Staff Directory 6134707

Katie Galioto

Reporter | Downtown
Phone: 612-673-4478

Katie Galioto is a business reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune covering the Twin Cities’ downtowns.


Galioto covers news and trends in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, regional hubs for businesses, residents and visitors. Her beat includes topics ranging from real estate and workforce behaviors to policy impacts and tourism patterns. Galioto previously covered St. Paul city government and the Duluth region for the Minnesota Star Tribune. She was born and raised in the Twin Cities' southwest suburbs and graduated from the University of Notre Dame.
Recent content from Katie Galioto
An Edina Realty sign outside of a home in June 2017. ORG XMIT: MIN1706151535355301

Edina Realty pays $3.5M to settle AG allegations of improper payments for home security warranties

The real estate broker allegedly partnered with Home Security of America to promote warranties in exchange for compensation.
Surface parking at 1022 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN ] JOELKOYAMA•jkoyama@startribune Minneapolis, MN on March 28, 2014. One of th

How to park in downtown Minneapolis, whether you're commuting or having a night out

Parking operators say evening and weekend traffic is back to pre-pandemic levels, if not busier, while commuter traffic is about 70% of what it was.
Erin Fitzgerald sits in the downtown Minneapolis lobby of 300 1st Av. N., the first property purchased by her new commercial real estate firm, Willow

She's buying downtown Minneapolis office space, sensing 'greatest opportunity of our lifetime'

Erin Fitzgerald left her job at JLL to found her own commercial real estate firm in hopes of revitalizing downtown Minneapolis.
Developer Carl Kaeding stands in a future one-bedroom apartment at Stella, the 178-unit complex his team is developing in the former Ecolab University

Office-to-housing conversions could revive Twin Cities downtowns, but at what cost?

Minneapolis and St. Paul leaders are pegging such conversion projects as the key to downtown revitalization, but it's easier said than done.
Flanked by a dozen public- and private-sector leaders at the B Suite, a new downtown Minneapolis co-working and gathering space for Black professional

Mayor Frey's latest plan has 'action steps' to revitalize downtown Minneapolis

The Downtown Action Plan is one of many strategies from various stakeholders in recent years aimed at transforming the urban core after the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The seventh-floor entrance to the skyboxes, rentable work spaces, at the Northstar Center in Minneapolis. New cafes, luxury meeting and hospitality sp

Downtown Minneapolis' Northstar Center to reopen after millions in renovations, years of planning

Developers transformed the 17-story west building into "hospitality-infused" office space, along with a revamped skyway and food court.
The second floor of the Stimson Building, 700 Hennepin Av. S., that formerly housed Seven Steakhouse & Sushi in Minneapolis is seen on Tuesday. The bu

Downtown Minneapolis still grappling with office vacancies, plummeting values

Even as companies look for new space and bring employees back in person, it's not enough to offset space vacated in the wake of the pandemic. But some brokers and boosters are optimistic despite the ongoing challenges.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signs a law that removes red tape for developers converting office buildings into housing.

Minneapolis passes law aiming to bolster office-to-housing conversions

Civic leaders say such developments, often costly and complicated projects, are key to downtown's future.

Protesters display banners with white supremacy messages from Interstate 694 bridge

Ramsey County deputies spoke with the group, which then took down banners and dispersed.
The First National Bank is one of several downtown St. Paul office buildings owned by Madison Equities, which is showing signs of financial distress.

Judge says widow of downtown St. Paul's largest building owner is on hook for loan

As Madison Equities properties show signs of financial distress, banks are seeking repayment from Rosemary Kortgard as the guarantor of unpaid loans.
A man walks by the empty Barrio in Lowertown in St. Paul, Minn. on Tuesday. Barrio abruptly announced they closed that location on Sep. 6 after 15 yea

Downtown St. Paul is having a moment — but not a good one

Beloved restaurants have closed and office buildings have sold at discount, raising alarms about the future of the capital city's urban core.
Safety captain Travion "Tray" Thompson with the St. Paul Downtown Alliance picks up trash while on patrolling St. Paul's downtown improvement district

Downtown St. Paul property owners OK expansion of privately funded safety services

The assessment-funded downtown improvement district will double its budget and expand its reach into Lowertown.
Sumeya Mohamed holds a postcard from the city saying her landlord was granted an exception to St. Paul's rent control law. The notice says her ap

Rent control ruling too late to help one St. Paul tenant

Procedural delays and a symbolic City Council vote raise questions about how the city's law should be interpreted and enforced.

