Molly Coleman, Ward 4 Councilmember, ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Jenne Nelson, Legislative Aide, jenne.nelson@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Kristin Koziol, Executive Assistant, kristin.koziol@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Kaitlynn Fuller, Communications Intern, kaitlynn.fuller@ci.stpaul.mn.us
 Frogtown Farm and Park.
In lieu of Earth Day, there are many events taking place to give opportunities for everyone to show the environment some love.
Citywide Cleanup Volunteer Events
Saint Paul Parks & Rec is organizing Citywide Cleanup Events throughout April and May. Each event is hosted by neighbors or a neighborhood organization. You can also host your own cleanup! Visit the Parks & Rec website for more information.
Presentation: The future of the Mississippi River Gorge
On Tuesday, April 21st, at 6:30 pm, John O. Anfinson, PhD, will be giving a presentation titled “From Rapids to Reservoirs & Back Again?” at the Highland Park Community Center Auditorium, 1978 Ford Parkway. We are facing a choice on whether the two Twin Cities locks and dams on the Mississippi River remain or come out. John will talk about the choice before us and how we can make the best decision. This event is presented by the Highland District Council, National Parks Conservation Association, and Saint Paul Parks Conservancy.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Highland District Council's web page.
Big Ole Trash Party
On, Saturday, April 25th from 10 am - 3:30 pm, the Hamline Midway Coalition, Union Park, The Midway Chamber, and neighbors are teaming up again to host the "Big Ole Trash Party" a part neighborhood cleanup and part community celebration. The cleanup will be from 10 am - 1 pm at several locations:
Dickerman Park (Team Aldine)
Hamline Park (Team La Fond)
Ho Bien Parking Lot (Team Lexington)
Whole Foods on Selby (Team Selby)
Cleanup supplies will be provided, and all collected bags will be piled up before they are picked up by the city.
The after-party will be from 1:30 - 3:30 pm at Black Hart of Saint Paul. There will be live music, food trucks, Trash T-shirts, and time to celebrate.
Get full details on the Facebook event link.
 CM Coleman speaking at a council meeting about Chapter 44A.
At the April 22nd City Council meeting, the Council will vote on the final adoption of Chapter 44A, a new ordinance in the City’s administrative code that will strengthen training and reporting requirements around our separation ordinance. This ordinance will add critical accountability and public oversight infrastructure to our city code. Click here for Councilmember Coleman’s comments when this ordinance was introduced, and you can read more about the ordinance in Mara Gottfried’s piece in the Pioneer Press from April 1st or in the press release on Saint Paul's website.
 CM Coleman standing next to Tesha Christensen, the owner of the Midway Como Frogtown Monitor, holding a copy of the Monitor.
We are excited to share that an article written by our Communications Intern, Kaitlynn Fuller, was published in the Midway Como Frogtown Monitor this month. Read "Celebrate the Midway this spring" on the website here, or pick up a physical copy around the ward!
 METRO H Line map.
METRO H Line
The METRO H Line is a planned bus rapid transit (BRT) line that will provide faster and more reliable transit service in the Como Avenue and Maryland Avenue corridor. Public comment is open until May 4th. Take the survey and view the proposed plan on the Metro Transit website.
Highway 280
Hwy 280, from I-94 to Hwy 36/I-35W, will be closed from late April to late August. Significant improvements to the highway will take place during this time. For more information, visit the MnDOT website.
 A QR code for the Capital Improvement Budget community poll.
The 2026 City of Saint Paul Capital Improvement Budget Community Poll is now active, and we hope you will help us promote this to your constituents, stakeholders, and neighbors. You can learn more about the Community Proposal Process and review our current Process Overview Packet which includes our current detailed process overview as well as all eligible proposal application and location information.
Upcoming Dates and Process Steps
- Community Poll: Open through March 20th - May 4th.
- Public Hearing: Friday, June 8th, 5:30 pm, at Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave.
- Committee Recommendation: Recommendation Letter to the Mayor by June 30th, annually.
- August: Mayor’s Proposed Budget.
- December: City Council adopts the Final Budget.
 A digital rendering of the completed Hamline Midway Library.
The Hamline Midway Library is on track to officially open to the community by the end of summer 2026!
Construction of the new building will conclude soon. Once complete, the project’s final stage of commissioning will begin. This means staff will begin moving all books and materials out of storage and will stock the fresh space with new furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Public art by local artists will also be installed.
This final phase is expected to take several months. We will know more about an official grand-opening date by the end of June. For more information about the new building and to stay updated on the grand opening, visit sppl.org/transform.
