Park Tavern tragedy, primary voter turnout, city biking honors, and more

Greetings! Here’s city-related news for residents of Ward 1 and beyond. 
 
First, I share our community’s deep sorrow over the tragic event at Park Tavern last weekend. In wake of the shock and sadness, it’s powerful and uplifting to see the care and concern being shown to those affected. If you haven’t already, here’s one way you can show support for the Methodist Hospital employees killed and injured and their families and here’s where you can support the children of the Park Tavern employee who was killed. Many thanks to the caring members of our police department and emergency response teams who helped the victims that night and were also traumatized. Here’s where you can send an email to thank them.
 
In SLP, we vote: Thank you to the 10,471 voters who cast their ballots during the recent primary election! That’s 31.5% of all registered voters in the city, compared with statewide turnout of just 12.77%. SLP has among the highest voter participation rates in Hennepin County, with only Minneapolis (32.9%) and Golden Valley (35.5%) having higher voter turnout rates in this year’s primary. Several years ago, city council supported an investment in additional elections staff and that investment is sure paying off. Early voting for the state’s general election begins September 20. 
 
Safer streets – your input wanted: Federal grant funds are supporting the development of a Safe Streets Action Plan to reduce and eliminate serious injury and deadly accidents in our community. The plan will inform future transportation investments and improvements, so now is the time to make your voice heard. Use this online map to help staff understand how you travel around the city and where you have access or safety concerns. The city is also seeking 8-10 community members to serve on a committee that will ensure the plan’s recommendations reflect community needs. Interested in being on the committee? Apply here by September 27.
 
We’re winning with biking: People for Bikes has named St. Louis Park the third best city in the state for biking, right behind Minneapolis (#1) and St. Paul (#2). Recent infrastructure investments and policy changes (including lowering our speed limits) catapulted us from a score of 15.67 in 2020 to 55.3 in 2024. Read more about our score here and view a network analysis that includes a map of high-stress and low-stress areas in the city for bikers.  
 
EV charging changes: In support of our Climate Action Plan, the city has installed municipally owned Level 2 charging stations in the community where drivers can charge their cars for free. Level 2 stations are currently at Westwood Hills Nature Center, City Hall, and The Rec Center with construction on Aquila Park chargers beginning later this year. EV drivers are encouraged to keep their charging time under three hours, but staff have received complaints about drivers overstaying these guidelines. To ensure fair access to this shared community resource, beginning Oct. 1, charging will remain free for the first three hours and cost $6 per hour after that. 
 
Fire station solar panels: Here’s another exciting example of our community’s commitment to climate action! As of last month, a 100-kilowatt rooftop solar array newly installed on Fire Station 1 is producing energy. In just a few weeks, the array has saved over 31,000 lbs. of CO2, equivalent to planting about 250 trees. You can check out how much energy these panels are producing any time on the city’s public dashboard. 
 
Increasing renter protections: After months of study and discussion, council is expected, at our Sept. 9 meeting, to provide final approvals for modifications to our city's pre-eviction notice ordinance. The change will give SLP renters more time to resolve non-payment of rent before landlords can begin eviction proceedings – from 14 to 30 days’ required notice. These changes better align, in my view, with the time it can take for low-income tenants to secure rental assistance when they run into unanticipated financial stressors like losing a job or experiencing a medical emergency. Council will also approve changes that require landlords to use a standard form to notify tenants they have 30 days to resolve non-payment, to reduce misunderstanding and provide as much helpful information as possible to people facing the frightening prospect of eviction. Big thanks to the SLP Housing Team for their 1:1 outreach to tenants to better understand the barriers to housing stability our neighbors are facing and to advocate for changes in response to what they learned. 
 
Metro Green Line virtual tour: Will it ever open? The Met Council is saying sometime in 2027. For now, you can check out this drone tour of the entire METRO Green Line Extension light rail transit corridor under construction, from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie, with three stops in SLP. 
 
Aquila School expansion: The SLP school district has submitted plans to the city to expand Aquila Elementary School to accommodate the school’s growing student body. The project proposes to add a new kindergarten classroom wing, learning commons, and flex space on the north side of the existing building. 
 
Little Gym back in SLP: The Little Gym has reopened at 3340 Republic Ave., in the Historic Walker Lake Business District, offering gymnastics programs for kids 4 months to 12 years old. 
 
Perspectives has been sold: When nonprofit Perspectives filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, the future of affordable housing and supportive services for 52 women and 110 children was uncertain. Now, nonprofit Trellis Management has purchased the property. Trellis has committed to continuing the leases of current tenants and maintaining income limits, and offering similar supportive services to women in recovery. 
 
New development proposal for West End: Milwaukee-based developer Hempel Real Estate is proposing a new, mixed-use building to replace a currently underutilized office building at 5401 Gamble Drive, across the street from the Shops at West End. The preliminary proposal is for a six-story, 223-unit apartment building with 21,000 square feet of commercial space which could include a grocer, restaurant and coffee shop. The developer is likely to request tax increment financing for the project. 
 
Meeting in city facilities: If you’ve been part of a community group that has met for free at City Hall over the years, take note that the rules are about to change. Beginning Oct. 1, free use of city facilities for meetings will be available only for organized neighborhood groups, only at the Rec Center, and for only one meeting per month. City Hall rooms (Council Chambers and the Community Room) will remain available for educational events like candidate forums and town hall meetings.
 
Fern Hill has a newsletter: If you live in the Fern Hill Neighborhood and don’t get their wonderful newsletter, the Fern Hill Flyer, you should! Here’s where you can request to be added to their email distribution list. Thanks to the community members who put this newsletter together!
 
Here's a select list of upcoming events in our community:
 
St. Louis Park Art Fair, Saturday, Sept. 7, 10am-5pm, the ROC. Celebrate community and shop local artist and maker booths while enjoying a variety of events and activities for the whole family. Info here. 

Movies in the Park, Sept 7 & 28 and Oct. 4, 7:30 pm, various SLP parks. Bring your popcorn and your own blanket or seating. Sept. 7, Barbie @ Cedar Manor Park; Sept. 28, IF @Fern Hill Park; Oct. 4, The Addams Family @Browndale Park. Info here. 
 
League of Women Voters Candidate Forum, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 7-8:30 pm, St. Louis Park City Hall. Participants will include District 46A candidates Larry Kraft and John Nagel and District 46B candidates Kim Rich and Cheryl Youakim. ParkTV will also broadcast the event live and record it for playback on city cable channels and YouTube. You can submit questions for the forum here.
 
Birchwood Moves, Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 am, Birchwood Park. Join neighbors to walk, run, or roll a 5K or 1 mile course through the neighborhood. Kids dashes too! Free; info here.  
 
Fall Cleanup, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 3-6 pm, Municipal Service Center. This year’s cleanup will focus on recycling and reuse with changes to what will be accepted and new opportunities for reuse. All items accepted at the event will be reused or recycled. Info here. 
 
Minnetonka Boulevard Townhomes Informational Meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7pm, Spirit of Christ Church. Hear from the developers about this exciting for-sale affordable housing development and get your questions answered.
 
Shout Out Loud Suicide Prevention & Awareness Event, Saturday, Sept. 28, 11 am-3 pm, The ROC. The event aims to normalize the conversation about suicide prevention and teach coping skills and everyday activities that help with a child or teen’s mental wellness. Info here. 
 
Thanks for reading and please stay in touch! 

Margaret
 
 
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