Man on motorized bike struck, killed in Minneapolis hit-run

Minneapolis police said they arrested the driver, who had run from the scene.
The First National Bank Building is one of the properties listed for sale in St. Paul as seen on May 1. The largest property owner in downtown St. Pau

As office tenants move out, Madison Equities fires back at St. Paul officials for downtown crime

City leaders have publicly criticized downtown St. Paul's largest property owner for deteriorating conditions at the Lowry Apartments.
Tenants living at the historic Lowry Apartments in downtown St. Paul say conditions at the building have been worsening by the day.

Judge appoints emergency receiver for downtown St. Paul's troubled Lowry Apartments

An attorney for the city argued that owner Madison Equities let the building deteriorate after a lender began foreclosure proceedings.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter deplores the state of the Lowry Apartments downtown after talking with tenants Monday evening. He wrote to property owner

St. Paul mayor seeks emergency court intervention for downtown's distressed Lowry Apartments

Mayor Melvin Carter lambasted property owner Madison Equities in a Monday evening speech as tenant problems persist.
The Lowry Apartments on Wabasha Street in downtown St. Paul, Minn. August 28th, 2024

Downtown St. Paul's Lowry Apartments near foreclosure as problems pile up

In a rare move, the city revoked the building's fire certificate of occupancy amid mounting code violations and tenant complaints against owner Madison Equities.
Ryan Companies is seeking $18.6 million from the city to build retail and apartments along Ford Parkway, in a vacant lot that's been described as the

Developer seeks $21 million from St. Paul for stalled housing and retail at Highland Bridge

Private development has slowed at the 135-acre site of the former Ford plant, which was projected to have hundreds more housing units by now.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter delivers his annual budget address at the Ordway on Tuesday.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter wants to scale back rent control

Amid slowing development, the proposal — a concession to developers — aims to foster new housing construction.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter delivers his annual budget address at the Ordway on Tuesday.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter proposes property tax increase for 2025

The mayor's budget address, unveiling an $855 million spending plan, focused on public safety, housing, downtown and climate change.
St. Paul City Council Member Rebecca Noecker receives a thank-you card from Daniel Cox, an advocate for the early child care proposal, and 4-month-old

St. Paul Mayor Carter tells city staff to steer clear of child-care ballot initiative

City Council Member Rebecca Noecker and supporters accuse Carter of an "undercover campaign" to undermine effort to raise taxes to pay for child care.
Chue Yang, left, who was once homeless, checks in on his friend Long Vang, who lives at a homeless encampment with several dozen residents, many of th

Homeless camp off Bruce Vento trail forcing advocates to explore new approaches

Officials say its many Hmong residents resist shelters, want to stick together.
Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her vice presidential pick Minnesota Governor Tim Walz wave to the crowd Wednesda

Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Tim Walz hold rally in battleground western Wisconsin

Sen. JD Vance, running mate to former President Donald Trump, appeared at an event in Eau Claire to counter the Democrats.
The Church of the Assumption is the oldest church in downtown St. Paul, dedicated in 1874. Its spires are meant to recall a church in Munich.

Catholic church withdraws opposition for supportive housing complex in downtown St. Paul

The Church of the Assumption plans to continue conversations about lingering safety concerns.
In March, voters cast ballots for the 2024 presidential primary at Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center, a polling place in St. Paul.

St. Paul ballot measure will ask whether city elections should move to presidential years

Grassroots organizers say they want to boost turnout for municipal elections.
John Rupp and Stephanie Rupp had to close their Hotel 340 in St. Paul, but will be reopening to accommodate those needing longer-term housing.

Owner may auction historic St. Paul Athletic Club building after it loses its last tenant

In default and owing more than $500,000 in property taxes, John Rupp said he plans to leave the downtown market.
First National Bank Building, built in downtown St. Paul in 1931, was purchased by St. Paul-based Madison Equities.

