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Missed Our NEPA Webinar? Watch the Replay 💻

Last week we hosted a Get in the Know! National Environmental Policy Act webinar. We took a closer look at the draft Purpose & Need Statement for the Land Bridge Project—an important milestone in the Environmental Assessment process.


During the webinar, our consultants from Biko Associates discussed the “why” behind the project, the key challenges the project aims to address, and the critical role community input will play in shaping the path forward.


If you couldn’t join us live, you can still catch the full conversation on our YouTube channel.

Where Community, Culture, and Research Align

ReConnect Rondo is excited to announce a new collaboration with historian, futurist, and globally recognized researcher Professor Walter D. Greason, who will officially join the organization as Senior Research Consultant beginning June 1, 2026.


Known by many as the “Wakanda Architect” for his visionary work connected to the world-building behind Marvel’s Black Panther universe, Greason brings decades of experience in restorative development, cultural preservation, historical research, and community-centered planning.


Over the next three years, Greason will support ReConnect Rondo through research, strategic collaboration, and storytelling efforts designed to help expand the organization’s impact across the Twin Cities, the Upper Midwest, and beyond.


“This partnership is a powerful and intentional alignment of institutionalized research, community, and vision,” said R. Lynn Pingol, Associate Director of ReConnect Rondo. “Professor Greason brings not only academic rigor, but a deep commitment to cultural preservation and restorative development—strengthening our ability to coordinate efforts, build partnerships, and position ReConnect Rondo as a national model for this work.”

The collaboration reflects growing national attention around restorative development, cultural preservation, and future-forward community storytelling. Follow along as we continue building, restoring, researching, and imagining what’s possible for the future of Rondo and beyond.


Learn more about Dr. Greason here:

PurpleAir Update: 3 Installation Sites Secured

Our PurpleAir monitoring initiative continues to move forward as we expand community access to localized air quality data across the Rondo neighborhood. These sensors will help track real-time air quality conditions, increase community awareness around environmental impacts, and support ongoing conversations around health, infrastructure, and restorative development.


We’re excited to share that we have officially secured locations for several PurpleAir sensor installations and are now coordinating final installation activities. Installations at Dunning Sports Complex and Walker West Music Academy have already been completed, and installation at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church is anticipated to take place by the end of May.

In addition, we continue outreach efforts to confirm three additional installation sites across the community to strengthen neighborhood-level data collection.


Thank you to our partners and community members helping make this work possible. We look forward to sharing additional updates as installations move forward and more data becomes available.

 

Working with the Next Generation of Rondo Leaders

We’re excited to welcome a new cohort to the Reconnect Rondo Youth Council and invest in the next generation of community changemakers. This six-month program offers young people ages 16–24 the opportunity to become organizers, storytellers, and leaders helping shape the future of the Rondo community. Participants will learn about ongoing community initiatives, support activation of community spaces, help shape public understanding of the Land Bridge project, and ensure youth voices are centered in restorative development efforts.


The Youth Ambassador Initiative is rooted in Rondo’s history and focused on building collective power for the future—creating space for young leaders to make a lasting impact in their community.

     

Catch Us at Grand Old Day ☀️

June 7th, 2026 | 9:00am - 6:00pm | Grand Ave, St. Paul

Grand Old Day will be our first summer event of the season, and we’re excited to join this beloved community tradition and connect with neighbors from across the Twin Cities!


Held along Grand Avenue, Grand Old Day brings the community together with the first parade of the summer, more than 150 food vendors, a family fun area, an art district, and live music. Stop by our booth to connect with our team, learn more about our work, and celebrate community with us.

     

Back by Popular Demand: Get In The Know!

June 23rd, 2026 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Zoom

The conversation continues.


What does it take to build a stronger, more connected entrepreneurial ecosystem in Rondo? Join us for our upcoming Get In The Know! Webinar as we share findings and recommendations from ReConnect Rondo’s Entrepreneurship Feasibility Study.


After strong interest and meaningful conversations from our last session, we’re bringing this discussion back to dive deeper into what we learned and what comes next.


This study explores Rondo’s current entrepreneurial landscape, identifies gaps in business support and technical assistance services, and highlights opportunities connected to Minnesota’s top five growing industries. Through this work, ReConnect Rondo is helping shape workforce pathways that connect residents to higher-paying careers while creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, business growth, and long-term community wealth building.


Come learn how this work supports a thriving local economy today while helping advance the long-term vision of reconnecting and restoring Rondo through the future land bridge project.


Join the conversation. Bring your questions.

     

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