Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Saint Paul public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues in development
Problem property enforcement (remove/repair orders)
The council ordered rehabilitation or razing of the structures at 633 Capitol Boulevard, with the matter referred back to an October 27, 2026 legislative hearing.
Sale of HRA-owned 515 Lafond to the Church of St. Agnes
The HRA owns property at 515 Lafond and will hear a presentation on selling it to the Church of St. Agnes. The sale could return a publicly held parcel to active use in Ward 1.
Barndominium alternative housing
New Ulm's city manager presented on barndominiums — a low-cost alternative housing model — covering zoning barriers, financing, and whether it can scale. Saint Paul is evaluating whether such models fit its housing needs.
Preserving affordable housing at Afton View Apartments
The board got a first look at the Afton View Apartments affordable housing project, with developer Tareen Development Partners answering questions. A formal request will likely come later.
State housing funding applications for Saint Paul projects
The HRA reserved city funds to back Saint Paul projects applying to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Matching local dollars can strengthen those applications and bring more affordable housing resources to the city.
HOME housing budget amendments
The city's federal HOME housing dollars were updated to reflect $1.29 million in program income and about $2.65 million in 2026 spending.
The Aragon Development affordable housing
The Aragon at 470 White Bear Avenue just got its 2027 low-income housing tax credits reserved — a make-or-break funding source for affordable housing projects. This moves the East Side project forward.
2027 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Reservation
The city is figuring out how to reserve its 2027 federal tax credits that help finance affordable housing projects. How they're allocated shapes which affordable developments get built.
Village on Rivoli — property sale to Dayton's Bluff NHS
The city is selling property to Dayton's Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services and amending the development agreement for the Village on Rivoli project, keeping the affordable housing effort moving on the East Side.
Hamm Building conduit bond issuance
The HRA authorized conduit multifamily housing revenue bonds for the Hamm Building at 408 St. Peter Street, a tax-exempt financing tool that supports multifamily housing downtown without putting the city's credit on the line.
0 Jackson Street developer designation
A vacant HRA-owned lot near McDonough homes could become 60–80 affordable apartments, including 12 supportive housing units, built by an emerging developer of color mentored by JB Vang. The designation vote is May 6. Commissioners called it a rare development opportunity on HRA land in Ward 5.
Redevelopment of 0 Jackson Street (Ward 5)
A vacant city parcel on Jackson Street now has a tentative development partner in DC Commercial and JB Vang. This kicks off the process that could bring new development to the District 6 neighborhood, though plans will come back for further review.
Transit-oriented development on city/HRA land
The committee got a first look at which city- and HRA-owned properties could support housing or businesses near transit. Identifying the right sites now sets the stage for future development decisions.
Conduit housing revenue bonds for Emma Norton/Restoring Waters and Nellie Francis Court
The HRA finalized amendments and reissuance of conduit multifamily housing revenue bonds supporting two affordable housing projects in Ward 3. No residents testified at the public hearing.
Midway Soccer Stadium development
Saint Paul has a Midway Soccer Stadium focus area around Snelling and University, and the city's page says it includes the surrounding Little Africa neighborhood. If you live, work, or spend time there, this is a land-use and neighborhood-change issue worth watching.
Mayor's Encampment Plan
The committee was scheduled to review how the city responds after an encampment is closed — what services and site management follow a clearing. This affects unsheltered residents and surrounding neighborhoods.
Affordable housing and CDBG funding shifts
Budget amendments received and filed direct $254,961 in CDBG funds to rehab 47 Douglas Street and $785,598 in LAHA funds to an affordable housing development gap subsidy, plus $140,000 for demolitions.
Tenant Bill of Rights
A proposed Tenant Bill of Rights was presented to the committee, outlining protections for renters in Saint Paul. It's still in the informational stage, so the details and any vote remain ahead.
Tenant Right to Repair ballot question
A petition-driven initiative to let tenants make repairs to their buildings was slated for the November 3, 2026 ballot, but the council voted down the resolution placing it there after the City Attorney's office flagged legal problems. The petition itself was found sufficient and adopted earlier in the meeting.
Additional funding for 47 Douglas Street rehabilitation
An 1883 house the HRA has owned since 2010 — saved from demolition twice by neighbors — is finally close to a rebirth. Historic Saint Paul will rehab it into a two-bedroom home sold to a buyer at or below 80% of area median income, with up to $5,000 in down payment assistance tied to five years of owner occupancy. The board votes on the final subsidy August 5.
47 Douglas Street Redevelopment
The HRA got a first look at a redevelopment project at 47 Douglas Street on the West Side. Historic Saint Paul and neighborhood residents showed up in support of the project.
Union Pacific License Agreement for 43 East Water Street
Union Pacific wants a three-year exclusive lease on HRA-owned land at 43 Water Street to stage its rebuild of the Mississippi River Lift Bridge. That bridge work matters for river crossing access, and the lease would occupy a piece of publicly owned riverfront property for three years.
Galtier Plaza TIF District
The HRA set up a tax increment financing district for the Galtier Plaza redevelopment downtown, with financing agreements attached. TIF captures future property tax gains to pay for redevelopment — a tool that shapes what gets built downtown.
CDBG Loan Amendment for TWV Limited Partnership
The HRA is being asked to amend an existing loan agreement with TWV Limited Partnership in Ward 2. Loan amendments like this can affect affordable housing financing terms and what the city gets back for its investment. It's at the introduction stage, so details and a decision will come later.
Sale and redevelopment of 1087 Ross Avenue parcel
The city is selling an HRA-owned vacant parcel on Ross Avenue to a developer, with a development agreement and redevelopment spending attached. The site in District 4, Ward 6 could see new construction soon.
