At June's West Side Business Coalition meeting, WSCO's Interim Associate Director Coco Elizabeth shared a presentation introducing the City of Saint Paul's new Commercial Corridor Organization Assistance Program. Business owners had the chance to learn about the program and give their input on how the limited funds should be used to support the West Side’s economic growth. Watch the video below to hear the ideas shared by local business owners.

As part of the 2025 budget, the Saint Paul City Council set aside $1.4 million in Economic Development STAR funds to jumpstart this initiative. The goal is to provide streamlined funding to partner organizations—like WSCO—that have a strong track record of supporting local corridors.

WSCO has been selected to manage the West Side’s allocation, which must be spent within one year. Eligible uses for the funding include:

• Corridor beautification and public art

• Marketing campaigns to promote the corridor

• Planning and development efforts that can be implemented within 2-3 years

• Business sub-grants and community events to boost local visibility

• Strategic property acquisition for economic development

To stay up to date on future West Side Business Coalition meetings and events, sign up for the newsletter at mnwsbc.org

WSCO has heard from hundreds of West Side residents, workers, and community members about the future of Robert Street. We’re proud to release the Robert Street Survey Report, a community-driven effort that captures the priorities, concerns, and everyday experiences of those who live and work along this vital corridor. With 226 responses collected between January and May 2025, this report reflects the voices of people who use Robert Street every day—for commuting, shopping, school drop-offs, and more.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR THE FULL REPORT

We’re thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Coco as our Interim Associate Director. Coco brings a wealth of experience in community organizing and a deep-rooted commitment to social justice that will strengthen our work during this important time. We’re also excited to announce that Miguel Brito, former WSCO Board member, will be joining our staff as an Organizer in Training. Miguel will support a variety of campaigns across focus areas including land use, housing justice, youth empowerment, environmental justice, immigrant rights, and more.

What drew you to WSCO? 

COCO: I first learned about WSCO in 2014 as a community grantmaker with the Headwaters Foundation for Justice— it was the first ever grant I approved! Since then, I have grown to love and deeply believe in the power of place-based work, which ultimately has shaped my professional journey. I have seen first-hand how anchoring in place allows for a unique set of strategies and relationships to take shape that drive real impact—change that folks can feel day to day. WSCO is leading powerful work here on the West Side—as a "builder" I am thrilled to contribute to enhancing WSCO's role!

MIGUEL: I first got involved with WSCO at 16 after a neighbor encouraged me to try community organizing. Once I joined, I met many community leaders who helped me grow as a person and a leader. Now, it's an honor to be part of the team doing this work full-time.

What excites you most about this role?

COCO: The Associate Director position is an exciting new role for WSCO as an organization. I see it as a great opportunity to strengthen organizational infrastructure so that WSCO can live into and amplify its important role as a powerful connector, organizer and hub for social change on the West Side and the City of Saint Paul! As interim, I am committed to ensuring the permanent hire and WSCO have the tools and systems in place for this team structure to be successful!  

MIGUEL: I'm excited to support others who are interested in community work, just like others supported me. I'm also excited to commit my time to being deeply engaged with my own community. There is a lot of very important work happening in our community and being able to get others involved is extremely exciting!

Can you share a bit about your background and experience?

COCO: I was born and raised in Velletri, Italy and relocated to Minnesota in 2008. I'm bringing over a decade of experience working in the nonprofit and philanthropic space. Most recently, I served as Deputy Director of the Rondo Community Land Trust, before jumping back into my consulting work full-time in fall 2024. Prior to this, I was Program Director of Economic Ecosystem Grantmaking at The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation. When I am not working, you can catch me cycling around the lakes or searching for the best "caffe macchiato" in town!  

MIGUEL: I'm a lifelong West Sider, born and raised here. I started as a volunteer with WSCO, then worked as a Recreation Leader at El Rio Vista, organizing activities for local youth. Most recently, I was a Public Engagement Coordinator at NewPublica, focusing on transportation projects and working closely with BIPOC communities.

Time is running out to catch Upstream, the world-premiere immersive play that’s brought audiences together for an unforgettable journey into climate resilience and justice. This 60-minute participatory performance leads audiences across the OWL campus on a search for the river’s missing daughter — a moving metaphor for the collective action needed in our fight for a livable future. Featuring collaboration with OWL students and over a dozen community organizations, Upstream is more than a show — it’s a call to action.

🗓️ Final Performances:

• Friday April 25, 7:00 pm

• Saturday, April 26, 10:00 am

• Saturday April 26, 12:30 pm

🎟️ Tickets are FREE thanks to Mixed Blood’s Radical Hospitality model. Click here to reserve in advance.

