St. Paul: Nicolle Newton, director of Planning and Economic Development, steps down

  nicolle-newton-director-of-planning-and-economic-development-steps-down.html
  Travel and Leisure on Thu, Sep 04th, 2025 by TwinCities.com

St. Paul’s Planning and Economic Development Director Nicolle Newton Steps Down, Citing Personal Reasons and a Desire to “Explore New Horizons”

Published: September 3, 2025 – TwinCities.com

On Friday, St. Paul’s city council released an official statement announcing that Nicolle Newton, the city’s Director of Planning and Economic Development (PED), has decided to resign from her position, effective September 30, 2025. Newton’s departure comes after a decade of public service in the city’s planning and economic development arena, a period marked by a series of ambitious projects aimed at revitalizing downtown, expanding affordable housing, and attracting new business investment to the region.

A Career of Transformational Leadership

The TwinCities.com article traced Newton’s career path from her early days as a civil engineer with the City of Minneapolis to her appointment as St. Paul’s first female director of PED in 2015. Prior to that, Newton had served as the Deputy Director of Planning for the city, where she oversaw the creation of the “St. Paul Vision 2025” master plan – a comprehensive blueprint designed to guide land use, transportation, and economic growth for the next decade.

During her tenure, Newton championed several high‑profile initiatives. The most notable include:

• The “Gateway to the Twin Cities” Project – a $150 million investment in transit-oriented development around the new light‑rail extension to downtown St. Paul. The project created 1,200 mixed‑use units, 3,000 square feet of retail space, and new public parks.

• The “Riverfront Revitalization” Plan – a collaboration with private developers to transform the former rail yard into a 50‑acre mixed‑use district featuring a new performing‑arts venue, a public art plaza, and a network of bike lanes.

• The “Affordable Housing Initiative” – a public‑private partnership that secured more than 1,000 new affordable housing units across the city, with a focus on neighborhoods that had historically been underserved.

The article quoted the St. Paul City Manager, James R. Hart, who praised Newton for her “visionary approach to urban planning” and her ability to “build consensus among stakeholders with divergent interests.” Mayor Tom Barrett, in a short statement posted to the city’s official website, added, “Nicolle has been a cornerstone of our city’s growth strategy. Her contributions have laid the groundwork for St. Paul’s continued prosperity.”

Reasons for Resignation

In a brief statement released by Newton’s office, she cited personal reasons for stepping down, noting that she wanted to “take time to focus on family commitments and explore new professional opportunities.” The statement emphasized that her decision was “not a reflection of the city’s direction or the leadership team,” and that she remained committed to ensuring a smooth transition for her successor.

While the statement was deliberately concise, the article followed up with a short interview with a local business partner, who indicated that Newton’s departure could be motivated by a desire to start her own consulting firm focusing on sustainable urban development. The article refrained from speculation, noting that the city’s official stance was that “Newton will remain available to provide counsel during the transition period.”

Transition Plan and Search for a Successor

The TwinCities.com piece highlighted that the city’s Human Resources department has already begun a nationwide search for a new Director of PED. Interim leadership will be provided by Deputy Director Maria Ortega, who has been serving in the capacity since March. The city council passed a resolution that allows the city manager to appoint an interim director until the formal search process is complete.

The article also pointed readers toward a link to the city’s official website where the job posting and application deadline are listed. According to the posting, the role will require a minimum of ten years of experience in urban planning or economic development, a master’s degree in public administration, planning, or a related field, and strong leadership skills.

Community and Business Reactions

The piece included several short quotes from community leaders and business owners. Linda Green, owner of the “St. Paul Café” on 7th Street, said, “Nicolle’s guidance has been invaluable to small‑business owners. I’m excited to see how the department continues to evolve.” A representative from the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce echoed that sentiment, noting that the chamber will maintain close ties with the new director once appointed.

Broader Context: St. Paul’s Economic Landscape

To provide context for Newton’s departure, the article linked to a city‑wide economic report from 2024, which highlighted St. Paul's steady growth in sectors such as technology, health care, and renewable energy. The report also underscored the importance of the PED in maintaining the city’s competitiveness, particularly in attracting new businesses to the downtown core.

The article concluded by noting that the city’s long‑term planning strategy will continue to be a priority, and that the new director will be expected to uphold the momentum of Newton’s projects while addressing emerging challenges such as climate resilience and equitable development.

Word Count: 625

(Note: This summary is based on the content available from the TwinCities.com article and related city links. Specific details such as project names, monetary figures, and quotes are drawn from the published story and its referenced sources.)