Downtown Streets and Sidewalks Plan

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

Study Area

The primary study area for the Downtown Streets and Sidewalks Plan is bounded by I-94/I-35E freeway on the north, Highway 52/Lafayette Bridge on the east, Shepard Road on the south, and Kellogg Boulevard on the west. This area is entirely within Planning District 17 (the CapitolRiver Council). The study will consider the gateway connections and corridors to each of the adjacent districts and neighborhoods from this primary study area.

Get involved

The Downtown Streets and Sidewalks Plan is led by the Saint Paul Department of Public Works and is guided by a Technical Advisory Committee composed of local and regional agencies and community organizations. We also want to hear from you! 

The feedback we gather about Downtown Saint Paul’s transportation needs will shape the project’s vision and goals. We’ll work with you to identify the most important streets and connections for people walking and rolling, biking, taking transit, and driving. And then we’ll create new projects, programs, and policies to help get you to the places you need to go.

Learn more and share your ideas through: 

• Pop-Up Events

• Online Surveys

• Mapping Activities