Downtown St. Paul's largest property owner says the city's core is in 'crisis'

An attorney representing Madison Equities offered a dismal portrayal of St. Paul as the company markets its entire office portfolio.
The Church of the Assumption is the oldest church in downtown St. Paul, dedicated in 1874. Its spires are meant to recall a church in Munich.

Catholic church opposes plan for supportive housing complex in downtown St. Paul

Citing crime, the Church of the Assumption is objecting to an 88-unit project from nonprofit developer Aeon.
The retail space once Pottery Barn now sits empty on the corner of Victoria Street and Grand Avenue in St. Paul.

St. Paul moves toward loosening building restrictions on Grand Avenue

The City Council wants to eliminate height restrictions and other rules blamed for stifling development.
Madison Equities plans to build 100 apartments on four floors at Park Square Court, a building where it once envisioned a hotel.

Historic Lowertown St. Paul building goes into bankruptcy

The Park Square Court Building is one of several recently listed for sale by downtown St. Paul's largest property owner.
Large-scale homes were under construction in the Brookshire development in Lakeville on Thursday. Lakeville is one of the fastest-growing suburbs, in

Minnesota's urban core has boomed. But now momentum is shifting back to the suburbs.

New population estimates show slowed growth for the region and faster growth in farther-out suburbs.
Downtown safety captain Travion Thompson, with the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, patrols on Tuesday.

St. Paul wants to expand privately funded Downtown Improvement District to include Lowertown

The district, funded by assessments charged to property owners, pays for street cleaners and safety ambassadors.
A hole in the wall of a downtown St. Paul skyway sits in disrepair in late 2023. City officials said administrative fines could be used to enforce bui

St. Paul officials seek power to impose fines against landlords, others accused of code violations

For the third time in less than a decade, city leaders are advocating for a new tool to enforce ordinances.
Construction progresses on the second phase of the Marvella senior housing complex, right, at St. Paul's Highland Bridge site. While plans for most pr

Private development stalls at Highland Bridge in St. Paul

Developers and city officials are talking about reducing the density of housing and other changes that could restart construction.
The historic Lowry Apartments, once a posh downtown St. Paul hotel, sit on the corner of Wabasha and 4th streets. The building was listed for sale Mon

For sale: Downtown St. Paul's historic Lowry Hotel, now home to affordable apartments

The nearly century-old building was listed by Madison Equities less than a week after the company dumped its entire downtown office portfolio on the market.
A crowd at the neighboring U.S. Bank building photographed the re-lighting of the iconic red First National Bank Building sign in 2016. The two buildi

Downtown St. Paul's largest property owner seeks single buyer for it all

Madison Equities, downtown St. Paul's largest property owner, is marketing six office buildings and two parking ramps.
Council Member Anika Bowie and former Council Member Russel Balenger, far right, hold up “Rondo Ave” signs as part of a ceremony renaming the fron

St. Paul restores Rondo Avenue name to city street

Stretches of Concordia and St. Anthony avenues are renamed Rondo to match the footprint of the once-lively St. Paul commercial artery.
Then-Mayor of St. Paul Norm Coleman and Lowertown artist Ta-coumba T. Aiken unveiled a statue of Snoopy at the Black Dog Cafe in 2000.

Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?

The creative tributes to the comic strip characters were ubiquitous in the capital city in the early 2000s.
Five takeaways from this year’s Ramsey County assessor’s report.

