First came the artists, their lofts and studios nudging into the raw brick spaces abandoned by wholesalers and manufacturers. The Farmers Market followed, its goods and produce drawing shoppers from far and near.
More residents arrived, prompting a makeover for Mears Park and new places to eat and drink. Union Depot, much of it dark for two generations, reopened in its former glory as a 21st-century transit hub. Light-rail trains began pulling up at 4th and Wacouta.
Now this month Lowertown, the downtown St. Paul warehouse district dubbed one of the nation's hippest neighborhoods, adds an attraction expected to draw 400,000 visitors annually: CHS Field, the sleek city-owned ballpark anchored by the independent league St. Paul Saints.
Is Lowertown ready? You bet, say residents and merchants alike. Aside from the feared parking crunch.
"We think we're in for a very fun summer," said DeAnna Loux, general manager of Barrio.
"It's going to be awesome, bringing in more sports to downtown," Lowertown resident Debbie Coleman said.
Still, some worry about side effects. Marla Gamble, a custom jeweler who has lived at the Lowertown Lofts artist co-op for 30 years, said she has three concerns about the new ballpark: residential parking, unblocked noise and cleaning up after events.
"The Saints are great, they're really friendly and they've created a relationship with the St. Paul Art Collective," a group that represents Lowertown artists, Gamble said. "What we don't know is what it's going to be like to have all those people down here."