Rice Street Visioning Study

Ramsey County needed a vision for the Rice Street/CSAH 49 corridor in Saint Paul. Bolton & Menk led a nontraditional preliminary design process through the North End and Frogtown neighborhoods that took a holistic view of corridor improvements, broadening both agency and public engagement to consider issues related to business development, public safety, public health and active living, and community livability. The project area is a hub of activity that serves a diverse mix of residents, commuters, visitors, and businesses. Almost 80 percent of the population in the surrounding neighborhoods identify by race and ethnicities other than white.

The team was tasked with creating engaging public involvement activities to gather input on the current conditions and operations to create a shared vision for the corridor that addresses all community goals. We worked closely with DBEs and community liaisons to facilitate an engaging, educational, and responsive public involvement plan. The process used inclusive engagement practices, including community liaisons, online interactive tools, and arts-based practices.

In addition to modernizing the aging roadway and addressing significant safety concerns, the visioning study will help promote economic growth and community investment by providing businesses opportunities, creating an inviting environment, enhancing pedestrian safety, maintaining and augmenting transit service, and improving vehicle safety.