Case Studies 

Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

*Nominee 

Irrigate

Saint Paul

Minnesota

USA

Contributed by 
Project for Public Spaces
 on 
August 31, 2015
May 1, 2024

What makes it Great?

Why it doesn't work?

The Irrigate initiative in Saint Paul, Minnesota turned the city’s disruptive Green Line light rail construction into multiple Placemaking opportunities. The City, along with Springboard for the Arts and the Twin Cities Local Initiatives Support Corporation, led the campaign to not only mitigate the construction project’s impact, but also  foster long-lasting neighborhood revitalization.

To accomplish this, Irrigate hosted training sessions on Placemaking with artists who live or work along the light rail’s right-of-way. These sessions equipped the artists with the concepts, connections, and resources needed to implement their interventions. This usually entailed an alliance between artists and small businesses who stand to lose business as a result of the construction. Other tactics, such as the creation of murals on buildings, outdoor dance classes, photography exhibits in store windows, and concerts at restaurants, have become mechanisms for activating the neighborhood through creative entrepreneurship. The project involved 600 artists and supported 120 collaborative Placemaking projects. It also worked to enhance the public perception of adjacent Green Line neighborhoods. Due to its success, Irrigate organizers created a toolkit to encourage others to develop the Irrigate program. It has since been replicated in Mesa, Cleveland, and Nashville.

Access & Linkages

Comfort & Image

Uses & Activities

Sociability

How Light?

How Quick?

How Cheap?

History & Background

Related Links & Sources

Photo credits, from left: Peter Haakon Thompson via Facebook, Peter Haakon Thompson via Facebook, Peter Haakon Thompson, Irrigate via Facebook, Irrigate, Peter Haakon Thompson

Follow Irrigate

Website: springboardforthearts.org/community-development/irrigate

Facebook: facebook.com/irrigatearts

Twitter: @irrigatearts

Irrigate
Placemaking workshops bring artists and other communities together
Irrigate
Interventions involved a variety of mediums
Irrigate
Improvements ranged in scale, including small beautification projects
Irrigate
This bike has been transformed into an eye-catching way finding technique
Irrigate
Bike painting party
Irrigate
Irrigate
Irrigate

*Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

NOMINATE A PLACE

Corrections or additions? Email info@pps.org
Comments