Highland Bridge development continues
The developer of the large former Ford site redevelopment gave the HRA a status update on housing and construction progress.
Minnesota Housing Funding Reservations
The HRA got an introduction to reserving funds for Saint Paul projects applying for state housing money from Minnesota Housing — an early step in securing affordable housing dollars.
Riverview Library funding gap and timeline
A $250,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Education will support the Riverview Library rebuild, with a property declaration recorded to go with it.
Proposed acquisition of 259 University Ave. W.
The city is eyeing the purchase of a property on University Avenue in Ward 1, likely for future redevelopment. This was just the introduction.
Afton Park Development mixed-use redevelopment at 841-857 Grand Avenue
The city is sponsoring a DEED redevelopment grant backing a mixed-use project on Grand Avenue in Ward 2, bringing new development to the corridor.
HOME-ARP federal housing funds
The city accepted $6.8 million in federal HOME-ARP money to support housing and services for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of it. The funds get folded into the 2026 federal grant budget.
2026 Housing Policy Study and Plan
City departments have coordinated on the scope of a housing policy study, and an RFP is about to go out with an evaluation committee from PED, DSI, and council staff to pick a consultant.
Planning director appointment delay
Mayor Her's choice to lead the planning department got held up for two weeks over vetting concerns. The pick will come back May 27.
Reparations Commission funded by Unity Church gift
The city signed a $229,000, one-year contract with the African American Redress Network to document historical and ongoing harms affecting descendants of American chattel slavery and recommend reparative policies. Council members want a say in community engagement and asked whether the research should cover public safety as well as housing, health, and income.
Affordable housing grants (Minnehaha Ave E and E Wood St)
The council accepted state metro housing grant funds for affordable housing projects at 680-694 Minnehaha Ave E and CommonBond Communities at 58 E Wood Street.
Downpayment Assistance for Renters and Rondo Projects
The city's homeowner assistance programs closed 49 loans in 2025, and staff propose lowering the max grant for middle-income buyers to stretch dollars further. Commissioners are pushing to open the Rondo and West Side Flats inheritance funds to renters displaced by I-94, not just property owners.
Hamm's Brewery West End redevelopment grant
The city is sponsoring a Met Council grant to support redevelopment at the old Hamm's Brewery site on Minnehaha Avenue East.
CDBG Loan for 202 Cesar Chavez Street
The city proposes a $70,000 federal loan to help Judy Lopez buy the former Papa Legba space on the West Side for a second bar, La Officina, creating three jobs. Commissioner Noecker pressed staff on why this location deserves backing after the prior tenant closed. Vote comes next week.
560 Brunson Street Inspiring Communities subsidy increase
Since 2013 the Inspiring Communities program has produced 250 income-qualified housing units and built a bench of local, diverse developers. Next up: tentative developer picks for Wheeler Parkway/Jackson and a twin-home sale at 1087 Ross, plus RFP No. 8 for three NSP-restricted properties.
Fox Lot Redevelopment — Tentative Developer
Reuter Walton wants tentative developer status on the city-owned Fox Lot to build two five-story buildings with 300 affordable family units, 10% at deep affordability, plus green space and a playground. Estimated cost is $117 million; groundbreaking could come in about a year if the designation is approved next week.
Downpayment assistance program updates
The down payment assistance program now includes renters and people displaced by Rondo-era urban renewal, adding Saint Anthony Avenue after elder historian Frank White's advocacy. Commissioner Bowie pushed for renter inclusion; Commissioner Noecker flagged West Side Flats displacement timing as unfinished business.
United Village hotel facade variances
A 158-room hotel next to Allianz Field wants to build with less street-facing glass than the 50%/30% rules require. Staff, the Union Park District Council, and neighbors all supported it, and the council signaled 7-0 it will grant the appeal.
Rondo Inheritance Fund eligibility: lost property vs. displaced
Commissioner Bowie wants the downpayment assistance guidelines changed so people who were displaced — including renters — qualify, not just those who can prove they lost property. Staff say a full data-set revision could take six to eight months, with a timeline promised this week.
Hamlin Midway Library renovation nearing completion
The Hamlin Midway Library's storefront, archway and windows are going in, and the branch is still on track to open to the public in late 2026. The building now visibly reads as a library from the street.
Hayden Heights Library renovation begins this spring
The East Side's Hayden Heights branch will close this spring for a full transformation — big street-facing windows, play spaces, study rooms and green space — with reopening targeted for late 2027. Councilmember Yang said many residents never realized the windowless box was a library.
Conduit bond financing for Episcopal Homes' Willows Project
Episcopal Homes wants to buy a 58-unit memory care facility using up to $18 million in tax-exempt conduit bonds issued by the HRA. The city takes no repayment risk, and about 100 people are waiting for memory care beds the acquisition would add.
Streamlined execution of environmental covenants on HRA-financed projects
When HRA-financed redevelopment sites are cleaned up, the state pollution agency often requires covenants restricting land use. The board delegated signing authority to the executive director to avoid repeated board approvals, with city attorney review still in place.
560 Brunson Street Redevelopment Funding
The HRA put the final dollars into the 560 Brunson Street redevelopment in Ward 2 through its Inspiring Communities Program. Council President Noecker said the project can now finally become a reality.
652 Sherburne Avenue rental-to-ownership loan extension
The HRA extended the spending plan TIF loan for the 652 Sherburne project in Ward 1, keeping tax-increment financing in place to support the redevelopment. It passed unanimously.
Joseph's Pointe affordable housing preservation at 200 Wilkin Street
90 affordable units were preserved via an acquisition project, and the bond structure had to be rebuilt after the federal government shutdown disrupted HUD financing. The HRA approved the new bond documents without adding city money.