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
Rice & Larpenteur Board of Directors
Mayor Marylee Abrams, City of Maplewood
Abdihamid Badri, City of Saint Paul (ex-officio)
Noelle Bakken, Events Chair
Golden DeAngelo, Neighborhood Livability Chair
Blake Downing, Finance Chair
Dan Edgerton, Chair
Janice Gundlach, City of Roseville (ex-officio)
Jeena Gurung-Vomhoff, Membership Chair
David Higgins, Saint Paul Downtown Alliance
Council Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim, City of Saint Paul
Kazoua Kong-Thao, Community School of Excellence
Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire, Ramsey County (ex-officio)
Commissioner Garrison McMurtrey, Ramsey County
Luis Mendoza, Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers
Commissioner Kelly Miller, Ramsey County (ex-officio)
Ella Mitchell, Ramsey County
Kathleen Murphy, Ramsey County (ex-officio)
Johnny Opara, JO Companies
Danette Parr, City of Maplewood (ex-officio)
Francisco Ramirez, M Health Fairview
Mayor Dan Roe, City of Roseville
Juan Vazquez, Cancun Mexican Grill & Cantina
Rachel Weiker, City of Saint Paul (ex-officio)
Name, Organization
Staff
Kim O'Brien, Executive Director
Maichee Xiong, Administrative Manager