Rondo Commemorative Plaza is a powerful tribute to the lost Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul, which was destroyed in the 1960s by the construction of Interstate 94. The freeway's path decimated a vibrant Black community, displacing families, including those of James Garrett Jr. and Nathan Johnson, whose grandparents' homes were among those lost. In response, Rondo Avenue, Inc. developed a plan to transform the site of the last surviving building of the original Rondo neighborhood at 822 Rondo Avenue into a commemorative plaza. This space aims to preserve the memory of Rondo, tell its forgotten history, and celebrate the resilience of its displaced residents. Over four years, 4RM+ULA led a team of architects, artists, and engineers to create a park-like space that blends modernity with memory, featuring interpretive elements, a soaring light tower, colorful details, and installations designed by local artists like Roger Cummings and Seitu Jones.

Rondo Commemorative Plaza offers a place for reflection, education, and community engagement. The design includes seating, interactive elements, and a low concrete wall that wraps around the central space, defining it while offering views of the surrounding area and historic panels. Within the plaza, chimes by Cummings and Jones symbolize the 18 north-south streets that once ran through Rondo, with each hammer inscribed with a resident's name. This vibrant space fosters a renewed sense of pride in Rondo’s history, connecting past generations to the present, and serves as a catalyst for continued revitalization efforts in the surrounding community.

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