Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Imam Mursal of Masjid alihsan leads the Eid prayer hosted by Al-Ihsan Islamic center. (Photo submitted)

Eid al-Adha explores theme of sacrifice in final month of Islamic calendar year

Eid al-Adha is one of the most important days for Muslims around the world. In July, Eid al Adha was celebrated by the Muslim community of Frogtown. The celebration is traditionally held on the 10th … more

By Ibrahim Hussein, Frogtown resident | 8/12/21

At Home moving into former Walmart

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

PLAN IT August 2021

Como Relays Aug. 18 & 25Every Wednesday in August Run Minnesota is hosting Como Park Relays at the intersection of Horton Ave. and Lexington Pkwy. Kids race (race 1/4 mile or 1/2 mile) start at … more

8/12/21

Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter (center), husband Melvin Carter Junior (left) and son St. Paul mayor Melvin Carter III (right) commemorated their family’s original Rondo home that was uprooted during the construction of I-94 by planting a tree during the Juneteenth Celebration at the Rondo Center of Diverse Expression at 315 Fisk St. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Rebirth, healing, reconciliation and hope

Saturday, June 19, 2021 was a day of healing, rebirth, reconciliation, and hope in St. Paul’s historically Black Rondo neighborhood. The Juneteenth Celebration showcased the creation of a new … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 7/23/21

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

Fire damaged part of the Midway Center structure in 2020.

Four sue after eviction from Midway Center

Customers have flocked to Peking Garden since spring, happy that the Midway Center mainstay has reopened at University and Western avenues. Owners the Lau family were pleased to find a new … more

By JANE McCLURE | 7/23/21

Community members officially cut the ribbon to open Midway Peace Park on June 15, 2021.

Students, residents at Skyline Tower made their vision happen

Located in the Midway Area, Midway Peace Park (416 N Griggs St.) is the newest completed component of the city of Saint Paul’s vision to create vibrant outdoor gathering spaces that strengthen … more

7/23/21

Miriam Friesen (pictured left) and Trudy Dunham (pictured right), co-creators of Replant Minnehaha Trees. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Replant Minnehaha Avenue Trees

Trudy Dunham and Miriam Friesen are on a mission: they want to replace the nearly 100 ash trees removed from the Hamline Midway neighborhood faster than city officials are proposing. Last month, the … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 7/23/21

2021 CHROMA ZONE MIDSUMMER ‘HAPPENING’ EVENT

Discover the people, places, and murals near Raymond and University avenues at a free, outdoor event on July 24. This family-friendly midsummer “happening” will celebrate the 2021 Chroma … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 7/23/21

Section of street designated Philando Castile Memorial Ave.

The section of Larpenteur Avenue where Philando Castile was killed by a St. Anthony police officer just five years ago has been renamed. Signs marking Philando Castile Memorial Avenue were placed … more

7/23/21

Citizens comment on future of Hamline Midway Library during CIB hearing

St. Paul could spent $14.168 million in 2022-2023 on capital improvement projects if the city’s proposed Long-Range Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) wins mayoral and city council approval. … more

By JANE McCLURE | 7/23/21

St. Paul wrestles with rental ordinance, rent control

Rent control on ballot?The fate of a proposed November ballot question on rent stabilization or rent control is now in the hands of Ramsey County elections officials. Members of the Housing Equity … more

By JANE McCLURE St. Paul’s S.A.F.E. ordinance and its tenant protections were repealed on a 4-3 city council vote June 23. Council members have said they’ll start work immediately on a new tenants’ protection ordinance. That doesn’t mollify some h | 7/23/21

{ Monitor in a Minute }

Reparations committee formedThe St. Paul City Council June 16 appointed its Reparations Legislative Advisory Committee.In January, the city Council issued an apology for its role in institutional … more

By JANE McCLURE | 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