St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Minnesota State Demography Trends and Impact
Downtown Revitalization and Economic Vibrancy
Votes (2)
Presentation on Minnesota State Demography Trends and Impact
Dissent: None
Dr. Susan Brower presented data indicating a slowdown in Minnesota's population growth, attributed to declining birth rates (below the 2.1 replacement level) and a consistent net outflow of domestic migrants. International migration, while historically positive, is also expected to decline due to federal policy changes. These trends were highlighted as critical for city budgeting, leading to higher per-person costs. Council members inquired about the effectiveness of family-friendly policies on birth rates, the reasons behind domestic migration, and the accuracy of demographic data collection for immigrant populations.
Presentation on Downtown Revitalization
Dissent: None
Assistant Mayor Sumal Langanger outlined the city's strategy for downtown revitalization, stressing the importance of partnerships and emphasizing downtown's critical role in the city's tax base. The presentation detailed various city investments, including a commercial corridor program, downtown vitality fund, park investments, and policy initiatives like a signage district zoning study. Public safety efforts, housing projects (Landmark Towers, Mary Hall, The Stella, Gulden Plaza), and significant public/private development projects were highlighted. Council members questioned the strategy for attracting large employers, the enforcement of quality-of-life crimes, and the long-term vision for downtown's vibrancy. Josh Olsen from Ramsey County and Joe Spencer from the Downtown Alliance affirmed the collaborative approach and the need for sustained investment to achieve an active, walkable downtown.
Notable Quotes (10)
This isn't unique to Minnesota. Many other states are going through this, especially states in the Midwest and the Northeast.
The main point is that our total fertility rate or our birth rate is below replacement level right now. 1.7 births per woman of childbearing year is the average.
Have you seen birth rates decline similarly in other countries that offer those um benefits?
International migration is really the thing that we have the most kind of policy control over I think in terms of of growth.
When you've got slower growth, it can make it really tough to do budgets. You can't grow your way out of some of the things that need to be taken care of.
The power of the downtown revitalization work that's happening is the power of partnerships the city can't shouldn't and doesn't do this alone.
The shift that ends up happening when these values have gone down, when we get fewer property taxes from these buildings downtown means that we are shifting that burden to our residential folks, folks across the city.
The general goal is to move from 10,000 residents roughly living in downtown to 30,000.
The downtown is a vibrant place 365 days a year, not just around events that are happening, but that it's workable and walkable in both the middle of winter, the middle of summer, everything in between, and that folks feel safe and able to think creatively about this place.
I think our strategy needs to be much more targeted and much more focused. So rather than sprinkling the investments onto any given corner or any given black face, we've really identified key connecting corridors, Fifth Street, Kellogg, Wabashon, Robert.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
The specific committee holding the meeting.
Ongoing survey by the Census Bureau used to measure population movement.
City plan being developed with consultants to guide downtown development and land use.
Approved financing mechanism for a housing project resulting in market rate units.
Policy study to impact how businesses can advertise in downtown.
Public Works plan contributing to infrastructure investments in downtown.
Federal immigration operation questioned for its potential impact on 2026 demographic numbers.
Ramsey County economic development initiative centering downtown.
Ramsey County program amended to include downtown as an eligible area for funding.
Initiative from the Downtown Alliance, contributing to the vision for downtown.
Work informing the refined vision for downtown.