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Saint Paul presents Rice and Jackson Street reconstruction plans; Rice aims for 2027 build
Summary
City and county representatives presented kickoff plans for Rice Street (design work through 2025–26, reconstruction in 2027) and an earlier design/construction timeline for Jackson Street (construction planned July 2025). Both projects emphasize multimodal safety, ADA accessibility, and public engagement; Rice has state funding from 2023 and Jackson uses a local sales tax allocation.
City of Saint Paul staff and consultants updated the Capitol Area board on two street reconstruction projects intended to improve multimodal access and public realm connections in and around the capitol district.
Anne Potter (City of Saint Paul) described the Rice Street project limits (John Ireland Boulevard south to Pennsylvania Avenue north) and a multi‑year timeline: inventory and public engagement through 2024, concept development in 2025, selection of a recommended concept late 2025 or early 2026, detailed design in 2026 and reconstruction in 2027. Potter said the project is being advanced with county partners and funded by a 2023 legislative appropriation.
"It will take a long time to get these streets built correctly, and with the public process," Potter said, noting goals to improve pedestrian, bicycle and transit safety; create a mobility hub at University and Rice tied to the Green Line; and design an enhanced public realm consistent with the CMDF.
Kathy Pinta (CKDA) presented the Jackson Street reconstruction scope (University Avenue to the CAP board’s northeastern limits). Planned changes include narrowed traffic lanes, added on‑street parking bays where needed, ADA‑compliant sidewalks and a one‑side trail, improved lighting, boulevard tree planting and utility upgrades. Construction is planned to begin July 2025 with some work possibly continuing into 2026. Funding for Jackson was noted as coming from a recently approved local sales tax package.
Board members asked about parking impacts, construction staging and how off‑scope community concerns will be captured; project staff said they maintain monthly technical coordination with city and county partners and will capture outreach comments and consider feasible modifications within the project budget. Staff committed to continued coordination with the CAP board and to bring regular updates.
