Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

“I’m a mother of five grown children. At the heart of my job is taking care of our children. When I step into my role as a principal, I am very aware that each of these students is someone’s child,” said Central High School principal Christine Vang. (Photo submitted)

Central High School’s principal focuses on closing opportunity gap

In the summer of 2020, Christine Vang was selected as the new principal of Central High School – the first Hmong-American ever to fill that position. What ensued was a year like no other, with … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 9/16/21

Assistant principal focuses on building authentic relationships

When the 2,000+ students of St. Paul Central High School returned on Sept. 8, 2021, dozens of staff members lined the front steps to welcome them back. The freshmen class was brand new to the … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 9/16/21

Like many others suffering from chemical dependency, Hamline Hi-Rise resident Andy Dodds had some success controlling the demons. He sobered up to attend school at Century College, graduated with honors, and worked for 22 years in the real estate industry. And then, the slip, the slide and total collapse. He hit rock bottom, and lost much of what he had built up over two decades. He went to rehab and has attended at least five 12-step meetings a week for the last two decades. He’s founded his own mental health project, Andrew Dodds Motivations, and has delivered more than 60 presentations for various groups over the last seven years.

The rise and fall and rise of Andy Dodds: He keeps coming back to help others

In the early 1970s, life for Andy Dodds stretched ahead, rich with promise and potential. Reared in a happy and stable family in the St. Paul suburbs near White Bear Lake, Andy was a tough … more

By Dane Smith | 9/16/21

Midway Center superblock gets more TIF funding

Redevelopment of the Midway Center superblock, including the burned-out remnant of Midway Center, is moving ahead with changes to a tax increment financing (TIF) district and an order to demolish the … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/16/21

Industrial buildings converting to schools, housing, mixed-use

Preserving St. Paul’s remaining industrially zoned properties is the focus of a study launched in August by the St. Paul Planning Commission. The study could have major impacts on the West … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/16/21

Sejong moves into historic Iris Park building off University Ave.

Sejong Academy recently moved to a new location off of University Ave. into the historic Iris Park building (1885 University) and is excited to be part of the Midway neighborhood. A ribbon cutting … more

9/16/21

Hybrid classes offered this fall

Hamline Midway Elders is offering Fall Hybrid Classes (in-person and on Zoom, concurrently). Please contact laurel@hmelders.org or 651-209-6542 for details.• Chair Yoga: Thursdays, 10:30 – … more

By LAUREL COLLINS laurel@hmelders.org 651-209-6542 | 9/16/21

ANIMATE, is a fictional, eight-scene moving theatrical experience performed on the Como Zoo grounds that repeatedly asks the question: “Does the good of the many supersede the good of the individual?” In an extravaganza that begins with a helicopter landing and ends with a sea lion jumping, audiences travel in small groups throughout the mythical Jackson Kennicott Zoo - to the primate house, the giraffe grotto, the big cat building, polar bears, the tropics, and culminate at the seal and sea lion habitat- to witness the Twin Cities greatest actors explore race and philanthropy through a lens of species preservation and conservation. The host of characters includes primatologists, zoo directors and curators and keepers, elected officials, activists, and more. ANIMATE has one preview, September 16, and opens September 17 for a two-week run, closing September 26. All performances are at 6:30PM. Reservations can be made at www.mixedblood.com

PLAN IT September 2021

Meet police at resource fairMeet the Saint Paul Police Department Community Engagement Specialists at Information and Resource Fairs this month. Learn about crime trents, prevention tips and ongoing … more

9/16/21

Funded: Food shelf, Victoria Theater and childcare center conversion

The planned new Keystone Community Services food shelf, Victoria Theater renovations and conversion of the Work It co-working space into a child care center are among the local projects approved in … more

By JANE McCLURE | 9/16/21

Comment on proposed Ramsey County budget

Ramsey County Manager Ryan O’Connor proposed to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners a biennial budget of $772.8 million for 2022 and $781.9 million for 2023 on Tuesday, Aug. 24, … more

9/10/21

Participants at artistic events at Afya Sanaa engage in self-expression and wellness activities to heal through art, knowledge and love. (Photo submitted)

Newly opened Black healing arts center damaged by fire

Afya Sanaa is a healing center and community space where Minnesotans who identify as Black, African, or African American can find the solace, safety and fellowship to start their journey toward … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/24/21

The center of the Midway Shopping Center was the most severely damaged by the fire on May 28, 2020. The shopping center remains vacant and boarded, with a fence around it, more than a year after the damage.

Will demolished Midway Center be used for parking?

The fire-ravaged Midway Center faces an order to be demolished within 15 days at the Aug. 25 St. Paul City Council meeting. While a building demolition permit for the shopping center at the southwest … more

By JANE MCCLURE | 8/12/21

FNA’s Anti-Displacement Community Organizer Danielle Swift, said, “What makes me most excited about this project is the opportunity to be creative around affordable housing and community ownership. The city of Saint Paul will transfer ownership of 652 Sherburne to Model Cities. FNA will be a working partner in this project along with Hope Community’s Housing Justice Center and Historic Saint Paul.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT

About two dozen people boarded a big yellow bus on a hot, sticky night to discuss the prospects for Development without Displacement in the Frogtown, Rondo, and Summit University neighborhoods. … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/12/21

Correction August 2021

On page 7 of the July 2021 Monitor, we incorrectly identified a man in a photo as “Police Commissioner” Todd Axtell. Also, we would like to point out that Chad Giblin is no longer with … more

8/12/21

Como resident and author William Kent Krueger focused on the various relationships in his main character’s early life in this newly released prequel. (Photo by Jan Willms)

Newest Cork O’Connor book coming Aug. 24

By JAN WILLMSFor his 18th novel in the Cork O’Connor series, Como author William Kent Krueger has written a prequel to the adult life of his Irish-Ojibwe private investigator. In … more

By JAN WILLMS | 8/12/21

Hamline University requires COVID-19 vaccination

In order to ensure a full educational experience in the fall 2021 semester, Hamline University will require all students and employees to complete a COVID-19 vaccination series by Aug. 15, 2021. … more

8/12/21

SPPS may require masks

Superintendent Joe Gothard was expected to introduce a resolution requiring masks for all children ages two and older, staff and visitors at the Committee of the Board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 10, to … more

8/12/21

Diane Dodge was roasted and toasted by several dozen friends and admirers at a recent picnic at Newell Park. Best known for her relentless community activism and cheerful, flower-covered hats, Dodge is moving to rural Wisconsin to be closer to family. (Photo by John Pavlica)

Gardening activist moves on

After many years as a Hamline-Midway resident, longtime neighborhood activist Diane Dodge moved to rural Wisconsin at the end of July. Dodge was active in racial equity and social justice work … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/12/21

Louie Moore has been president of the Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota for 22 years. He is a tireless advocate for cycling: promoting the sport in communities of color, and improving biking conditions across the city for all. Club rides meet at his home near 48th Street and Columbus Avenue in South Minneapolis. Moore was the first Black person to buy a home on his block, and has lived there for 57 years. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Major Taylor Bicycling Club promotes cycling geared towards African American riders

The Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota has been bringing diversity to Twin Cities cycling since it started in 1999. Co-founded by Louie Moore and Walter Griffin, the nonprofit … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 8/12/21

Sarah O’Brien hired as new executive director of Hamline Midway Coalition

The Hamline Midway Coalition (HMC) Board of Directors is happy to announce that Sarah O’Brien has been hired to be the next executive director of Saint Paul District Council 11.O’Brien … more

8/12/21