 Giving weekly updates at last week's County Board meeting.
When I first considered joining the Ramsey County Board, I made a commitment to help expand access to affordable housing throughout our community. This month, I’m proud to share that my colleagues and I unanimously approved $18.4 million investment into affordable housing projects across Ramsey County. This funding supports 29 projects that will create, preserve, or subsidize more than 1,400 housing units—200 of which will be deeply affordable for households earning less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Housing is more than just shelter; it’s an issue of economic justice. No one in our community should wonder where they’ll lay their head at night. Stable housing improves public health, enhances safety, and lays the foundation for economic mobility.
As we build a community for future generations, ensuring a mix of housing options—including deeply affordable units—is essential. I want to recognize the incredible efforts happening right here in District 3.
Congratulations to this year’s Housing Development Solicitation recipients in District 3:
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1380 Hewitt Rehabilitation, Shakir Consulting (Saint Paul)
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F2F @ Arcade (Saint Paul)
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Larpenteur Senior, MWF Properties (Falcon Heights)
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Magnolia Duplex Rehab, Movement Property (Saint Paul)
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Rice Line Crossing, 651 Sustainable LLC (Saint Paul)
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Shields 10 Acquisition Rehab, New Verticals (Saint Paul)
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University 40, Outlaw Development (Saint Paul)
These projects reflect the values we hold dear: dignity, equity, and opportunity for all. Thank you to everyone advancing this work. You can read more about programs Ramsey County utilizes to promote affordable housing HERE.
As always, feel free to contact my office for questions or comments any time.
Inaugural Small Business Collaborative Meeting
 Small Business representatives, Chamber members, and Ramsey County staff attend the first District 3 Small Business Collaborative meeting at the new African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) office building.
Earlier this month, I hosted my first Small Business Collaborative meeting. I created this group for small business owners in my district to stay informed about the different resources we offer at the county and to work together to discuss ways we can show up as better partners. If you are a small business owner in my district and are interested in joining, please complete the interest form HERE.
Downtown Service Center Reopened
 The entrance to the Downtown Service Center on the second floor of the Metro Square building.
Ramsey County’s Downtown Service Center has reopened with a more accessible and welcoming experience including 12,000+ square feet of floor space, natural light, 37 workstations, five conference rooms, 12 service counters and self check-in kiosks. The upgraded space includes expanded access to county resources like Navigator Services, Financial Assistance Services (SNAP, cash assistance, emergency aid), Child Support Services, Housing stability (rent assistance) and Community Career Lab. You can learn more HERE.
National Association of Counties Conference
 Ramsey County Commissioners and County Manager Ling Becker posing behind “NACo at 90” sign, celebrating 90 years of service to counties across the country.
I, alongside my colleagues and the County Manager attended this year’s National Association of Counties (NACo) Conference in Philadelphia. NACo is a national organization that engages with intergovernmental partners and county leaders across the country – working with 3,000+ county governments, 40,000 elected officials, and 3.6M county employees to find solutions to local issues and advocate for county policy priorities. I am a proud member of NACo’s National Association of Black County Officials and a member of the Community Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee. You can learn more about NACo HERE.
Road Construction Updates
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Dale Street: Final signal work took place at Highway 36 in mid July. The major roadwork is complete and minor repairs and restoration work is ongoing. Thank you to our Public Works team for their work to make this stretch of Dale safer for residents and businesses.
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Rice Street: Major sewer and water utility work is complete at Arlington Ave intersection. Paving continues with sidewalk and trail installation from Arlington Ave to Wheelock Parkway. Rehab of the bridge over the railway continues from Maryland Ave to Cottage Ave with installation of water main, sanitary sewer and storm water ongoing.
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Arcade Street/E 7th Street: Through early fall, Arcade St. Is closed through traffic in both directions between Frost Ave and York Ave.
Please continue supporting your local businesses during construction! They are open!
Habitat for Humanity Build Day
 Assisting with installation at The Heights and greeting the Habitat for Humanity team.
In early July, my colleagues and I joined our friends from the Hennepin County Board to participate in the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Build Day at the Heights in Saint Paul with President and CEO, Chris Coleman. The Heights is a redevelopment of the 112-acre former Hillcrest Golf Course, now a low-carbon neighborhood with mixed-use affordable housing (both rental and homeownership), a five-acre park, trails, wetlands and other greenspace. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is creating 147 affordable homeownership opportunities at this site, and I was thrilled to take part in it! You can learn more about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity HERE.
Ramsey County Parks & Recreation Visit
 Checking out the floor and new LED lights with Director McCabe at Oscar Johnson Area.
Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Director Mark McCabe led an incredible arena and parks tour with my office in early July, which included Aldrich Arena, Oscar Johnson Arena, and Keller Regional Park. Ramsey County arena for practices, games, lessons, graduations, and/or other floor events OR park/picnic reservation by calling 651-266-0300.
Carpenters Visit
 Touring construction sites with Brain Vik (Gardners) and Rob Bush (Carpenters).
In mid July, I had the opportunity to tour the Minnesota State Interior Systems Local 68 in Saint Paul (Carpenters Union). With over 2,400 members, their primary industry is construction. We toured a couple of projects they are working on in District 3, including Goodwill Easter Seals and Kimball Court. You can learn more about MN State Interior Systems Local 68 HERE.
Community Event Sharing
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If you know of events happening in Falcon Heights and Saint Paul neighborhoods of Payne/Phalen, North End/South Como, Como Park, Frogtown, Hamline-Midway and St. Anthony Park, please let us help you share the information! Send us details!
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You can also check out Ramsey County events . |
