Gateway Meeting Summary

Thirty-seven people were in attendance last night (Feb 27) for the community meeting to discuss progress on the Gateway Corridor study. Folks from Washington County presented the results of work looking at impacts 8 alternatives would have on the eastside of St. Paul.

The 8 alternatives are:

1. do nothing (No Build) - this is a baseline to measure impacts of real options - what would the I-94 corridor look like if we did nothing? How would congestion change?
2. Transportation Management System - this is also a baseline for comparison - what would the I-94 corridor look like if all we did was manage behaviors that lead to congestion?
3. Bus Rapid Transit along I-94 (BRT) - designate special lanes dedicated to express bus system, with limited stops and enhanced stations (pay at station, not on bus)
4. BRT along White Bear and 7th Street - limit WB and much of 7th to one lane in each direction, dedicated bus lanes, enhanced stations and limited stops
5. Light Rail Transit along I-94 (LRT) - specially designed rail and train system like Hiawatha or the Central Corridor, limited stops, enhanced stations (pay at station, not on train)
6. LRT along White Bear and 7th Street - limit WB and much of 7th to one lane in each direction, specially designed rail and train system, limited stops and enhanced stations
7. Commuter Rail - this line would follow existing regular rail lines north of District 1 and would go through the eastside without stopping roughly along Phalen Blvd. The only stop in St. Paul would be at Union Depot. This alternative goes all the way from Eau Claire, WI; there would be no benefits at all to the eastside of St. Paul
8. BRT Managed Lane - this would involve a dedicated express bus lane down the center of I-94 with stations in the center of the freeway. This alternative is proposed to have no station at Sun Ray, unlike alternatives 3-6

The study looked at potential impacts on properties. Alternatives 3 and 5 (BRT and LRT on 94) had impacts on 26 and 24 properties west of Century Avenue, respectively, of which 4 and 9 would have to be "taken". Alternatives 4 and 6 (BRT and LRT on WB/7th) had impacts on 282 and 285 properties west of Century Avenue, respectively, of which 80 and 87 would have to be "taken". 

The study also looked at potential impacts on parking (on-street parking). Alternatives 3 and 5 involved the removal of 72 parking spaces (BRT and LRT on 94). Alternatives 4 and 6 involved removal of 864 parking spaces.

Finally, there were also studies of other traffic impacts - turning motions allowed or not allowed at various intersections. Because Alternatives 4 and 6 went through many more intersections, these alternatives had dramatic impacts on many more intersections.

All the information is available at www.thegatewaycorridor.com. There are opportunities to give comments at this location, also. BUT there will also be a community meeting on March 27 from 6-8p at the Eastside Community Center at Harding High School. We recommend that everyone with an interest attend...

The District 1 Community Council is not surprised by the large, negative impact that alternatives 4 and 6 have on eastside communities. From the very beginning, we have said that these alignments along White Bear Avenue and 7th Street go too far out of the way and through too many residential neighborhoods to  be realistic options for the Gateway Corridor. We hope that the West Seventh Arterial BRT proposal that will be in place many years sooner than Gateway will be extended out EAST Seventh early on and meet some of the need some officials see for enhanced transit amenities and economic development along Seventh Street.

We are concerned that economic development happen at our business areas, e.g. Sun Ray Shopping Center, that have not seen any city or county investment in a very, very long time. These business areas do not have a vibrant, small business focus as do other areas on the eastside, and they lack diversity essential to thriving business areas. We are also concerned that residential neighborhoods not be disrupted, torn apart (or torn down) to accommodate potential development in other parts of the eastside - especially when such development elsewhere can be supported and encouraged by other transit projects that will be completed much earlier than Gateway.

We want the Gateway Corridor to be successful in generating economic opportunity for ALL our residents and businesses. And we want to see our government officials focus on a COMPLETE TRANSIT SYSTEM on the eastside of St. Paul that fits into a COMPLETE REGIONAL SYSTEM. If we assume that Gateway Corridor is the only transit project we will ever see, we are not understanding what a transit SYSTEM is.

Get informed, get vocal... attend the public meeting on March 27 at the Harding Eastside Community Center.

Parks Volunteer Recognition Program

With volunteer assistance, Saint Paul's Parks and Recreation Department is able to provide a wide range of educational and environmental initiatives that have greatly enhanced Saint Paul. Volunteers complement the abilities and work of our staff by expanding our reach and impact. The Volunteer Recognition Program is a way of saying thank you to those who contribute their time and effort.

