Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

St. Paul wrestles with rental ordinance, rent control

Rent control on ballot?The fate of a proposed November ballot question on rent stabilization or rent control is now in the hands of Ramsey County elections officials. Members of the Housing … more

By JANE McCLURE St. Paul’s S.A.F.E. ordinance and its tenant protections were repealed on a 4-3 city council vote June 23. Council members have said they’ll start work immediately on a new tenants’ protection ordinance. That doesn’t mollify some h | 7/23/21

{ Monitor in a Minute }

Reparations committee formedThe St. Paul City Council June 16 appointed its Reparations Legislative Advisory Committee.In January, the city Council issued an apology for its role in institutional … more

By JANE McCLURE | 7/23/21

Mayor vetoes city council vote on Lexington station project

The much-debated Lexington Station mixed-use project likely can proceed, despite objections from some St. Paul City Council and community members. April ended with a 5-2 vote by council members … more

By Jane McClure | 5/12/21

Nick Kor, of the Asian Minnesotan Alliance for Justice, said, “A fundamental belief of our alliance is that we have to name the racism against Asian Americans. We must be clear and we must speak up.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Asian Minnesotan leaders name the racism

In the wake of a shooting spree in Georgia that left six Asian Americans dead last month, the Asian Minnesotan Alliance for Justice is encouraging the community to name the racism.Nick Kor is a … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 4/14/21

A PATH FORWARD

Ramsey County doesn’t want to return to the status quo.While 2020 was a hard year with unemployment spiking at 11% last May, it brought ongoing workforce disparities to the forefront, and the … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 4/14/21

Minnesota’s First Economic Competitiveness & Inclusion Plan implemented in Ramsey County

On March 23, the Center for Economic Inclusion (the Center) joined its peer consultants Fourth Economy, NEOO Partners, MZ Strategies, and Urban3 to present the first-ever Economic Competitiveness and … more

4/14/21

Over 500 people marched along the Mississippi River on March 11 to protest Enbridge drilling their tar sands Line 3 pipeline under the headwaters of the Mississippi. It was part of the largest ever grassroots multi-faith day of action to lift up bold climate demands in over 40 countries. (Photos by Margie O’Loughlin)

Line 3 threatens Mississippi River

Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light held a rally on March 11 to protest the Enbridge Energy Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Program. A spokesperson for the group said, “Construction of the tar … more

4/14/21

Trent Bowman is the president of NAREB, a coalition of Black real estate professionals. He said, “Throughout history, people of color have been left out of the homeownership game. It’s about leaving a legacy. It’s about building wealth in our communities. We have to understand the history of housing discrimination, so we can work in the present to leave something for our kids in the future.” (Photo courtesy of NAREB)

Part II: The Twin Cities housing market

In last month’s article about the Twin Cities housing market during COVID-19, real estate professionals characterized the market as “frenzied.” A picture emerged of Minneapolis and … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 4/14/21

Alatus project sparks debate on definition of ‘affordable housing’, gentrification

Developer Alatus’ Lexington Station mixed-use project is in the hands of the St. Paul City Council, with a public hearing and likely vote March 17 on its site plan. The Minneapolis-based … more

By Jane McClure | 3/10/21

Is Round Two coming?

Minneapolis and St. Paul are braced for civil unrest as the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin commences. City councils in both cities have been receiving updates on plans to … more

By JANE McCLURE | 3/10/21

Student Engagement and Advisory Board Member Kalid Ali said, “I take every opportunity that comes my way as if it were the last one, for the betterment of myself and for others.” (Photo submitted)

Achievement gap growing

The first quarter grades for this year are in for St. Paul Public School students, and it appears that racial disparities are growing worse with distance learning.In 2019, Minnesota ranked 50th when … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/14/21

Trash fees increasing

What St. Paul’s residents pay for trash collection will increase in 2021. But the usually contentious issue of organized collection drew fewer than half a dozen public comments during a … more

By JANE McCLURE | 12/9/20

{ Development Roundup }

Zoning changes could bring more density The revamp of St. Paul’s multi-family residential zoning is seen as a way to add housing density, with a focus on affordable housing, … more

By JANE McCLURE | 10/17/20

{ Monitor in a Minute }

Neighborhood STAR fund allocated for area projects Twenty-one small businesses, housing providers and community organizations are recipients of 2020 Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) … more

By JANE McCLURE | 10/17/20

BE A LEADER & Be Counted: 2020 Census

Artika Tyner (Photo submitted) The 2020 U.S. Census is of critical importance. It will shape the future of our community. To raise awareness about the Census, Planting People Growing Justice in … more

by Dr. Artika R. Tyner | 9/24/20

{ Development Roundup } September 2020

Kimball court Kimball Court, which provides supportive housing in Hamline-Midway, can be enlarged with a new conditional use permit. The St. Paul Planning Commission July 20 approved a new … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/18/20

{ Monitor in a Minute } September 2020

Charter school prompts debate Hmong College Prep Academy has won St. Paul City Council and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) approval for conduit financing, on a 4-3 margin Aug. 26. But … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/18/20

Mississippi River connects teachers from ‘The Headwaters to the Delta’ despite COVID-19

The Virtual Mississippi River Institute blends online and hands-on outdoor learning Last February, more than 30 educators from Minnesota and Louisiana were looking forward to a special river journey. … more

9/18/20

{ Monitor in a Minute } Feb 2020

Liquor licenses St. Paul’s historic cap on on-liquor licenses continues to vex prospective bar operators and city officials who want to encourage more nightlife. Three requests for … more

By JANE McCLURE | 3/10/20