Purpose and Overview
The Downtown Streets and Sidewalks Plan will examine all the needs that downtown’s street network must serve and determine the best way to fit the many pieces together. Our work will identify how Downtown’s streets and sidewalks can prioritize an enhanced pedestrian experience and reduce automobile dependency.
The Saint Paul Climate Action and Resiliency Plan identifies a goal of reducing single occupancy vehicle commuters by 40%. As a historic regional employment center poised for evolution, downtown Saint Paul’s transportation system plays a large influence in reaching this goal. Recent multimodal transportation investments in downtown streets include the Capital City Bikeway, Green Line LRT, Gold Line BRT, and others, which have begun to lay the groundwork for a multimodal downtown that relies less on single occupancy vehicles and has a complete network of efficient and low-stress alternatives.
Additionally, the Downtown Investment Strategy envisions significant future growth in residents, employees and visitors. The downtown public infrastructure, streets, and sidewalks must be ready to support that growth in a sustainable way. The Downtown Streets and Sidewalks Plan determine the best way to achieve this.
Plan Timeline
Fall 2024 to Spring 2025: Documenting Issues and Creating Planning Goals
Spring 2025 to Summer 2025: Creating and Evaluating Street Network Scenarios
Summer 2025 to End of 2025: Designing and Engaging on Early Implementation Corridors
Fall 2025 to Spring 2026: Authoring, Publishing, and Celebrating the Downtown Streets and Sidewalks Plan