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Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce WorkStream Hired by Cities of Roseville, Maplewood, Saint Paul and Ramsey County for implementation of Rice and Larpenteur Vision. Saint Paul, MN, March 14, 2019 — Recognizing the need to focus attention on communities at the edge of their municipal boundaries, the cities of Maplewood, Roseville, Saint Paul and Ramsey County have turned their attention towards each other, and the area surrounding Rice Street and Larpenteur Avenue. The intersection includes three cities, two county roads, and three County Commissioners’ districts. The cities and county have now hired the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (SPACC) to build and convene the Rice and Larpenteur Alliance, which will assume the task of implementing the Rice Larpenteur Vision Plan that was adopted by each agency in 2018. The Vision Plan includes many goals and priorities for the area including pedestrian, environmental, and aesthetic enhancements, as well as redevelopment opportunities for more neighborhood-scale retail, plus employment and housing options. SPACC has hired Kim O’Brien, former Saint Paul City Council staffer, to serve as Executive Director to the Alliance beginning this month. Background In 2016, at the urging of city and county leaders, the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce convened local government staff and residents from Maplewood, Roseville and Saint Paul to consider improvements to the Larpenteur Ave corridor. The partners recognized the challenge in serving so-called border areas, and identified the Rice Street and Larpenteur Avenue intersection as an important focus for revitalization. Ever since, the three cities, plus Ramsey County, have met regularly to pool resources and share information in support of the Rice and Larpenteur neighborhood. In 2018, a joint funding agreement enabled the coalition to hire the urban design firm Perkins + Will to lead the process to create a community-generated vision for the area. Each municipality adopted the Rice and Larpenteur Area Vision Plan in 2018, which outlined several next steps including hiring dedicated staff to support the initiative. In early 2019, the cities again pooled resources to solicit bids for project management services to implement the Vision Plan and continue to convene, promote and fundraise for the effort. More information and the Vision Plan can be found at www.riceandlarpenteur.com. About Rice and Larpenteur The Rice and Larpenteur area is home to thousands of people and many businesses of varying sizes. New immigrant populations, young families and workers live in the area due to the concentration of naturally occurring affordable housing. Neighborhood amenities include Lake McCarrons, Lake McCarrons Regional Park, Trout Brook Trail, Wheelock Parkway, Rice Street Gardens, several schools and churches, employment opportunities and convenient access for motorists, pedestrian, bicyclists and transit users. The project area is generally bordered on the north by County Rd B, on the east by Sylvan Street, on the west by Galtier Street and on the south by Cottege Avenue. The intersection is shared by Roseville (Northwest), Maplewood (Northeast), and Saint Paul (South of Larpenteur). Both Rice Street and Larpenteur Avenue are owned and managed by Ramsey County. About SPACC The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic network of employers and individuals organized to deliver economic opportunity for its members. For more than 150 years, the Chamber has served as a gateway to business advantage. More than 1,200 organizations of all sizes and industries across the region belong to the Chamber. More information can be found at www.saintpaulchamber.com. About WorkStream WorkStream is a new division of the Chamber of Commerce providing professional services in support of business and community collaborations, including Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations and Community Initiatives. More information can be found at www.saintpaulchamber.com/workstream.