Updates

  • July 14, 2026

    This community-created watercolor illustrates the historic natural features of the Bridal Veil subwatershed which drains into the Mississippi River. Created during the Earth Week Water Party held at Malcolm Yards in April 2025, the artwork illuminates the waterways that shaped this landscape before they disappeared underground because of urban development.

    Community participants worked with Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) Artist in Residence Sarah Nassif to watercolor features she identified through historical research, including Kasota Wetlands, Bridal Veil Creek and Falls, and the lake that once occupied the area now known as Langford Park. Today, water flows through a built environment of streets, stormwater pipes, and the innovative storm sewer infrastructure Towerside is known for. By painting its historic contours and waterways, participants explored how water continues to connect neighborhoods, ecosystems, and communities.

  • July 09, 2026

    Thank you to all who came out for our annual meeting! You can find the slideshow detailing what was discussed, including project updates and community survey statistics, at the link below.

    Annual Meeting Slide Deck - 07/09/2026 

  • June 17, 2026

    Come to the 2026 Towerside Innovation District Annual Meeting!


    When: Thursday, July 9th from 8:00-9:30am


    Where: 3rd Floor Conference Room of the Court Building, 2550 University Ave W, Saint Paul 55114


    Free breakfast included!


    Agenda will be sent out to guests who RSVP prior to the meeting. Send RSVPs to staff@towersidemsp.org

  • June 10, 2026

    Kim Havey named Executive Director 

    We’re thrilled to welcome Kim W. Havey (he/him/his) as the new Executive Director of Towerside Innovation District. Kim brings more than 20 years of experience in sustainability, renewable energy, climate policy, and equitable urban development, and we are excited to celebrate the leadership, vision, and dedication he brings to Towerside as we look ahead to an inspiring new chapter.

  • April 26, 2024

    Towerside adopted an Equity Framework that will serve as the foundation for delivering diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes within the organization, through our work, and as an influencer among our partners and peers.

  • December 16, 2021

    UMN Masters of Urban and Regional Planning students held a community exhibit today to showcase 10 land use planning projects focused on reconsidering the notion of an innovation district.

  • September 30, 2020

    Green 4th Street Enhancements Completed

  • June 30, 2020

    Metropolitan Council awards $100,000 grant for District Stormwater Phase II

Blog

Chroma Zone Mural Festival

September 27, 2021

It started as an idea, to install large outdoor murals on the vast walls of a gritty industrial area of Saint Paul. That idea became reality through a founding partnership with the Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ), a city recognized district and nonprofit organization dedicated to attracting and supporting creative people and businesses.

The inaugural Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festivals, held in September of 2019, was at that time the first and largest mural festival in Minnesota. This year, local, national and international artists created new murals, through a variety of programs, artist talks, demonstrations and community collaborations—at various locations in the CEZ—the producer of the festival.

Kicking-off the May–September festival with; An entry-level live painting event designed to give early-career artists, whose primary discipline is rooted in graffiti & street art, the opportunity to develop as a recognized public art muralist. Closing with a live-painting presentation, and either a self-directed or guided tour—walk, run, bike or drive to see more than 40 murals throughout the CEZ.

As the creative consultant for the Chroma Zone Festival, Forecast Public Art brings a deep knowledge of the CEZ (having been located here for over 25 years) and a mission to advocate for public art that advances justice, health and human dignity. The team at the CEZ recognizes the importance of representation, and welcomes the opportunity to establish deeper relationships with muralists, build equity and local wealth, economic capital, and represent the fullest narrative of our rich and diverse creative community.

The CEZ is committed to public art to advance creative, cultural, and economic development through clustering, collaboration and connectivity. The perfect contribution of our humanity to add heart to Towerside. Content credits to, and full-articles: Forecast Public Art, Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival in 2021, Visit St. Paul