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