May 27, 2022 | Friday

D10 Event: Pick Up & Party!

Saturday, June 4, 2-5pm @ Orchard Rec

The Como Community Council is hosting a Pick Up & Party event at Orchard Rec Center (875 W Orchard Ave). Whether you come with your neighbors or come to meet your neighbors, we would love to see you there!

We’ll kick off the event with a neighborhood clean up from Front to Como & Dale to the railroad tracks. Check in at the Rec Center between 2-3pm for supplies and the location to start your pick up. After the clean up, we’ll meet up back at the rec center for live music, snacks, kids crafts, yard games and more!

Everyone is invited to this free event!

If you’d like to help us keep hosting events like this, please consider a donation to our Neighborhood Events Fund or becoming a volunteer.

Como Band Call

The Como Community Council is looking for local bands to play at our upcoming events (including the Ice Cream Social on July 8th). If you or someone you know is in a band of any kind and would like to be considered, please email organizer@district10comopark.org.

Capitol Improvement Budget Applications

The St. Paul District Councils have again been asked to help score the applications for the Capitol Improvement Budget (CIB) funding. This requires reviewing 36 applications for projects throughout the city and scoring them using a point system provided by the city.

You can view all of the applications and scoring guide here on the D10 website, including two submitted by D10 (Numbers 8 and 9). The city has added a form for community members to submit their own ranking. If you would like to share any feedback you have to help us score the projects, you can email district10@district10comopark.org. Scoring is due June 3.

2 Vacancies on D10 Board

Fill out an application to join the board

Interested in getting more involved with the Como Community? Our board has two vacancies to fill:

• Subdistrict 3 Seat
• At-Large Senior (62+) Seat

To be considered for the board, submit a board member application.

Vacancies are appointed by the board, all appointed board seats are automatically included in the next annual election, and appointed board members may not serve as officers.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about being a board member you can reach out to D10 Como Park at district10@district10comopark.org.

Get Involved: Como Neighborhood History Project

The D10 Neighborhood Relations Committee in happy to introduce the Como Neighborhood History Project. We're partnering with St. Kate's University to explore the history of our Como neighborhoods.

We'll be collecting stories from our neighbors that have lived here for most of their lives. We are more than the State Fair and Como Park! We are a neighborhood of shops, institutions and families. Let’s collect those stories together!

How You Can Get Involved:

• Dig through your old photos! Share pictures of our neighborhood from the past. We are especially looking for old pictures of businesses, street scenes, homes, or schools that used to be here and are now gone like Sugar Dave’s Drive-Inn at Como and Snelling!
• Help us find neighbors to interview! Suggest a family member, friend, or neighbor that has lived in the D10 community for most of their lives. Help us interview them or we can help with the interview to get their memories saved.
• Design a walking tour! Keep us healthy and fit while we are walking past interesting houses, pieces of art or cool institutions.
• Research and write a story! Help us research the many buildings, institutions, and past events that have shaped our community. Do you have old documents about the history of Como Elementary or Tilden School? Have a story about the old corner store or garden nursery business in your neighborhood, know a house that had interesting or famous folks living there, share them with us!

Reach out to history@district10comopark.org if you'd like to contribute or get involved!

D10 Owl Mascot Design Competition

Last year, our community voted on the Great Horned Owl as the District 10 mascot. This past month we asked the community to help us with a design for our Great Horned Owl mascot, and now it's time to vote for the winning submission!

You can vote for your favorite online or at our upcoming events through June 5. We will reveal the winning design at the Ice Cream Social on July 9th!

Como Pavilion Parking Lot Construction

A lot of progress was made this week and the city hopes to have the southern lot complete and open for use by the end of the day today. Both north and south parking lots should be open for the holiday weekend.

First thing on Tuesday morning, the northern lot will be closed to allow construction to begin. Access to the upper parking area above the Hamm Waterfall will be sporadic depending on work underway on the northern lot. They can not guarantee there will be access for the duration of construction of the northern parking lot.

