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McCollum Helps Break Ground on Rondo Commemorative Plaza

October 14, 2016

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) joined state and local elected officials and many community leaders today to break ground on the Rondo Commemorative Plaza. In one of the most painful chapters in St. Paul’s and Minnesota’s history, Rondo — a thriving and vibrant African-American neighborhood — was destroyed block by block, street by street, and brick by brick for a highway, without any consideration of the impact on the families who lived there. The Rondo Commemorative Plaza aims to preserve and promote the cultural legacy of the Rondo neighborhood through displays and multimedia presentations.

“Rondo Commemorative Plaza will be a place to remember the vibrant Rondo neighborhood, a proud and thriving community that was ripped apart during construction of Interstate Highway 94 more than four decades ago,” Congresswoman McCollum said. “I am proud to support this project, which will provide educational displays and serve as a gathering place for people to learn, appreciate and remember the history of Rondo and to celebrate the spirit of its residents that lives on today.”

In her remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony, Congresswoman McCollum praised the community leaders whose tireless leadership made today’s groundbreaking on the Rondo Commemorative Plaza possible.

“This day would not have been made possible without the outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment from Marvin ‘Roger’ Anderson, Floyd Smaller, Nathaniel Khaliq, Debbie Montgomery and countless other community leaders who have been working on this project for decades,” Congresswoman McCollum said. “This plaza is the way forward both to honor a painful legacy and to give a rebirth to Rondo for future generations. I look forward to the grand opening of the Rondo Commemorative Plaza, which will provide a big step in healing and reconciliation of the past.”