District 12

Help Shape the Future of Our Watershed

Rain that falls in St. Anthony Park eventually makes its way to the Mississippi River, connecting our neighborhood to one of Minnesota’s most important natural resources.

For several years, St. Anthony Park resident Michael Lukes has represented St. Paul on the Board of Commissioners of the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO), helping guide efforts to protect water quality, improve habitat, reduce flooding and invest in environmental projects throughout the watershed.

Now, as Mike’s term comes to a close, the St. Anthony Park Community Council (SAPCC) is seeking interested community members to serve as St. Paul’s next representative to the MWMO.

The MWMO serves communities across the urban watershed that drain directly to the Mississippi. Its member communities include St. Paul, Minneapolis, Lauderdale, Columbia Heights, Fridley, Hilltop, St. Anthony Village and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. These partners work together to improve water quality, restore habitat, manage stormwater and support environmental stewardship in the watershed.

The organization oversees about $1.8 million in annual investments and meets every other month. Commissioners help establish priorities, approve budgets, review projects and provide long-term leadership for protecting one of Minnesota’s most important natural resources.

“The work of the MWMO may not always be visible, but it has a direct impact on the health of our river, our lakes, our neighborhoods and future generations,” said Lukes. “I’d encourage anyone with an interest in environmental stewardship to consider stepping forward.”

Mike was nominated by SAPCC in 2022 based on his extensive experience as a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, his service in the United States Navy and his longstanding commitment to local environmental initiatives. At the time of his nomination, SAPCC cited his expertise in stormwater, flooding, climate change and natural resource management as valuable assets for the role.

The position is voluntary and includes a small honorarium. While environmental experience is welcome, SAPCC encourages anyone with an interest in conservation, sustainability, climate resilience, water resources or public service to learn more. Commissioners are expected to bring thoughtful judgment, a collaborative spirit and a willingness to represent the public interest.

SAPCC extends its sincere thanks to Mike for his years of service to the MWMO. He has brought both professional expertise and a deep love for this community to the role, helping ensure that local voices are part of important conversations about the future of our waterways. While his term is ending, Mike will continue to volunteer with SAPCC’s Environment Committee and remain actively involved.

“Mike has been an outstanding representative for St. Paul and St. Anthony Park,” said Zev Radziwill, executive director of SAPCC. “We’re grateful for his service and hope this opportunity inspires another community member to step forward and continue that work.”

Interested residents should contact SAPCC at [email protected] to learn more or express interest. Applications will be reviewed by SAPCC’s Environment Committee before a nomination is forwarded to the appointing authorities.

Neighbors Help Shape Future Como Clinic

Ideas shared by St. Anthony Park residents are helping shape recommendations for one of the neighborhood’s most significant redevelopment projects in decades.

Following several months of discussion and community input, the St. Anthony Park Community Council (SAPCC) submitted formal comments to the City of St. Paul regarding HealthPartners’ proposed new Como Clinic development at Como Avenue and Eustis Street. The comments reflect feedback gathered during public meetings, conversations with neighbors and review by SAPCC’s Land Use Committee.

SAPCC’s comments note that the site is well-positioned near a planned METRO H Line bus rapid transit station and is generally consistent with long-standing neighborhood planning goals for the property. While committee members expressed strong support for HealthPartners’ investment in the neighborhood and the expansion of healthcare services, the recommendations also identify opportunities to strengthen the project as it moves through the City’s review process.

Among the themes raised by neighbors were preservation of mature trees, safe pedestrian and bicycle connections, attractive landscaping, sustainability features and ensuring the development complements the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

One of the most distinctive recommendations focuses on the landscape between the proposed clinic and Eustis Street. Rather than a conventional lawn, SAPCC encouraged HealthPartners to consider creating a publicly accessible garden and neighborhood gateway featuring native plantings, seating, public art and other elements that would create a welcoming entrance to St. Anthony Park.

Transportation and mobility were also recurring themes throughout the discussion. SAPCC’s comments support future bicycle connections along Como Avenue, improved pedestrian access to the clinic and coordination with the planned H Line corridor, which is expected to serve the area in the coming years.

The recommendations also support continued discussions between HealthPartners and Lutheran Social Service regarding a potential shared driveway arrangement. Committee members noted that a coordinated access solution could improve traffic patterns, reduce conflict points and create a more efficient entrance for both properties.

Additional recommendations encourage preservation of mature trees wherever possible, careful attention to stormwater management, shielded lighting that minimizes impacts on surrounding properties and exploration of sustainability opportunities such as solar energy installations on the roof and parking structure.

The comments also express support for locating the parking structure at the rear of the site, where it will be screened from Como Avenue by landscaping and trees, helping reduce its visual impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

HealthPartners’ proposal has generated significant interest because of the clinic’s longstanding role within the community. Opened in 1957, the Como Clinic has served generations of St. Anthony Park residents and remains one of the neighborhood’s most recognizable institutions.

“The discussion wasn’t really about whether the clinic should be built,” said Zev Radziwill, executive director of SAPCC. “Neighbors overwhelmingly recognize the importance of the services it provides. The conversation focused on how to make a good project even better and how it can contribute to the neighborhood for decades to come.”

SAPCC’s comments also encourage continued conversations about the future of the existing clinic site and nearby parking lots once the new facility is completed, noting that these properties represent important opportunities for future neighborhood investment and planning.

Committee members also emphasized the importance of early community engagement in major redevelopment projects and expressed appreciation for HealthPartners’ willingness to meet with neighbors and answer questions throughout the process.

As review of the project continues, SAPCC leaders hope the recommendations will help inform the final design while strengthening connections among the clinic, future transit investments and the surrounding community.

More information about SAPCC meetings and neighborhood planning efforts can be found at sapcc.org.

Upcoming District 12 meetings

District 12 encourages neighbors to attend monthly committee meetings, available in-person and online. Learn more at sapcc.org.

• Land Use Committee: 7 p.m. on Monday, July 6
• District 12 Board: 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 9
• Environment Committee: 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22
• Transportation Committee: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28
• Equity Committee: 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 27

Submitted by District 12 executive director Zev Radziwill.