 Dear Neighbors,
Ramsey and Hennepin County Commissioners joined former Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, the current CEO of Habitat for Humanity, for a Twin Cities County Build Day at The Heights! Together, we picked up tools and got to work helping build the future of homeownership on Saint Paul’s East Side.
The Heights is a transformational development that will bring 147 affordable Habitat homes to our community, along with green space, clean energy, and economic opportunity. Habitat homes at The Heights will be available to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers who meet Twin Cities Habitat's guidelines. Interested in purchasing a home at The Heights? Learn more here.
It was powerful to be on site, not just talking policy, but contributing directly to a project that reflects our strong commitments to housing, sustainability, and partnership. Looming federal cuts to housing makes Habitat's work at the Heights even more meaningful. Amidst massive cuts to housing stability, rental assistance, and public investment into affordable housing, Habitat provides reliable affordability with low-interest mortgages, providing predictability and stability when resources disappear. The built-in sustainability of these homes, which are all-electric with solar shingles and air-source heat pumps, are energy efficient, insulating homeowners against rising utility costs.
With that said, thank you to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity for leading this bold vision and for inviting us to be part of it, hands-on. I am incredibly proud that The Heights is a national vision coming to life right here in District 6.
Sincerely,
Mai Chong Xiong
Whether you prefer to connect face-to-face or from the comfort of your home, we’re here to meet you where you are. If our scheduled times don’t work for you, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to find a time that does.
There will be no office hours on July 3 and 4.
Sign-up here!
This week, Financial Assistance Services Director Ali and I had the opportunity to meet with Summit Hill Senior Living on the East Side to hear directly about residents' concerns and challenges navigating our healthcare and social support systems. Seniors are feeling frustrations about delays in processing applications, trouble reaching case managers, and barriers to accessing essential services like medications and medical appointments.
Thank you to the Summit Hill team for creating space for these conversations. As a community, we must ensure our elders don’t fall through the cracks. I’ll be following up with our county and state partners to better advocate for efficiency, accountability, and stronger coordination so our seniors can access the care and support they deserve without unnecessary delays or confusion.
Over the years, my office has helped numerous District 6 residents gain better access to services and stay informed about their case statuses. If you or someone you know is facing similar challenges with Medicaid renewals or service access, do not hesitate to reach out to your county commissioners to advocate on your behalf.
 Here's the latest update provided by the Saint Paul Port Authority:
- Larpenteur Avenue E closure between Beebe Road and McKnight Road and will continuing through early August, depending on the weather.
- Traffic on Larpenteur Avenue will utilize the signed detour on White Bear Avenue, N St. Paul Road, and McKnight Rd N, outlined in the map above.
Construction Updates at The Height - Saint Paul Port Authority
The Open Road Fund was created to serve Black descendants of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, especially formerly incarcerated folks, single parents, senior citizens, those living with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ folks.
Through 2031, Nexus will award $50,000 gifts that can be used for wealth projects, including housing, education, financial well-being, healing, and economic justice. We want to be clear—these gifts are not reparations but an opportunity to redistribute resources to our communities to build Black wealth.
There are no income caps or minimums, folks can apply individually or in partnership with other members of the community, and applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply:
- Ages 14 and up
- A resident of Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota
- A descendant of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, including the Caribbean, North, Central, and South America.
2025 applications are open Juneteenth through July 21 at 11:59 pm CT.
Open Road Fund - Nexus Community Partners
July 15 SoilSHOP - What's in my soil?
 Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health is hosting a free SoilSHOP event at the East Side YMCA on July 15 from 3PM to 7PM. Amidst the urgent concerns of lead and other metals from pollution impacting the East Side, this is an opportunity for residents to learn more about what’s in their soil.
Soil screening event | Ramsey County
See below for additional efforts that Ramsey County is leading:
SoilSHOP & Healthy Homes Expo – July 15, 2025 – East Side YMCA
- Educational/Resource tables
- ESNDC
- MN Tool Library
- Urban Agriculture/Raised Bed Garden Workshop teams
- Ramsey County Fix-it-Clinics
- Ramsey County Healthy Homes Program
- Minnesota Department of Health
Raised Bed Garden Workshops – September 27, 2025 – Urban Roots
- Tabling at the 7/15/25 soilSHOP
Air Filter Building Workshops – date and location TBD
- Goal: Build and distribute 400 high-quality, low-cost indoor air filters based on the Corsi-Rosenthal model
- Assist approximately 400 families who are vulnerable to the health impacts of poor air quality
HEPA Vacuum Rental Program
- Residents interested in renting a HEPA vacuum for interior house cleaning can request a guest pass to the MN Tool Library from Public Health, which they can redeem for a one-week rental of up to 5 tools, including a HEPA vacuum
Accessing Arcade Street during Construction
Yes, Arcade Street is currently under construction, but businesses remain open and accessible!
We recognize that road work can make travel more difficult, and we appreciate your patience and continued support. Local businesses and services are still here for you, and your efforts to visit and support them during this time mean a great deal.
Here’s how you can stay connected and plan your visit:
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Call the location for assistance or personalized directions
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Check current road closures at 511mn.org
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Sign up for project updates at MnDOT’s webpage: mndot.gov/metro/projects/e7th-arcade
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Use nearby side streets for parking and access in closure areas
Thank you for showing up for our local businesses and neighbors. Your commitment helps keep our community strong through every phase of improvement. |
