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Governor’s Task Force on Housing, Project Manager

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Merritt coordinated and managed project activities of staff and representatives from multiple agencies on a fast-paced, seven-month project. Co-wrote final report of the Task Force.  

  • Managed operation of the task force and its work groups  
  • Developed and directed work plans to advance project activities 
  • Identified and strategically addressed project obstacles 
  • Collaborated with task force and staff leads to prepare agendas and content for regular public meeting
  • Organized and synthesized all subject content from meetings, public input, and research for preparation of task force recommendations and a final report 
  • Managed project website and public communications 
  • Led writing of the Task Force report – “More Places to Call Home: Investing in Minnesota’s Future”  

Saint Paul Ford Site Redevelopment Planning, Project Lead

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Merritt led planning of the 135-acre Ford site for over a decade and was responsible for all aspects of project management. 

  • Led an inter-departmental city staff team of 25 people 
  • Partnered with dozens of government agencies, business and civic groups, stakeholder organizations, and land owners 
  • Maintained active communication with Ford representatives 
  • Managed a dozen studies and consultant teams  
  • Presented at over 150 public and stakeholder meetings 
  • Successfully solicited grants and technical assistance from foundations, organizations, and state and federal agencies
  • Authored new zoning and a master plan for the Ford site based on a decade of studies and public input and in coordination with staff from across city departments  

Sears Site Redevelopment, Mapped Zoning and Permitting Process

The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) hired Merritt Clapp-Smith to identify and document all public process review steps that would be required to advance the Sears site through redevelopment and construction. The Sears site is within the zoning jurisdiction of the CAAPB, and simultaneously under the authority of the City of Saint Paul for master plan, platting, and public infrastructure approvals. The redevelopment entitlement process for the Sears site will engage iterative reviews by staff from multiple city departments and the CAAPB. Creation of the public review process map enabled the City and CAAPB to better anticipate and plan their coordination for efficient review, and identified clear steps for the site’s future developer.

Highland Village Apartments, Planning Advisory Services

The iconic Highland Village Apartments in Saint Paul sit adjacent to the Ford site redevelopment and the Highland Village commercial center. The ivy covered buildings and campus-like grounds are a treasure of the neighborhood. As with many attractive, aging properties, the owners wish to respect the historic character of the development, while investing in improvements and evolving with the times and the market. The owners hired Merritt to assist them in evaluating potential reinvestment and site plan changes on the property, particularly in relation to anticipated future development and road improvements along the edges of the Ford site. Merritt helped the owners analyze alternatives, identify issues, and prioritize options. 

Zoning Studies and Ordinance Amendments

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Zoning projects at the City of Saint Paul included creating new zoning districts for the Ford site, rewriting the citywide parking standards, assisting with district and small area plans, leading major rezoning studies for Highland Village and the Shepard-Davern neighborhood, and reviewing zoning cases. Merritt served as the Planner for the City of Scandia, for Stillwater Township and for Baytown Township, bringing all code amendments, variance, Conditional Use Permit, and subdivision applications through Planning Commission and City Council / Town Board review. 

Metro Independent Business Alliance

Merritt was the co-founder and first Executive Director for a non-profit to promote and support local, independent businesses in the Twin Cities. Worked with small, independent business owners to establish the organization as a non-profit, set up a Board of Directors, determine mission and objectives for the group, prepare branding and marketing materials, and recruit the first 50+ businesses to join the membership-based organization.

City, Town, and County Planner, various municipalities

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Merritt is experienced as a Planner at the township, city, and county levels in the Twin Cities region. As a direct employee or consultant, served communities included Saint Paul, Brooklyn Park, Stillwater Township, Baytown Township, Columbus, Dakota County, and Washington County. Projects ranged widely, from industrial zoning studies, Critical Area overlay amendments, revision of citywide off-street parking standards, and commercial area rezoning, to trail and scenic by-way network plans, neighborhood and small area plans, and zoning case reviews.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Project

At the City of Saint Paul, Merritt planned and oversaw installation of over a dozen electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for public use. The City received federal funding to expand EV charging infrastructure in the Twin Cities region. Merritt led the Saint Paul deployment, working with the Minnesota Department of Administration to create and issue an RFQ for vendors and establish a master contract. As part of a multi-agency group, Merritt identified siting criteria and priorities, developed an EV charging logo for public parking ramps, and shared information on potential station vendors and installers. She identified Saint Paul EV station locations, secured vendors and installers, and partnered with property managers on installation logistics. Merritt managed the project budget and payments throughout, and participated in federal grant reporting.

Other Projects and Experience

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Moxie Consulting draws upon a breadth of project experience and areas of knowledge to serve diverse client needs. Here is a sampling:

  • Secured a federal TIGER grant to study converting a former rail spur to a multi-modal transportation corridor
  • Evaluated and planned for energy reduction strategies for the Ford site redevelopment, in partnership with Ever-Green Energy, Excel Energy, Ramboll Engineering, the National Renewable Energy Lab, University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building Research, and others. 
  • Oversaw studies for the Ford site on jobs and economic development, parks and open space, a multi-modal transportation plan, market potential, sustainable design, and a green infrastructure network for stormwater management, among others.
  • Worked collaboratively with Ford Motor Company representatives from Michigan and locally to explore retention of the Ford plant in Saint Paul, to plan for site decommissioning, to determine future land use and related environmental testing and clean up plans, and to agree on a process for site master planning and rezoning.

Partnerships

Moxie’s Principal Merritt Clapp-Smith has worked with dozens of agencies and organizations over the years, including:

    • MN Department of Employment and Economic Development
    • MN Department of Natural Resources
    • MN Environmental Quality Board
    • Friends of the Mississippi River
    • Fresh Energy
    • Saint Paul Port Authority
    • Xcel Energy
    • National Park Service
    • Ramsey County and Ramsey County Regional Rail
    • Washington County
    • Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy 
    • Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Alliance for Metropolitan Stability
    • Sierra Club
    • Minnesota Land Trust
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