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Proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance
Council President Noecker joined us at our April Community Forum Night to tell us more about the proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance, and the work of the Tree Preservation Ordinance Public Input Group: The Tree Preservation Ordinance Public Input Group (TPO PIG) convened neighbors, neighborhood associations, local advocates, and residents with technical expertise to strengthen Saint Paul’s approach to protecting urban trees during development and public projects. Guided by principles of equity, transparency, and practical implementation, the group met seven times between May and November 2025 to provide focused input on ordinance language, identify critical gaps, and develop actionable recommendations that balance ecological health with community priorities. The TPO PIG also presented updates and recommendations to the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Ward 2 office engaged District Councils in the fall to incorporate neighborhood perspectives ahead of the ordinance’s anticipated return to City Council on December 10, 2025.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Why I-94 Still Matters
By Jason Shiggs Please note that this article is an opinion piece, and not necessarily the official stance of the SUPC organization. If you ask me what connects the Twin Cities more than anything else, I’d say Interstate 94. For better or worse, it’s the backbone between Minneapolis and Saint Paul. It’s the route people take to work, to school, to hospitals, to events, and to family. It’s not pretty. It’s not charming. But it works. I-94 is the fastest and most reliable way to move between the downtowns, and that matters more than we sometimes want to admit. In a region that depends on mobility for economic life, access to a high-capacity corridor isn’t a luxury — it’s infrastructure. Freight, emergency services, commuters, transit vehicles, and regional travelers all rely on that connection.
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