ReConnect Rondo

What ReConnect Rondo does

ReConnect Rondo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 and based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, dedicated to restoring prosperity to the historic Rondo neighborhood that was devastated by Interstate 94 construction in the 1950s-1960s. The organization emerged from decades of community advocacy that formalized around a central infrastructure proposal: a community land bridge that would cap I-94 between Lexington Parkway and Dale Street, creating 12-21 acres of new developable land and physically reconnecting the bisected neighborhood. This land bridge would serve as the spine of a planned African American Cultural Enterprise District encompassing more than 500 new housing units, commercial space, green areas, and cultural amenities designed to reverse the displacement of over 700 homes and 300 Black-owned businesses caused by the original highway construction. The organization is led by Executive Director Keith Baker (a former MnDOT contract manager) and Board Chairman Marvin Anderson (a Rondo native), and operates with a staff of 1-10 employees.

Name

ReConnect Rondo

Legal name

ReConnect Rondo

Website

https://reconnectrondo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ReConnect Rondo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, leading a community-driven effort to build a land bridge over Interstate 94 to restore the historically Black Rondo neighborhood destroyed by highway construction in the 1960s.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development and Restorative Urban Planning

NAICS

Land Subdivision (23721)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Urban Renewal, Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reuse (BPAIANAI), Public Housing & Social Housing Development/Modernization Programs (FSALAKAH)

Keywords

• Community development
• Restorative urban planning
• Nonprofit advocacy
• Land bridge infrastructure
• Equitable development

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ReConnect Rondo generates revenue through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization accepts PayPal donations and has established relationships with major funders including McKnight Foundation, Knight Foundation, Bush Foundation, and others.
2. Grant Funding: ReConnect Rondo receives grant funding from government entities (City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, MnDOT), federal programs (Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program), foundations (Mardag Foundation, Otto Bremer Trust), and corporate sponsorships.
3. Events and Programs: Revenue generation through community events including Rondo Days festival, Rondo Block Party, and educational webinars. These events also serve as platforms for community engagement and awareness building.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ReConnect Rondo leads a restorative community development initiative centered on a proposed community land bridge over Interstate 94 between Lexington Parkway and Dale Street in Saint Paul, Minnesota, intended to reconnect the historically Black Rondo neighborhood bisected by highway construction in the 1960s. The organization also advances an African American Cultural Enterprise District, delivers the Youth Ambassador Initiative paid cohort program, hosts the annual Reconnecting Communities Summit, and produces research, advocacy, and documentary content.

