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 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!

The WSCO Board has submitted a public comment letter to the Department of Planning and Economic Development regarding the Stryker 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 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

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!

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. 

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.

Read the WSCO letter here.

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

Stryker Resident Notice

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.

This posting is now closed.

Come work with WSCO on the Twin Cities Renter Organizing Project as an AmeriCorps Vista! Now accepting applications!

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.

The January 28th meeting of the WSCO Board of Directors will be held at the Riverview Library due to weather related Baker Center building closure. 

The meeting will be at the usual time, 6:30-8pm