In downtown St. Paul, the Metro Square building at 121 Seventh Place E. has a new name, more reflective of its role as a hub for public-facing county government services.
Metro Square is now the Ramsey County Government Center, “a service-focused hub designed to make it easier for our residents to find support, connect with programs and navigate county services,” reads a written announcement from the county.
The name change took effect March 1. The building’s skyway-level service center provides in-person assistance and connections to county programs, including child support applications and public benefits, with guidance from a financial navigator. It also offers drop boxes for sensitive documents.
Also in the building, the county’s CareerForce office offers employment and career support services. Community Corrections is a one-stop-shop for adults serving probation.
The Emporium at Seventh Place and Robert Street was one of two downtown St. Paul department stores that anchored the city’s shopping district, according to architecture historian Larry Millett. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society)
The county has gradually moved staff and services to the Metro Square building from 160 East Kellogg Blvd., the former Ramsey County Government Center East building, which is now fully vacant and has been placed on the market for sale.
Beyond its renaming, the consolidation of county services within the former Metro Square building “brings together county employees who were previously located in separate buildings, strengthening coordination and teamwork across departments,” said a spokesperson for Ramsey County, in a written statement.
“In addition, the building incorporates sustainability features and intentionally designed sensory-friendly spaces to create a more welcoming and accessible experience for residents.”
Metro Square was built in 1911 to house the Emporium department store, whose brick and terra cotta exterior remains more or less intact behind a modern glass facade.
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