Featured Stories

The Story of St. Paul Woman Clara Hardenbrook, Who Tried (and Failed) To Vote in 1914

Alyssa Ford Tuesday, November 08, 2016

One hundred and two years ago, a tough-minded mother of seven sued the city of St. Paul. Her grievance? Not being allowed to vote for school or library board officers, despite a specific guarantee in the Minnesota constitution.

Creative Leadership

Greater East Side

Mayor Chris Coleman (center) w Solomon Parham (left) and Spencer Christensen (right)

Sounds True: St. Paul Celebrates All Genres During Year of Music

Loren Green Tuesday, May 10, 2016

In declaring 2016 the Year of Music, the City of St. Paul showcases all of the music genres, schools, initiatives and venues thriving throughout the city as economic drivers and cultural amenities.

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife

Greater East Side, Como Park, Macalester - Groveland, Midway, West Seventh, Downtown/Lowertown, Summit Hill and Crocus Hill, Summit - University

Museums and Libraries as Co-Creators of Change

Gayle C. Thorsen Tuesday, March 15, 2016

New research reveals the catalytic role that libraries and museums are playing in rebuilding troubled neighborhoods. These important "anchor institutions" are helping drive economic, educational and social efforts in their neighborhoods.

Affordable Housing, Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Philanthropy, Strong Local Economy

Greater East Side, Midway, Lake Street, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Payne - Phalen

February Arts and Culture: Feasts for the Mind and the Mouth

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, February 02, 2016

A Hmong pop-up dinner, electrifying art exhibition, architecture tour of an already iconic brewery and the opportunity to laugh out loud with the nation's funniest Native American author are on our to-do list for arts and culture in February.

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife

Greater East Side, University, Southwest

10 Redevelopment Projects Transforming MSP in 2016

Amy Goetzman Tuesday, January 12, 2016

MSP is in the midst of a redevelopment boom that has touched nearly every part of the Twin Cities. Here are 10 projects opening in 2016 that will further transform our neighborhoods and communities.

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife, Reuse / Rebuild, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Riverfront/Mill District, Greater East Side, Dayton's Bluff, Downtown, North Side, West Seventh, Downtown/Lowertown, Warehouse/North Loop, Northeast

Nostalgia in November: Our Monthly Arts/Culture Picks

David Rue Tuesday, November 17, 2015

This month’s feature highlighting arts, entertainment and culture not to be missed in MSP brings into focus the region’s most notable dance company, photographic visions of Minneapolis’ past and an art sale for all to enjoy.

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, diversity, Entrepreneurship

Greater East Side, Macalester - Groveland, Midway, Saint Anthony Park

Urban Agriculture in MSP: Growing, Diversifying, Sustainable

Brian Martucci Tuesday, August 18, 2015

As the rapid proliferation of urban farms, CSAs, community gardens, hyper-local farmers’ market stalls and farm-to-fork restaurants shows, MSP’s urban agriculture ecosystem is only getting stronger.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Green Jobs, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability

Greater East Side, Midway, North Side, West Seventh, Downtown/Lowertown, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown

Pedals and Pints: A Guide to Your Own Bike Friendly Brewery Tour

Brian Martucci Tuesday, July 14, 2015

All of these homegrown breweries are located on or near major bikeways, making for convenient — and safe — access. String two or three of these bike-friendly breweries together for a pedal-powered, DIY brewery tour.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Entrepreneurship, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Transit Oriented Development

Greater East Side, West Side, North Side, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Nokomis, Downtown/Lowertown, Payne - Phalen, Northeast

Community Developers Create Room to Mingle

Gayle Thorsen Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Twin Cities community developers aim to create more public spaces in lower-income neighborhoods as common assets for all to enjoy.

Affordable Housing, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, Strong Local Economy

Greater East Side, Cedar - Riverside/West Bank, North Side, Nokomis, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown

Cultivating Youth As Agents of Change Through Urban Agriculture

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Youth programs with a focus on urban agriculture cultivate good health, leadership skills, community development and economic independence.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Green Jobs, Healthcare, Philanthropy, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability

Greater East Side, Phillips, North Side, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Battle Creek

A Place People Call Their Own: Community Partnerships That Foster Community Health

Jay Walljasper Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The 2014 Minnesota Healthy Communities Conference introduced participants to innovative community health projects that explore links between community development and the health of low-income people.

Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, diversity, Healthcare, Philanthropy, Strong Local Economy

Greater East Side, Phillips, Southwest, North Side

Forget Midwest. We Are North: Repositioning MSP's National Identity for the 21st Century

Camille LeFevre Wednesday, December 03, 2014

According to a recent panel discussion, we need to own our cold climate and our ingenuity in order to attract new talent, continue fueling the innovation at the heart of our economy, and create a new and authentic national identity. Shall we call ourselves the North?

Arts and Culture, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Leadership, Design, diversity, Regionalism, Strong Local Economy, Talent Dividend

A performer at Little Africa's launch party, courtesy AEDS

Small Business Development Equals Big Growth in Three TC Neighborhoods

Gayle Thorsen Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Creative collaborations on St. Paul’s East Side, throughout Little Africa in St. Paul and along West Broadway in North Minneapolis are helping small businesses thrive while sparking economic vitality and community pride.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Reuse / Rebuild, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Talent Dividend, Transit Oriented Development

Greater East Side, Midway, North Side

Cycling in the Cities: Seven New Local Inventions for Bike Enthusiasts Here and Around the Globe

Brian Martucci Wednesday, October 22, 2014

The Twin Cities is a leader in bicycle use and a major innovator in bicycle design and technology. The seven inventions profiled here have, or will have, an impact on the local and global cycling industry. And the pace of innovation shows no sign of slowing down.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, Emerging Technologies, Emerging Technology, Entrepreneurship, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transportation

Shawn Combs Walding, photo by Brian Martucci

Q+A: Shawn Combs Walding, MnDOT's Transit Advantages Coordinator

Brian Martucci Wednesday, October 15, 2014

We recently sat down with Shawn Combs Walding, MnDOT’s Transit Advantages Coordinator for the Twin Cities Metro District to discuss alternative transportation in the Twin Cities, what local entities can do to promote transit use, and how easy it really is to be car-free.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Greater East Side : Featured Stories