We at Community Action have been following the story of the proposed Rondo land bridge over I-94 for more than a year. While there have been many steps forward for the project, a recent $2 million grant from the federal government ranks among the most significant.
The Rondo land bridge project was on of 45 projects the US Department of Transportation is funding as part of an effort to reconnect communities torn apart by the construction of the federal highway system. These grants are funded by the infrastructure legislation passed in 2021.
This project is being championed by ReConnect Rondo, a nonprofit in Saint Paul with the mission to revitalize the Rondo community, which was once the heart of the Black community and enterprise in the East Metro.
The land bridge project is also at the heart of ReConnect Rondo’s efforts, which, according to the organization, would create 500 new housing units, bring in 1,000 new residents, create 1,500 new jobs, and generate $4 million in annual city revenue.
You can learn more about the work ReConnect Rondo is doing to create economic opportunities and a more equitable future for Black residents in the Twin Cities on their dedicated website.
