St. Cloud Downtown Summit Monday Night at River’s Edge Convention Center

(KNSI) — St. Cloud will hear from national experts on how St. Cloud can reshape its future on Monday evening.

Speakers include strategist, investor and top 100 most influential urbanist Chris Leinberger who will offer their experiences and suggestions for the downtown district. He will be joined by the Assistant Director of the American Enterprise Institute’s Housing Center, Tobias Peter, who will offer his thoughts on housing market trends and policy.

Mayor Dave Kleis talked about why their opinions will be so valuable. “These people are coming in and really don’t have a stake. They’re not going to be benefiting in any way other than to give an honest analysis of what you have and what opportunities you have and how other cities have done it.”

He will speak to St. Cloud’s unique opportunity to create an active, walkable downtown through strategic investment in housing and workforce amenities.

Kleis says St. Cloud’s core is essential to the community. “You really need to create the vitality of a downtown. Downtowns are critical. It’s a core part of a city and a healthy downtown makes it a healthy community and region for that matter. Downtown is a benefit not only to the City of St. Cloud but to the region when it’s healthy.”

CentraCare Health CEO Ken Holmen will also speak.

The public is welcome.

The Downtown Summit will be from 6:00 to 7:30 at the River’s Edge Convention Center.

___