Northeast Suburban Chapter July Report

Stillwater Update

The emergency housing project that Washington County has been trying to build is hitting a long, sluggish summer slowdown. There was almost a purchase of the Coratel hotel, which had been used (and is still being used) as a room-by-room short term housing location. But a year long moratorium on zoning changes along the Highway 36 strip put that in limbo for now.

MICAH knows that there are people, residents of Stillwater who go to school and church and work there, that need short term housing options. We know these people have families - kids, moms, and dads. We are praying for this project to reach fruition and for more welcome to be extended to ALL members of that community. Keep your eyes posted!

Purple Line Bus Rapid Transit Update

The Purple Line BRT has recently had a possible route change; instead of Bruce Vento Trail, it may run along White Bear Avenue, from Maryland to Beam Avenue. Members of the Northeast Chapter joined in community at a raucous, fun event, What’s Up White Bear, on June 29. We brought together faith folk, small business, local renters, local homeowners, and the Purple Line project team.

One clear point from the feedback event – no one loves how fast White Bear Avenue is, and converting it from 2 lanes north and 2 lanes south would be highly supported.

Pictured (left) Candy Bakion, the MICAH organizer who works with the Blue Line Coalition in Minneapolis and (right) Janet and Victor Urbanowicz from White Bear Unitarian Universalist with John Slade, our chapter organizer.