Don’t shortchange
the East Side
You might have seen the headlines
in September that reported that the East Side has not gotten its fair share of
capital investment by the City of Saint Paul. At the request of the East Side Neighborhood Development Corporation
(ESNDC), the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of
Minnesota studied Saint Paul’s investment of CIB funds across the city over the
past 10 years, and finds it is unequal across the city. Though the East Side includes 33 percent of
city residents, the City has only invested 19 percent of its capital
improvement bonds in our communities east of I-35.
CIB funds are used to invest in
roads, reconstruction and repair of public facilities including recreation
centers and public safety facilities. Since I joined the City Council in
January, Ward 6 Councilmember Dan Bostrom and I have fought for the renewal, replacement
and retention of public facilities that are needed now more than ever on Saint
Paul’s East Side.
Early this year, we prevented the City
Administration’s proposed relocation of a so-called “super medic” unit away
from Engine 9 on the East Side, preserving vital emergency response resources
for our community. Yet despite our
efforts, Johnson Parkway, slated for reconstruction as part of the Saint Paul
Grand Round, was delayed indefinitely. Highwood Hills Recreation Center has been permanently closed, and the
soccer field promised to Highwood neighbors never opened this summer. The Margaret Playground CIB project has been
delayed because the bids were too high.
Among the resource gaps on the East
Side is the dearth of youth programming in the heart of Ward 7, since the
closing of the Eastview Rec Center in 2008. Neighbors there are
understandably frustrated that along with the closing of the building, the
condition of the tot lot, tennis courts, basketball half court and playing
fields is substandard. Crimes like drug
dealing and home burglaries have seen an uptick, and gunshots this summer have
the community on edge.
Some Eastview neighbors decided to
take a field trip to the Merriam Park Center in early September, when they
learned that the tot lot there was slated for replacement because it was ranked
to be in the worst condition citywide. What they found there, on a Thursday evening,
was a recreation center that was fully staffed, fully lit and fully occupied by
neighborhood residents from toddlers to seniors. The tot lot, basketball half
court, tennis court, skateboard park, gym and indoor facilities were all in use.
When they drove home to Eastview,
there was no activity on the fields and facilities, because there were no
lights, and the building was closed to the public as it has been since being
leased several years ago to a private operator.
What the CURA study shows us is
that along with the unequal capital investment across the city, the
neighborhoods that benefit from the most investment also have the highest
property values. As a consequence, property taxpayers west of Lexington are
paying ever-higher taxes at increasingly unsustainable levels, while our East
Side tax base, reflecting fewer investments in our public facilities,
languishes.
When we add to that the fact that
our East Side has some of the city’s largest concentrations of new immigrants,
and neighbors challenged by poverty and unemployment, the City’s unequal
investment is also inequitable. Children
and families on the Eastside need good public recreation centers because they
need quality, affordable, safe and accessible places to gather and play – just
like neighbors enjoy in Merriam Park.
Now is not the time to accept the
hand we’ve been dealt. The time is now
for all of us to stand together and advocate for a stronger East Side.
For more information:
Read the CURA Study
Star Tribune Coverage
Pioneer Press Coverage
East Side Review Coverage
 For the first time in 25 years, there is a major expansion of the Saint Paul Art Crawl into Saint Paul's East Side. Four locations will be featured, that include dozens of artists representing one of Saint Paul's most diverse neighborhoods. More details here.
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Qualified low-income residents of
the Twin Cities will be able to ride more for less through the Transit
Assistance Program (TAP). This test program offers participants $1 rides on all
buses and light rail, including transfers (one card per person). All
participants who sign up will receive $5 for rides on their new card. Those who
already have a registered Go-To Card can transfer their balance to the TAP card
to take advantage of the discount. To enroll you must be a low-income Twin
Cities resident between the ages of 13 and 64 and have your income verified
through a non-profit or another government agency. Present a photo ID and one
of the following:
- EBT Card with your name
- Project for Pride in Living
(PPL) Card
- Catholic Charities Card
- Metro HRA Family Summary
- Saint Paul Public Housing Rent
Statement
- VEAP Income Eligibility Form
- CLUES In-take form
East Side of St. Paul sign-ups
will be at Salvation Army at 1019 Payne Avenue on Friday October 21 from 11am
to 2:30pm and at CLUES at 797 7th Street East on
Thursday October 20 from 10am to 1pm. Sign-ups
will also begin at the Downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul transit stores on
Monday, October 10th (first-come, first-served). Visit the Metro Transit website for additional sign-up
sites throughout the Twin Cities.
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