AUGUST 10
Don't forget to vote in the primary!
If you are going to be out of town on August 10, have no fear! You can vote absentee.
Find your polling place AND a sample ballot here.
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Phenomenal work in Ward 4
Ward Four is full of people and organizations that are doing extraordinary work and we plan to share stories in each issue of E-News to help our community recognize the talented and generous people living and working in our community.
One of those organizations is Rebuild Resources. Located on Prior and Charles Avenues, Rebuild is dedicated to giving people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction a chance to work their way back to their feet. Rebuild is a social enterprise, in that their "clients" are paid employees in Rebuild's screen printing, embroidery and light assembly/ manufacturing operations. Revenue generated from these enterprises provides most of the support for the work of the organization.
In addition to a short-term job, Rebuild provides coaching, job search, job placement assistance and other key supports for clients/employees. Clients are in the job/program for six months, and most of them then move directly into other employment opportunities.
For more information about Rebuild, visit their websites (Rebuild Resources and Rebuild Store), stop in at 602 Prior Avenue, or view a recent story by Don Shelby on WCCO-TV here.
If you would like to suggest that we shine the spotlight on a Ward 4 nonprofit or community member doing great work, please reply to this message or post it to my Facebook page.
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Como neighborhood addresses traffic and parking challenges
 Improvements to Como Park, particularly to the zoo/
conservatory/ComoTown
campus over the past decade, have led to steady increases in park visitors.The biggest problem is that parking/transportation solutions have not been developed at the same rate as other improvements that draw visitors to the park.
To deal with these challenges, Transportation Improvement Plan's Project Advisory Committee (TIPPAC) is working with a private consulting firm to develop ideas to improve parking, circulation, and access in and around Como Park.
Controversy about the size and nature of the Como Pool project was also influenced by neighbors' concerns about increasing impacts that park visitors are having on the surrounding community. A residential permit parking district was proposed on several blocks adjacent to the park. This spring, I authored a resolution that called for the permit parking district to be created in May 2011, giving the Advisory Committee time enough to do their work to explore additional, more global solutions to this challenge.
The Como Park Shuttle, which began operating in the spring of 2009 and continues to operate this summer, was the first step to alleviate some of the parking pressures in the neighborhood during the peak season at the park. The shuttle has been serving 4-7% of park visitors on peak days, with more people using it on the busiest days.
The TIPPAC is exploring additional solutions, and includes representation from Districts 10 and 6, as well as my office and Councilmember Helgen's, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works. There will be an open house on August 12 and on-line opportunities to provide feedback on a set of ideas that will be generated by TIPPAC process.
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Central Corridor funds to help with parking challenges and construction
The City Council recently approved 24 grants for projects along University Avenue that will
improve access to off-street parking facilities. These projects,
funded by the City of St. Paul, total $1.2 million and will improve
access, design, signage, lighting, and landscaping of off-street
parking
facilities to help mitigate the loss of on-street parking on University
Avenue. I've worked with Councilmember Carter and Mayor Coleman to
make this program a reality.
A $1.5 million loan fund for businesses along the Central
Corridor was also created by the City and the Metropolitan Council.
Funds will help small and medium sized
businesses along the corridor survive construction and
thrive afterward. The eligibility criteria for the funds are still
being finalized, but they will be available at 0% interest and some of
the loans may be forgivable under certain circumstances. The
Metropolitan Council is contributing $1 million to the fund, and the
other $500,000 is coming from the Central Corridor Funders
Collaborative.
The fund is part of a larger effort to support the businesses along
the corridor. Called the Central Corridor Business
Resources Collaborative, it is made up of business
associations, community development corporations, and other nonprofits
that serve small and medium sized businesses. Visit Ready for Rail for more information.
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