The City of Saint Paul is excited to announce a major redesign for StPaul.gov! The design is powered by Confluence—the City of Saint Paul’s new official design system. StPaul.gov 2.0 was led by the Office of Technology & Communications to unify our digital presence and deliver a seamless, user-centered experience for residents, visitors, and staff alike. 

This redesign isn’t just a fresh coat of paint—it’s a reimagining of how people navigate City services online. We’ve listened to feedback, studied user behavior, and built a system that reflects how people actually search, scan, and solve problems on the web.

What’s New? 

We’ve introduced several key features to make StPaul.gov easier to use. These updates address long-standing pain points and deliver a more intuitive, accessible experience for everyone: 

  • Persistent sidebar menu: Stay oriented and move confidently through City services with a menu that’s always within reach.
  • Strategic anchor links: Jump directly to the information you need without scrolling.
  • Consistent breadcrumb trails: Know where you are and how to get back—every step of the way.
  • Cleaned up components: Updated design of our web components to have a unified, and modern look.
  • Better storytelling: Emphasis on images and video features in the new design to help tell the incredible work that is happening throughout our city. 

Built on Best Practices 

We’ve built a website that works for real people—whether you're paying a bill, finding a park, or applying for a permit. This new design is grounded in: 

  • Years of user testing
  • Accessibility standards (WCAG AA)
  • Digital best practices
  • Intuitive design practices

Why the Redesign Matters

StPaul.gov is more than a website—it’s a commitment to making City services easier to find, easier to use, and accessible to everyone. Here’s what it means for you:

  • Clear, consistent design so information is easy to navigate
  • Human-centered approach that prioritizes usability
  • Features that encourage civic engagement
  • A modern system that keeps information accurate and up-to-date
  • Streamlined processes for faster updates and improvements

Why “Confluence”? 

The name Confluence (from the Dakota: Bdote) is deeply rooted in the geography and spirit of Saint Paul, where the Mississippi River and Minnesota River converge. This natural meeting point has long been a place of gathering—historically and today for Indigenous communities, calling the meeting points Bdote, and for the diverse people who live, work, and visit the city. In the context of our design system, Confluence symbolizes:

Icon of a team of people on a blue background

Coming Together

Just as rivers merge to form something larger, Confluence brings together designers, developers, content creators, and stakeholders across departments to build unified digital experiences. It reflects our commitment to collaboration and shared purpose.

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Guidance and Flow

Rivers guide movement and shape the land. Similarly, Confluence provides clear guidance and documentation to help teams navigate when and how to use components, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and clarity across all city services. 

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Building Bridges

Saint Paul is a city of bridges—connecting neighborhoods, people, and ideas. Confluence serves as a bridge between design and development, between vision and implementation, and between the City and its people.

Frequently Asked Questions