Free COVID-19 saliva testing in St. Paul starting October 30
On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Health will open a free COVID-19 saliva testing location in St. Paul, the first saliva testing location to open in the Twin Cities. Below are excerpts from a Minnesota Health Department press release providing more information. Learn more about COVID-19 saliva testing in Minnesota.
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Testing is free to all Minnesotans who believe they need a COVID-19 test, including those who are asymptomatic. Participants will be asked for their health insurance information so the state can bill their insurance company on their behalf. If a person is uninsured or for any reason insurance doesn’t cover some or all of the cost, the state will cover the difference so testing remains completely free to everyone.
The saliva test is a PCR test, just like the traditional nasal swab, with the same effectiveness rate; however, it is more comfortable to take. Those who come for a test should avoid eating, drinking, chewing, or smoking anything for at least 30 minutes before providing a sample. Once they arrive at the site, they will self-administer the test by spitting into a funnel attached to a small tube. Clinic staff will be available on-site to monitor the collection process.
The state opened the first saliva testing site in Duluth on Sept. 23. Since then, saliva testing locations have opened in Winona, Moorhead, Brooklyn Park, Mankato, and St. Cloud; state officials plan to open at least three more in the Twin Cities metro area in coming weeks. Those tests will be processed right here in Minnesota, at the new saliva lab in Oakdale. Results will be provided via email within 24-48 hours.
Testing will be located in the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, part of the Saint Paul RiverCentre complex at 175 Kellogg Blvd. Limited free parking will be available on the roof of the Saint Paul RiverCentre ramp. Metered parking is also available in Rice Park. To access the entrance to the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, people are encouraged to take the skyway from the RiverCentre Parking Ramp, enter the doors by the RiverCentre marquee sign on Kellogg Boulevard, or enter at the Rice Park entrance located on Washington Street, and follow directional signage.
St. Paul COVID-19 saliva testing site: Roy Wilkins Auditorium, next to Saint Paul RiverCentre
175 W Kellogg Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55102
COVID-19 Testing Parking & Entrance Map (PDF)
Free parking is available on the roof of the RiverCentre ramp. If that is full, metered parking is available in Rice Park.
Entrances:
- Skyway from the RiverCentre Parking Ramp, follow signs
- Doors by the main RiverCentre sign at 175 W Kellogg Blvd, follow signs
- Rice Park entrance on Washington Street near Herb Brooks statue, follow signs
Monday - Friday: 12 - 7 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Schedule Appointment with Vault Health
Sharing Harvest, Growing Community: West Side’s FreeSA
In the wake of George Floyd’s death and community uprisings, West Sider Leah Mathiason saw mutual aid efforts springing up across the Twin Cities that inspired her – and she wanted to act. As dozens of volunteers coordinated donations for thousands of nonperishable food items, Leah wondered, what about access to fresh food?
That’s how the West Side’s “FreeSA” was born. Riffing on produce exchange programs known as “CSA” (which stands for community-supported agriculture), the FreeSA project provided free fresh fruit and vegetables to West Siders at Parque Castillo on Sundays from August through September. “I’m inspired by communities who look out for each other,” Leah explains. “This project was just a small action to promote resilience in the community I care about.”
FreeSA grew and evolved each week. First Acre Farms, a vendor at the West Side Farmers Market, kicked off the project with a major produce donation. West Side gardeners shared vegetables, herbs, flowers, jelly, pickles, and more. West Side Seed Library organized a plant and seed exchange, and volunteers used the FreeSA as an opportunity to collect coats, hats, boots, and scarves to share with neighbors as temperatures dropped.
Have ideas for next year’s FreeSA? Send them to [email protected].
FreeSA was located in a high-traffic area of Parque Castillo. People stopped by on their way to and from the bus stop or La Clinica, curious about what was on offer. Neighbors bonded over gardening tips and got inspired to grow their own food.
Leah says the project helped her feel hope, connection, and purpose in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and a nationwide reckoning with the impacts of racism and police violence in our communities.
“I kept thinking to myself, ‘Why haven’t I done something like this before? Why haven’t I taken more action to address problems in my community?’ But we have to take those feelings and do something with them,” Leah explains. “We’ve been so isolated from each other because of the pandemic and so disconnected in a time when it feels urgent to reach out to each other. This produce exchange was one small way to do that.”
