Rondo Avenue Renaming

Why is the City Renaming the Street?

By the mid-1900s, the Rondo neighborhood was the thriving center of African American life in Minnesota. This neighborhood was home to important historical Saint Paul commerce and culture. In the 1960s, with the construction of Interstate 94, hundreds of homes and businesses along Rondo Avenue were destroyed. In January 1964, a resolution was introduced to rename the southern frontage road of the newly constructed interstate to Concordia Avenue. After no public discussion, the resolution passed. The once-thriving community that was destroyed by the interstate was now erased in name too. 

In recent years, there have been extensive public conversations around the future of the I-94 corridor along with efforts to preserve and build upon the legacy of Rondo. As part of the city’s effort to undo the damage to the community caused by the construction of the interstate and other destructive policies, the City Council and Mayor Carter, on the recommendation of the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission, have moved to officially restore Rondo Avenue to its original name. 

Address Change from Concordia Avenue and St Anthony Avenue to Rondo Avenue for Some Properties

Properties located on Concordia Avenue from Griggs Street to Mackubin Avenue and on St Anthony Avenue from Western Avenue to Rice Street will have an address change. The property number will NOT change. For example, if the current/old address is 670 Concordia Avenue, the new address is 670 Rondo Avenue.

The new address will become effective on April 10, 2024. This property will continue to receive U.S. mail addressed to the old address forwarded to the new Rondo Avenue address for a period of up to 18 months.

The city has coordinated with U.S. Postal Service to process all of the address changes in their database at one time. Please DO NOT submit a Change of Address form to the Post Office.

What you need to do if your address is changing

The City of Saint Paul recognizes this historic street name change may require some additional work for you as one of the property owners who is required to change their address.

Depending on your specific situation you may need to contact, notify, and change your property street address with one or more of the following agencies, businesses or organizations:

• Utilities (e.g. electric, gas, water, cable/internet)
• Bank(s) and other financial or lending institutions 
• Business filings or records
• Saint Paul Public Schools or other school institutions
• Credit cards
• Subscriptions
• Online accounts with your mailing address
• Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or other licensing agencies
• Friends, family, and business relations

Property owners may be required to update addresses on legal documents, including, but not limited to various personal or business licenses, identification cards, and financial accounts and checks. The City of Saint Paul will reimburse you as the property owner, business owner, or resident for selected costs associated with updating your property address. 

• Residents living at the property with an address change can be reimbursed up to $100 per person/per household for personal address changes. 
• Individuals who operate a legal business at a property with an address change can be reimbursed up to $300 per business.

To be reimbursed for accepted address change expenses, please submit any reimbursements no later than November 1, 2024.

• Any person who chooses to have qualified expenses reimbursed must complete the attached W9 form. This will NOT be reported as taxable income. The city requires this information in our system to create a check payment.
• Please submit the completed W-9 (fillable) form with your first reimbursement receipts.
• Reimbursements MUST have a detailed receipt indicating date, cost, and document the item(s).
• Reimbursements must be submitted by mail for paper receipts, or electronically with (PDF or JPG)
• You can submit reimbursements whenever you want prior to November 1, 2024.
• Reimbursement checks will take about 14 business days to be mailed to the resident.
• The city will only reimburse costs associated with an address change. For example, getting a new, current Minnesota Driver’s License because of an address change is $26. If you are renewing your driver’s license, the city will only reimburse for $26 which is the cost of the address change, not the full cost for a renewal.

Submit reimbursements, receipts, and the W-9 (fillable) form by mail or email no later than November 1, 2024 to:

Attn: Michelle Gregoire
Saint Paul Public Works
25 W. 4th Street CHA 1500
St. Paul, MN 55102

For any additional questions, please contact Lisa Hiebert at Lisa.Hiebert@ci.stpaul.mn.us.