Downtown St. Paul property values down, residential values up

Four takeaways from this year's Ramsey County Assessor's report.
St. Paul is proposing changes to its zoning code that would allow cannabis retailers, cultivators and product manufacturers with up to 15,000 square f

St. Paul proposal would allow cannabis businesses throughout commercial corridors

Larger businesses would be limited to areas zoned for industrial uses, and retailers could not be within 300 feet of a school.
A plow truck made its way up the hill in front of the Cathedral of St. Paul on Wednesday, with the State Capitol building in the backdrop. More snow i

St. Paul is considering a switch to one-sided winter parking rules

Changes are likely years away, but a pilot in some St. Paul neighborhoods could start next winter.
The Central Station light rail stop in downtown St. Paul. The entrance to the skyways has been padlocked for more than a year after a double homicide

St. Paul leaders have high hopes for lackluster 5th Street

A trip down 5th Street spotlights many of the struggles downtowns have experienced across the country even before the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rhea O'Connor removes the nosel of the Fast Charger after charging her Nissan Leaf, an electric car, at a BP off of Lyndale Ave. S, is the only servic

New surface parking lots in St. Paul would have to make room for EV chargers under proposed ordinance

The proposal aims to bring St. Paul closer to meeting climate policy targets and projected market demand for electric vehicles.
Signs bearing the photo of Yia Xiong were posted Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, near the St. Paul apartment complex where the 65-year-old was shot and killed

St. Paul council members condemn decision not to charge officer who killed Yia Xiong

Three council members said they were "deeply disturbed" by prosecutors' determination that deadly force was justified in the 2023 shooting.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter delivers his annual State of the City address in front of a crowd gathered in the lobby of Xcel Energy Center.

6 takeaways from St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter's State of the City address

Mayor wants a renovated arena, more downtown housing and a new approach to snow plowing.
For five Wednesdays in a row, pro-Palestinian activists raised signs at St. Paul City Council meetings, urging officials to pass a resolution calling

St. Paul City Council passes resolution calling for cease-fire in Gaza

After avoiding the issue for a month, the council unanimously approved a resolution calling for an end to the fighting and U.S. military aid to Israel.
Passersby walk underneath the blocked-off entrance to the third floor in St. Paul’s Town Square on Thursday. The third floor used to have an indoor

Up above the St. Paul skyways, an abandoned city park gathers fines and dust

The old Town Square Park turned from an asset to an eyesore, and there's no end in sight.
Waste Management worker Daniel Westerhaus collected trash from the alleys of the Snelling Hamline neighborhood of St Paul's yellow zone on the first d

St. Paul picks one trash hauler to replace five, while dipping its toe in the garbage business

The city wants FCC Environmental to take over hauling, but will also make a first foray into municipally-run collections.
Campaign manager Daniel Cox held his 1-year-old daughter Tlameha at the Rondo Library on Sunday in St. Paul. Cox and his partner have experienced chil

Organizers launch campaign for St. Paul child care ballot measure

The ballot question would increase St. Paul property taxes to fund up to $20 million in child care subsidies for low-income families.
A member of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department made sure that supporters of Israel, left, and Palestinian supporters were peaceful during a rally

New St. Paul City Council avoiding a formal stance on Israel-Hamas war

Council members say they plan to advocate for peace without voting on a cease-fire resolution.
For the first time since 2015, St. Paul is doing a major overhaul of its bike plan, which serves as blueprint for city planners when opportunities to

What to know about St. Paul's plan to add 119 miles of bikeways

The plan, which calls for more separated bikeways, would be built out over decades.
Through his real estate development company Madison Equities, Jim Crockarell grew his portfolio to include at least 32 buildings in St. Paul.

Jim Crockarell, downtown St. Paul's most prolific property owner, dies at 79

A complicated figure at times embroiled in conflicts with the city, labor unions and more, Crockarell — through his real estate development company Madison Equities — owned some of the most recognizable facades in the state capital's skyline.
City Council President Mitra Jalali, an advocate for rent control, late last year voted for a deal to mitigate risk for a developer concerned that the

Developer makes deal with St. Paul for millions in tax breaks if rent control imposed

Sherman Associates is redeveloping a downtown office tower into market-rate apartments.
All seven councilwomen embraced for a moment before the swearing-in ceremony of the all-female St. Paul City Council members, four new to the council,

St. Paul swears in first all-female City Council

Hundred cheered as the seven women took their oaths of office on stage at St. Paul's Ordway Concert Hall.

St. Paul swears in first all-female City Council

St. Paul will swear in its first all-female City Council on Tuesday. How did we get here?

