News & Updates

On September 24, 2024, the CAAPB authorized the final edits to the full Framework document. View the final version of the Capitol Mall Design Framework published in December 2024 here.

The Design Framework was developed with the goal of making the Capitol Mall more welcoming for more Minnesotans. To represent Minnesota's great diversity, the design team has collaborated with thousands of community members across the state over the last five months. After an extensive initial analysis in late 2023, the team led a 4-day design session with 75 community members, hosted two online surveys with 2,425 responses, held 13 pop-ups across the state, hosted focus groups and a state-wide virtual workshop, and attended countless meetings with community groups, state agencies and others to gather design input.

“We are excited to share the Capitol Mall Design Framework, which is the result of many voices, and the hard work of the project team. These changes represent a shared vision for the Capitol Mall, one that prioritizes accessibility, sustainability, and inclusivity. The Capitol belongs to all Minnesotans and this effort speaks to the heart of that.” says Lt. Governor Peggy Flannagan, the chair of the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board.

The website is available in English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish.

"Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul are working in coordination with the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) to design and construct a community-driven vision for Rice Street near the Minnesota state capitol from John Ireland Boulevard to Pennsylvania Avenue. This project will build off the connections formed during the visioning and construction of Rice Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Wheelock Parkway throughout the past five years (2019-2024) and is also being coordinated with Metro Transit’s METRO G Line BRT project.

This area of Rice Street is a hub of activity in downtown Saint Paul that serves a diverse mix of residents, visitors, businesses and modes of travel. The existing roadway is aging with safety and traffic concerns, and there is the need for strengthened community development, business vitality, bike and pedestrian connections, public safety, livability, and compatible land uses in the corridor. Dialogue between the community and the project team will help to deliver a successful project with a solution that was constructed by the very people who live and use the area." 

(This text has been copied from Ramsey County's Capitol Rice Street Reconstruction webpage.)

Minnesota’s Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) is now in a preliminary development phase to update the Minnesota Rules Chapter 2400, Capitol Area Zoning and Design rules ("Rules") for the Capitol Area in Saint Paul, Minnesota. 

The update to the Rules will build upon the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the Minnesota State Capitol Area and the existing Rules to regulate and manage the Capitol Area environment and its physical form. 

The contact person is:

Jessie Hughes, Office Administrative Specialist
Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board
jessie.hughes@state.mn.us

Resources:

• Preliminary Request for Comments – January 13-February 13, 2025

In two of the last three Legislative sessions legislators, achieved a set of investments that implement major elements of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the Minnesota State Capitol Area.  

They include: 

• 2023 Session: Rice Street - $25 million for the redesign and reconstruction of lower Rice Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and John Ireland and include enhanced multi-modal and shared mobility features (mobility hub) at University and Rice. The community is now engaged in the review of design ideas and how to include investments in BRT stations, stormwater innovations, and how the street can support the campus, neighborhood, and businesses. 
• 2023, 2024, and 2025 Session: Vitality - In 2023, legislature established $5 million in Capitol Area Community Vitality funding, guided in 2024 by the work of a task force of appointed community members. In May of 2025, legislature provided Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department $3 million and the Saint Paul Port Authority ($1 million) to establish a diverse array of programming around livability, safety, events, community networks, and grants for new and existing businesses. For updates on that work and more information about the legislation and task force, click here. 
• 2023 and Renewal in 2025 Session: Capitol Mall -  $1 million to create the Capitol Mall Design Framework (CMDF) (in 2023 and 2024), the visioning for the Capitol Mall including the creation of two new urban green spaces along Rice Street and $5 million to implement phase 1 of the Framework priorities. Hundreds of new trees are planted or planned on campus.

For more information on 2023 legislation affecting the Capitol Area, see staff memo. For 2025 legislation, visit the new Community page. 

Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) and Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) are partners on a stormwater management study to understand water quality and quantity issues in the Capitol Area and identify regional green infrastructure opportunities for improved stormwater management. CRWD and CAAPB believe that stormwater management strategies will be integral to achieving the broader vision and goals in the Capitol Area comprehensive plan. Visit CRWD's website (linked above) for further information.