When Leah got the idea for the FreeSA, she knew she needed support to make it happen. She reached out to a neighbor who suggested Leah contact West Side Community Organization (WSCO). Just a few days after talking to Ellie Leonardsmith, WSCO’s Health and Environmental Justice organizer, Leah and Ellie set up the first FreeSA produce stand in Parque Castillo.
Leah encourages other West Siders to reach out to WSCO for support and as a platform to share ideas. “If you have an idea, something you’d like to see addressed on the West Side, WSCO is approachable and community-minded,” she explains. “You can submit a contact form on their website and a real person will reach out to talk. Just go and listen to WSCO’s West Side Voices meetings each month. When you’re comfortable, bring up your idea.”
Leah is a gardener, a mom, a chicken keeper, and one of the founders of the West Side Farmers Market. She’s been a public defender and doula. Now, she runs a nonprofit that provides healthcare to people in Haiti. In the midst of all that, she says that she’s energized by the work she does with neighbors on the West Side.
“Everybody’s got a role to play, and sometimes it takes time to figure out your role and what you have to offer,” Leah says. “I was overthinking it so much, and then it just came to me. This is something that I’m good at. This is what I enjoy. This is what I have to share.”
Have ideas for next year’s FreeSA? Send them to [email protected].
We've got each other: Register now for WSCO's annual meeting!
You're invited to WSCO’s annual meeting on Thursday, November 19 at 6pm via Zoom! At the meeting, you’ll get to connect and reconnect with West Side neighbors, be informed and inspired, and elect the representation that will guide your neighborhood organization in 2021 and beyond. We’ll also announce the winner of the 2020 West Sider of the Year award!
There’s no denying that 2020 has been a difficult year. But despite everything that’s going on, we’ve got each other. We’re making the world we want to see – right here in our neighborhood. Now, we’re looking toward the future, preparing for what’s ahead by tapping into what makes us strong: our deep connections to our neighbors and the place we’re proud to call home. That's why we can't wait to see you on November 19!
The first 100 people to register will get a West Side swag bag and a pre-packaged serving of prepackaged serving of Captain Ken’s chili delivered to your door! Having chili at our annual meetings has been a WSCO tradition for decades – and we won’t let a virtual meeting get in the way of a celebrated tradition.
Annual Meeting Community Resources Flyer
Residents of the West Side who are 16 years of age or older may vote in the board elections. Please register as individuals to vote. (One voting link will be sent per eligible registrant.)
Zoom links will be emailed closer to the event date to folks who register.
West Side Voices: Join us November 10 to talk about a housing development proposed for the West Side
Recently, the Equitable Development Scorecard team evaluated plans for a 180-unit apartment building at 200 W Plato Blvd near Harriet Island, proposed by Reuter Walton Development. At our upcoming West Side Voices meeting, Reuter Walton will tell us more about the proposed project. The Equitable Development Scorecard team will tell us how they scored the project and why. Then, we'll vote on whether or not we agree with the team's recommended score and whether we want to support the project. View presentation slides from Reuter Walton. Register for the November 10 meeting to get the Zoom link!
Why should we care?
When we use our Equitable Development Scorecard to ask, "Who benefits?" from new development, building by building, block by block, we're creating a neighborhood that fits our vision, values, and priorities – now and for future generations. Developed by West Siders, for West Siders, the Scorecard is part of the official approval process for projects and investments that come into our neighborhood. West Siders identified the following priorities for development: affordable housing, local jobs, and a healthy, safe, and equitable neighborhood.
Resilience, joy, color and culture: The story of the West Side's new mural
Photo by Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune
Our new mural proclaims, with pride, what the West Side is all about – resilience, joy, color and culture.
In a compelling and colorful video, watch artists Ernesto Ybarra and Xilam Balam explain the meaning behind the striking symbols, colors and faces they chose to depict on the iconic Robert Street Pedestrian Bridge.
West Side Community Organization is proud to have gotten this project off the ground after years of planning. We're grateful to the artists for their creative vision and work. Watch the video below!