When St. Paul's new City Council is sworn in on Tuesday, all of its seats will be filled by women for the first time in the city's 170-year history.
CollegeBound Boost participant Damara Clark with 3-year-old Amary Lockridge, who was born with spina bifida. “Just that little bit helps,” said Cl

Study: St. Paul's guaranteed income program helped families

The University of Pennsylvania study found the extra money to low-income St. Paul families improved positive outlooks as well as cash flow.

Three-story loon statue headed to park near Allianz Field

The installation will be part of the long-awaited development surrounding the soccer stadium.

City Council member wants Rondo Avenue to regain a place in St. Paul

Russel Balenger wants to rename parts of Concordia and St. Anthony avenues after the legendary street that was removed by freeway construction in the 1960s.

City Council member wants Rondo Avenue to regain a place in St. Paul

City Council Member Jane Prince said she could not “in good conscience” approve the city’s 2024 budget, which passed by a 6-1 vote.

St. Paul City Council approves $844 million budget for 2024

The adopted plan was largely the same as what Mayor Melvin Carter proposed in August, with a few minor tweaks and additions.

With winter approaching, St. Paul makes plans to shore up its struggling skyways

With winter approaching, St. Paul makes plans to shore up its struggling skyways

COVID-19 aid will pay for physical improvements, and a proposed ordinance aims to make it easier to crack down on scofflaw building owners.
From left to right, Anika Bowie, Saura Jost, Mitra Jalali, Hwa Jeong Kim and Cheniqua Johnson posed after filing together in August to run for the St.

Saura Jost declared winner of St. Paul's Third Ward race, cementing city's historic all-female council

The new council, among the city's youngest and most diverse, will be sworn in early next year.
Seventh Ward candidate Cheniqua Johnson, center, smiled as she talked with campaign worker Nonkululeko Shongwe, left, and her campaign manager Latisha

Anika Bowie, Cheniqua Johnson elected to first all-female St. Paul City Council

After tallying ranked-choice votes, they are declared winners in the city's First and Seventh wards.
From left to right, Anika Bowie, Saura Jost, Mitra Jalali, Hwa Jeong Kim and Cheniqua Johnson posed after filing to run for the St. Paul City Council

St. Paul voters elect a young, diverse — and possibly all-female — City Council

Two races won't have declared winners until Friday, due to ranked-choice voting, but women of color lead in both contests.
St. Paul City Council, September 2022.

St. Paul poised for City Council shake-up, as at least two races remain undecided

Women were leading contests in all seven wards, meaning that St. Paul could have an all-women council for the first time in the city's history.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter made a pitch for the proposed sales tax last April, in front of the city’s asphalt plant.

What to know about the proposed sales tax increase on St. Paul ballots

If passed by voters, the tax would raise nearly $1 billion for streets and parks over 20 years.
Disassembly of the Justus Ramsey House in February 2023.

St. Paul's Justus Ramsey House to be rebuilt on Transportation Museum grounds

The announcement Friday closes a chapter in the roller-coaster saga of one of St. Paul's oldest homes, which was nearly destroyed at the start of the year.
Ben Peters showed Brianna and Thomas Williams a triplex in St. Paul’s North End in 2019.

St. Paul City Council votes to allow multi-unit housing throughout city

Under a sweeping set of changes to the zoning code, duplexes and triplexes will be allowed on almost any lot.
St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse.

Ramsey County refunding $3.75M after double billing nearly 700 taxpayers

A problem with the county's electronic payment system charged some residents and businesses twice this month.
The skyline of downtown St. Paul seen from the Smith Avenue Bridge in February 2020.

Why does my St. Paul tax bill cost that much? Five things to know.

Inflation, city fees and state funding levels all play a role as city leaders set the tax levy — and determine your share of the bill.
City Council Member Mitra Jalali filed to run again in August at the Ramsey County Elections Office.

In St. Paul's Fourth Ward, Mitra Jalali pushes for more progressive City Council agenda

The DFL incumbent faces one challenger, libertarian Robert Bushard who's "pretty certain" he will lose.
The St. Paul City Council deliberated at a meeting in September 2022.

Public shows strong support for St. Paul zoning changes geared toward density

If passed by the City Council, properties with up to six housing units would be allowed throughout the city.