As the University of St. Thomas and Hamline University reach the end of their spring semesters, concerts are on the horizon. Spring concert dates for the two universities are listed below:
Hamline University
Hamline Wind Ensemble Concert | Sundin Music Hall | Friday, April 24th, 7:30 - 9 pm
Hamline Student Recitals | Sundin Music Hall | Tuesday, April 28th, 11:30 am - 1 pm
A Cappella Choir Concert with Joe Davis | Sundin Music Hall | Tuesday, April 28th, 6 - 7:30 pm
Hamline Student Recitals | Sundin Music Hall | Thursday, April 30th, 11:30 am - 1 pm
Hamline Orchestra Concert | Sundin Music Hall | Saturday, May 2nd, 2 - 3:30 pm
Hamline Jazz Ensemble | Anne Simley Theatre | Sunday, May 3rd, 4 - 5:30 pm
University of St. Thomas
Voice Area Showcase | Schoenecker Center Performance Hall 106 | Sunday, April 19th, 2 - 3:30 pm
St. Thomas Choirs in Concert | Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas | Thursday, April 30th, 7:30 - 8:45 pm
Brass Choir | Schoenecker Center Performance Hall 106 | Saturday, May 2nd, 7 - 8 pm
Donne Unite Women's Choir | Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas | Sunday, May 3rd 4 - 5:15 pm
Orchestra | Schoenecker Center Performance Hall 106 | Saturday, May 9th, 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Symphonic Band & Symphonic Wind Ensemble | The O'Shaughnessy at Univ. of St Catherine, Sunday, May 10th 2026, 2 - 3 pm
Jazz Ensembles | Schoenecker Center Performance Hall 106 | Tuesday, May 12th, 7:30 - 8:45 pm
Pop Music Collective | Schoenecker Center Performance Hall 106 | Wednesday, May 13th, 7:30 - 8:45 pm
Guitar Ensemble | O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library, Great Hall 2nd Floor | Thursday, May 14th, 7 - 8 pm
St. Thomas Liturgical Choir in Concert | Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas | Sunday, May 17th, 3 - 4:15 pm
Housing Rental/Emergency Assistance Resources
If you need help paying help for rent, mortgage, utilities or car repairs, contact Ramsey County Emergency Assistance at (651) 266-4884.
Renters’ Rights in Eviction if you were Detained or Afraid to Leave your Home
City of Saint Paul Emergency Rent Assistance: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program offers support to renter households in Saint Paul facing a pending eviction due to unforeseen circumstances when other assistance options are unavailable. Eligible households may receive a one-time payment of up to $3,500 for late rent and associated fees, paid directly to the landlord. Residents are only eligible for funding once a year.
To learn more, visit our website or contact staff by phone or via email:
The following resources may also be able to offer additional help with rental assistance:
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United Way’s 211 Line (2-1-1), this line will get you started with Ramsey County services.
Other Community Resources
Keystone Community Food Center: Visit the food center at 1800 University Ave W. No appointment or advanced registration is required. Food shelf participants are served on a first come, first served basis during the hours listed below. Please call 651-917-3792 if you have any questions.
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Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
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Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
MN Department of Children, Youth, and Families is tracking federal actions that may affect programs serving Minnesota children and families. Visit the DCYF site to see updates.
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On Sunday, April 19th, from 6 - 8 pm, come to The Hive Collaborative and enjoy drag performances. This show is being put on by local performer Zestina the Drag Queen, poetic scientist Trina Morlock, and the Hamline University Everything Drag Club.
100% of ticket sales go to the Hamline Midway Coalition. Tickets are sliding scale $5–$25 so people can attend at whatever level works for them. Get tickets here:
https://www.simpletix.com/.../the-midway-cabaret-all-ages
The Hive Collaborative
677 Hamline Ave N
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On Monday, April 20th, at 8:30 am, Mayor Kaohly Her’s first State of the City Address will take place at the International Institute of Minnesota, 1694 Como Ave. Mayor Her will share key updates from her first 100 days in office. The event will be livestreamed at youtube.com/stpaulgov.
This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome!
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On Thursday, April 23rd, from 6 - 8:30 pm, the Macalester-Groveland Community Council (MGCC) is hosting their Annual Meeting at the Smail Gallery (in the Olin-Rice Science Center) at Macalester College. Attendees will hear from MGCC Board candidates and City Councilmembers Saura Jost and Molly Coleman. Annual Meetings are open to all community members! |
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On Friday, April 24th, at 7 pm, Zion Community Commons is hosting Protest Couture: A Mutual Care Fashion Show Fundraiser.
This pay-what-you-can ($1 minimum) event will include: Raffle prizes from local businesses and artists, musical performances, art for sale, a runway auction, and dinner! Dinner will be available at 6pm in the basement. All proceeds will mutually benefit local artists, food programs, and the community commons.
Zion Community Commons
1697 Lafond Ave
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The D10 Como Community Council is hosting two pop-up locations for the 2026 Spring Saint Paul Art Crawl.
Saturday, April 25th, from 12 - 4 pm, at
Como Lakeside Pavilion (360 Lexington Pkwy) - Start your Art Crawl at Dock & Paddle, where you can grab lunch and enjoy live music and food/drink specials just for this event. Then, head to the third-floor Waterfall Room to explore the work of up to 25 local artists.
Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy) - Follow the signs along the Lake Como walking trail to the historic Como Streetcar Station. Here, you’ll discover artwork from 8 additional artists while enjoying light refreshments and an interactive art activity with Megan Huff Photography and Art.
View info about the artists on the D10 website.
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Catch an event at Arts on Lafond before the end of April!
Sunday, April 19th at 4 pm - Balkan Mosaic.
Tuesday, April 21st at 7 pm - Marc Anderson's soundbath meditation.
Sunday, April 26th at 4 pm - Classical Guitar Series.
All events are hosted at Zion Community Commons, 1697 Lafond Ave.
Contact John Marboe, johncharles2@gmail.com, or Mira Kehoe, miratomkehoe@gmail.com, with inquiries.
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Get these May events on your calendar! More info to come in our social media posts and May newsletter.
Saturday, May 16th, 1 - 4 pm - Mighty Midway Festival @ Hancock Rec
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