Congrats to Cha-Cho Estrada and Icy Cup!
Cha-cho Estrada and Icy Cup have won West Side awards at this years Annual Meeting!
Run for the WSCO Board!
Do you live in Saint Paul's West Side neighborhood (55107) and are at least 16 years of age? Would you like to help build community and power for your neighborhood? Run for election to be in the WSCO board! Applications are now open. Elections will take place at the WSCO annual meeting on October 3rd, 2019. Board tems will start January 2020.
Nominations open for West Sider of the Year 2019!
Do you know a phenomenal West Side resident who should be recognized for their impact on our community? Nominate them for the 2019 West Sider of the Year award! The award will be presented at the WSCO annual meeting on October 3rd.
West Side Walking Wednesdays
WEST SIDE WALKS! Some of the best things about the West Side are the amazing natural spaces & our close-knit community. Combine these and you get our new series:
WEST SIDE WALKING WEDNESDAYS!
WSCO Board Letter on Stryker Zoning Study
The WSCO Board has submitted a public comment letter to the Department of Planning and Economic Development regarding the Stryker Zoning Study.
Public Comment Begins for Stryker Avenue Zoning Study
The Stryker Ave Zoning Study has been released by the Planning Commission for public comment for a period of 30 days, followed by a public hearing held at a Saint Paul Planning Commission meeting.
West Side Voices June 2019 Meeting Summary
West Side Voices Forum Meeting Notes Summary.
(The West Side Voices Forum is held the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6-8 PM at the Baker Center - 209 Page Street West) more info at https://www.wsco.org/westsidevoices
West Side Voices Topics for June 11, 2019:
- Knowledge Drop (community announcements)
- Neighborhood Development Alliance (NeDA) 617 Stryker Development
- Robert Piram Regional Trail and Southport Wetland Project
- Code Compliance Equity Session with City of St. Paul
Beans on the Boulevard
Do you have a couple square feet of space on your boulevard or front yard to grow delicious beans? We’ll provide the compost, beans, and three pieces of rebar to form a tripod for the beans to grow on. You provide some water and a little love. Then enjoy your delicious beans and share the bounty with your neighbors!
Stryker Zoning Meeting Summary
The West Side Community Organization and City Planning Commission staff presented a revised Zoning Study proposal on May 9th. Over 60 West Siders attended to hear proposed changes to Stryker Avenue commercial corridor zoning.
Stryker Zoning Study Background Update
The Stryker Zoning Study was requested by the West Side Community Organization in a letter to the Saint Paul Planning Commission in January of 2017. As the letter summarized, the request was the culmination of long collaborative process by WSCO volunteers, city staff and Council Member Noecker's office.
On March 19th, 2019 an initial presentation was made by City planning staff at Humboldt High School. Approximately 50 community members attended this meeting. A number of unfortunate communication and organizational problems, including late meeting notices, locked school entrances and a small meeting room contributed to poor conditions for a quality presentation.
Additionally the absence of official representatives from the West Side Community Organization and Council Member Noecker's office left many participants dissatisfied or confused about the intent of the study.
In spite of these obstacles, many good questions and concerns were raised in the meeting and City staff have engaged in a further review for a second presentation.
To insure everyone has the same background information we have collected the original documents.
Read the City's background documents here.
Saint Paul Planning Current Activities Link
And for you policy nerds you can take a deep dive into City planning documents for the West Side here.
Please join us May 9th, 6:00 PM, at the Baker Center, 209 Page St., to continue the process of making the West Side the Best Side! We encourage everyone to read our Community Agreements used for all WSCO public meetings.
(Posting Closed) -Work with WSCO on the Twin Cities Renter Organizing Project as an AmeriCorps Vista
This posting is now closed.
Come work with WSCO on the Twin Cities Renter Organizing Project as an AmeriCorps Vista! Now accepting applications!
What are Opportunity Zones?
Did you know that 70% of the West Side has been designated a federal Opportunity Zone?
Terri Thao of Nexus Community Partners presented on Opportunity Zones at the March West Side Voices Forum. This kicked off our discussion around Opportunity Zones and what this means for the West Side.