Gateway Corridor Meeting Update

On Tuesday, March 27, over 150 eastsiders gathered at the Eastside Community Center to hear about the Gateway Corridor alternative proposals and to voice their opinions. This was a great turn out for the area, but remember, there is still time to send in your opinions about what you would like to see happening with transit in this area.

County Commissioner Jim McDonough spent a good deal of time explaining his preference for an alignment of light rail that travels along I-94 from the east to White Bear, then goes up White Bear to 7^th Street and follows 7^th Street into downtown St. Paul and the Union Depot. In terms of the rating of the options so far, this option is ranked quite low, and the District 1 Community Council has come out with a preference for a different alignment along I-94. However, if you would like to contact Commissioner McDonough about his preference, you can reach him at Jim.McDonough@co.ramsey.mn.us or by calling his office at 651.266.8350.

We also heard from residents about their concerns. These concerns ranged from wondering which and how many properties would be taken to build a light rail line on White Bear, to how noisy light rail would be, to why any money was being spent on this proposal at all. Not everyone was in opposition – some people saw this project as an opportunity to clean up the eastside and to provide access to jobs across the region.

The point now, however, is to let the planners know what you think and what you would like to see. The details of the alternatives can be found at http://www.thegatewaycorridor.com/html/transit-study-gateway-corridor.php

You can send comments to http://www.thegatewaycorridor.com/html/contact-gateway-corridor.php

Keep in mind that other transit projects are in the works for the eastside and that some of these are likely to be in place before anything related to Gateway is built. These include an “Arterial Bus Rapid Transit” way along 7^th Street – a limited stop, fancy bus, fast way to access points from Maplewood to downtown St. Paul (and along West 7^th, too), and a proposal to do a study of a streetcar line along 7^th. In addition, at a longer time interval, the Rush Line proposal is to have a commuter transit line from up near Forest Lake to downtown that would travel along either 35E or the Phalen Corridor. All of these options would increase development investment on the eastside of St. Paul – some with greater development potential than others.

Stay informed, ask questions and provide your feedback. This is an example of how your opinion helps shape the future of your community.

Water Meter Replacement in our Area

The City of Saint Paul has passed the halfway mark! More than 51,000 water meters have been replaced out of 94,000.

Residential meter replacement rates have accelerated to between 1,300 and 1,400 per week.

About 63,500 property owners have been sent notification letters regarding the installation as we work on the east side of Saint Paul as well as north and central Maplewood.

Where we are at

To keep you abreast of where we are working and the completion rate of each area, a map is attached to this email.

Residential Installations

·       We are nearly 60 percent finished with installations in a large area of eastern Saint Paul and northern Maplewood, from Hwy. 61 and Phalen Lake to the west, the city boundary of North Saint Paul to the east, County Road D to the north, and Arlington to the south.

·       We are 20 - 35 percent finished with installations south of Holloway, west of Century Ave., east of White Bear Ave., and north of Conway.

·       Mailings have gone out to property owners in an area bordered approximately by I-94 in the south, Arlington in the north, McKnight in the East, and Burlington in the west.

Please be aware that in a minority of cases, in which repeated attempts to contact the homeowner or resident have gone without response for at least two months, we have disconnected water services until we can arrange to have a new meter installed.

Information on the alternate metering systems

In our notification letters, customers are informed that there are alternate metering systems available. Property owners can select one of the alternate metering systems by calling our customer service reps at 651-266-6350 for an application or by downloading the application form from our website at https://www.saintpaulwater.com/meters/

Customers who have called in to request information about alternate metering systems have been provided with that information and an application for an alternate metering system.

As of March 27, 2012, SPRWS received 455 applications; of those, 284 selected the external radio-read metering system; 171 chose the touchpad. 

Find out more on our website

Information on the regulations we meet and many reports on FCC rules and regulations, FDA rules on radiation emitting electric devices (like radios and remote controls), radio frequency, electromagnetic frequency, and other topics related to radio transmitters from peer-based, scientific research also can be found at  https://www.saintpaulwater.com/meters/

There is a great deal of information on this project, including how to read the new meters, updates like this, and maps of the entire project area on our website at https://www.saintpaulwater.com/meters/

St. Paul Public Schools Listening Session

SPPS Board Listening sessions provide community members the opportunity to speak directly with Board members on any issue, and for Board members to listen and have informal and respectful dialogue with the community. These sessions are not to replace the more formal process that community members, staff and families are encouraged to follow to bring issues, concerns and complaints to the appropriate school, programs or administrative staff.

In our area, a listening session is  scheduled for Thursday, May 17 at Highwood Hills Elementary Library, 2188 Londin Lane, at 7-8:30p.

AND remember the District 1 Annual Meeting on Monday March 26, 6:30p at Progressive Baptist Church (1505 Burns), where we will hear from Superintendent Silva's Chief of Staff, Suzanne Kelly, about the new system plan and what it means for our neighborhood schools. (Dessert potluck! Child Care! Door Prizes! - bring a dessert and its recipe AND nonperishable food items for the Progressive Baptist food shelf!!).

Home Ownership Workshop

This Saturday March 24, 2012 Graciela Mendez will be facilitating a Home Stretch workshop in English at the YMCA on the East Side of St. Paul. If you or anyone you know is interested in taking the workshop, call NeDA (Neighborhood Development Alliance) to register 651-292-0131.

                

This 9 hour workshop covers start-to-finish, the entire home buying process. The Home Stretch Workshop will help you become an informed, prepared consumer. The workshop offers objective, practical information to help you get on the path to homeownership.             

