BRIEFS November 2021

HiWay celebrates 90 years
Hiway Credit Union began in 1931 when a group of employees from the Minnesota Highway Department (now MnDOT) first conducted business out of a simple metal cash box. Two years after the stock market crash of 1929, at the height of the Great Depression, Hiway was formed, driven by the mission of people helping people. As part of Hiway’s 90th anniversary celebration, the Hiway Credit Union Foundation will be donating four gifts of $9,000 to four separate area charities.
The first gift will go to CU4Kids, benefiting Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) to support our local hospital, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. The St. Paul-based credit union’s associates will vote on the nonprofits which will receive the remaining three donations.
In addition, Hiway is including members in the celebration in a number of ways, including 90 cash giveaways of $90, granted to members chosen at random.

Non-profits honored
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) has selected three Minnesota nonprofits that have made outstanding contributions as recipients of 2021 Minnesota Nonprofit Mission Awards. Organizations honored this year are The Family Partnership, League of Women Voters Minnesota, and YWCA St. Paul.
Anti-Racism Initiative Award: With a mission to eliminate racism and empower women, YWCA St. Paul has been a champion for racial and gender equity in the community since 1907. Following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, YWCA St. Paul expanded its work to provide educational programs on the history, legacy, and ongoing impact of racism and inspire action to eliminate racism. The organization’s “Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge” campaign, “Tackling Racism” virtual town hall, and Equity and Justice Community Conversation events represent some of the work has united community members, built understanding, and called out the systems, laws, and policies that have helped perpetuate inequitable outcomes for communities of color.

Lexington Pkwy. reconstruction
The first phase of the project detached Lexington Parkway from the intersection at West 7th Street and Montreal Avenue in summer 2020. As part of the next phase of the project, Ramsey County will extend Lexington Parkway to connect to Shepard Road in Saint Paul. A final design has been selected for the project that includes a mini-roundabout at the Elway Street and Montreal Avenue intersection. This project will be the first ever roundabout to be constructed in the city of Saint Paul. Submit feedback and learn more at ramseycounty.us/LexingtonExtension.
Como Zoo welcomes Kulu
Como Zoo welcomes its newest resident, Kulu, a 725 pound male polar bear. Kulu comes to Como from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium where he gained a large following since his birth on Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 28, 2019. Visitors to Como now can see Kulu in the deep-water exhibit of the Polar Bear Odyssey habitat. While Kulu will be able to see, smell, and verbally interact with Como’s current resident polar bears Nan and Neil, they will be physically separated until Kulu completes a mandatory quarantine period.

Hamm’s redevelopment
The city of Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) today released a request for proposals for the redevelopment of the former Hamm’s Brewery Complex on Saint Paul’s East Side. The 4.8-acre property is located just one mile from downtown Saint Paul near amenities such as the Payne Avenue business corridor, Bruce Vento Regional Trail, and Swede Hollow Park, and includes eight buildings totaling more than 165,000 square feet. More at stpaul.gov/hamms. Proposals due Dec. 17.