Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ)

The Creative Enterprise Zone is a city-recognized district and a nonprofit organization in South Saint Anthony Park and Midway of Saint Paul dedicated to attracting and supporting creative people and businesses to #MakeItHere.

Located mid-city between downtown Saint Paul and Minneapolis, the Zone is home to hundreds of creative makers and entrepreneurs, a transportation hub, Opportunity Zone, and a growing residential community. 

Our Mission: We attract and support creative people and businesses to #MakeItHere! 

Our Vision: A thriving district of creativity and innovation centered in an equitable and just community of economic and environmental well-being.

We engage and partner with local creative businesses, property owners, community organizations and residents to advance these goals:  

Real Estate - To prevent creative displacement by increasing owner occupancy and community control of commercial real estate. We purchased our first building in 2021 and launched a community-led Real Estate Investment Cooperative (REIC) called Taproot (taprootinvestment.com) in 2022 to explore acquisition of commercial buildings to protect affordable maker spaces in the Zone. 

Public Space - To improve public health, beauty, safety and the environment by expanding the urban tree canopy in a largely industrial neighborhood, advocating for new parks, implementing water-focused resiliency measures, and leading a neighborhood-wide conversation about the environment. Since 2021, we have led an all-volunteer effort to plant and care for 100 new trees on public boulevards each year (100 Trees Initiative).

Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival - To raise visibility and awareness of the Zone as a creative destination by producing an annual outdoor mural festival (chromazone.net) that prioritizes local (89%)  BIPOC (87%), women and nonbinary (57%) artists. Since 2019, we have commission over 60 murals and hosted numerous artist-led public programs, community tours and events.  All artists are compensated for their work and maintain creative control. We believe more public art in our community will raise the profile of the CEZ; support artists and the people who live, work and play here; and contribute to the long-term beauty,  vitality, safety and walkability while fostering belonging and well-being. 

Our Values: Imagination, innovation, and creativity. Community-driven and place-based. Regenerative and equity-focused. Accessible and resilient. 

Our Actions: We educate. We engage. We advocate. We work for community, economic, and environmental well-being and belonging. We apply community imagination to foster development of this place. 

Your investment in the Creative Enterprise Zone — the district and the 501(c)3 organization — supports community-driven programs, investments, and public initiatives that attract and support creative people and businesses to #MakeItHere.