Our Advocacy on Your Behalf

I wanted to take a moment to lift the curtain on some of the great work our government affairs team is doing on your behalf. This is a team with a strong “heads down, get it done” mindset—which means we’re often deep in the work without always stopping to share the wins and progress in real time.
 
But make no mistake—there is meaningful, strategic work underway that is making a difference.
 
The most urgent update relates to downtown real estate.
We are tracking the status of downtown’s real estate situation, most recently the Alliance Bank Center and the Capital City Plaza parking ramp.  The Alliance Bank Center will be condemned due to property owner’s choosing to forego the payments for utilities for all tenants. The city will minimally maintain the building and perform additional temporary remedies to the building to keep it protected and secured. That section of skyway will be closed as well. Access to Osborn 370 will be through Treasure Island and Town Square to Securian. The City of Saint Paul also condemned the Capital City Plaza parking ramp. This closure will shutter access to the Cedar Street skyway bridge leading to the InterContinental Hotel, the Press House apartments, and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office station. The Fourth Street skyway bridge will also be closed limiting access to the St. Paul Athletic Club and the already-closed Alliance Bank Center. More as we know it on this front.

Here are a few other recent highlights:

1. Partnering with the City of Saint Paul and Saint Paul Downtown Alliance on the downtown revitalization strategy, and specifically the CUB tax credit (HF 457 | SF 768), including letters of support and direct advocacy with legislators
2. Submitted letters of support and testimony at the Capitol for key bonding requests, including the RiverCentre comples Xcel Arena Complex and the Ramsey/Washington County anaerobic digester energy system (HF 701 | SF 1037)
3. Provided testimony and written support for the Minnesota Youth Program (HF 2039 | SF 2342), statewide social districts (HF 1372 | SF 1182), Paid Family and Medical Leave modifications (HF 11 | HF 1976), and Saint Paul’s proposed rent control amendment
4. Completed final review of the MRCCA (Mississippi River Critical Corridor Area) ordinance, ahead of planning commission and City Council review
5. Actively tracking additional bills on behalf of policy partners and members in Saint Paul and Ramsey County
6. Continuing our East Metro Voter Guide work, now focused on the Saint Paul Ward 4 special election and 2025 mayoral race.

 
This work reflects your Chamber’s influence and credibility at the table – locally and at the Capitol.
 
We are focused, persistent, and aligned with the priorities you’ve helped define. Thank you for your continued trust and support. As always, we welcome your questions and input as this work moves forward.
 
See you in the trenches,
B

Chamber Check-in 4/8/25