Over 100 years ago, Saint Paul Capitol architect Cass Gilbert had a vision of a lively, connected downtown extending from the green lawn of the Capitol to the Mississippi River via Wabasha Street. The recent closing of Macy’s further adds to the challenge of realizing Wabasha’s potential vitality. Wabasha Partners is mobilizing a change to transform Wabasha Street into ARTS WALK WABASHA, the city’
s cultural Main Street; Wabasha will be a pedestrian and bike-friendly magnet for arts, culture and creative storefront businesses stretching from the Capitol to the Mississippi River. ARTS WALK WABASHA isn’t just a nice idea – it’s a crucial piece of real estate that crosses and connects essential downtown neighborhoods. By 2014, the LRT will be bringing greater numbers of people into the heart of Saint Paul. The businesses and cultural assets that already exist on and around Wabasha are atomized and underutilized. ARTS WALK WABASHA will be the connective tissue that creates a cohesive sense of place. Our multi-fold impact plan for ARTS WALK WABASHA includes:
1) Inspiration: artful physical upgrades along Wabasha including mini-gazebo sidewalk stages that are designed for non-amplified, multi-cultural expressions including acoustic musical experiences from guitars, voices and small instruments.
2) Welcoming: multilingual wayfinding that provides practical orientation
3) Housekeeping: the assurance of a clean updated street with modern furnishings along with the removal of “The Skyway to Nowhere” at 6th Street, a high-profile, long standing symbol of unfinished business.
4) Programming: a curated program of multi-cultural arts and engagement including a cultural passport voucher initiative offering free and low-cost access to the cultural assets that already exist along Wabasha including The Fitzgerald Theater, McNally Smith College of Music, The History Theater and The Children’s Museum.
5) Economy: a business culture development campaign that targets attracts and incentivizes creative local entrepreneurs who take pride in place and craft to revive Wabasha’s empty storefronts. Our multifold plan will create a bustling street with unique and colorful small businesses attracting locals and visitors alike. ARTS WALK WABASHA will be a living, breathing work of art.
