About the CEZ

Our Story

 

The CEZ is a place and an organization.

Located between downtown Saint Paul and Minneapolis on the Green Line, the Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) is a recognized center of creativity and enterprise, a place where people make a living by their creative capacities.

Home to hundreds of creative businesses — from artists to architects, entrepreneurs to manufacturers — the Zone has historically been an industrial transportation hub and is now one of the fastest growing residential areas in the state.

The CEZ nonprofit organization was formed in 2009 in response to the displacement of creative studios during construction of light rail on University Avenue and the great recession, and grew out of an initiative by the St. Anthony Park Community Council to ensure that the area's creative nature remains intact.

We have planted our roots as connectors and instigators; community-builders committed to fostering community, economic, and environmental well-being.

To learn more about the place, go to the Visit section.

Our Vision & Mission

 

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

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

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.

Our Partners

 

Chroma Zone

 

Includes

  • Forecast Public Art

  • Knight Foundation

  • Metropolitan Regional Art Council (MRAC)

  • Move Minnesota

  • Saint Paul Cultural STAR

  • Butler Family Community Foundation

  • Property owners and festival sponsors

 

Community

 

Includes

  • Saint Anthony Park Community Council (SAPCC)

  • Saint Anthony Park Community Foundation (SAPCF)

  • Full Stack Saint Paul

  • Midway Chamber

  • Towerside Innovation District

  • City of Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development staff

 

Public Space

 

Includes

  • Bailey Nurseries

  • Davey Tree Care

  • Landbridge Ecological

  • City of Saint Paul Forestry

  • Transition Town - ASAP

  • University of Minnesota

  • Urban Forestry Outreach

 

Real Estate

 

Includes

  • Bigelow Foundation

  • Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation

  • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

  • Mardag Foundation

  • McKnight Foundation

  • Saint Paul + Minnesota Foundation