ABOUT US
In 2016, leaders from three different cities met at Friends Cafe to discuss ways to partner and draw attention and resources to the border community of Rice & Larpenteur. Over spring rolls and curry, the group discussed the promise of the neighborhood and the concerns they were hearing from area residents and businesses. Ever since, city and county leaders have been meeting together and working with the community to support the Rice & Larpenteur neighborhood.
Adopted in 2018, the Rice-Larpenteur Vision Plan (PDF) is a collaborative effort of the cities of Maplewood, Roseville and Saint Paul, and Ramsey County. After a year of community meetings and public input, the Vision Plan includes a strategy to manage future growth of the Rice-Larpenteur Gateway Area in a manner that improves connectivity and accessibility within the corridor, and creates an attractive destination with strong businesses, vibrant neighborhoods and beautiful places.
INTERIM ALLIANCE & STAFF
In March 2019, the Cities and County hired the St. Paul Area Chamber to staff the Rice-Larpenteur Gateway Alliance and manage the implementation of the Rice-Larpenteur Vision Plan. As staff to the Alliance, SPAC is charged with convening the Interim Alliance, building and supporting a Long-Term Alliance, actively seeking economic development opportunities, leading the development of a multi-year funding strategy, and supporting vibrant community events and placemaking initiatives.
The Rice & Larpenteur Alliance launched a Community-Based Advisory Board in early 2020, including neighborhood residents, business owners, nonprofit leaders, development partners, philanthropic partners and government representatives. This body is responsible for stewardship of the Rice & Larpenteur Vision Plan and oversight of staffing and contracts. The Alliance works to realize the neighborhood vision guided by the values of Representation and Inclusion, Non-displacement, and Strengths-Based Approaches. The Board is divided into three committees; Executive, Economic Development & Transportation, and Neighborhood Livability & Events.
COMMUNITY-BASED ALLIANCE & STAFF
Executive
Committee
Dave Higgins, McGough Development LLC
Johnny Opara, J.O. Companies
Andrea Cadwell, Resident
Emma De Vera, Resident
Greg Simbeck, Resident
Mariah Quick, Ramsey County Environmental Health
Daniel J Edgerton, Stantec
Blake Downing, Hamernick's Interior Solutions
Mayor Marylee Abrams, City of Maplewood
Shawn Wiski, Kraus-Anderson Realty
Trista Matascastillo, Ramsey County Board of Commissioners
Mayor Dan Roe, City of Roseville
Amy Brendmoen, Saint Paul City Council
Kazoua Kong-Thao, Community School of Excellence
Board of
Advisors
Amy Brendmoen*, Saint Paul City Council
Andrea Caldwell*, Chair; Resident
Angela Riffe, City of Saint Paul - Economic Development
Blake Downing*, Finance Chair; Hamernick's Interior Solutions
Brian Welke, North End Laundry
Mayor Dan Roe*, City of Roseville
Danette Parr, City of Maplewood
Daniel J Edgerton*, Economic Vitality Chair; Stantec
Dave Higgins*, McGough Development LLC
Ella Mitchell, Ramsey County
Emma De Vera*, Secretary; Resident
Francisco Ramirez, M Health Fairview
Golden DeAngelo, Ever-Green Energy Inc. & Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. St Paul Minneapolis Alumni Chapter
Greg Simbeck*, Events Co-Chair; Resident
Jane Forliti, Resident
Janice Gundlach, City of Roseville
Councilmember Jason Etten, City of Roseville
Johnny Opara*, J.O. Companies
Kalease R. Smith, St Paul - Ramsey County Public Health Sexual Violence Services SOS
Kaziah Josiah, Saint Paul Police Department
Kazoua Kong-Thao*, Vice Chair; Community School of Excellence
Keith Allen, M Health Fairview
LaTanya Black, MACGV
Luis Mendoza, MCCD
Mariah Quick*, Events Co-Chair; Ramsey County Environmental Health
Mary Beth Hess, Resident
Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire, Ramsey County
Mayor Marylee Abrams*, City of Maplewood
Narayan Chhetri, Resident
Noelle Bakken, City of Roseville
Porsche Hurley, Open Arms of Minnesota
Shann Finwall, City of Maplewood
Shawn Wiski*, Neighborhood Livability Chair; Kraus-Anderson Realty
Tong Khang, JB Vang
Board Chair Trista Matascastillo*, Ramsey County
Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Ramsey County
*Executive Committee Member
Business
Advisory
Committee
Alyssa Chin, Roseville Church of Christ
Corey Wethern, AE Signs Systems
Paster Dana Nelson, Galilee Lutheran Church
Dayna Taylor, Hand In Hand Christian Montessori
Jim Freeman, TSE, Inc.
Keith Allen, M Health Fairview
LaTanya Black, MACGV
Nidhi Joshi, McCarron View
Noah Blaiser, Halverson and Blaise Group, LTD.
Sherry Sanders, Rice Street Gardens
Stephanie Harris, Washington Technology Magnet School
Julia McCarthy, Keystone Community Services
Ronna Woolery, Lamplighter Village Apartments
Staff
Kim O'Brien, Executive Director
Maichee Xiong, Administrative Manager