Featured Stories

Rain as a Resource: St. Paul Innovates Shared, Sustainable Stormwater Management

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, December 06, 2016

The City of St. Paul and its partners are utilizing an innovative method of managing stormwater to restore natural water systems, incorporate green infrastructure into sustainable communities and improve the urban ecosystem.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, Emerging Technology, Regionalism, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Union Park, University, Macalester - Groveland, Midway, Saint Anthony Park, West Seventh, Highland Park, Downtown/Lowertown, Summit Hill and Crocus Hill, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Summit - University

Forging an Arts Tradition: Metalsmithing in MSP

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, June 21, 2016

MSP boasts a cultural milieu in which diverse art forms, architecture and design take root and flourish. Metalsmithing, which includes jewelry design, is an integral part of the culture.

Arts and Culture, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Shopping

Southwest, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Calhoun - Isles, Summit Hill and Crocus Hill, Northeast

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

Make the Switch from Car to Bike Commute This Winter: Here's How

Brian Martucci Tuesday, December 08, 2015

Imagine a day in a bike commuter’s boots. How does he or she prepare before walking out the door? How do they stay comfortable behind Arctic fronts and snow curtains — even the dreaded polar vortex. Here's how.

Entrepreneurship, Shopping, Sustainability, Transportation

10 Independent Bookstores To Get Cozy With This Winter

Gina Dewink Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Searching for a book to get lost in? Ditch your computer and mobile devices, and plan a day trip exploring these distinct and community-minded local bookstores, many of which are celebrating decade birthdays in 2015.

Arts and Culture, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Reuse / Rebuild, Shopping, Strong Local Economy

Macalester - Groveland, Midway, Saint Anthony Park, Lake Street, Southwest, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Summit Hill and Crocus Hill

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

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

Turning Trash into Treasure, Creative Reuse Movement Boosts Urban Economies

Lee Chilcote Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Across America, creative reuse organizations are popping up to "upcycle" and sell stuff that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Artisans and artists are, in turn, turning this would-be detritus into artworks and products.

Arts and Culture, Creative Economy, Design, Entrepreneurship, Green Jobs, Reuse / Rebuild, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability

Summit Hill and Crocus Hill

Croissants from (clockwise from left) Patisserie 46, Rustica, Trung Nam, and Chez Arnaud

The Line's Great Twin Cities Croissant Taste-Off

Jon Spayde Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Croissant-loving editor compares four of the finest products of local artisanship.

Arts and Culture, Creative Economy, Shopping

Southwest, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Summit Hill and Crocus Hill, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown

The Call of Saint Matthew, by Caravaggio

A Line or Two: Caravaggio at the College of Visual Arts

Jon Spayde Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Despite a feisty ongoing effort to keep it open, Saint Paul's much-loved College of Visual Arts is slated to close--all the more reason to hurry over there to hear a talk about a fascinating Baroque artist, given by a fascinating local art historian/entrepreneur.

Arts and Culture, Creative Economy

Summit Hill and Crocus Hill

A Line or Two: Chez Arnaud, Parisian Patisserie in St. Paul

Jon Spayde Wednesday, February 13, 2013

In A Line or Two, I share some of my enthusiasms and discoveries as I make my way around the Twin Cities. Call it an editor's note as blog entry. This week: A design-y, extremely Parisian patisserie on Saint Paul's Grand Avenue serves up traditonal pastries--and a Franco-Minnesotan hybrid.

Design, Entrepreneurship

Summit Hill and Crocus Hill

A Line or Two: Serbia? Santa Rosa? Saint Paul!

Jon Spayde Wednesday, August 15, 2012

In A Line or Two, I share some of my discoveries and enthusiasms as I make my way around the Twin Cities. Call it an editor's note as blog entry. This week: Irvine Avenue, Saint Paul's street of mystery.

Arts and Culture

Summit Hill and Crocus Hill

A Line or Two: Of Cold Ramen and Rice Balls

Jon Spayde Wednesday, August 08, 2012

In A Line or Two, I share some of my discoveries and enthusiasms as I make my way around the Twin Cities. Call it an editor's note as blog entry. This week: a lunchtime celebration of local Japanese food.

Arts and Culture, Creative Economy, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife, Strong Local Economy

Riverfront/Mill District, University, Lake Street, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Downtown/Lowertown, Summit Hill and Crocus Hill, Warehouse/North Loop

Paul with Northwest Architectural Salvage

Selby Avenue 2012: A Slide Show

Bill Kelley Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Saint Paul's Selby Avenue is the home of some celebrated and beloved local institutions. But for this issue, lensman Bill Kelley took portraits of Selby Avenue places that may be a bit below your radar unless you know the street well--plus some cool new businesses that have popped up in recent months. It's our effort to show how one of the Saintly City's most attractive, even genteel, streets is also one of its most dynamic and diverse.

Arts and Culture, Creative Economy, Design, diversity, Shopping, Strong Local Economy

Summit Hill and Crocus Hill, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Summit - University