•             Determine your financial situation

•             Understand credit, credit issues, and how credit affects the costs of homeownership

•             Decide what type of mortgage is best for your needs

•             Understand the loan closing process

•             Find special programs just for first-time homebuyers

•             Determine what you can afford

•             Develop a budget and savings plan

•             Tax incentives for first-time buyers

•             Understanding HUD-1 & Good Faith Estimate

Buying a home is probably the largest purchase you’ll ever make.  Empower yourself with information to make smart decisions and become a successful, sustainable homeowner.  Understand the home buying process and be prepared for the important choices related to home ownership.

Date                           Saturday, March 24, 2012

Time:                         8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  

Locations:                YMCA

                                    875 Arcade Street

                                    St Paul, MN  55106

NeDA also offers pre-purchase counseling if you’re interested in meeting with a housing counselor before taking the Home Stretch workshop call 651-292-0131 to schedule an appointment with a HUD certified housing counselor.

Seniors' Prom (55+) - May 19

Pathways on the Park (170 N. Ruth St.) is holding a Seniors' Prom for people 55 years and older on May 19th from 6 - 9p (isn't this a GREAT idea!!). There will be dancing, appetizers, drinks, a photographer to capture the moment and FUN FUN FUN!! Attendees are asked to "Dress to Impress". Elders can come alone, on a date, with a friend or child or grandchild. Everyone is welcome.

Here's a chance to shake a leg, boogie, get down, and, well, just enjoy yourself with friends - new and old.

For more info, contact Troy at 651.731.6418

Free Cooking Classes - Sports and Nutrition

Joyce and two students from an earlier class

Starting on April 3, the District 1 Community Council, the Minnesota Project and MN Extension Service's "Simply Good Eating" program are bringing free cooking classes to Conway Rec Center (2090 Conway St.). The theme of this 5 week after-school program is "Sports and Nutrition." If you have a child 11-14 years old -- BOY OR GIRL! -- who is interested in sports and wants to learn how to prepare simple, low-cost, nutritious foods that will build muscle and strong bones, bring them or send them to Conway at 3:30p on Tuesday, April 3. They will come home with recipes, cooking skills, and new knowledge about how eating right can help them with whatever sport they are interested in.

This program has its primary focus on kids from low-income families but everyone is welcome and will learn something. Parental permission to work in a kitchen with kitchen implements (including knives) is necessary - that's why we are focused on kids at least 11 years old.

The teacher is great, the recipes are delicious, the class is fun, and you can't beat the price!

For more information contact Betsy at 651.578.7600 or district1council@aol.com

Volunteer Opportunities at Battle Creek Elementary

Playworks Twin Cities is a youth development nonprofit serving nine local elementary schools with the mission to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe and meaningful play. As we enter our spring term, we are in need of volunteers interested in learning more about Playworks or working with elementary school students. All of our Spring opportunities will be held at Battle Creek Environmental Magnet School.

Playworks is thrilled to announce spring volunteer opportunities! To register for any opportunities, please email Caroline Church:cchurch@playworks.org. 

Paint for Playworks

When: Friday, April 6, 2012, 10am - 2pm

Where: Battle Creek Elementary School, 60 South Ruth Street, St. Paul, MN, 55119

Description: We will be painting game boundaries, tennis courts and Battle Creek themed designs on the playground blacktop! Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn more about Playworks, participate in a quick playground game and will meet some of our current Playworks staff working in elementary schools in St. Paul and Minneapolis!

Why: Painting game boundaries will help our Playworks staff organize inclusive recess and afterschool games. We will also be painting tennis court boundaries in preparation for our spring tennis leagues.

Tennis Referee

No tennis experience necessary!

When: Weeknights in May

Where:  Battle Creek Elementary School, 60 South Ruth Street, St. Paul, MN, 55119 

Description: Refereeing at short tennis games. Referees can create a fun, supportive environment for young players by officiating, explaining rules, and enthusiastically promoting non-competitive play

Why: Playworks Twin Cities and St. Paul Urban Tennis are teaming up to create opportunities for Playworks students in local elementary schools to learn and play tennis. Developmental sports leagues are a necessary part of the Playworks program and are meant to teach students empathy, teamwork and game skills.

Mandatory Training: March 23, 2:30 - 6:30PM

Assistant Coach

No tennis experience necessary!

When: Weeknights and afternoons in May

Where: Games to be held at Battle Creek Elementary School, 60 South Ruth Street, St. Paul, MN 55119. Practices held at various schools in St. Paul.

Description: Assistant Coaching a tennis team. Assistant coaches will work with Playworks staff to run practices and coach games, all the while building skills, positive attitudes, and enforcing teamwork. Assistant coaches should commit to all league events (practices and games) for the entire month long season. This position requires the ability to work sensitively with parents and children. Must love to play games and lead activities with kids and have the ability to model positive behavior.  Actively engage a diverse range of students in respectful and inclusive healthy play. 

Why: Playworks Twin Cities and St. Paul Urban Tennis are teaming up to create opportunities for Playworks students in local elementary schools to learn and play tennis. Developmental sports leagues are a necessary part of the Playworks program and are meant to teach students empathy, teamwork and game skills.

Mandatory Training: March 23, 2:30 - 6:30PM 

To register for any opportunities, please email Caroline Church: cchurch@playworks.org.

Lower Afton Bike/Ped Trail

The Lower Afton Bike/Ped Trail is under construction. This trail has been in the planning for about 18 months or so (2 years maybe??) but had to be put off last summer. It will connect the existing off-street trail that runs through Maplewood east of McKnight to trails along Point Douglas Road and through Battle Creek Park.

The construction of this trail involves removal of trees along the hillside north of Lower Afton, installing guard rails along slopes. It will be wide enough to accommodate both bicycles and pedestrians wanting to take advantage of this beautiful route through our southern neighborhoods.