District 10
Assistance brewing for new coffee shop
The proposed Sacred Grounds Community Coffee Shop is one of 20 projects recommended to receive Neighborhood STAR funding from the St. Paul City Council. The funding—a $37,500 grant and a $37,500 loan—would help the 28-seat coffee shop to finish construction of its retail space and adjacent patio at 883 Front Ave.
Kowalsky-Grahek elected
Benjamin Kowalsky-Grahek has won the special election in September to fill a vacancy on the Como Community Council board. He will represent Sub-District 4, which is South Como and Energy Park.
Downtown decisions in the neighborhood
• Ramsey County has contracted with the Best Western hotel in Bandana Square for up to 80 rooms to provide emergency shelter to homeless people who had been living on the street. The county is using this site exclusively for couples and women under age 55 referred specifically by case managers. The contract with the hotel runs through the end of 2020 and is part of a county initiative to use hundreds of vacant hotel rooms to provide socially distanced shelter.
• The St. Paul City Council has approved a concessions contract for Como Park Pool with Be Graceful Bakery and Catering for the 2021 season.
• The council also approved two sets of conduit bonds, totaling $42 million, for Hmong College Prep Academy’s proposed middle school addition on its Brewster Street campus. (Conduit bonds are municipal securities meant to raise capital for projects that benefit the public.) One set of bonds is through the city Port Authority, the other is through the St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority. About $26 million of the bonds are for new construction; the rest refinances previous bonds issued on behalf of the charter school.
Notice of meetings
Pandemic or not, renters, homeowners and other community members are always welcome to participate in District 10’s board and committee meetings. Join either by video conference or by phone.
All meetings begin at 7 p.m. To obtain links, phone numbers, or other access information, send a request by email to district10@district10comopark.org. Or, call 651-644-3889.
Upcoming meetings:
• Neighborhood Relations: Tuesday, Oct. 6-Topics will include finalizing details on who will get bragging rights for District 10’s Neighborhood Halloween Decorating Competition.
• Land Use: Wednesday Oct. 7-Topics will include a presentation from “Rethinking I-94” and continued discussion about East Como Lake Drive.
• Environment: Wednesday Oct. 14-Topics include an update on pollinator sky rises installed at, among other places, Como Park.
• Board meeting: Tuesday Oct. 20
Submitted by Michael Kuchta, District 10 executive director.
