Share Your Views
If you would like to submit input on any topic within the Capitol Area boundaries, please contact us by email or post mail. Please include the topic in the subject of your email.
If you would like to submit input on any topic within the Capitol Area boundaries, please contact us by email or post mail. Please include the topic in the subject of your email.
The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) has published a Notice of Public Comment on whether conditions have been met for CAAPB to consider the application to remove the USS Ward Gun from the Capitol Mall. All comments must be received by 4:30pm on January 7, 2025. You can voice your opinion by email, phone, or mail.
Public Hearing:
CAAPB will be holding a public hearing in Conference Room 116C of the Administration Building at 3:30 pm on Thursday, December 19, 2024. There will also be an option to attend virtually here. You can find more information on our USS Ward Number Three Gun page.
In May 2023, the State of Minnesota Department of Administration received authorizing legislation to demolish the Ford Building on University Avenue just east of Rice Street. In June 2023, project architects filed an application with CAAPB. The proposal includes demolition of existing vacant Ford Building (State of Minnesota) and existing site elements and also includes construction of tunnel access and new secured enclosure building, green space, public access walkways and parking at the site on University Avenue located in G1 (State office) zoning district and CCO (Central Corridor overlay zoning district) in the Capitol Area zoning jurisdiction.
Learn more and submit input on the Ford Building Demolition and Site Improvements page.
The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, led by the Lt. Governor, has authorized two advisory task forces to review the policies and procedures for changes to existing commemorative works such as civic art, memorials and monuments on the Capitol Grounds and gather input from the public. Learn more and submit input on the Consideration of Commemorative Works page.
Ramsey County and MHealth Fairview have been granted an 18-month variance and conditional use permit to lease the former Bethesda Hospital as a transitional housing and COVID respite for those experiencing homelessness. The site of the former Bethesda Hospital is in the Capitol Area and within the Capitol Heights neighborhood, just one block east of the Rice Street commercial corridor. The CAAPB is the zoning and permitting authority for the site. The variance and conditional use permit were approved at the December 16th CAAPB Board Meeting. View the livestream of the Board Meeting. CAAPB Staff is currently working with co-applicants on satisfying the conditions, including the monthly convening of the Bethesda Good Neighbor Group.*
*Bethesda Good Neighbor Group: A key condition of CAAPB approval was the convening (by CAAPB staff) of a regular monthly check-in attended by Ramsey County, Shelter director, Shelter security, MHealth Fairview representative, Saint Paul Police Department, Capitol Security and a range of stakeholder representatives from the community. Meetings have included updates on status of the shelter, discussion of neighborhood safety issues, public safety statistics, physical improvements, communication and information sharing, and community building opportunities. The group currently meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Download the 5x8 Informational Flyer for printing and distribution or for circulation to neighbors and community networks.
*Fairview Letter Regarding Plans for Bethesda after May 2022: Another condition of CAAPB approval in late 2020 was that site owners Fairview come forward to announce plans by December 15, 2021 for Bethesda Hospital building and site after ending of the County lease in May 2022. View PDF of the November 23, 2021 Fairview memo to CAAPB, which announces that the Bethesda property may become the site of a new specialty hospital; “Fairview is currently exploring returning this site to its original use as a hospital, in operation with a partner.”
For more information contact Peter Musty 612-743-5994 | peter.musty@state.mn.us.
On March 2nd 2021 the school received a conditional use permit setback variance for the design of the building at University and Marion. Download the project summary. See variance notice published in early January. Deadline for public comment was late February.
The school and its development team have been reaching out to Marion and Sherburne neighbors directly to provide information and ask for input and answer questions. The next meeting will be prior to construction to provide information and engage community members about implementation activities.
Spring 2023 Update: Saint Paul City School opened its doors in the fall of 2022 and is now completing its first school year. The school added a rooftop array of solar panels in the winter 2022-23.
May 2022 Update: Staff continues to work with school director Dr. Meg Cavalier and her development team. Following CAAPB approvals in 2021 and groundbreaking last fall, the building is now under construction. Read the April 5th memo to the Board.
December 2021 Update: Staff continues to work with school director Dr. Meg Cavalier and her development team. Following CAAPB approvals earlier this year, the school design and development team finalized building and infrastructure entitlements with the City of Saint Paul, and this fall received Certificate of Design Compliance from CAAPB. A small ceremony (below) was coordinated on site to celebrate beginning of construction, with goal of opening for (or during) the 2022-23 school year. Mayor Carter surprised a full class of Saint Paul City School kids, several of whom were the dignitaries for the groundbreaking. Read the December 1st memo to the Board.
For more information contact Peter Musty 612-743-5994 | peter.musty@state.mn.us.
If you would like to submit input on any topic within the Capitol Area boundaries, please contact us by email or post mail. Please include the topic in the subject of the email.
* Note: Your Name, Email and Zip code are required when submitting input.
For more information on any project, please contact Peter Musty at 612-743-5994 | peter.musty@state.mn.us