Individual Volunteer Recognition Program
Eligibility and Guidelines
Participants who are registered under the St. Paul Parks and Recreation Volunteer Program as certified Park, Eco, or Garden Stewards are eligible. Volunteers must report their hours of service to the Volunteer Coordinator via phone, email, or log them remotely through our Volgistics tracking software. Hours are subject to approval by the Volunteer Coordinator.

Individual participants who complete 120 hours of volunteer service, approved by the Coordinator, are eligible for the following awards:

• 1 seasonal (3 month) individual or family aquatics membership valid at Great River Aquatic Center, Highland Aquatic Center, and the newly built Como Aquatic Center
• 1 all access membership valid at Oxford Community Center. Pass includes: walking track, fitness center, gym and water park
• 1 hanging basket (to hang flowers) (subject to availability)
• an award given out at the Coordinator's discretion

Group Volunteer Recognition Program

Eligibility and Guidelines

Groups who are registered under the Parks and Recreation Volunteer Program as certified volunteers or friends groups are considered eligible. Volunteer groups must report their hours of service on a consistent basis via phone, email, or log them remotely through our Volgistics tracking software. Hours are subject to approval by the Coordinator.

for example - here are Friends of Henry Park!

Groups that have shown a consistent volunteer effort within a designated park, and accumulated 120 or more hours of service are eligible to receive a "Park Steward" sign recognizing their efforts. Placement of the sign is negotiable but it must be approved. Certain restrictions may apply. The signs will remain within the park as long as the group continues to show a dedicated volunteer effort. Signs are removed when the group no longer maintains the park or does not continue to report hours. Corporate logos are subject to approval by the Department.

Submitted by Andy Rodriguez, Parks Volunteer Coordinator

Cooking Classes in District 1

The older girls operate the mixer.

In partnership with the Minnesota Project and the Minnesota Extension Service, we have been sponsoring free cooking classes for kids ages 7 - 15 years old in Highwood Hills. These classes teach kids how to cook from scratch, read a recipe, try things out, and clean up afterwards. There are lessons about nutrition and the importance of getting exercise as well as cooking right to stay healthy.

The younger girls try the smoothies!

These after school classes have been available free to the kids from Shamrock Courts and Afton View apartments. Joyce McGee-Brown, Extension Educator, has kept the kids entertained and engaged. They have cooked black bean soup, smoothies, chicken salad wraps and other delicious fare.

We are hoping to be able to continue these classes at other locations throughout the district.

Thanks to the Minnesota Project and especially to the Minnesota Extension Service!

Fundraiser for Local Tour of Historic Black Colleges

The Progressive Baptist Church's Education Ministry is holding a fundraiser on Friday March 9 at 7p. The event features the A Cappella Choir of Wiley College (Marshall, Texas). The concert is free but a good will offering is suggested. In addition, the concert will be preceded by a chicken and spaghetti dinners for $7 each. All proceeds go to help fund the expenses of youth from our community attending the Historic Black Colleges and Universities tour that Progressive Baptist sponsors each year.

For more information about the college tour, visit www.wix.com/pbccollegetour/progressive

Reminder - Energy Loan Program

It's not too late to get a 0% interest deferred loan to replace your furnace or boiler and/or add insulation to your home. The Saint Paul Energy Smart Homes loan program is coming to a close, but funds are still available.

Here are the details:

• loans up to $6,500 for Saint Paul homeowners
• available for insulation and furnace/boiler replacement
• no monthly payments and no interest
• loan is due in 30 years or upon sale of property
• no income limits, but income affects terms
• loan availability is first-come, first-served

Energy Smart Homes is made possible by the City of Saint Paul with a grant from the US Department of Energy through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA)

More info is available at www.TheNEC.org/financing or by calling the NEC at 651.221.4462 x 132

Dinner/Mystery Theater Presentation

The Historic Mounds Theater (1029 Hudson Road) is holding their first dinner/mystery theater for one night only on March 11 at 2p. The theater experience puts you on a Caribbean Cruise Ship where a murder mystery ensues. Attendees will help the security officer solve the crime. If you solve it, you win a prize.

Doors open at 1p with the dinner and show starting at 2p. Tickets are $30. (and a cash bar is available...). You can get your tickets at www.moundstheatre.org

Fun, food and MYSTERY on March 11!

Lenten Fish Fry at St. Pascal's

The St. Pascal's Men's Club will host their Fish Fry on Fridays starting February 24 through March 30 in the St. Pascal Baylon Brioschi Social Hall (enter from Flandrau). The fish fry runs from 4:30 to 7p each Friday. The All-you-can-eat menu will consist of fried and baked cod, coleslaw, mixed steamed vegetables, au gratin and seasoned fried potatoes, macaroni and cheese, dinner roll, dessert, and coffee or water. Milk, bottled water, pop, and TAKE-OUT will be available.

