Ramsey County launches $320 million development plan



A building and a clock.

Ramsey County is launching a new plan to sell off county-owned property and invest millions of dollars into development in downtown St. Paul.

The county’s Board of Commissioners passed the wide-ranging economic development plan unanimously in a vote Tuesday. It calls for $320 million in investments across the county. The investments are aimed at rejuvenating downtown St. Paul and bringing in needed tax revenue — without raising property tax rates.

County Manager Ling Becker said the county needs the funding boost.

“We are as counties under unprecedented pressure when it comes to federal cost shifts,” Becker said. “We've heard loud and clear from our community that they can’t take this burden.”

As part of the project, the county plans to invest millions of dollars into major development projects in downtown St. Paul. One of those is the RiversEdge project, a development along the Mississippi River including housing, a park and office space.

St. Paul Park at RiversEdge project rendering
A rendering of the St. Paul Park at RiversEdge project.
Courtesy of Ramsey County

The plan also calls for selling county-owned land and finding buyers who will develop those and contribute to the city’s property tax revenue.

“The county owns, currently, hundreds of acres of vacant, underutilized land across the county that is truly ripe for redevelopment and ready for redevelopment,” said Josh Olson, the county's Community and Economic Development Director.

The funding for the plan will come from existing county budgets and proposed state bonding dollars.

State Representative María Isa Pérez-Vega, a St. Paul Democrat, supports extra help for the city.

“We know our community has been through so much and is at or beyond capacity. Residents and businesses cannot take on additional strain right now,” Pérez-Vega said. “This plan responds to that reality by supporting thoughtful growth that benefits everyone.”



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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