place of Remembrance memorial site.
- Seamless transfers to the Blue Line Fort Snelling station and Terminal 2 at the MSP Airport.
- Improves accessibility by offering level boarding for riders to walk or roll on while also reconnecting our communities.
Road updates:
- Full road reconstruction for a smoother, safer and more accessible West 7th Street.
- Replacement of the 60-year old Fort Road/Hwy 5 Bridge.
Community improvement:
- The streetcar is fully electric, helping reduce the region’s carbon footprint.
- Enhanced traffic calming with more signalized intersections and pedestrian signals for safer street crossings.
- Bustling streetscape plans providing more inviting ways to visit corridor businesses.
- Increased park space around the chapel at Fort Snelling.
- A recent economic analysis study shows the project would spur $843 million in growth to Saint Paul real estate values.
New housing and commercial space:
- This project is projected to add 2,200 new residential housing units.
- Projections also show the project will add 220,000 square feet of commercial units within Saint Paul proper.
Half of the project cost, close to $1 billion, will result in tangible benefits outside of the Riverview streetcar infrastructure, like $535 million in roadway corridor improvements in Saint Paul and $415 million for a new accessible bridge that will stand for the rest of this century. Also, $285 million will be allocated to the creation of a new Mall of America™ station that will benefit existing METRO Blue Line users and relieve traffic congestion in Bloomington.
View examples of various modern streetcar intersection and alignment examples with the animation videos in our Project Library.
What’s next:
This summer we’ve been busy engaging with the public! Since May, we’ve hosted nine public information sessions and a variety of pop-up events including the MSP Airport and Summer Nights in Rice.
This fall, we’re preparing for a re of the Riverview Streetcar Project. A yes vote means we have the Policy Advisory Committee’s approval to continue moving forward. The meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3 in Union Depot. The meeting is an in-person event but a virtual option for the public to attend is being developed. Look for details on the Meetings and Events page.
What do you love along the Riverview Corridor?
This month we’re featuring black, indigenous and people of color-owned businesses along the West 7th corridor and Bloomington areas that make this area special.
Introducing MetroNOME Brewery
Photo caption: (Left to Right) Bill Eddins (Co-owner), Elle Rhodes (Director of Sales), Kevin Welch (Brewmaster) and Matt Engstrom (Co-owner).
If you haven’t jammed out with a beer in hand at the hottest music spot in downtown Saint Paul yet, we suggest you hurry over to MetroNOME pronto!
Not only do we love the good vibes from co-owner of MetroNOME Bill Eddins, we love what he’s doing – which is using the profits from the brewery to fund musical education for low-income children across the state.
A marriage of his two loves: music and beer, MetroNOME was born after the post-George Floyd racial reckoning and opened in February of 2022 right across from CHS Field. An orchestra conductor by trade, and a beer brewer hobbyist, Eddins is also a BIPOC business owner. Eddins is committed to keeping good music alive in small venues – by his count the brewery has hosted some 490 musical events since opening!
Check out MetroNOME’s busy concert calendar and rest easy, knowing that beer is contributing to the musical education of a Minnesota child.
Here are some other BIPOC businesses located along the Riverview Corridor:
Restaurants and grocers:
- Storehouse Grocers
- Agelgil Ethiopian Restaurant
- Soul Lao
- Phil Chay Thai Cuisine
- La Cocina de Ana
- Tori Ramen
- Tavial Grill
- La Fusion Cafe
- Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
- Golden Chow Mein
Custom retail:
Art:
- Marlena Myles Art & Designs
Where do you like to go? Share your favorite spots.
With gorgeous views of the Mississippi and the Minnesota rivers, this month we’re celebrating scenic spots along the Riverview Corridor. Grab a picnic basket, catch a sunset, or simply stop for a hike to enjoy these lovely spots.
Long Meadow Lake Trail
Take a part of your day to explore nature within the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, where you can view both the Minnesota River and Long Meadow Lake.
Getting there: Arrive at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, located just south of the intersection between Highway 5 and Interstate 494. Once there, travel south on Hillside Trail. https://maps.app.goo.gl/XUpR93b3kP2mfG9T8
Wabasha Street Bridge
Catch sights of the sunset and the Mississippi River by walking along this iconic bridge in downtown Saint Paul. You can also visit Raspberry Island and the Schubert Club Bandshell, located directly below the bridge.
Getting there: The bridge is on Wabasha Street S, with the best entry point at the Harriet Island Regional Park parking lot south of the river. https://maps.app.goo.gl/BN1zXEAByAcba3oLA
Crosby Farm Regional Park
Visit the park for a quiet hike near the Mississippi River and the two lakes the park offers. Be sure to get a relaxing view at the Two River Overlook near Shepard Road on your way there!
Getting there: Crosby Farm has 2 entry points; one at Lexington Parkway S and Shepard Road and another at Gannon Road and Shepard Road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/qYbktLgRrA2kRXqQ9
Ordway Inside Out at Rice Park, Aug. 17: The Arts Partnership • Saint Paul, Minnesota » Ordway Inside Out
Irish Fair of Minnesota at Harriet Island, Aug. 9-11: irishfair.com
The Riverview Corridor would like your feedback. What makes this area unique? What are your favorite things to do? What questions do you have for us? Your input is valuable to our team.
If you have an upcoming event, a great story idea or interesting news you’d like to see in Riverview Streets, please email us at info@riverviewcorridor.com.
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