News | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

The project for the former Minnesota Chemical Company site includes a mix of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, a patio, green space, and a playground. Exeter is seeking a variance for having less commercial/retail space than required.

Is West Midway becoming place of ‘bedrooms and breweries’?

The former Minnesota Chemical Company complex in West Midway could become home to almost 150 households, as a major redevelopment project moves ahead, but the quest to find a new use for … more

By Jane McClure | 10/12/23

Thi Synavone works as the executive director at Standpoint. (Photo submitted)

From their Standpoint

Thi Synavone came to the U.S. in 1979 as a Laotian refugee. After living in many states, her family settled in Minnesota in 1988. Synavone said that growing up, domestic and sexual violence was never … more

10/12/23

Representatives from local businesses, (left to right) Andrew Eklund of Ciceron, Michelle Tran Maryns of We Sparkle and Ron Lancaster of Structural, chat about the pros and cons of artificial intelligence on Sept. 20. The event was organized by the Midway Chamber and held at the Wilder Foundation.

AI: stuff of science fiction is now a business reality

Generative AI has captivated the world since the launch of Chat GBT on Nov. 30, 2022, observed Ron Lancaster of Structural, an Augeo company, but AI has been around much longer than that. … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 10/12/23

In Progress

A brick building sits sedately along a quiet street in Saint Paul. Along the side of the building, plants are growing in small garden beds. Lawn chairs rest on the patio and there is a table with … more

By Jan Willms | 9/15/23

The fully inclusive playground was designed by Landscape Strucures, and will be the first of its kind in St. Paul.

United Village Phase 1:

A mix of skepticism and cautious optimism are greeting the talk of a fresh start for redevelopment of the longtime Midway Center superblock. More than 60 people … more

By Jane McClure | 9/15/23

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, community members explored the area of Little Mekong along University with artist Katie Ka Vang. The walking tour was part of Mixed Blood Theater’s 12x12 series.

Little Mekong through eyes of artist Katie Ka Vang

Community members smiled as they tasted different dishes and snacks from local businesses of the Little Mekong cultural district on University Avenue on Sunday, July 2, 2023. The event was artist … more

By Talia McWright | 9/15/23

Will ground break soon for United Villages?

Long-awaited redevelopment of the area around Allianz Field could get underway soon. Getting shovels in the ground requires several steps, which are under review by Hamline Midway Coalition and Union … more

By Jane McClure | 8/11/23

Joyful Riders Club and Slow Roll MSP bring people together to bike, learn about their environments, and gain confidence in their abilities.

Biking with purpose

Patrick Stephenson of Minneapolis peddled on his electric cargo bike from the Minnesota State Capitol, cheering as music blasted from DJ Eric on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The Joyful Riders Club was … more

By Talia McWright | 8/11/23

Como residents learn more about their neighborhood.

Uncovering racial covenants and neighborhood evolution through the Know your Como project

Como residents are dismantling racial covenants and preserving untold stories through Know Your Como, a transformative neighborhood history project. Thomas Frankson, a prominent figure in the … more

By Aamira Redd | 8/11/23

On Saturday, June 17 the Joyful Riders Club gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol before leaving for the DJ dance party ride at the Frogtown Fair.

Biking with purpose

Patrick Stephenson, a Minneapolis resident, peddled on his electric cargo bike from the Minnesota State Capitol, cheering as music blasted from DJ Eric on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The Joyful Riders … more

By Talia McWright | 8/1/23

Dj Al Metro plays music during The Uprising krump battle on Saturday, June 10, at the Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center in Saint Paul.

The SOTA Movement

Simone Hall aka Athena, had the crowd in an uproar. The audience surrounded her, cheering louder than the music Texas based Dj, Al Metro was playing from the overhead speakers. The 20-year-old had … more

By Talia McWright | 7/14/23

Patricia Lacy sings “What’s Going On” on June 19 at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza.

Governor calls Juneteenth part of ‘our history’

During the Juneteenth celebration in Rondo, Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the importance of remembering Juneteenth’s history and the dangers of trying to rewrite history. … more

By Aamira Redd | 7/14/23

Attendees of St. Paul Pride event stop by resource booths on Saturday, June 10.

First St. Paul Pride Festival

Kyle Rucker, of Ruck B Media , organized his first ever St. Paul Pride event at Rice Park, on June 10, 2023. His goal was to provide opportunities for young Black and BIPOC entrepreneurs and … more

By Talia McWright | 7/13/23

Politicians from Minneapolis and St. Paul throw shovels full of dirt as they celebrate the ground-breaking of a new Bus Rapid Transit Line that will connect the two cities. The B Line is expected to be operational in 2024. Work will primarily be done east of Hiawatha Ave. this year, and to the west next year.

B LINE: ‘LIVING-YOUR-LIFE-IN-THE-CITY LINE’

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN Marshall/Selby/Lake St. will be torn up over the next two summers to create the new 12.6-mile Bus Rapid Transit B Line. The majority of construction along this line will … more

by Tesha M. Christensen | 6/7/23

CAUGHT BETWEEN

She lived in Minnesota for only five months and her daughter was born in Iowa, but Dani* has been dragged into family court in Minnesota nearly every one of the past 11 years by her ex-boyfriend. … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 6/7/23

Tameka Jones of Lip Esteem aims to help people of all skin tones feel beautiful with the plant-based, gluten free lipstick she sells.

She’s changing the landscape of beauty

Amidst the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uprising following George Floyd’s murder, Tameka Jones, a proud Rondo native and passionate makeup artist, emerged with a strong desire to … more

By Aamira Redd | 6/7/23

Jenne Nelson (at left) lives in Como with her family. (Photo submitted)

Meet Jenne Nelson

Hamline Midway Coalition has a new office and a new executive director. In February, the neighborhood group moved next door from the Hamline Midway Library into the Knox International Building. Jenne … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 6/7/23

“It is a travesty on so many levels that we have gotten to this point, given there are multiple win-wins for the community, including a renovation design commissioned by the city or a relocation of the library, something that has never been seriously considered but would serve the community better on a number of levels,” said Jonathan Oppenheimer of Renovate 1558.

Library closure starts May 28

The Hamline Midway Library building will check out its last book on May 27 and close on May 28, 2023. The historic building will be demolished and replaced with a new structure. Once closed, staff … more

By Jane McClure and Tesha M. Christensen | 5/10/23

Ker Cha, one of the team members that went to South Korea, practices at Frogtown Community Center.

It all started in a refugee camp

Gao Chang likes to play volleyball and soccer. But the sport that has captured his heart is sepak takraw, a game with three team members on each side of a net using any part of their body except … more

By Jan Willms | 5/10/23

Diane Schray, a real estate agent with Real Estate Masters, shopped on April 28 at the ReUse Warehouse, scoring vintage fixtures for a client who recently bought a tudor-style house in Como neighborhood. The clerk remarked that they had just come in that day.

Why throw away a house when parts can be reused?

From early 20th Century thrift to building cabins from contractor cast-offs, reuse of building materials had long been an informal norm. But in a more recent world, entire houses have been thrown in … more

By Margo Ashmore | 5/10/23