Since 1995, St. Louis Park has turned to its residents every decade to ask: What kind of city do we want to be in 10 years? Following a year of deep community conversation through the Vision 4.0 initiative, the council at its April 6, 2026, meeting, officially adopted five new strategic priorities. These priorities will guide the city’s budget, services, and long-term planning through 2036.
The priorities are rooted in the feedback of approximately 1,600 residents who participated in surveys and small-group discussions between March and September 2025. This outreach intentionally sought out diverse perspectives, including youth, renters and BIPOC residents to ensure the city's future reflects everyone who calls St. Louis Park home.
The council has committed to focusing city resources and efforts on these five strategic priorities:
- A welcoming, safe community: Creating an inclusive, equitable, and vibrant city where everyone feels safe and experiences a true sense of belonging.
- Good governance: Delivering reliable services, using city resources responsibly, and operating with the transparency you deserve.
- Connected, safe infrastructure: Maintaining reliable neighborhoods and public spaces that connect people and places, with an emphasis on walking, biking, and transit.
- Diverse, affordable, and dignified housing: Ensuring a quality range of housing options that are affordable and attainable for all.
- Climate leadership and natural spaces: Leading the way in caring for our planet while maintaining dynamic parks that connect people with nature.
Next steps
From April through June 2026, city staff r will work with a consultant to develop a strategic plan. This plan will include specific goals and measurable metrics to ensure we are making real, trackable progress toward these priorities every single year.
