We need more affordable housing
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Last month, the Mayor unveiled his "Rebuild Saint Paul" plan to support private development with $15 million of public funds. These construction projects - both housing and commercial - will bring needed jobs and housing units. In an editorial in the Pioneer Press (click here to read it) I expressed concern over spending scarce public resources on projects that provide housing for more affluent households, but do not meet our goals for affordable units. I will continue to work with the Mayor and Planning and Economic Development staff about directing a portion of future resources into an Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
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Maintaining the West Midway's diverse business community; national expert to speak in November
 The West Midway area is a diverse and vibrant business community of artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs who have found affordable rental space there for many years. Light rail will bring both opportunities and threats for these sorts of businesses who rely on lower rents. The Saint Anthony Park Community Council is leading a Creative Enterprise Zone study of the University/Raymond area to address the question of how we lay the groundwork for supporting existing artists and artisans in the neighborhood as the area develops around light rail. There is also a West Midway Study underway to examine the area's industrial land use strategies and employment base. More information can be found here.
Brian Coleman, the CEO of Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center (GMDC) will visit Saint Paul on November 4 for meetings with local stakeholders, including a free evening lecture open to the public at Goodwill at Fairview and University. More information about the event can be found here.
GMDC is an exciting model of a non-profit industrial developer that rehabilitates and maintains affordable space for artists, artisans, and small manufacturing operations. We hope his visit will help local partners work together to ensure space for entrepreneurs to succeed and grow their businesses. Sponsors: Asian Economic Development Association, Midway Chamber of Commerce, Public Art Saint Paul, St. Paul Port Authority, University United, and my office.
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City budget challenges 2011 Budgeting for the city is harder than ever. I took a stand on the 2011 maximum property tax levy in a vote on September 15, and I want you to understand why.
For many years St. Paul's budget has relied heavily on Local Government Aid (LGA) from the State. LGA makes up about 12% of the total City budget, but about 30% of the City's General Fund (as opposed to the "special" funds, where revenue comes primarily from fees and outside grants). The City's property tax levy, which is also part of the General Fund, is therefore the primary tool that the Mayor and Council have to counterbalance any trends in LGA.
Over the past 7 years, LGA has become increasingly variable and difficult to predict. In the past three years alone, decisions by Governor Pawlenty and the state legislature have reduced St. Paul's allocation by upwards of $24 million. While St. Paul residents have noticed the ensuing property tax increases during that period, not everyone has noticed the service reductions. From 2008-2010 the City went from operating 41 recreation centers to operating 25. In 2010, library hours were reduced across the system. Street sweeping and seal-coating of our streets has been scaled back, and scaling back this important maintenance work could actually cost us all more in the long run. About 50 city employees have been laid off in the past 12 months, and more than 150 other positions that are vacant due to retirements have not been filled. . . . keep reading
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Ward 4 business: Java Train Cafe
 Neighbors of the Java Train Cafe are fiercely loyal to this little jewel between Como Zoo and the State Fair.
This small business does great things like hosting a neighborhood Chili Cookoff this past weekend. Commissioner Janice Rettman, Senator Ellen Anderson and I were fortunate enough to judge the chili. I also had some help from my daughter Abbey.
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Good 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. Let us know if you have suggestions for people or organizations to highlight.
One of the people working for the greater good is University of Saint Thomas student Jared Scharpen
What brought you to Ward 4? How long have you lived here?
I chose to live in Ward 4 because of the proximity to the University of St. Thomas. In fact, my apartment is literally across the street from UST's on-campus apartment building, Flynn Hall. September 1, 2010, marked the start of my second year living in Ward 4.
What is the community work that you're focusing on at the moment? Why do you spend energy on it?
I am working on a civility initiative in the surrounding neighborhoods of the university. I spend energy on this initiative because I feel it is very important to have good, positive relations with community members. Right now, UST has a taxi voucher incentive where if a student who lives off campus approaches and meets one non-UST neighbor and exchange contact information, he or she can present the carbon copy of the contact information to the Commuter Center at UST and receive a $20.00 Blue and White taxi voucher.
If you look back in two years, what will you see happening here that makes you sure your work was a success?
I will see a more peaceful and respectful relationship between UST students and neighbors.
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