As part of St. Paul's annual Great River Gathering next week, consultant Katherine Loflin will hold a series of discussions to examine, as the organizers say, "what makes a community a desirable place to live, why it matters and what we can do about it."
Loflin is the keynote speaker at the May 9 annual dinner and will be in town all week for the discussions, which are billed as the "2nd Annual Placemaking Residency with Dr. Katherine Loflin."
Organizers say Loflin is an expert and consultant for communities trying to improve their cities and innovate in economic development using the placemaking model. She is the lead consultant and "chief context expert" for the Soul of the Community project, a partnership between Knight Foundation and Gallup which examined what drives attachment to a city and why it matters for the economic vitality of the city.
Her series of talks and discussions will involve the entire Minneapolis-St. Paul region, even though the Great River Gathering has been a St. Paul-based event.
Schedule of events
Monday, May 6
Why Would I Work Here?
A Discussion on Attracting and Retaining 21st Century Talent in the Twin Cities with Katherine Loflin & State Demographer Susan Brower
Presented by Citizens League & The Line
6 to 7:30 p.m. (Doors open 5:30 p.m.)
at Honey, 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Cost: $10
Tuesday, May 7
Town Talk
Placemaking and business: A discussion of the impact of intentional placemaking on your business
Presented by Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce and Hennepin Theatre Trust
8 to 9:30 a.m.
at Jax Café, 1928 University Ave. NE, Minneapolis
Cost: $25 for chamber members/ $30 for nonmembers
Tuesday, May 7
The Business Case for Place
Business, community and arts leaders will gather at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts to discuss the economic imperative for optimizing place.
Presented by Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
4 to 6 p.m.
at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul
Limited space. For more information and/or to RSVP, contact lkoch@ordway.org
Tuesday, May 7
Soul of the Community Walkability Workshop: Prospect Park
How does the walking experience affect our investment in our communities? Dr. Loflin and the District Councils Collaborative will take you on a walk through the Prospect Park district.
Presented by District Councils Collaborative & St. Paul Riverfront Corp.
7m to 9 p.m.
at Textile Center, 3000 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis
Cost: Free
Wednesday, May 8
Measuring & Understanding Place: A Discussion with Katherine Loflin
Participants will dig into the methodology of measuring attachment to place and how placemaking relates to other important social and economic outcomes.
Presented by Wilder Research /Minnesota Compass
8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (Registration at 8:00 a.m.)
at Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 451 Lexington Parkway, St. Paul
Limited space. For information and/or to RSVP, contact: tammy.nolen@wilder.org
Wednesday, May 8
RiverWork Exhibitors Workshop
Hands-on workshop among placemaking organizations designed to discover opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
Presented by Minnesota Museum of American Art
Noon to 2 p.m.
at Minnesota Museum of American Art, 332 N. Robert St., St. Paul
For Great River Gathering RiverWork Exhibitors only.
Wednesday, May 8
Soul of the Community Walkability Workshop: Little Mekong
How does the walking experience affect our investment in our communities? Dr. Loflin and the District Councils Collaborative will take you on a walk through the Little Mekong district.
Presented by District Councils Collaborative & St. Paul Riverfront Corp.
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
at Mai Village, 394 W. University Ave., St. Paul
Cost: Free
Thursday, May 9
19th Annual Great River Gathering
Dr. Loflin is the keynote speaker at the 19th Annual Great River Gathering.
Presented by St. Paul Riverfront Corp.
5 to 8:30 p.m.
at St. Paul RiverCentre’s Grand Ballroom, 175 Kellogg Blvd.
Cost: $65 per ticket / $650 per table of 10
Friday, May 10
Forever Saint Paul Challenge Placemaking Breakfast with Katherine Loflin
An idea-shaping conversation for Challenge semifinalists
Forever Saint Paul Challenge semifinalists will talk with Katherine Loflin about their million-dollar ideas and explore ways to make them stronger, using proven placemaking strategies.
Presented by The Saint Paul Foundation
8 to 9:30 a.m.
at The Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market St.
Attendance limited to Forever Saint Paul Challenge Semi-Finalists
Friday, May 10
What do we want to do next?
What lessons can we take away from the residency? What worked well? What didn’t? And how can we maximize our placemaking efforts for economic success?
Presented by St. Paul Riverfront Corp.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location TBD
Space is limited; RSVP required. Email Patrick Seeb to RSVP: seeb@riverfrontcorporation.com.