Child Care in Our Community

Child Care in Our Community: A Conversation with a Local Director and Founder of Big Wonder Child Care, Celeste Finn By Audrey Clark Child care is one of the most pressing concerns facing families in Summit-University and across the nation. To better understand local challenges, recent safety and financial disruptions, and what our community can do about them, we reached out to Celeste Finn, founder and director of Big Wonder Child Care, a nonprofit child care center. Celeste shared her insights and perspectives, touching on everything from the daily realities of running a child care center to the broader policy fights shaping the future of early childhood education in Minnesota.

Can the Greenline Get Back to Normal

I have always said, "It doesn't matter if you spend a billion dollars; if people do not feel safe, they will not use it." What is "it"? In this case, we are talking about the Greenline Light Rail Train between Saint Paul and Minneapolis. In recent years, traveling on this train was downright terrifying. You would see people doing drugs, people in unstable mental states, and many homeless people. Basically, it was not the environment any morning commuter with options would deal with. That is changing.

Something New on Selby: Rondo Exchange is Open

If you’ve traveled down Selby recently, you may have noticed something new at 856 Selby Avenue. Rondo Exchange officially opened on March 21, 2026, bringing a new small business and community space into the neighborhood. For the past two years, the Rondo Community Land Trust has been developing this space, building out 2,800 square feet at the corner of Selby and Victoria to support local entrepreneurs. The result is Rondo Exchange, a small business incubator that brings together retail, creative work, and community space under one roof.

How the CIB Community Grant Process Works

If you were given $1,000,000 and you could only use it to improve the lives of the citizens of Saint Paul, how would you spend this money? That is the basic idea behind the Community Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) Grant Process. But instead of one project, the funds are divided among several projects until the full million dollars is allotted. The Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) Community Proposal process follows a structured, multi-step lifecycle that begins with residents submitting ideas for city infrastructure improvements. These submissions were due on February 20th, 2026. After the application period closes, City staff and the CIB Committee review proposals for eligibility, ensuring they meet requirements like public ownership, long-term impact, and feasibility. The eligible proposals are presented to the public and the CIB Committee on March 23rd and April 20th in the Public Presentation phase. The presenters are asked to explain their proposals and answer any questions for the committee or the public.

Benjamin E Mays School Naming Dedication

Rondo Exchange Grand Opening!

Rondo Exchange is a new community-owned small business incubator developed by Rondo Community Land Trust. This space was designed to support creative entrepreneurs with affordable commercial space, structured technical assistance, shared services, and visibility within a collaborative retail environment. But more importantly, it represents something bigger. For decades, Rondo was a thriving Black commercial district built by entrepreneurs who served and sustained the community. While much of that economic ecosystem was disrupted, the spirit of innovation and cultural leadership never disappeared. Rondo Exchange is part of a broader effort to restore that economic and cultural presence along Selby Avenue.