By Scott Carlson

Since 2009, the nonprofit Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) has been working to attract and support creative people and businesses to “Make it Here!,” a unique district of creativity and innovation in St. Paul’s south St. Anthony Park and Midway neighborhoods.

The CEZ enumerated these highlights from 2024:

• Welcoming new people and businesses—MidCity Kitchen and Farmers Market, Hey Bear! Cafe and more—while saying goodbye to a few as well.

• Expanding the CEZ’s tree canopy with two community planting days, a legion of dedicated volunteers and 100 donated trees.

• Caring and weekly watering of new trees with two AmeriCorps members.

• Advocating, educating and promoting through the festival, tours, media, community representation and public engagement.

• Commissioning CEZ wayfinding to promote area businesses and community amenities (slated for installation in spring 2025).

• Partnering with St. Paul’s Department of Neighborhood Safety on a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) study.

• Commissioning seven murals, hosting events and programs, paying artists, and driving tourism and awareness with the Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival (Save the date for this year’s festival: Sept. 18 to 20).

• Exploring shared ownership models with property owners and Taproot Community Investment Cooperative to prevent displacement of existing businesses and residents.

• On-going partnerships with area businesses, sponsors and funders!

• Leading with a values-first approach to equitable community, cultural, and economic development in Saint Paul. 

Scott Carlson is managing editor of the Bugle.