Description
The City of Saint Paul will reconstruct Grand Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Snelling Avenue in 2025. This project was originally planned to begin in 2024 but was postponed due to timing considerations and scheduling concerns. Construction will be completed in two sections to stay on schedule while maintaining access to businesses, properties, and Macalester College.

The Public Works goals of the project are to: 

  • Improve safety along the corridor, with an emphasis on pedestrian crossing safety
  • Upgrade and modernize ageing infrastructure
  • Improve built environment to better serve Grand Avenue businesses
  • Improve transit user experience
  • Balance mode share to encourage non-automotive trips along and to the corridor
  • Improve pedestrian crossing interactions/placemaking through Macalester College campus

Location
Grand Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Snelling Avenue

Timeline

  • Community engagement started in 2022 and was completed in early 2023
  • Construction is in 2025 with clean up and any remaining items in 2026
Tags

    Grand Avenue Reopening Celebration

    Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter cuts ribbon on newly reconstructed Grand Avenue.

    Thank you for joining us at the Grand Avenue Reopening Celebration held on October 21, 2025. Our community celebration was complete with fun activities, music, and a ribbon cutting on the newly reconstructed Grand Avenue. Check out the City of Saint Paul's YouTube channel to view the reopening festivities and hear from Grand Avenue business owners.

    Grand Avenue Reopening YouTube

    Thank you to the local businesses, Mac-Groveland Community Council, Grand Avenue Business Association, and Macalester College for your support and partnership throughout construction and in celebrating the reopening.

    Grand Avenue Construction Update

    This week (October 20-24)

    Grand Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Macalester Street:

    • Installation of the center lanes, turn arrows, and crosswalks will be completed by the end of the week/early next week.
    • Bike rack installation will be completed.
    • Macalester College construction continues.
      • Crews continue to work on the north side between Cambridge and Macalester streets.

    Next week (October 27-31) and beyond

    Grand Avenue between Fairview and Snelling avenues:

    • The temporary 1-hour and 2-hour parking signs that were installed earlier this year will be removed later. Schedule is to be determined.
    • Tree plantings are anticipated to begin in late October and continue into November. If weather or other impacts affect the schedule, this may occur next year.
    • Macalester College construction continues.
      • Crews continue to work on the north side between Cambridge and Macalester streets.

    Pedestrian access during construction

    • Pedestrians should follow any posted signs along Grand Avenue.

    Bus stops

    All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change.

    Grand Avenue Adjusted Schedule

    Grand Avenue Continued Construction Flyer - October 24, 2025

    Grand Avenue Continued Construction Informational Flyer
    Image of Grand Avenue construction crawl card

    Support Grand Avenue Businesses during Construction with the "Construction Crawl Card"

    The City of Saint Paul, Grand Avenue Business Association, and the Macalester-Groveland Community Council are working together to support businesses along Grand Avenue during construction. Support Grand Avenue Businesses during construction with the "Construction Crawl Card."

    Grab your crew and hit the avenue — it’s time for a Construction Crawl!

    Wander your way down Grand Avenue from Fairview Avenue to Snelling Avenue, stopping into your favorite shops, restaurants, and local gems along the way. Score deals, check off your to-do list, and show some love to small businesses all in one go.

    Exclusive offers are waiting August–October 2025 — just flash your Construction Crawl Card!

    Download your Construction Crawl Card now or pick one up at a participating businesses and let the crawl begin.

    For more information and to download the Construction Crawl Card, visit grandave.com/construction

    Grand Avenue Business Support

    • Last office hours were held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
    • If you would like "Grand Avenue is open for business" window clings or posters, a customized business access map, or have other questions about business support, please email us at publicworksinfo@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

    Public Art on Grand Avenue

    Thanks to everyone who took the Public Art survey for Grand Avenue between Snelling Avenue and Fairview Avenue. Your survey responses will help inform the artist who will create the public art to be installed in the project area. As part of street reconstruction projects 1% of the project cost is dedicated to public art. The public art budget for the Grand Avenue project is $40,000. 

    Saint Paul’s 1% Public Art Ordinance: Quick Overview

    Saint Paul’s Public Art Ordinance arose from the aspiration and vision of civic leaders, artists and the community for a creative city at the headwaters of the Mississippi River. It arose from decades of exploration and observation as the City planned its future, as its population diversified, and as the practice of public art evolved. The Ordinance emerged in 2009 as a powerful tool that places artists at the core of civic action in shaping the form and experience of the city.

    Adopted in 2009, this ordinance mandates dedicating 1% of eligible capital project budgets toward public art, ensuring that art is built into city development from the start. Managed in collaboration with Public Art Saint Paul (PASP), the city's nonprofit art partner, artists are embedded early in planning to help shape public spaces in meaningful ways.

    Project Updates 2025

    All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change.

    Project Updates 2024

    FAQs

    Project Documents

    Note that construction information and materials are updated throughout the project. Please refer to the most recent version of maps and documents.

    Investing in Saint Paul Streets: Common Cent 

    A portion of this street reconstruction project will be paid for by a 1% local option sales tax, called Common Cent. This sales tax was approved by Saint Paul voters in November 2023. A portion of the project will also be funded through assessments to property owners adjacent to the project. The estimated assessment rate is based on a third-party special benefit analysis of the property values in the project area. Property owners will receive a notice of the estimated rate and date for a public hearing when estimated rates are available. More information on assessments can be found at www.stpaul.gov/specialassessments.

    Other Construction Projects in the Area