Maplewood is gathering stories about itself as part of its 60th birthday party a year from this month.
The suburb was founded on Feb. 26, 1957, and people familiar with local history are writing one story for each week leading up to the day. In January the city began releasing the results, once each Thursday, on Twitter, Facebook, and Maplewood's #60Stories webpage.
You can bookmark this page to follow the series: maplewoodmn.gov/1513/60-Stories/60stories.
Anniversary festivities in 2017 will include a trivia contest, with prizes, drawn from these stories.
For those not online, a notebook with copies of the stories will be available at City Hall, the Maplewood Nature Center and the Maplewood Area Historical Society during open houses.

DAVID PETERSON

Roseville

Open house will cover bridge plans

A five-month project to replace the Hwy. 36 bridge over Lexington Avenue will be previewed this week at an open house.

The event is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the state's Waters Edge Building, 1500 W. County Rd. B2.

Work begins in April and will mean a temporary bypass for Hwy. 36. Lexington Avenue will be closed and detoured, and the Lexington, Hamline, and westbound Dale Street ramps will be temporarily closed.

The state will reconstruct and resurface ramps at Lexington Avenue and the westbound ramp at Hamline Avenue, reconstruct and resurface Hwy. 36 between Hamline Avenue and Victoria Street, replace signal systems at Lexington ramps and install new sidewalk below the Lexington bridge.

Updates will be posted at this Web page.

David Peterson

Arden Hills

Master developer sought for TCAAP

Ramsey County and Arden Hills are seeking a master developer to oversee the creation of Rice Creek Commons, the 427-acre site that was formerly an ammunition plant.

It's a big step for a proposed live/work site that is bigger than all of downtown St. Paul and has been eyed for big things for decades.

It follows a soil cleanup that was completed last fall. Development could begin as soon as 2017. For now, however, responses from the business community are due March 9.

The city and county liken the process to Edina's Centennial Lakes, a 100-acre former gravel pit whose master developer was United Properties.

Ramsey County bought the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills in April 2013. The redevelopment will include a mix of residential, commercial and open spaces.

More information is available at RiceCreekCommons.com/MasterDeveloper/.

David Peterson

St. Croix River

Registration open for summer river paddle

The St. Croix River Association is accepting registrations for its sixth annual river paddle, June 11 to 17. The six-day adventure will cover 92 miles of the Namekagon River, from Cable to Danbury, Wis. The Namekagon, which feeds into the St. Croix River, is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

"Expect to unplug and reconnect with the natural world," said Deb Ryun, the association's executive director. "We do the organizing — all you have to do is show up with your gear and some food and have fun. You'll challenge yourself, build lasting relationships, see an abundance of wildlife and stunning scenery, and learn more about this wild and scenic river."

The event started in 2011 when paddlers traveled 17 days down the St. Croix River to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the river association, a nonprofit that protects, restores and celebrates the river and its watershed.

More information and registration is available at www.scrapaddle.org, including a daily itinerary, a map of the route, and lodging.

Kevin Giles

Washington County

Small city pays for election services

Washington County now will conduct 2016 elections in the city of Landfall, a manufactured home community adjacent to Oakdale.

The agreement is to provide administration services for the statewide primary and general elections and any special elections. The county also conducts elections in other cities and school districts in the county.

Landfall, a city of about 750 residents, will pay the county $12,200 for the service.

Kevin Giles