People and places - Dec 2025

NEW COMMANDER
The St. Paul Police Department’s Western District recently saw a leadership change, with Kathleen Brown taking over as Commander, succeeding Captain Stacy Murphy, who moved to a different role. The Western District base is at 389 N. Hamline Ave.

PETERSON DESIGNS CARNIVAL BUTTONS
Pointillism artist, Randall Peterson, who grew up in the Midway area, is this year’s designer of four Saint Paul Winter Carnival buttons, marking the 140th year of the event. “It is an immense honor to have been selected as the 2026 Saint Paul Winter Carnival button designer. To continue the legacy of so many creative artists who have preceded me in this role is truly remarkable. In my button designs, I have endeavored to capture the rich history of iconic structures and family-oriented activities that are integral to the enduring traditions of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival,” said Peterson of Randall Peterson Designs, Inc. He currently resides in Forest Lake, Minn.

SEWELL BUILDING REDEVELOPMENT
Suntide Commercial Realty brokers Matt Angleson and Colin Olson are working with PAK Properties to redevelop the Sewell Building into a neighborhood retail, office, and industrial space. The Sewell Building is a 55,000-square-foot historical property located at 2288 University Ave. It was purchased by PAK Properties in the spring of 2025 with the intention of renovating the property with new and improved infrastructure, flexible floorplans, and a new exterior. Angleson and Olson, who also broker space for the Wycliff Building located about one mile north, have experience working with properties such as this one. “We’re also specifically looking for a coffee shop,” says Colin. “The corner space is perfectly positioned for retail. The space already has an established audience of commuters, neighbors and businesses in the area. It’s a great opportunity for a new coffee shop or an current one to build a sister store in the area.”

A Christmas Pageant DEC. 13
A rite of passage for many children is participating in a Christmas pageant at their local church. To help children learn the story and have a fun, unique theater experience, Prospect Park United Methodist Church (22 Orlin Ave. SE, Minneapolis) is sponsoring “A Christmas Pageant ~ A Play in A Day.” This theater experience will be held on Saturday, Dec.13 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. with a free show at 1 p.m. followed by a reception with a visit from Santa Claus. Kids kindergarten through 6th grade will create the costumes, set, and sound effects, and then act out the story as a narrator tells the tale. No theater experience necessary.