Roseville poll shows 99 percent of residents have high quality of life

In city survey, 99 percent report high quality of life

So much for your stereotypically troubled inner-ring suburb.

In a new community survey, 99 percent of Roseville residents peg their quality of life as good to excellent, a degree of positivity that stands at the very top among metro suburbs.

The same percentage said they felt accepted in Roseville, which by definition would include most if not all of the roughly 30 percent of city residents who are minorities. Generally speaking, that feeling of acceptance isn't automatic in the suburbs; the opposite sentiment in Woodbury last year caused consternation among city officials.

Fully 36 percent reported no serious issues whatsoever facing the community, a big jump from 2014. That's five times higher than the norm for metro suburbs, according to the Morris Leatherman firm, which carries out such polls across the area.

There are dissenters. Rising crime was named a serious issue by 13 percent, while 10 percent identified high taxes. Eight percent think there's "poor city spending," and 7 percent said there's a "lack of jobs and businesses."

Close to half those surveyed, or 44 percent, think property taxes are high in Roseville compared to nearby suburbs. Even so, 75 percent said they supported building a new community center, which represents a jump from the 2014 survey.

David Peterson

The Fridley Lions Club has donated $250,000 for construction of a new amphitheater at the city-owned Springbrook Nature Center.

Representatives of the Lions Club presented the latest check for $100,000 to the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation at the Fridley City Council meeting on June 13.

The amphitheater will be used for performance art, music, ceremonies and animal presentations. The Lions' donation could cover most of the cost.

"We want to provide our community with places to connect with each other and connect with nature," said Jack Kirk, Fridley's parks and recreation director, in a written statement.

Construction of the amphitheater is expected to start this fall, once the $5.5 million renovation of the nature center building is finished.

Shannon Prather

The Stillwater Area Foundation has awarded $10,000 to the creator of a free app that illuminates Stillwater's history for those walking around the city.

Robert Molenda's Pivot Stillwater, which won the fourth annual Great Idea Award, "uses smartphone technology to allow people to view a location in Stillwater and display the same scene as it appeared at other times in history," the foundation said in a statement.

The free app will provide easy access to photos, text and audio on the user's phone, whether one is strolling Stillwater's streets or punching up a mapping view. Sites in Marine on St. Croix and Bayport will be added later.

All 1,075 living units managed by the Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority are now smoke-free.

Every resident of county-managed housing has now signed smoke-free lease addenda, a process that began in May 2015, the HRA said.

The new policy means that residents and guests can't smoke or use electronic cigarettes in buildings and adjoining grounds, parking areas, green spaces and outdoor areas.

Living Healthy in Washington County, the American Lung Association, Canvas Health and HRA staffers hosted meetings to educate residents on the new policy and provide tobacco cessation information.

Kevin Giles

The closed segment runs between Lexington Parkway and Interstate 35E. Drivers will be able to cross Randolph at Lexington, and the I-35E ramps at Randolph will remain open.

Suggested detours include Hamline and Jefferson avenues, and Victoria Street.