April/May newsletter
Spring is here, and a lot is happening in Dayton's Bluff! Construction season is underway, community events are filling up the calendar, and the city is taking important steps to support residents. Read on for everything you need to know this month.
In this issue:
Construction updates
Celebrate Earth Day with a community cleanup — May 2
Citywide tenant protections community conversation
Citywide Down Payment Assistance Program
Spring street sweeping
May garden tool swap
Last chance for free mattress and bed frame recycling — April 30
Friends School Plant Sale — Mother's Day Weekend, May 8–10
Free monthly groceries for seniors
Saint Paul City Council strengthens immigration enforcement policies
Get ready for Art in the Hollow — June 6
Construction updates
East 7th St. and Arcade St.
Construction on East 7th Street is underway. Drivers should be aware that East 7th St. is currently reduced to one lane in each direction between Minnehaha Ave. and Mounds Blvd., and parking along East 7th St. is not permitted during construction.
Additionally, Arcade St. is closed in both directions between Neid Ln. and East 7th St. through this fall. Drivers are encouraged to use Case Ave. and Payne Ave. as alternate routes during the closure. Minnehaha Ave. remains open at East 7th St.
Have questions about the project? MnDOT is hosting office hours on Thursday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to noon at Roots Cafe – Indigenous Roots Cultural Art Center (788 East 7th St., St. Paul). Stop by to get information and speak directly with project staff.
For more details, visit the project webpage at dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/e7th-arcade.
Support local businesses during 7th St. construction
While construction brings necessary disruption, we encourage our community to show support for the local businesses along East 7th St. during this time. These neighbors need our help — please make a point to visit, shop, and dine with them throughout the construction season. Every visit makes a difference!
Earl Street
The City of Saint Paul will reconstruct Earl Street between Maryland Avenue and Burns Avenue in 2026 and 2027. Phase 1 - Earl Street from Maryland Avenue to Minnehaha Avenue will be constructed in 2026 and Phase 2 - Minnehaha Avenue to Burns Avenue will be constructed in 2027.
Celebrate Earth Day with a community cleanup!
If you’re bummed out to have missed the neighborhood cleanup hosted by our friends at the Mounds Park Community Garden, you’re in luck! The Friends of Swede Hollow are hosting a cleanup next weekend.
When: 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 2
Where: Swede Hollow Park
See the full list of events and details at stpaul.gov/Citywide-Cleanup. These events are a great way to meet new friends and help beautify your neighborhood.
Photos from the Mounds Park neighborhood cleanup.
Citywide tenant protections community conversation
Whether you rent or own, new tenant protections coming to Saint Paul affect our whole community. This is your chance to join a citywide conversation on tenant protections.
When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 7
Where: North End Community Center (145 Lawson Ave. W, Saint Paul)
The Tenant Protection Ordinance goes into effect May 14, 2026, the result of years of community engagement, council advocacy, and partnership with the city. This free, public event is an opportunity to learn how the ordinance works in practice, ask questions, and meet city staff who will be on hand to answer questions and gather feedback.
Renters, landlords, and community members are all encouraged to attend.
Citywide Down Payment Assistance Program
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial steps a person can take — and one of the biggest barriers is finding enough money upfront. The City of Saint Paul's Citywide Down Payment Assistance Program can help.
Eligible homebuyers can receive up to $40,000 as a deferred loan at 0% interest to put toward buying a home in Saint Paul. That money can be used for your down payment, closing costs, or to buy down your interest rate — all of the major upfront expenses that can make homeownership feel out of reach. The loan is deferred for 15 years, meaning you don't have to start paying it back right away.
Get started:
Check your eligibility — Review the income and asset requirements at stpaul.gov/citywide-downpayment-assistance-program
Get pre-approved — Work with a lender of your choice to get pre-approved for a mortgage
Complete a homebuyer education course — Take an approved course such as Homestretch, Framework, or any HUD-approved option before closing
If you've been on the fence about buying a home in Dayton’s Bluff, this program could be the boost that makes it possible. Visit their website for full program details, eligibility requirements, and the application.
