A City Where People LIVE

Capital City Partnership promotes housing development as an essential part of downtown’s growth into a 24-hour community. Saint Paul’s growth as a residential destination plays a signifi cant role in its long-term viability, retail success, and community atmosphere. Saint Paul’s quality of life is evidenced by being recognized as one of America’s Most Livable Communities from the Partners for Livable Communities.

A new generation of people are attracted to downtown by the ease of commuting; the diversity of entertainment, dining, and retail options; proximity to arts and culture venues; the stimulating environment; and a remarkably diverse range of housing, from lofts in renovated turn-of-the-century warehouse buildings to apartments, to luxury condominiums and renovated single-family historic homes.

Since 2000 the number of housing units in downtown Saint Paul (District 17 and downtown fringe) has grown from 5,600 to 7,500 and has pushed the downtown residential population to over 12,000 residents, representing a 25% increase in the downtown population. Nearly an additional 875 units and 1,171 residents are proposed in the next few years with the completion of planned housing developments.

There is a growing trend to convert obsolete Class C office space into residential. Since 2003, a total of 926,858 sq. ft. of office space has been converted to housing.

A City of Neighborhoods

Downtown Saint Paul neighborhoods and strategic investment areas for major downtown housing include:

Wacouta Commons – a mixed-use new urban village surrounding the new Wacouta Commons Park.

Fitzgerald Park – redevelopment plans on the site of the former Public Safety Building include The Penfield.

Upper Landing – construction is completed on the $175 million, mixed-use development along a 21-acre riverfront site and is among the largest redevelopment projects in Saint Paul’s history.

West Side Flats – a proposed new $64 million mixeduse urban village to complement the new U.S. Bancorp Operations Center.

Lowertown – redevelopment of this downtown district includes conversion of many historic office buildings to condominiums. Signifi cant redevelopment will continue to occur along the Central Corridor route.

Downtown Demographic Study Highlights

Resident Profile

• 88% of residents enjoy living downtown and choose downtown for easy access to culture, entertainment, events, and restaurants, proximity to work, and the urban setting.
• 12,000 people currently are living in downtown Saint Paul – an estimated increase of 25% from 2000.
• 63% of downtown residents have a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• 32% of households have a pre-tax annual income of more than $75,000.
• 53% of downtown residents are employed full-time and 23% of residents are employed downtown.
• 68% of residents have lived downtown 5 years or less.
• 60% of residents are under 55 years old, 30% of residents are under 35, and 38% of the downtown population is over
  the age of 55.
• 64% of residents are not married.
• 88% of downtown Saint Paul households have no school-aged children living in residence.
• 55% of downtown residents are male, 45% are female.
• 52% of downtown residents own and 48% of downtown residents occupy rental units.
• Average downtown apartment rent: $1,072*, average downtown housing: $165,000**

Spending Habits

• 76% of residents shop downtown on a monthly basis.
• 75% of residents eat out downtown on a monthly basis.
• 68% of residents attend theatre, sporting events, concerts, festival and museums on a monthly basis.
• 44% of residents go to bars and nightclubs on a monthly basis.
  

Commuting Patterns

• 56% of residents commute less than 10 miles to work, 21% of residents commute less than 20 miles to work.
• 56% of residents use a car, 18% walk, and 19% use the bus as their source of transportation.
• 44% of residents would use light rail for work and 83% of residents would use light rail for pleasure if available.

Sources: Downtown Demographic Study Capital City Partnership / JH Pool Consulting, 2005; City of Saint Paul, 2008; *GVA Marquette Advisors – First Quarter 2007 Apartment Trends; **Saint Paul Area Association for Realtors, 2008