🧠 Sensory Friendly Show: Friday, April 25 at 7:00 PM
😷 Masks Required: Saturday matinee (4/26) at 12:30 PM

The West Side Community Organization (WSCO) is growing—and we’re looking for a passionate, experienced Senior Organizer to help lead bold, community-driven work on St. Paul’s West Side.

If you're ready to organize for housing justice, environmental equity, land use, and more—with a strong team and deep community roots—this might be the role for you.

You'll be building power with West Siders through hands-on outreach, strategic campaigns, and leadership development, all while working toward a just and joyful neighborhood.

Details:

• Full-time | $65,000–$70,000/year

• Full healthcare + 403b retirement + generous PTO

• Based in St. Paul’s West Side

• Requires 3–7 years of community organizing experience

Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, or Somali is a big plus. We're especially excited to hear from applicants who share our deep commitment to racial, economic, and environmental justice.

📍 Click Here for the Full Job Description and Application Details

Come build with us!

The City of Saint Paul is planning major improvements along George Street, from Cherokee Avenue to State Street/Cesar Chavez Street, aimed at making the street safer, smoother, and more accessible for everyone who lives, works, or travels through the area.

These upgrades are part of the city’s ongoing commitment to improving infrastructure and pedestrian safety in our neighborhoods. Work is scheduled to begin in Fall 2025.

What’s Included in the Project?

Street Resurfacing (Mill & Overlay)

• The surface of George Street will be milled (2 inches removed) and repaved with new asphalt.

• Fresh striping will be added after paving is complete.

• This process typically takes 2–4 days per segment, depending on weather.

Pedestrian & Traffic Safety Enhancements

• New curb ramps at intersections to improve accessibility for all, including people using wheelchairs, strollers, or bikes.

• Bumpouts (curb extensions) at key intersections to improve visibility and shorten crossing distances.

• Pedestrian refuge islands (medians) to allow safer, two-stage street crossings.

• Outdated traffic signal at George & Stryker will be replaced with a safer and more efficient four-way stop.

Intersection-Specific Improvements

• Ohio Street: Bumpouts on the south side and into Ohio Street where feasible to slow drivers and improve visibility.

• Bidwell Street: Bumpouts added to address unique curve, realign traffic, and enhance pedestrian safety.

• Manomin & Hall Avenues: Installation of pedestrian refuge islands to help people walking or biking cross George Street more safely. These locations are part of the city’s Bicycle Boulevard Plan.

  • Note: No more left turns or through traffic at these intersections; only right turns and east-west travel along George Street will be allowed.

Utility Work Along the Corridor

In coordination with the street improvements:

• Saint Paul Regional Water Services will replace any lead water service lines.

• Private utility providers may also perform underground work during this time.
  Expect some temporary disruptions, but access to homes and businesses will be maintained as much as possible.

Community Meeting – Drop In & Learn More

Want to learn more or ask specific questions? There will be an open house-style meeting:

📅 Wednesday, April 9, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (drop in anytime)
📍 Riverview Library (Basement Meeting Room)
📍 1 George Street E, Saint Paul, MN 55107

City staff will be on hand to talk one-on-one about the project plans, schedule, and how these changes will affect you and your neighbors.

What You Can Do to Prepare

• Remove personal items (plants, decorations, sprinklers, etc.) from the boulevard areas near intersections. These may be impacted by construction and will not be replaced.

• Watch for a flyer on your door if sidewalk or ramp work will occur near your property.

Why These Changes Matter

These improvements are designed with input from the community, along with recommendations from the West Side Safe Routes to School Plan and the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan. Goals are to:

• Slow down vehicle traffic

• Improve visibility for drivers and pedestrians

• Make crossings safer and easier

• Support safer biking and walking options for all ages

St. Paul is considering a major change to its rent-control law, and the City Council wants to hear from you. A community meeting will be held on March 27 at 6 p.m. at Neighborhood House, 179 E. Robie St., where residents can discuss the proposed updates to rent stabilization and new tenant protections.

Current Rent-Stabilization Ordinance

Under the current rent-stabilization ordinance, passed by voters in 2021 and implemented in 2022, landlords cannot raise rents by more than 3% per year for buildings 20 years or older, even when tenants move out. The ordinance was designed to protect renters from steep rent hikes but has been criticized by developers who say it has slowed down new construction.

What Would Change?

The proposed changes would permanently exempt all new buildings from rent control, eliminating the 20-year rule. This means that any apartment complex built from now on would never be subject to rent stabilization. City officials argue that this change will encourage developers to invest in St. Paul, where apartment construction has declined sharply in recent years.