Spring street sweeping is underway
Saint Paul Public Works has begun its annual spring street sweeping, working through approximately 530 miles of residential streets and 330 miles of alleys citywide over the next six weeks. This year, sweeping has been coordinated to avoid garbage and recycling collection days when possible.
When temporary "No Parking" signs go up on your block, please follow them so crews can do a thorough job. Visit the St. Paul street sweeping website and use the interactive map to find out when your street is scheduled.
May garden tool swap
Have extra garden tools cluttering your garage — or need to replace one you've lost? Head over to the Ramsey County Garden Tool Swap at the Environmental Center (1700 Kent St., Roseville). All are welcome and no donation is required to participate.
The swap runs every Wednesday in May, plus two Saturdays. Find the full schedule and details here.
Last chance for free mattress, bed frame recycling — April 30
Don't miss your last opportunity to dispose of old mattresses, box springs, and metal bed frames for free! Ramsey County residents can drop off up to four mattresses and box springs combined, plus up to four metal bed frames, at the Environmental Center at no cost — but only on April 30.
Second Chance Recycling in Minneapolis will handle the mattresses and box springs, and will reuse or recycle the metal bed frames.
Pleaseregister in advance so staff can plan accordingly.
Friends School Plant Sale — Mother's Day Weekend
When:
Friday, May 8 — 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 10 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (everything remaining is one-third off!)
Every Mother's Day weekend, Friends School of Minnesota (FSM) puts on what may be the biggest fundraising plant sale in the entire Midwest — and it's a great cause. FSM is an independent K–8 Quaker school in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood, now in its 35th year, known for its progressive curriculum, commitment to community, and joyful approach to educating children. When you buy plants, you're supporting that mission directly.
The sale features annuals, perennials, climbing plants, native perennials, vegetables, roses, trees, shrubs, and fruit plants. Browse the online catalog or use the Find Plants tool to build a shopping list before you go.
Free monthly groceries for seniors
If you are 60 or older, you may be eligible to receive a free box of nutritious food every month through the NAPS (Nutritional Assistance Program for Seniors) program. Wellstone Center is a local NAPS distribution site where eligible seniors can pick up their box once a month — or arrange for home delivery if they are homebound.
Upcoming pick-up dates at Wellstone Center (first Thursday of the month):
May 4
June 8
Pick-up hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
To find out if you or someone you know is eligible, contact Second Harvest Heartland at 651-484-8241.
Saint Paul City Council strengthens immigration enforcement policies
"Neighbors deserve a city that is clear, consistent, and grounded in trust. This ordinance strengthens how we show up—by providing thoughtful training and transparency—while respecting the expertise of our departments to lead with the right tools and support. It's a practical step that keeps our focus where it belongs: on community, safety, and service for everyone who calls Saint Paul home."
— Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson
On April 22, the Saint Paul City Council voted unanimously 7-0 to pass ORD 26-19, adding Chapter 44A to the city's Administrative Code. The ordinance strengthens the city's existing Separation Ordinance — in place since 2004 — by adding clearer guidance, training, and accountability measures for city employees, particularly public safety staff, when federal immigration enforcement activity occurs in Saint Paul.
The ordinance reinforces that city resources are not to be used for federal immigration enforcement purposes, and establishes new transparency measures including internal documentation and public reporting. It was developed in partnership with the Saint Paul Police Department, Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, Libraries, the City Attorney's Office, and the Mayor's Office.
Get Ready for Art in the Hollow — June 6
Mark your calendars! Art in the Hollow returns to Swede Hollow Park.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 6
Where: 720 Payne Ave., St. Paul
Art In the Hollow is an annual art festival in Swede Hollow Park that is inclusive to all creatives no matter their experience, skill level, preferred medium, economic status or beliefs.
The festival is free and open to the public. Come and enjoy live music and performances, children activities, food trucks, plein air painting and much more!
Want to get involved? Whether you're an artist, a planner, or a volunteer, the answer is yes, visit the Art in the Hollow website to learn more and reach out to join the team.
