The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) wants to know what kinds of businesses should fill the Union Depot building in Lowertown St. Paul. Once restored, the historic building will be the eastern terminus of the future Central Corridor Light Rail line.
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short, anonymous survey is available online until June 26.
The information will be used for planning purposes, "to understand what kinds of businesses have an interest in opening a shop or selling their goods in Union Depot, and how Union Depot can become a vibrant part of the fabric of Downtown Saint Paul, in addition to serving as the premier multimodal transit hub of the region," says Daniel Fuchs, senior analyst for HR&A Advisors, which is assisting with the survey effort "to explore the best means for developing a vibrant mix of mutually-supportive local businesses and entrepreneurs in the building," according to a
Ramsey County Regional Rail News statement.
The purpose of the survey and HR&A work is "to maximize the economic development and job-generation value of The Union Depot project," including to:
� help inform a vision for what kind of marketplace The Union Depot should become, and over what period of time;
� demonstrate your interest in seeing The Union Depot succeed as an economic development driver and jobs-generator for the city and region;
� help identify what kinds of tenant spaces might be made available in the building, along with corresponding infrastructure needs; and
� put businesses on a list to attend an open house for potential tenants of the building.
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six-page pamphlet gives more information about the $150 million project, which is set to be completed in early 2013 and is expected to draw 1 million transit riders by 2014. The pamphlet includes a floor plan showing the 56,000 square feet of tenant space and 38,000 square feet of "civic halls" for retail kiosks.
The pamphlet also offers a market overview for Lowertown and Downtown St. Paul.
Sources: Daniel Fuchs, HR&A Advisors; Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority
Writer: Jeremy Stratton