Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ramsey County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues in development with medium priority
Landlord engagement for housing stability
Vice Chair Xiong hosted a first-ever listening session with property owners and managers about renting to people with housing vouchers — part of Heading Home Ramsey County's effort to expand housing options. Even the Public Housing Authority is reportedly over $500,000 in debt doing this work.
Johnson Parkway bridge near retirement community
A transit-only bridge key to the project's reliability comes within about 50 feet of a Real Life Cooperative senior building; staff are studying whether the alignment can shift further away and will meet with residents this fall.
Hamm's West End Development remediation
The old Hamm's Brewery building on the East Side's Lower Payne Avenue has survived demolition attempts and now gets $250,000 for asbestos cleanup as part of a redevelopment adding 70 affordable units. Historic rehabilitation plus housing on a long-vacant landmark.
Riverfront Housing and Park Development
Ramsey County is moving ahead with a plan to build new housing and a park along the St. Paul riverfront. It's a big reshape of the waterfront — more places to live, plus new green space to actually hang out in.
Downtown St. Paul's declining productivity
Downtown St. Paul's productivity ratio dropped from 13.2 in 2020 to 8.3 today, mainly because more parcels went tax-exempt — a warning sign for the county's urban core and its growth engine.
Redevelopment of 1840 English Street parcels, Maplewood
The Authority bought a Maplewood parcel for $325,000 to combine with three other county-owned parcels and sell for redevelopment. Commissioner Miller said it could move currently tax-exempt land back into productive use and strengthen the tax base for both the city and county.