WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded ReConnect Rondo $2 million in federal funding to support the completion of the steps needed to advance the Rondo Community Land Bridge Project. ReConnect Rondo is a community-based organization in St. Paul working on a restorative development project to create a land bridge over the interstate to support economic growth and provide space for affordable housing, small businesses, parks, and more. The Rondo neighborhood is a center of the Black community in St. Paul and lost more than 1,000 homes and businesses when I-94 was built and divided the community.
“Reconnecting communities strengthens our economy, makes our neighborhoods safer, and opens doors to opportunities,” said Senator Klobuchar. “The ReConnect Rondo project will revitalize this historic neighborhood, provide a safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists, allow new homes to be built for families, and support local businesses.”
“The Rondo Community Land Bridge is an opportunity for us to address the historical harm caused by transportation projects while creating opportunities for new economic development,” said Senator Smith. “This grant funding is an important step toward reconnecting the Rondo neighborhood, laying the groundwork for a future that honors its history while fostering new opportunities for growth and community development. I’m happy to be able to support this project as it moves forward.”
“As a proud fifth-generation Rondo descendant, this investment is not just overdue—it is essential,” said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. “The Rondo Community Land Bridge is a powerful restoration of opportunity in the heart of Saint Paul. It serves as a bold step toward healing, ensuring that we build a future where all our neighborhoods are stronger and more connected.”
“This grant marks a pivotal step forward for the Rondo community and our ongoing efforts to restore what was lost. We are deeply thankful to Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith for their unwavering advocacy and support of our vision. With this funding, we can take critical strides toward reigniting an African American Cultural Enterprise District, fostering economic opportunity, and honoring the rich legacy of Rondo,” said Keith Baker, Executive Director of ReConnect Rondo.
The grant funding from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith supported and was signed into law in 2021. The Reconnecting Communities Pilot program is the first-ever federal program dedicated to reconnecting communities that were previously divided by transportation infrastructure.
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