With final designs in hand from Aune Fernandez Landscaping, the park is headed to a construction start of May 2024.
Pedro Park, located at 10th Street East and Robert Street North in downtown St. Paul, is at the site of the former Pedro Luggage Center. The original 0.45-acre plot of land, which was donated to the city by the Pedro family, was most recently home to the Urban Flower Field backed by an iconic mural designed by Amanda Loelee. Earlier this year, the adjacent Public Safety Annex building was razed to make way for an expanded park. On August 23, 2023, the Saint Paul City Council voted to approve $6M in funding toward the $8M project.
The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy in partnership with the Friends of Pedro Park and the City of Saint Paul will be raising the final $2M needed to fund the interactive water feature, pavilion, play area, seating and planting areas.
“This park expansion will bring much needed green space and a neighborhood gathering space to downtown,” said Ward 2 Council Member Rebecca Noecker. “It wouldn’t have happened without the dedicated downtown residents who have been advocating for years for an expanded park and the demolition of the Public Safety Annex.”
“The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy is so excited to help realize the gorgeous design for the expanded Pedro Park,” said Executive Director Michael-jon Pease. “Our mission is to make strong parks superb, so we are working with the Friends of Pedro Park to attract $1.5 million of private contributions to fund the amenities that will make the park come alive for residents and visitors. Gifts of every size count in this effort and individual gifts up to $10,000 will be matched by two downtown residents.”
“The residents surrounding Pedro Park and the Friends of Pedro Park are elated that this dream, after 20-plus years of advocacy, is at last coming to fruition,” said Julie Printz, Chair of Friends of Pedro Park. “This park space is our backyard, our garden and community gathering place. We (and our puppies!) are beyond excited and proud to have such a beautiful and accessible space to live and play in, and to share with downtown visitors.”
Beginning this fall, staff will work with the consultant design team to further develop the concept plan and prepare construction documents for bidding in early 2024. Construction will take place next summer with the new park expected to open to the public by spring 2025.
For additional information and future project updates, visit www.stpaul.gov/pedropark.