In a call to action during his annual “State of the City” address, Mayor Melvin Carter urged the city council to adopt a legislative package aimed at stimulating new housing developments while safeguarding tenants from sudden rent increases. Expressing gratitude to Council Members Rebecca Noecker, Saura Jost, and Anika Bowie, Carter highlighted their proposal to eliminate “rent stabilization” for buildings occupied post-2004 as pivotal for enhancing housing production. He also commended Council Member Cheniqua Johnson’s efforts in spearheading proposed tenant protections. The council is anticipated to vote on these initiatives next month, a step the mayor has been advocating since his budget address in August.
Addressing the complexities of stable, affordable housing in a high-poverty city, Carter positioned housing as both a citywide crisis and an opportunity for downtown St. Paul, where residential occupancy exceeds 90%, yet a third of office space remains vacant. The mayor noted the shift to hybrid work models has left offices empty, reducing commercial values and leaving key buildings unoccupied. While downtowns nationwide grapple with these changes, St. Paul is proactively addressing these challenges with urgency and a strategic plan.
Carter reaffirmed a mid-2023 objective to attract 20,000 more residents downtown, citing office-to-housing conversions like the 174-apartment Stella project at the former Ecolab University building on Wabasha Street. Additionally, the Landmark Tower will soon commence leasing, and the city is evaluating the conversion of a City Hall annex building into a mixed-use space. Another initiative plans to incorporate residential units and street-level retail at the Green Line’s Central Station stop. To facilitate these endeavors, the city has allocated $1 million in incentives for office-to-housing conversions, reduced permitting fees, and cut bureaucratic red tape. Furthermore, $1.4 million is designated for business growth both downtown and throughout various neighborhoods, while approximately $1 million will support enhanced downtown patrols, public art, and additional amenities like signage, trash cans, and lighting.
While Carter introduced few new initiatives, he emphasized ongoing efforts to stabilize downtown St. Paul, including a proposal to renovate the Xcel Energy Center. The mayor addressed these issues from the newly opened North End Community Center, a $31 million facility that underscores the city’s commitment to its under-resourced neighborhoods. The political and financial landscape has shifted significantly since a year ago, with the current administration in Washington introducing new uncertainties.
Carter addressed the challenges posed by the federal administration without directly naming President Trump, emphasizing the city’s dedication to resisting divisive rhetoric and maintaining local autonomy over its police force. He stressed the importance of unity and civic engagement, subtly addressing city council tensions marked by attendance issues and a defamation lawsuit involving a former legislative aide.
In terms of public safety, Carter highlighted significant progress in reducing violent crime, noting a marked absence of gun-related homicides this year, following a peak of 40 in 2022. Non-fatal shootings have decreased by 73%, with auto thefts and carjackings also significantly down. These improvements are attributed to a new non-fatal shooting unit within the police department, which works to prevent retaliatory violence. The department has also improved its case clearance rate to 71%, up from 38% last year.
The city’s Office of Neighborhood Safety continues to support initiatives like “Familiar Faces” and “Project PEACE,” targeting high-frequency offenders with tailored interventions. Carter also emphasized the expanded use of suboxone and Narcan by first responders to aid in the recovery of fentanyl users, noting the tragic toll of the opioid crisis, with 840 Minnesotans losing their lives last year.
Infrastructure improvements have been bolstered by a new 1% citywide sales tax, funding over 70 Parks and Recreation projects and improving 50 miles of roads. The city is also launching “The Loop,” a free after-school transportation service for youth. Efforts to replace lead-based water lines continue, with a goal to increase the pace following the replacement of 1,000 lines last year.
Despite a zoning dispute, St. Paul has initiated citywide garbage collection with FCC Environmental, servicing 60,000 residential accounts and focusing Public Works efforts on illegal dumping hotspots. A furniture recycling program is set to launch, addressing commonly dumped items. The city is also introducing PAULIE, an online portal for scheduling and paying for inspections, complemented by remote “virtual inspections” conducted via video and mobile platforms.