Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Two of the area’s largest empty “big box’ retailers are poised for change. Soon the former Midway Walmart will reopen as At Home, a home goods store. And, a mixed-use development of … more

By JANE McCLURE | 8/12/21

Development Roundup August 2021

Project receives fundingThe Metropolitan Council has awarded $2.8 million in polluted-site cleanup grants that promote redevelopment and economic opportunity in the region, including funding for a … more

By JANE McCLURE | 8/12/21

Social club for Muslim men coming to 1619 University

A building that has recently drawn neighborhood complaints is poised for a new life – 1619 University Ave. could become a social club for Muslim men. But the building needs some work before a … more

By JANE McCLURE | 8/12/21

Ribbon cut at Lloyd’s Pharmacy

Lloyd’s Pharmacy owner Jim Stage (back center) and his family officially cut the ribbon of their rebuilt pharmacy on Aug. 5, 2021. Celebrating with them were Mayor Melvin Carter (far left), … more

8/12/21

The Stage family: (Back) Jim and Cally, (middle) Evelyn, Gracen, Elliot, (front) Lydia and Edmund. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Lloyd’s Pharmacy rebuilds

Lloyd’s Pharmacy has rebuilt at the corner of Snelling and Minnehaha and expects to reopen with free food, giveaways, and more on Monday, July 26 and Friday, July 30, 2021, providing they pass … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 7/23/21

The interior, including the historic wooden bar at the Turf Club (at right) has been restored following fire damage in May 2020. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Turf Club revived

The front door of the Turf Club (1601 University Ave. W.) was still covered in plywood in late June, but it is finally off. General manager Nathan Kranz, who manages the Turf Club as well as First … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 7/23/21

Marvin Roger Anderson is advocating for a Rondo Land Bridge.

Rondo receives trifection of good news from state, federal and Met Council

Twelve years after the initial idea to physically reconnect the Rondo neighborhood took root, three milestones were met in July at the state, federal and regional levels that improve the … more

7/23/21

“I’m staying for the community. I’m staying for the love of the people,” said Gloria Wong, owner of Sunrise Plaza and Century Plaza in the Midway. (Photo submitted)

Investing in Resiliency

If you thought the 350 or so Minneapolis and St. Paul small business owners on Lake Street and West Broadway in Minneapolis, and University Avenue in St. Paul’s Midway who watched their … more

7/23/21

olomon Hailie (left), who owns Bole Ethiopian with his wife, Rekik Abaineh, chats with African Economic Development Solutions Executive Director Gene Gelgule (center) and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter during the ribbon cutting event on May 27, 2021, one year after the restaurant burned to the ground in the civil unrest along University Ave. after George Floyd’s murder. “When we needed something, we knew who to call,” stated Hailie. “We appreciate your support and love.” They received a $50,000 grant through the We Love St. Paul/We Love Midway fund to help with the new space in the former Fox Trot Burger (1341 Pascal Street). “Thank you for leading the way,” said Midway Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chad Kulas. (Photos by Tesha M. Christensen)

Bolé Ethiopian reopens, moves to Como

6/9/21

Standoff over development continues

By JANE McCLURE The St. Paul City Hall standoff over the Lexington Station mixed-use development continues. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office won’t be asked to weigh in on … more

6/9/21

Who will get STAR grants?

Creation of an African retail plaza, a new home for the Keystone Community Services food shelf and improvements to the pavilion at Como Park are among the hopefuls competing for 2021 Neighborhood … more

By Jane McClure | 5/12/21

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

{ Monitor in a Minute } April 2021

Big Top can relocate store Even though its building is a fire-damaged shell, Big Top Liquors has obtained city approval to renew its off-sale liquor license. The St. Paul City Council approved the … more

By JANE McCLURE | 4/14/21

Lexington Station denied

Lexington Station and its 288 apartments won’t be built near Lexington Parkway and University Avenue. On a 4-3 vote April 7, 2021, the St. Paul City Council rejected an appeal by developer … more

By Jane McClure | 4/14/21

Dunkin' Donuts joins Hiway at new Roseville branch

Complementing an ongoing commitment to provide best-in-class services, state-of-art technology, and fun for its members as well as to the communities that it serves, Hiway Credit Union announces that … more

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

Medica moves to Midway, focusing on economic inclusion

Medica hopes to impact the community for the better and create more diversity and economic inclusion by opening its first location in St. Paul.An office with 50 staff members will operate out of the … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 3/10/21

The mixed use construction project in the NW corner of Dale Street and University Avenue will bring 40 new deeply affordable units of rental housing to Frogtown. Located directly across the street from the Rondo Community Library, the building will be jointly owned and managed by Wellington Management and Neighborhood Development Center. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

St. Paul real estate market in the time of COVID-19

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLINWhile some people refer to the last 11 months as the ‘Big Pause,’ it has been anything but that for real estate broker and business owner Mike Smith. He said, … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 3/10/21

St. Paul businesses get $1.6 million after civil unrest

St. Paul businesses have received more than $1.6 million for to recover from 2020’s civil unrest. Another $4.725 million went to help small business affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. more

By JANE McCLURE | 2/11/21

{ Development Roundup } January 2021

Wilder Square changesThe Wilder Square project is moving ahead, with assistance Dec. 9 from the city. The St. Paul City Council, acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Board, … more

By JANE McCLURE | 1/14/21