ReConnect Rondo has been awarded its second Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program grant, marking a significant milestone in its mission to restore and reimagine the Rondo neighborhood. This prestigious grant highlights the importance of the organization’s community-led efforts and the steadfast support of local and federal advocates.
Keith Baker, Executive Director of ReConnect Rondo, emphasized the impact of this achievement: “This grant represents another great step for the Rondo community and our commitment to restoring what was lost. We are grateful for the recognition of this community-led project and our elected officials’ steadfast advocacy and support of our vision. With this funding, we can make vital progress toward establishing an African American Cultural Enterprise District, creating economic opportunities, and preserving the rich heritage of Rondo.”
The funding will advance the next phase of ReConnect Rondo’s work, supporting an Environmental Analysis & Assessment of Impacts. This critical step will ensure that the project considers the long-term health, environmental, and social implications for the Rondo community.
This success would not have been possible without the long-term support and advocacy of U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Representative Betty McCollum. Their unwavering commitment to the Rondo community and instrumental efforts in securing this funding have been pivotal to ReConnect Rondo’s progress.
“Every time I visit the Rondo community, I’m struck by the resilience, strength and determination of the people working to honor their history and reclaim their future. This land bridge project is about restoring connections and creating opportunities for growth and equity,” said Senator Smith. “Securing this funding is critical for getting the land bridge ready for construction. I’m honored to support the work they’re doing to build a better future for generations to come.”
With this grant, ReConnect Rondo moves closer to its vision of establishing an African American Cultural Enterprise District connected by a community land bridge. This initiative aims to create economic opportunities while preserving and celebrating the rich cultural history of the Rondo neighborhood.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the first federal grant program to redress historic inequities caused by the creation of the federal highway system, marking a major step forward in this process,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “The community-led vision to reunite Rondo after years of separation due to the construction of I-94 is what drives this project forward. By reconnecting the Rondo neighborhood after years of separation, we can begin the process of reconciling the harm wrought on generations of Minnesotans who live in this community as well as those who were displaced from it.”
The organization expressed gratitude to the U.S. Department of Transportation, The Minnesota Governor’s Office, MET Council, Ramsey County, MnDOT, the City of Saint Paul and all who continue to champion its vision. This funding represents a meaningful step toward repairing the harm caused by the I-94 construction and creating a brighter future for the Rondo community.