However, tenant advocates worry about the long-term impact on affordability. To address these concerns, the City Council is considering new tenant protections, including limits on security deposits, stricter eviction rules, and requirements for advance notice when buildings are sold. Council President Rebecca Noecker emphasized that any adjustments to rent stabilization must be balanced with safeguards for renters.

Developers and landlords have opposed these protections in the past, and a previous attempt to enact similar rules was blocked by a lawsuit in 2021. This time, the council aims to craft policies that are enforceable while still addressing tenant needs.

Get Involved: Attend the Meeting

This meeting is an important opportunity for residents to engage in the conversation and share their perspectives before the City Council holds public hearings in April. Whether you’re a renter, a landlord, or simply concerned about the future of housing in St. Paul, your voice matters.

🔹 Date: March 27, 2025
🔹 Time: 6:00 p.m.
🔹 Location: Neighborhood House, 179 E. Robie St., St. Paul

Join the discussion and help shape the future of rent stabilization in our city.

MPCA Data Monitoring Tool 

West Siders attending the February Land Use Circle meeting learned about a new tool for monitoring Air Quality and other pollutants, created by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Click here to view the MPCA presentation slides.

The Southport Industrial Zone along Barge Channel Road currently monitors Total Suspended Particulates (TSP), which include all airborne particles, regardless of size or potential health effects. To better assess air quality risks, these monitoring efforts could be adjusted to focus on smaller particles that pose the greatest threat to human health.

The Land Use meeting was part of WSCO's Board's effort to correct the many unfulfilled recommendations for addressing the hazards found at Southport.

Community members reported worsening conditions from truck traffic, compounded by train blockages to the site and the long history of neglect by those responsible. WSCO will hold a meeting in May to report the steps and plans underway to address these issues.

Learn more about the work being done for Southport

Check out MPCA's web tool - click here

The daily TSP Levels at our Lady of Guadalupe (site 0875) have increased since the work with CM Noecker began in 2024

In 2022 the daily peak number was at 178 - Air is getting worse!

Supporting West Side Education: The Constance Currie Scholarship Opportunity

As a proud partner of Neighborhood House, we are excited to share an important opportunity for individuals connected to the West Side of St. Paul: the Constance Currie Scholarship for the 2025 school year. This scholarship is designed to make post-secondary education more accessible for high school seniors, GED recipients, and adults returning to school.

Why the Constance Currie Scholarship Matters

The Currie Scholarship offers flexible financial support for students pursuing education in a range of fields, from colleges and universities to vocational schools and business programs. One of the key advantages of this scholarship is its flexibility in fund usage—recipients can use their funds for essential personal expenses, such as:

• Books
• Transportation
• Childcare
• Groceries

This allows students to focus more on their education and less on the everyday financial burdens that can often get in the way of academic success.

Who Can Apply?

The Constance Currie Scholarship is open to individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• High school seniors, graduates, or GED recipients
• Those who have lived, worked, or volunteered in the West Side of St. Paul (55107) at some point in their lives
• Individuals who have been actively involved with Neighborhood House or the West Side community
• Those pursuing any form of post-secondary education, whether it’s at a college, university, vocational school, or business program

Academic performance is just one part of the application process. The Scholarship Committee will also consider personal statements, letters of recommendation, and contributions to the West Side community. We encourage anyone with a strong commitment to their education to apply—grades are not the sole determining factor.

How to Apply

Applications are open now, with a deadline of March 31, 2025. You can download the application from Neighborhood House’s website at neighborhoodhousemn.org.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the application process or eligibility, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Neighborhood House directly at:

• Phone: 651.789.2513 or 651.789.2500
• Email: [email protected]

We encourage all eligible individuals to apply and share this opportunity with others who could benefit. At Neighborhood House, we are committed to empowering the West Side community by supporting those who are taking the next step in their educational journeys.

UPDATE 5/7/25: This survey is now closed. Results will be shared on our blog.

UPDATE 3/26/25: Raffle Closed – But We Still Want to Hear From You!

A winner was selected at our March Land Use meeting. The raffle is now officially closed, but the survey will remain open for anyone who still wants to share their feedback — your voice matters!

WSCO’s Land Use Circle believes in amplifying local voices, especially when it comes to decisions that shape our neighborhood. While MnDOT has started conversations, there are still gaps in understanding the unique needs and priorities of our community.

This survey is an opportunity for the community to share their thoughts on the proposed changes and ensure they reflect what matters most to the people of the West Side. To understand more about the proposed changes coming to Robert St., Land Use Circle recommends viewing Dan Conlan's critique of MnDOT's design.

Click Here To Take the Survey