Twin Cities communities are seeking a brand for Smith Avenue to help create a plan to invigorate the tree-lined, residential, commercial corridor that stretches from High Bridge in St. Paul to Dodd Road in West St. Paul. The plan is meant to help guide business owners, residents, public officials and other stakeholders to make much needed decisions over the next 10 to 15 years.
The new plan will replace St. Paul’s initial Smith Avenue Task Force Report. The latest draft highlights objectives for housing, transportation, vitality, land use and more. The current task force is made up of residents, business owners and community leaders. The force was formed last year by the Riverview Economic Development Association, West Side Citizens Organization, Neighborhood Development Alliance and the cities of St. Paul and West St. Paul.
There is a great mix of community members who are really focused. They have helped make it possible for St. Paul to pledge an initial $30,000 for planning, while Dakota County’s Community Development Agency and West St. Paul’s Economic Development Authority contributed $6,300 each.
Plans for short-term objectives:
* Create a community festival that both cities can share
* Encourage businesses to become members of REDA
* Explore creating an independent business association
* Recruit more food establishments near the Avenue’s main intersection and Doddway Shopping Center
* Market available building and frontage improvement programs
* Initiate a branding strategy
More objectives have been lined out for the long term, such as looking at bike routes, funds for revamping homes and commercial buildings and addressing parking limitations. These are many great plans that will put the Twin Cities on a beautiful track.
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