Critical Corridors Programs
Ramsey County's Critical Corridors programs offer assistance to qualifying public, private and nonprofit organizations for place-based investments along major transportation, commercial and cultural corridors. The programs are fully funded by the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) levy. Eligible projects or activities seeking funding must align with the county's Economic Competitiveness & Inclusion Plan and Equitable Development Framework.
Goals
- Boost connectivity between housing, jobs, retail, services and transportation.
- Create more compact, walkable environments.
- Enhance pedestrian access and safety.
- Support vibrant business districts.
Development + Infrastructure program
Solicitation opens Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023.
Ramsey County’s Critical Corridors Development & Infrastructure program is a redevelopment funding program that facilitates inclusive redevelopment and public infrastructure within transit, economic, and cultural corridors. The program supports projects that incorporate efficient land use and compact built form in order to connect residents to housing, jobs, retail, and services, while creating walkable environments.
Who can apply
Developers (for-profit or nonprofit), government agencies and related development authorities.
Available funding
Applicants may request grants up to $500,000 with a projected expenditure date of December 31, 2025.
Depending on the project, Ramsey County may recommend funding in the form of a loan rather than a grant.
Pre-Development Planning program
Ramsey County’s Critical Corridors Pre-Development Planning program assists local communities in preparing for equitable redevelopment and public realm improvements along transit, economic, and cultural corridors. This program aims to facilitate pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access to connect residents to housing, jobs and destinations while furthering environmental, public health, racial equity and economic prosperity goals.
Who can apply
Cities, housing authorities, economic development authorities, port authorities, watershed districts and community-based nonprofit organizations in Ramsey County.
Available funding
Applicants may request a grant up to $50,000 in funding. Activities funded by this program must be completed by July 1, 2024.
Commercial Corridor Initiative program
Ramsey County’s Commercial Corridor Initiative program strengthens suburban small business districts by investing in pathways to entrepreneurship for racially and ethnically diverse communities and supporting thriving main streets.
Who can apply
Suburban Ramsey County entities including cities, associated development authorities, business coalitions, and chambers of commerce.
Funding
Applicants may request a grant up to $50,000 in funding. Activities funded by this program must be completed by July 1, 2024.
How to apply
Applications for funding are accepted twice, per year:
- Spring (Pre-Development Planning and Commercial Corridor Initiative)
- Fall (Development + Infrastructure)
The solicitation for Development + Infrastructure opens Sept. 5 and closes Oct. 6, 2023 at 4 p.m.
- Applications must be submitted via ZoomGrants by the deadline and contain all required components to be eligible for review. Awarded projects will be announced following the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board approval in November 2023.
- A pre-application meeting with staff, while not required, is highly recommended to ensure eligibility and program fit. Please email Ella Mitchell or Carmel San Juan to schedule a meeting prior to submitting an application.
- Ask a detailed question related to a project(s) through Sept. 5, 2023. Please include contact information to receive a direct response from staff.
Frequently asked questions
Critical Corridors does not cover the construction or rehabilitation of a property, but what if it's for affordable housing?
Critical Corridors Development & Infrastructure is intended to cover extraordinary costs of redevelopment projects, which largely means costs outside the building itself. Activities associated with an affordable housing development project may be eligible under the program. Eligible activities are listed in the program guidelines.
Are there specific areas that are considered Critical Corridor sites, and if so, where do we find this information?
Please view the Critical Corridors eligibility map and use the search bar at the top to enter the address of a potential site/project and see if it is within a designated corridor, marked in green.
Have new eligible corridors been added to the map?
No, these are the same eligible corridors as last round (August 2022). If there are other corridors that you would suggest be added, please reach out to [email protected] and that can be considered for the next round of funding.
How much total funding is available for the critical corridors program?
We anticipate about $1.7M being available for the fall 2023 Development & Infrastructure solicitation.
Are partial awards given to funding requests?
Yes, partial awards may be recommended for funding.
Beyond being eligible and meeting some of the selection priorities, what’s the selection process and what makes an application competitive?
The selection process will entail a panel of staff reviewers from different County departments. The reviewers will make recommendations to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Board for approval. A competitive application would align with overall Critical Corridors program goals and Development & Infrastructure Strategic and Selection Priorities, as outlined in the program guidelines.