Product overview

ReConnect Rondo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a community advocacy and urban development initiative rather than a technology product company. The organization's core offering is the Rondo Community Land Bridge project—a physical infrastructure initiative to reconnect the historic Rondo neighborhood bisected by Interstate 94 in the 1960s. The land bridge would create a 12-21 acre deck over the highway, connecting to a planned African American Cultural Enterprise District featuring housing, businesses, and cultural spaces. Supporting programs include the Youth Ambassador Initiative (a paid leadership development cohort), the Displaced documentary film, the annual Reconnecting Communities Summit, and various research resources including feasibility studies and community planning documents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rondo Community Land Bridge A proposed land bridge project capping Interstate 94 between Lexington Parkway and Dale Street in Saint Paul, Minnesota, designed to physically reconnect the historically Black Rondo neighborhood bisected by highway construction in the 1960s and create 12–21 acres of new developable land.
• African American Cultural Enterprise District A planned development district connected by the land bridge, envisioned to include housing, businesses, green spaces, and cultural amenities to restore the African American community that was destroyed by I-94 construction.
• Youth Ambassador Initiative A six-month paid cohort program for young people aged 16 to 24 with ties to the Rondo neighborhood, focusing on leadership development, storytelling, and shaping the future of the Rondo Land Bridge and restorative community development.
• Displaced Film A documentary film produced by ReConnect Rondo in partnership with the AASHTO Center of Environmental Excellence that highlights the resilience of communities working to restore neighborhoods impacted by past transportation decisions, showcasing grassroots efforts nationwide to reclaim cultural heritage and advance equitable infrastructure solutions.
• Reconnecting Communities Summit An annual national convening hosted by ReConnect Rondo that brings together community leaders, policymakers, and advocates to advance a restorative movement focused on healing harms of past infrastructure decisions in historically harmed communities.
• Research and Planning Resources A collection of studies, reports, and webinars produced by ReConnect Rondo including the Rondo Land Bridge Feasibility Study, Past Prosperity Study, Anti-Displacement and Community Investment Strategy, Health Impact Assessment, and 4P Funding Model documentation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 700 homes and 300 businesses destroyed by original I-94 construction in 1950s-60s
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Communities First FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Co-host of 2025 Reconnecting Communities Summit, partnership for national community convening focused on healing harms of past infrastructure decisions.
• Equitable Transportation FundsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Summit co-host partner advancing equitable transportation and community reconnection initiatives nationally.
• America ForwardsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Summit co-host coalition focused on policy solutions and community-driven change.
• Hive FundsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Summit co-host focused on climate and equity solutions.
• Environmental Protection Network (EPN)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Summit co-host providing environmental expertise for equitable infrastructure discussions.
• Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Summit co-host providing legal expertise for policy and community advocacy.
• Rondo RoundtablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of community organizations working to preserve and share the story of historic Rondo and establish a cultural arts and business district. Members include ReConnect Rondo, Rondo Center of Diverse Expression, Taste of Rondo Bar & Grill, Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation, New Life Possibilities, Model Cities, Golden Thyme Café, Rondo Community Land Trust, SoulTouch Productions, Walker West Music Academy, and Urban League Twin Cities.
• Urban Land Institute (ULI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerULI conducted Advisory Services Panel study in 2018 providing recommendations for the Rondo Community Land Bridge. The panel recognized the project as a national model for equitable development and community reconnection.
• State of MinnesotacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing legislative support, funding through transportation bills, and policy coordination for land bridge integration with I-94 reconstruction planning.
• Ramsey CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner providing Community and Economic Development funding, Community Revitalization Program support, and collaborative planning for Rondo revitalization.
• Metropolitan CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional planning body providing Livable Communities Demonstration Account (LCDA) Pre-Development Grant and coordinating land bridge integration with regional transportation planning.
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Minnesota DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing oversight and support for highway-related aspects of the land bridge project and Reconnecting Communities program integration.
• Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState transportation agency coordinating Rethinking I-94 project and land bridge integration with interstate reconstruction planning.
• City of Saint PaulcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner providing funding, planning support, and integration of land bridge into city's comprehensive plan.
• Dorsey & Whitney, LLPsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm providing pro bono legal services to support organization's operations and land bridge project development.
• HGA Architects & EngineerssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm providing pro bono design and engineering consultation for land bridge conceptual planning.
• AASHTO Center of Environmental ExcellencesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Displaced film production showcasing grassroots efforts to reclaim cultural heritage and advance equitable infrastructure solutions nationwide.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates parks and protects land in cities. Directly comparable for the land bridge's green space and park-creation components, with significant experience delivering highway cap parks in other U.S. cities.
• Enterprise Community Partners: Major national nonprofit that develops affordable housing and community development strategies. Operates broadly in the same equitable development space and is a likely template funder for the land bridge's affordable housing component.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National nonprofit CDFI that funds place-based community development across the U.S. Comparable as a much larger, established player in equitable community development that supports similar mission-aligned local nonprofits through capital and technical assistance.
• National Trust for Historic Preservation: National nonprofit focused on preserving historic and culturally significant places. Comparable as a national advocate for preserving African American heritage sites and the historic Rondo neighborhood's legacy.

Direct peers

• Urban League Twin Cities: Affiliate of the National Urban League serving the Twin Cities African American community through workforce, housing, and equity programs. Rondo Roundtable member with directly overlapping mission in addressing racial disparities in the same community.
• New Life Possibilities: Rondo-area community organization in the Rondo Roundtable coalition working on youth and family services. A direct local peer in the same coalition and ecosystem.
• Rondo Community Land Trust: Saint Paul-based community land trust within the Rondo Roundtable coalition focused on preserving affordable housing and preventing displacement in the Rondo neighborhood. Directly co-aligned with ReConnect Rondo's anti-displacement and restorative development mission.
• Model Cities: Saint Paul-based community development nonprofit serving Rondo and surrounding neighborhoods through housing, economic development, and youth programs. Directly comparable as a place-based equity-focused nonprofit in the same geography.
• Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation: Saint Paul neighborhood nonprofit focused on housing and community development adjacent to the Rondo area. Member of the Rondo Roundtable and a direct co-stakeholder in the land bridge and cultural enterprise district planning.
• Walker West Music Academy: Rondo-rooted African American music education nonprofit and Rondo Roundtable member. Comparable as a culturally-grounded community institution integral to the African American cultural enterprise district vision.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ReConnect_Rondo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkhExjBLAeN9HBWzbCPvwKQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ReConnectRondo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reconnect-rondo
• Instagraminstagram.com/reconnect_rondo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ReConnect Rondo