Trail detour signage has been removed for the weekend. Please note that additional pedestrian detours will be necessary for the northern parking lot. The construction schedule is weather dependent, but the North lot is expected to be completed by early July.

The golf course parking lot will begin construction on September 6, just after Labor Day. It will be fully closed while it is under construction. The city is working with the contractor to complete the parking lot construction before the end of 2022, though it will continue to be weather dependent.

The city will continue updating the project page on their website as the construction dates solidify. The final plans were presented to the D10 Land Use Committee back in October, you can watch the recording here on our website.

SPPL Reveals Design Direction for Hamline Midway Library

The Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) has been holding engagement events for redesigning three libraries, including Hamline Midway. This week they revealed their design direction for the libraries, choosing a new building for Hamline Midway that incorporates some of the architectural elements from the existing building. 

You can view more details here on the Transforming Libraries website, including the full pre-design report from LSE Architects. The Library and LSE Architects will host office hours that community members can attend to ask questions and get more information on how the design direction decisions were made for each library. The Hamline Midway Virtual Office Hour will be Thursday, June 2, from 4-5pm.

3rd Annual Plant Sale to Benefit the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Food Shelf

June 4 & 5 at 1138 Churchill St.

Veggie and annual seedlings will be grown mostly by Saint Paul gardener Alison Goetzman, who is also hosting the fundraiser, but plants and seeds will also be donated by local gardeners and businesses. Seeds available this year include interesting varieties of squash, cucumber, watermelon, bean, carrot, flowers and herbs.

Nothing has a price- everything is pay what you can. All proceeds will be donated to the food shelf at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Pay what you can means there is no minimum or limit on prices of plants. Cash, check and Venmo are accepted. There will be a cash drop box, so no change will be given. The plant sale goal is to reach $1,000 in donations. Follow the event on Facebook to learn about updates and plants available.

• Saturday, June 4 9am-2pm
• Sunday, June 5 11pm-4pm

The sale will be held outside at 1138 Churchill St, Saint Paul, MN 55103. Easy to reach by bike or

the 3 and 83 buses. Off street parking is available.

Como Parks & Rec

Parks and Rec has released it's 2022 Movies In the Parks Schedule, starting in July, and 2022 Fitness in the Parks beginning June 1.

North Dale Rec Center (1414 N. St. Albans)

• STEAM Camp ages 7-11 - Week of June 20 - $210*
• StarEye Camp ages 8-12 - Week of June 27 - $50*
• Volleyball Camp ages 13-17 - Week of June 27 - $50*
• Jr Engineering Camp: Crazy Gears and Wheels ages 6-9 - Week of July 11 - $100*
• Basketball Stars Girls Camp ages 11-14 - Week of July 11 - Free*
• Super Mario Game Coding Camp ages 9-12 - Week of July 11 - $110*

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Badminton Camp ages 9-13 - Week of June 13 - $82*
• Jr Full Speed Ahead Camp ages 5-9 - Week of Jun 21 - $138*
• Multiplayer Minecraft: Mini-Game Builder ages 8-11 - Week of June 27 - $110*
• 3D Printing & CAD Camp ages 11-14 - Week of June 27 - $120*
• StarEye Art Camp ages 8-12 - Week of July 11 - $50*

*Registration Required

St. Paul Parks & Rec Fee Assistance Program

The City of Saint Paul operates a special program that helps families pay for Parks & Recreation youth classes and activities. Fee Assistance can be requested by families who meet program requirements when registering for youth activities. To be eligible for the program, youth must live in Saint Paul, be 18 years old or younger, and qualify for free and reduced lunches.

Fee Assistance can be used toward most recreational sports or activities offered by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. To view the online catalog of all available activities offered, click here.

