ReConnect Rondo

RONDO IS BACK! It was an honor to be a part of this historic moment as we gathered to celebrate the restoration of Rondo Ave. This was more than a street name change—this was reclaiming the story of Rondo.

ReConnect Rondo is proud to announce that it was selected alongside industry leaders COMTO Headquarters, AECOM, Accelerator for America, Intelligent Transportation Society of America, MWDBE Training Academy, and TwoDegrees.live by the U.S. Department of Transportation to support 16 communities as National Capacity Builders under the Thriving Communities Program. “We are honored to partner with COMTO and others in this transformative work. Like Rondo, many communities were devastated by the federal highway system, and we’re eager to contribute our experience and expertise to giving lift to communities across the country,” said Keith Baker, Executive Director, ReConnect Rondo. The program provides two years of no-cost, intensive technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities to help them identify, develop, and deliver transportation projects to achieve locally-driven economic development, health, environment, mobility, and access goals. Read the full release and details here: https://lnkd.in/eX-4crGt

On April 30th at 4 pm, we invite you to join us at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza for a historic occasion as we celebrate the restoration of Rondo Ave. Here, we will unveil the newly restored Rondo Ave sign and hear from several Rondo descendants and supporters. JOIN US as we step into the future while honoring the past—no RSVP required.

Earlier this week, ReConnect Rondo and the Rondo Community Land Trust met new Knight Foundation CEO Maribel Wadsworth and provided a project update. Thank you, Knight Foundation, for your continued support and partnership!

Under the leadership of ReConnect Rondo, 106 Group is supporting the creation of a community-driven Restorative Development Neighborhood Area Plan for the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul. Through careful research, 106 Group identified crucial historical landmarks, cultural institutions, and opportunities for public art and engagement as means to continue to enhance the neighborhood's collective identity. We assessed the significance of these resources in shaping collective memory and community belonging, contributing to the broader planning process. Learn more about this project below. https://lnkd.in/gPDbwWYt #CommunityDevelopment #NeighborhoodPlanning #StPaulMN #CommunityEngagement #HistoricalPreservation #CulturalHeritage

#Buildabridgetobetter

QUESTION: What does it mean to restore a community? This is a question we ask ourselves often and a question we discussed at the first-ever Dinner Table Discussion. These discussions are a time to listen, learn, and gather in the presence of one another. Thank you to everyone who showed up and participated! #Buildabridgetobetter #restorativedevelopment

ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎉 Early bird registration for the 2024 Reconnecting Communities Summit is now LIVE! Hosted again in Saint Paul, MN, ReConnect Rondo is excited to welcome communities across the country with the opportunity to gather, share, learn, and create a community of practice to overcome the negative effects of transportation policy. REGISTER BELOW! https://lnkd.in/gyfXKBcH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: In 2023, ReConnect Rondo was 1 of 4 non-profit organizations nationwide to receive an inaugural grant award from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. While we are disappointed not to have received a grant award this year, we celebrate the awarded communities doing transformative restorative work to plan and rebuild their communities devastated by the federal highway system. The story of Rondo is the story of hundreds of communities across the country, and we are excited to continue supporting the work of those we have been engaged with through our recently launched Community of Practice Collective – supported by AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence in partnership with COMTO. Our mission to reignite a vibrant African American Cultural Enterprise District with a community land bridge is unwavering. Our intention is to complete the Restorative Neighborhood Area Plan and initiate the next phase of our work, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process this summer.

The dinner table has been a grounding and gathering place for Black people for centuries. It is where we gather, fellowship, and learn from one another. These discussions are about inviting you into the story that is unfolding in Rondo. Your presence is not only welcome, but it’s critical in shaping our collective future. Here, we’ll dine and dive deep into the work and share how you can be a part of the effort to reignite our beloved Rondo. For the first Dinner Table Discussion, we’ll ask the question “What does it mean to restore a community?” We’ll see you at the table. https://lnkd.in/gR5kDJqv