Featured Stories

Smart Transportation Tools: How Metro Transit Uses Technology to Ensure a Smooth Ride

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Finding new ways to provide riders with information is ongoing at Metro Transit. Now that more people are carrying smart phones, and using them to pay for life’s essentials, Metro Transit has been innovating ways to meet riders’ needs.

Central Corridor, Creative Leadership, Design, Nightlife, Shopping, Transportation

Downtown

January Arts and Culture: Feet on the Ground, Eyes Toward the Sky

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, January 10, 2017

We begin a new year with our feet on the ground, quite literally, with must-see dance performances, as well as talks by local authors on local history, and the unparalleled stargazing offered by the winter sky.

Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship

Como Park, University, Midway, Downtown, Downtown/Lowertown

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

Seven Ways Automobility Undermines a City's Bottom Line, from Least to Most Direct

Bill Lindeke Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Having an auto-oriented city comes at a cost and leaves cities in precarious financial positions, with lots of commitments but with a reduced and devalued tax base.

Central Corridor, Creative Leadership, Design, Regionalism, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

A Good Thing for St. Paul: A Pilot ADU Project Along the Green Line Invites Creative Possibilities

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The St. Paul City Council has voted to allow ADUs from Emerald to Lexington avenues along University, a pilot project that will bring creative possibilities for density, affordable housing and multi-generational living to the Central Corridor.

Affordable Housing, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Design, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Union Park, University, Midway, Saint Anthony Park

November Arts and Culture: Holiday Markets (and Makers) Galore

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, November 08, 2016

For MSP makers, this month is among the busiest of the year as they sell their wares at holiday markets, boutiques and pop-ups happening at a crazy pace. But you can also tour a renovated machine shed and enjoy open art studios before the big freeze.

Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Design, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Shopping, Strong Local Economy

Riverfront/Mill District, Midway, Downtown, Saint Anthony Park, Lake Street, Southwest, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Northeast

October Arts and Culture: Stars, Skin(s) and St. Paul Art Crawl 25

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, October 11, 2016

With autumn in MSP comes "the season," meaning so many art exhibitions, performances, parties and festivals that you could attend several events every evening. Here are our must-do's.

Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Transit Oriented Development

Como Park, University, Midway, Saint Anthony Park, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Downtown/Lowertown, Northeast

Lars Christiansen, Friendly Streets director, and organizer Darius Gray at a temporary parklet

Friendly Streets: Bottom-Up St. Paul Project Changes the Way People Look at Their City

Jay Walljasper Tuesday, September 27, 2016

The Friendly Streets Initiative, which grew out of a group of volunteers working with various neighborhood organizations to make biking and walking safer in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood, is now changing communities throughout MSP.

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

Midway, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown

Four Craft Coffee Roasters Building Buzz in MSP

Brian Martucci Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Who are the local players behind MSP’s craft coffee scene? These four local roasters are undeniably at the movement’s fore, sparking a revolution in how we talk about roasting and experience tasting.

Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Shopping, Sustainability

Midway, Saint Anthony Park, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Highland Park, Northeast

July Arts and Culture: Floating, Reading, Feasting and Exploration

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Farm-fresh produce, handmade books on a floating library, historic walking tours along the Green Line and feasting locally are our top picks for July arts and culture in MSP.

Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Sustainability, Transit Oriented Development

Midway, Saint Anthony Park, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Payne - Phalen, Powderhorn

June Arts and Culture: Food for the Mind, Body and Soul

Camille LeFevre Tuesday, June 07, 2016

Festivals galore during the month of June, just a few of them listed here. There's the big one--Northern Spark 2016--as well as smaller neighborhood gatherings and opportunities to make new friends over food and brews.

Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Creative Leadership, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Nightlife, Philanthropy, Sustainability

Riverfront/Mill District, Downtown, North Side, Uptown/Lyn Lake, Downtown/Lowertown

Fast and Frequent: New A Line Gets You Where You're Going Between Minnehaha and St. Paul

Brian Martucci Tuesday, June 07, 2016

Metro Transit's first aBRT, the A Line, provides fast, frequent, all-day service in one of the region’s busiest transportation corridors for MSP'ers.

Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, Creative Economy, Strong Local Economy, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Como Park, University, Midway, Nokomis, Highland Park, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, 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

Transit-Oriented Development in St. Paul: Connections That Create Value

Brian Martucci Tuesday, March 08, 2016

More transit means more value: How community-driven (Frogtown) and historically aware (Lowertown) TOD works using community-led initiatives paired with city-developed plans that include affordable housing.

Affordable Housing, Central Corridor, Coordination/Collaboration, diversity, Philanthropy, Strong Local Economy, Transit Oriented Development

Midway, Saint Anthony Park, North Side, Downtown/Lowertown, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Warehouse/North Loop

Holiday Shopping on the Green Line: A Selection of Locally Owned Shops by Stop

Brian Martucci Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Now that the holiday shopping season is upon us, Metro Transit riders in search of the perfect gifts can ride the 11-mile-long Green Line for an adventurous day that includes stops at dozens of locally owned stores. Here's a guide to get you started.

Arts and Culture, Central Corridor, Creative Economy, diversity, Entrepreneurship, Shopping, Strong Local Economy, Transit Oriented Development, Transportation

Midway, Saint Anthony Park, West Seventh, Downtown/Lowertown, Thomas - Dale/Frogtown, Warehouse/North Loop