Innovative "green" infrastructure at the site of the proposed soccer stadium in St. Paul and a Hugo townhouse community near troubled White Bear Lake are among the projects to share $900,000 in Metropolitan Council grants.
Projects in Columbia Heights and Fridley, on the other hand, were among those left empty-handed, as communities sought nearly $3 million for similar stormwater projects.
Met Council officials said they were looking for innovative, easy-to-replicate projects with high visibility and a "strong educational component" — such as signage, for example, that credits the Met Council itself along with other funding partners.
Grants of $200,000 each went to the Snelling-Midway soccer redevelopment and to the Water's Edge stormwater reuse project. The latter would connect an existing irrigation system at a 378-unit Hugo townhouse complex to a stormwater pond in order to use less groundwater, a sensitive topic in communities surrounding White Bear Lake.
Unsuccessful applicants included a Columbia Heights project to clean up and improve Silver Lake; a Fridley project to treat runoff from an 11-acre redevelopment site at the old Columbia Arena; and a New Brighton project using a stormwater pond to irrigate grass in athletic fields associated with a proposed 14-acre residential development.
David Peterson
Stillwater
Hospital, sheriff to fight opioid overdoses
Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater and the Washington County Sheriff's Office are collaborating on a project to reduce accidental opioid overdoses.
Opioid use and opioid-related overdoses are an increasing problem nationwide and in the metro area, including Washington County, Chief Deputy Dan Starry told the County Board last week. Opioids are commonly associated with the illegal drug heroin, but also are found in prescription medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine and fentanyl.
In 2015, Lakeview's emergency staff responded to more than 200 potential opioid overdose calls and administered naloxone hydrochloride — also known as Narcan — in 30 of those instances to reverse the effects of an overdose.
Lakeview EMS staffers supply naloxone to Washington County's licensed deputies and train them on how to administer the medication for an opioid overdose before medical responders arrive. Deputies use a preloaded kit that has an mist administered through the nasal cavity.
"Having our deputies trained to administer naloxone could be lifesaving for citizens," Sheriff Bill Hutton said.
Kevin Giles
St. Croix Valley
Funds sought for 'Mobile Art Gallery' trailer
An effort is underway to create a "mobile art gallery" to travel the east metro area.
ArtReach St. Croix, a Stillwater-based regional nonprofit group, is planning to build a pull-behind trailer for the art gallery. The gallery is to function in part as a "Fresh Art" produce-style roadside stand, as well as host "pop-up performances."
ArtReach St. Croix hopes to raise $5,000 to go with an existing grant from the St. Croix Valley Foundation and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.
To learn more, go to ArtReachStCroix.org; for donations, go to their Indiegogo page at igg.me/at/artreachgoesmobile.
David Peterson
Washington County
Road project to create delays on Hwy. 61
State officials are warning of delays and congestion on Hwy. 61 in Washington County, from Cottage Grove to the south.
A road realignment project got underway last week, and work will occur in both directions from north of Hwy. 10 in Cottage Grove to just south of 127th Street in Hastings.
It's part of a larger intersection project in which crews will realign Maycrest Avenue, resurface pavement, construct southbound turn lanes and close a median crossing.
For updates and to sign up for e-mail alerts, go to mndot.gov/metro/projects/hwy61and10.
David Peterson
County to hold 'paper shredding event'
Washington County is offering residents a chance to shred anything they'd be worried to set out with the trash.
The county's "confidential paper shredding event" will take place at the Environmental Center from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13.
The center also offers free disposal for household hazardous waste, electronics and recyclables from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
The center is at 4039 Cottage Grove Drive, Woodbury.
Residents also may browse shelves and take home previously owned but inspected and usable products such as paint, stains, automotive supplies and household cleaners.
David Peterson