Reconnect Rondo Land Bridge Technical Studies

reconnect rondo, saint paul, MN 2022

Background
Before the construction of Interstate-94, Rondo was a thriving and vibrant African American community established in 1890. Between 1951 and 1968, the neighborhood became unrecognizable as 700 homes and 300 businesses were demolished to create the multi-lane freeway connecting the two downtown areas of the Twin Cities. Reconnect Rondo is studying the potential to build a land bridge, which is essentially a cap over the freeway, creating usable space where it existed in the past.

Strengths & Solutions
Young Environmental is serving as part of the consultant team to perform technical studies that will inform the feasibility and design of this high-profile community project. In concept plans, I-94 would remain as is, running under the land bridge, which will include redevelopment areas for parks, commercial business, and residential use. We completed an existing drainage study to explore project opportunities and challenges for development. The analysis used hydrologic and hydraulic modeling to understand project impacts relating to stormwater and flooding, while studying annual rainfall, climate data, geology, and more to lay the groundwork for next steps. Using this information, our team will help identify opportunities that are feasible with current conditions. Using this analysis, we are helping to develop and apply screening criteria and engineering requirements. Our team will develop preliminary opinions of project costs and design standards, which will greatly affect the feasibility of project development. We will work with Reconnect Rondo and partners to strategize and prioritize neighborhood projects and the land bridge concept based on technical feasibility. In 2023, we will begin the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study to assess the potential for environmental impacts.

Project Impact
While the construction of I-94 felt like it changed the face of Saint Paul forever; this project works to change that notion and create a revitalization for the neighborhood to prosper once again. Projections for the project show its ability to create new permanent jobs; housing, retail, and nonprofit space; and increase City revenue up to $4.2 million annually. Learn more about the project vision at ReConnect Rondo.

*Architectural renderings of land bridge courtesy of Design by Melo and Visuals by James.

Water Resources Engineering, Existing Drainage Study, Master Planning, Environmental Documentation, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Study, Restorative Redevelopment