Adults (those 12 years and older) are $10, children (6-11 years) are $4, and children 5 and under are FREE. Proceeds go toward the purchase of equipment, uniforms, and supplies for the St. Pascal's K-8 Grade School Physical Education Program and extra-curricular sports activities, and other parish and school events.

Submitted by St. Pascal's Men's Club

Get Rid of Your E-Waste

The Retrofit Companies is happy to announce a new E-waste Recycling Program for Ramsey county residents, beginning 2/1/2012.

What type of e-waste is included & What are the Fees?

Televisions & Monitors Recycling Fee: $5.00 each

            Televisions: including TV's, TV DVD-VCR combinations, monitors for home security/CCTV systems

            Computer Monitors: including monitors, "all in one" computers, eBook readers, digital picture frames and portable DVD players

Computers & Peripheral Electronic Devices Recycling Fee: FREE

            Peripheral devices include items sold exclusively for external use with a computer that provides input or output from a computer

·         CPUs and Computer Towers

·         Laptop computers

·         Tablet PCs

·         Keyboards

·         Mice

·         Printers

·         Fax Machines

·         DVD Players

·         VCRs

Drop-off Facility is open to Ramsey county Residents M-F, 7:00am to 4:00pm

The Retrofit Companies is located at 2960 Yorkton Blvd., Little Canada, MN 55117

Submitted by Ramsey County Environmental Services

Parks Clean Up coming in April - Sign up NOW!

Over the past 25 years, the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department has established a tradition of hosting an annual Spring Parks Cleanup event to collect the trash that has accumulated over the winter. Now, with the help of the Saint Paul Public Works Department and their Come Clean! Neighborhood Litter Campaign, the event has transformed into a citywide effort to clean our parks, neighborhoods, and streets. 

Without the help of volunteers, trash accumulates in many areas, polluting lakes and rivers, and detracting from the beauty of our community. This event is a fun and effective way to improve our natural environment while also contributing to the overall beautification of Saint Paul.

In order to reach our goal of a 1000 volunteers, we need your help! Please share this information with any volunteers or groups that may be interested in participating.

When:

Saturday, April 14

Kickoff Celebrations begin at 8:30 a.m. 

Cleanups are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

(If you are unable to volunteer on the 14th, but are still interested in volunteering on a different day, that can be arranged)

Where: Volunteers can choose any park, neighborhood, or natural area in Saint Paul that they wish to clean.

Volunteers pick up supplies, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and a chance to win some great prizes, at one the following Kickoff Celebrations between 8:30 and 9 am:

Como Lakeside Pavilion (1360 N Lexington Pkwy)

Harriet Island Pavilion (200 Dr Justus Ohage Blvd)

Highland Pavilion (1200 Montreal Ave)

Phalen Pavilion (1600 Phalen Dr)

How to register:

Online registration is now open. To register, click here

Questions? Email Andy.Rodriguez@StPaul.Gov or call 651-632-2411

Narnia: The Musical by YAI

Young Artists Initiative announces its Winter Theater Experience production of Narnia: The Musical, based on C.S. Lewis' classic story of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This production has an all youth cast and crew of more than 35 young artists from around the Twin Cities.

The performance is running Friday March 9 at 7:30p, Saturday March 10 at 2p and 7;30p, Sunday March 11 at 2p, Friday March 16 at 7:30p, Saturday March 17 at 2p and 7:30p and Sunday March 18 at 2p. The performances on March 11 and the 7:30 performance on March 17 are ASL-interpreted. The performance on March 10 (2p) is a "Pay-what-you-can" performance.

The play is held at the Performance Space at the Wellstone Center, 179 E. Robie, 55107

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors/students and children. Tickets can be purchased online at www.youngartistsmn.org or at the door.

Submitted by the Young Artists Initiative

Neighborhood Honor Roll

Here is a link to the video summary of the Neighborhood Honor Roll that was held January 20 at St. Thomas University. This city-wide event celebrates the great volunteers who are working every day throughout the city to make our neighborhoods healthy, welcoming, beautiful places to live.

http://youtu.be/Ws-wb6mtGkE 


The event is fun and informative - it is always interesting to see what people are doing in other areas of the city. There is also great food. Here is a picture to show you what you were missing in that department.

This event is open to folks from the neighborhoods, too. So if you want to be included in our invite list next year, or if you have someone to nominate who is doing good work - contact us at 651.578.7600 or district1council@aol.com

Good food, good company, good work!

Congratulations to Tonya Smith, Jeff Welle and Phil Fuehrer, this year's D1 recipients. Look for an article about them and the event in the upcoming issue of the District 1 News, coming to your home in March...