Funding for the project provided by WSCO and the St. Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development’s Commercial Vitality Zone program for the West Side’s District del Sol.
If you're inspired by what you see, please consider making a contribution to support WSCO's work. From supporting public art, equitable development, and renters rights, to organizing for 100% voter participation, we're working toward a more just and joyful West Side.
Bus Rapid Transit could come to the West Side! Help identify the next BRT corridors
Give your input
Metro Transit is choosing the next Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors as part of their Network Next project. (BRT is like a regular bus, but faster, with fewer stops!) One of the 11 potential routes goes through the West Side via Robert Street. Check out the potential routes.
Once you take a look at the routes, Metro Transit wants your input on the questions below. Email your thoughts to [email protected].
- Which of the 11 potential BRT corridors would you most likely use?
- Are there any changes you'd make to the proposed BRT corridors?
- What principles should we use to prioritize or select the next routes to study further?
Find out about other opportunities to engage.
Why should I care?
When all of us – no matter what we look like or how much money we make – can affordably get where we need to go for work and play, we can reduce racial and economic disparities in our community. In addition, when more of us use public transit, we can improve air quality in our neighborhood, and make investments that lay the groundwork for a more sustainable future. Plus, BRT is simply a more convenient way to get around.
BRT is faster than standard local bus service. Here’s how:
Buses make fewer stops, significantly speeding up travel time. It helps buses stay better in sync with traffic flow.
Ticket machines at stations allow customers to purchase tickets before boarding. There’s no need to line up at the farebox.
Low-floor buses and raised curbs at stations, plus wider bus doors and boarding from the front and back, speed up boarding.
Extending the curb at stations saves time. Buses can merge more easily into traffic after serving a station.
Signal priority allows buses to move through traffic lights a bit faster.
BRT provides a more comfortable experience
Enhanced shelters at BRT stations provide protection from the weather and a safe, comfortable and convenient customer waiting space. Features include:
NexTrip signs
Bike racks
Information about the route, transit system and surrounding area
Security cameras
Emergency phones
Enhanced lighting
Push-button heating
Ticket machines for buying a ticket using cash or credit card
Litter and recycling containers
Watch this 2-minute video about BRT to learn more.
Network Next is a 20-year plan for expanding and improving the bus network. Transit improvements under consideration include improved local and express routes, integrated shared mobility options, and new arterial BRT lines. Sign up for updates about Network Next.
Check out this blog post by Metro Transit to get even more background on the Network Next Bus Rapid Transit project.
Mayor Carter Announces ‘Forward Together’
Mayor Carter Announces ‘Forward Together’
Virtual Community Conversation Events
12 Virtual Gatherings to be Held in October for Community Members to Engage in
Conversations About Community Needs in 2021
Saint Paul, MN - Today, Mayor Melvin Carter announced a series of 12 virtual community conversations throughout the rest of October to seek feedback and input about community needs in 2021.
“Amid the enduring crises we face, ensuring all our voices are heard in shaping our city’s future is more vital than ever,” said Mayor Melvin Carter. “I invite all those interested in moving forward together toward a brighter future for our community to join us for these virtual conversations.”
Don't miss out: Two ways to shape the future of Robert Street
There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who are organized. And those who are surprised.
We’re organized, so we won’t be surprised as upcoming projects transform Robert Street. We’re the ones who use Robert Street everyday. We who live here know it best, and our input is valuable. Coming up, we have two opportunities to shape the future of Robert Street.
Complete survey by Wednesday, September 30: The Future of Robert Street
In five or six years, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is planning to make safety and accessibility improvements and add design features to Robert Street. Complete this survey by Wednesday, September 30 to provide input on the project and influence the final design.
Learn more about the Robert Street project.
Complete survey by Friday, October 9: Bus Rapid Transit
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is like a regular MetroTransit bus – but faster, with fewer stops. BRT buses can be a game changer for a community. Right now, Metro Transit is looking for input on the next major BRT routes. One of them could go through the West Side, heading north and south along Robert Street. Help select and prioritize the next three BRT routes, and give input on potential routes (including the Robert Street route) via this survey by Friday, October 9, 2020.
Understand how the project is moving forward.
View a presentation on potential BRT routes given to WSCO’s Land Use Committee.