Is there preference for projects that are near closing or not?
Since funds need to be spent by December 31, 2025, a project schedule that demonstrates alignment with that deadline is a factor in evaluation
Where can I find out about other funding opportunities?
Please sign up for the Community & Economic Development department newsletter to learn about future Ramsey County CED funding opportunities.
When will the next round of funding be?
There are 3 solicitations for Critical Corridors each year. The Development and Infrastructure solicitation is currently open, September 5-October 3, 2023, and the next round of funding is anticipated in Fall 2024. The next rounds of solicitations for Pre-Development Planning and Commercial Corridor Initiative solicitations are anticipated in Spring 2024.
Is building acquisition an eligible activity?
Only public agencies are eligible to apply for funding for property acquisition. Private entities, including nonprofits and developers, are not eligible to apply for acquisition funding.
Can funds be awarded for both hard and soft costs in one application round?
Development & Infrastructure funds can be spent only on hard costs like the ones listed in the eligible activities in the program guidelines.
Is this a reimbursable grant or will expenses need to be paid upfront and then seek reimbursement?
Award recipients will need to pay for expenses upfront and then seek reimbursement. Activities completed prior to grant award are not eligible for reimbursement. Award decisions will be announced mid-November of this year.
| Timeline (2023) | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Development & Infrastructure program application period | Sept. 5 |
EXTENDED DEADLINE: |
|
September 7 |
||
| Award announcement |
November 28 |
|
Board Action – Nov. 28, 2023
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board approved funding for five projects. Watch board meeting.
Development & Infrastructure
- El Patio de la Plaza Expansion
- Latino Economic Development Center, Saint Paul, $92,158
- Gladstone Village
- JB Vang Partners, Inc., Maplewood, $500,000
- Marshall Avenue Flats
- PAK Properties, Saint Paul, $300,000
- Serenity Townhomes
- Amani Construction & Development, Saint Paul, $500,000
Reallocation from 2022 Inclusive Housing Development Solicitation
- Rice Street Crossing
- Enclave Companies, Shoreview, $500,000
Total: 1,892,158
Board action – June 6, 2023
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board approved funding for five projects. Watch board meeting
Pre-Development Planning
- Rice Street Gardens Concept Plan
- Rondo Community Land Trust, Maplewood, $50,000
- Larpenteur-Snelling Corridor Study
- City of Falcon Heights, Falcon Heights, $50,000
Commercial Corridor Initiative
- County Road E Placemaking Strategy
- City of White Bear Lake, White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake, $30,000
- Filipino Village / Kusina Building Improvements
- City of Mounds View, Mounds View, $10,000
- Mounds View Boulevard Design Theme
- City of Mounds View, Mounds View, $21,900
Total $161,900
Board action – Nov. 22, 2022
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board approved funding for 14 projects. Watch board meeting
Pre-Development Planning
- Mounds View Square Redevelopment Concept Plan
- City of Mounds View, Mounds View, $50,000
- Community Control of Real Estate
- Creative Enterprise Zone, Saint Paul, $50,000
- Amani Beacon Bluff Building
- Amani Construction & Development, Saint Paul, $50,000
- Parking Reduction for a Greener New Brighton
- City of New Brighton, New Brighton, $29,340
- County Road B-Snelling Pedestrian Improvement Study
- City of Roseville, Roseville, $25,000
- East 7th Street Cultural Corridor Plan
- Indigenous Roots, Saint Paul, $25,000
Development & Infrastructure
- Hillcrest Redevelopment Site - Phase 1
- Saint Paul Port Authority, Saint Paul, $500,000
- 7th Street Gardens
- Winifred Partners LLC, Saint Paul, $300,000
- Little Africa Plaza - Water Line
- African Economic Development Solutions, Saint Paul, $103,507
- Plaza del Sol - El Patio de la Plaza
- Latino Economic Development Center, Saint Paul, $90,500
Commercial Corridor Initiative
- Enhancing the Public Realm in Rice & Larpenteur
- Rice & Larpenteur Alliance, Maplewood & Roseville, $50,000
- Bringing a Sense of Place to New Brighton
- City of New Brighton, New Brighton, $32,600
- Lexington Avenue Revitalization Plan
- Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce, Arden Hills & Shoreview, $25,000
Total $1,330,947