Neighborhood Notes

Upcoming License Renewals

• Como Lakeside Pavilion (1360 Lexington Pkwy): Liquor and Entertainment licenses are up for renewal June 4. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• D&L Food and Gas (626 Larpenteur Ave): Gas Station license is up for renewal July 28. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• Como Zoo & Conservatory (1225 Estabrook Dr.): Liquor license is up for renewal July 28. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

SPPS Early Childhood Family Education '21/'22 Registration opens June 1

Saint Paul Public School's Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program strives to strengthen families through education and support of all parents through providing the best possible environment for the healthy growth and development of their children. ECFE provides education in child development and parent/child relationships, which sets the stage for children’s school success.

ECFE offers a variety of classes for parents of children from birth to age 5. Familes can also request Home Visits and parent consultations. 

Racial Covenants in Ramsey County: The Results so Far Event

Wednesday, June 15, 6-8pm at St. Kates (and virtually)

Join Mapping Prejudice and Welcoming the Dear Neighbor? for an opportunity to see the Ramsey County racial covenants that they have identified so far. This event will provide an opportunity to honor the work of the project volunteers, learn about some of the archival stories unearthed, and hear about the research prompted by this community-driven investigation. They invite you to be part of the conversation around next steps. How does this work reframe the contemporary housing crisis and racial injustice? How can we work together to move into a more just future? 

The event is on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 6:00-8:00pm in the Rauenhorst Ballroom, located on the 3rd floor of Coeur de Catherine building at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul. Light refreshments provided. 

You can also attend virtually if needed. Virtual attendees will be sent the Zoom link ahead of the event. 

You can also visit the Welcoming the Dear Neighbor website or Mapping Prejudice's website to learn more!

This event is open to all community members.

Discounted Backyard Compost Bins Available

Pick-up June 15 in Maplewood

The Recycling Association of Minnesota will partner with Ramsey County to offer a second round of compost bin sales with a pick-up in Maplewood on June 15. The compost bins are $76, plus tax.

Ramsey County residents can get an additional $20 off. Order online at RecycleMinnesota.org and enter promo code “Ramsey” to receive the discounted price or call 651-641-4589 and mention that you are a Ramsey County resident. 

HomeHelpMN Accepting Applications for Mortgage Assistance

The HomeHelpMN program began accepting applications for assistance this week. The application period will be open through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17, but homeowners should not wait to apply.

HomeHelpMN provides assistance for homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage or other eligible housing-related expenses due to effects of the pandemic. Eligible homeowners may receive up to $35,000 in assistance for past-due expenses.

Funds for the program are limited, and need is expected to be high. If applications received during the application period exceed available funding, applicants may be put on a wait list. Homeowners should submit their applications as soon as possible after the application period begins.

For more information about the program, including who is eligible to apply and what expenses are eligible, visit HomeHelpMN.org or call 1-800-388-3226. The Call Center is open Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. The website is available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. The call center supports these languages and more – when you call you’ll be prompted to select a language.

Residential Transit Pass for Renters

Residential Pass is a deeply discounted unlimited use transit pass designed specifically for multifamily developments of 10 units or more. Through this unique program, properties that purchase one pass per unit in a building will be eligible to purchase the transit passes for $14 per month/pass, which is an 88% discount from the full price of $120 per month for each pass.

This program must go through the property owner/management. If you're a renter you can share this link with your property manager and encourage them to sign up! https://www.metrotransit.org/residential-pass

Opportunity to Comment on Stormwater Report and Management

Saturday, June 4, 1-3pm at Phalen Regional Park

The City of Saint Paul will hold a public meeting to accept comments on its Stormwater Permit Annual Report and Stormwater Management Program.

The public meeting will take the form of a staffed exhibit table at Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District’s WaterFest event from 1-3pm on Saturday June 4, 2022. WaterFest will be held at Phalen Regional Park: 1600 Phalen Drive Saint Paul, MN 55106.

This meeting is part of the public process to allow public input on the City’s Stormwater Permit Annual Report and Stormwater Management Plan. The Program is required under the City’s Stormwater Permit issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Interested parties are welcome to attend the public meeting and/or submit written comments by Wednesday June 8th, 2022 to Pat Murphy at patrick.g.murphy@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

 The Stormwater Permit Annual Report and Stormwater Management Program documents are available on the City’s Stormwater webpage.