The Downtown Riverfront

For generations, the Mississippi River has been the heartbeat of Saint Paul, shaping our history and livelihoods. But today, many Saint Paul residents and visitors walk through downtown without realizing how close they are to the river that built this city. It’s time to reconnect our city with its riverfront.

A Critical Connection

The River Balcony is a 1.5-mile promenade along downtown Saint Paul’s river bluff, connecting public spaces, civic landmarks, and development sites, providing new connections to the river and sparking economic development along the riverfront.

Located downtown and anchored by the Science Museum and River Centre to the west and Union Depot and Lambert’s Landing to the east, the Balcony becomes the point of access to all that Saint Paul has to offer, forming a gateway to the city and the river.

Schematic design for the Balcony was completed in 2022. As a first step toward implementation of the vision, we are developing the Downtown Riverwalk.

The Downtown Riverwalk will transform a two-mile loop along the Mississippi River, connecting key public spaces and landmarks through signage, interpretive graphics, artwork, and places to rest. It’s not just a walkway; it’s a crucial part of reimagining our riverfront, driving economic development, and celebrating our city’s rich history.

Now is the time to be part of Saint Paul’s next chapter. We plan to launch the Downtown Riverwalk in the summer of 2025, creating a new way to experience the river for generations to come. Donate today, and help reconnect downtown Saint Paul to the Mississippi River!

River Balcony Project Design

The City of Saint Paul and Great River Passage Conservancy worked with James Corner Field Operations and consultants to complete schematic design for the River Balcony. Schematic design includes site analysis, exploring design concepts, providing a general overview of the River Balcony’s basic features and programming, and getting a general idea of the look and feel of the project. Following months of community engagement, we invite you to view the final schematic design as it was presented in November 2022 and review the final design report with further detail below.

Stay connected with us to receive updates as the project continues to move forward!