Mayor Coleman s Invest Saint Paul Initiative Background Mayor Chris Coleman launched Invest Saint Paul as a key initiative to bring city services and members of the community together to address specific challenges facing neighborhoods. It s the City s version of a full court press in which local government teams up with a variety of partners to direct existing resources and energy toward a set of neighborhood goals in a focused and strategic way. Invest Saint Paul is not just another program. It s a new way of thinking about neighborhood reinvestment to make Saint Paul The Most Livable City in America. Think of Invest Saint Paul as maintaining a balanced portfolio of neighborhoods the healthier the neighborhoods, the healthier the entire city will be for the long-term. The work of Invest Saint Paul is: Comprehensive because it weaves physical development, community building, and citizen engagement together in a focused and strategic way Complex because there is no quick fix for the long-term disinvestment experienced by some parts of our city Critical because Saint Paul is a city of neighborhoods where all must thrive for the City to grow and prosper The strategies driving Invest Saint Paul are: Improving City Coordination- to mobilize City resources by coordinating basic service delivery with neighborhood improvement plans Growing Strong Partnerships- to reach beyond bricks and mortar by adding team members from many sectors to put on a full court press to also score big in quality of life and well-being for neighborhood communities Making Smart Capital Investments- to support physical development that transforms places and benefits people Invest Saint Paul is targeting four neighborhoods challenged by economic and social downturns: Dayton's Bluff, the Lower East Side, Frogtown-Thomas/Dale-Aurora St. Anthony, and the North End. Invest Saint Paul is also targeting a few smaller focus areas in need of attention. 1
Invest Saint Paul Data The targeted neighborhoods and focus areas were identified based on data gathered by the Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED). Below are three composite maps followed by the list of all data examined to provide a snap shot of each community. Composite Maps Household Stress Real Estate Social Stress Property values by quintile Property values by affordability Vacant buildings Rental registration Foreclosures - combined 2005 and 2006 Water shutoffs for non-payment Three or More Complaints Fires/Arson Part I Crimes Quality of Life Crimes Weapons Narcotics MLS (properties on the market) Revoked Certificates of Occupancy Housing Unit Density Year Built Transit Lines Gaps in Transit service 2
Invest Saint Paul Map Based on the PED data, the following map was created to show the Invest Saint Paul areas, underscoring that these communities still offer growth opportunities. Continued, positive growth will benefit the places, the people, and the whole City. 3
Invest Saint Paul at Work -Improving City Coordination- Invest Saint Paul (ISP) looks for opportunities to champion and bring City departments together around deploying resources and providing basic services to neighborhoods. Below is a summary of key accomplishments to date: Make It Right, Make It Work in Process Invest Saint Paul s signature campaign to transform, within 18 months, an approximate 2-square block area in each of the target neighborhoods with the following 3 goals: 1) Signal return of vitality and hope 2) Spark similar efforts in other blocks to ignite investment 3) Show that better City coordination will visibly improve blocks City Staff from several departments joined neighborhood CDC and District Council staff for walking tours of neighborhood-recommended blocks Neighborhood groups submitted a wish list of enhancements with common themes including: Boulevard improvements Tree-trimming Sidewalk crack repairs Targeted building demolition Improved lighting Trash pick-ups Plantings Blocks have been selected and mapped City departments will begin work this summer on neighborhood wish lists Neighborhoods will begin work on resident engagement with assistance from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and other partners Community (Resource) Days Departments are collaborating to bring information about City resources to city streets on a rotating basis throughout the summer to residents with limited transportation access. Features include a fire truck, ambulance, Bookmobile, Parks and Recreation Mobile Team with games and arts and crafts for kids, police officers, Community Health Workers, fire fighters, licensing/inspection information and give-aways. Six events were scheduled across the City in July and August. All departments provide representatives. Over 100 people attended ¾ of the sessions held in July. 4
Invest Saint Paul Works Group Staff members from all departments meet bi-monthly to tackle challenges and pursue opportunities to bring resources to neighborhoods. Two meetings were held with a focus on messaging and communication of the ISP concept. A website has been created for City staff members to post documents and ideas. School District expressed interest in on-going participation with the ISP work group. Department of Safety and Inspections Fire, building, and safety inspections were combined into a new Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) to improve staff efficiency and responsiveness to residents. Over 1,300 Certificate of Occupancy inspections for 1 & 2 unit rentals were completed between March and June in ISP areas (346 in Dayton s Bluff, 169 in the North End, 335 in Payne-Phalen, 521 in Thomas-Dale.) DSI has quintupled identification of properties targeted for demolition, from an average of 4 to 20 properties per month, based on complaint level, condition, and feasibility of repair. Eleven of the approximately twenty demolitions citywide have occurred in ISP areas. DSI staff has attended 50 neighborhood meetings, the majority in ISP areas, to hear concerns and inform strategies for addressing property issues. DSI created a new, simplified Citywide reporting system for complaints that enables information to be distilled to the neighborhood level. Notices of abatement are now being sent to District Councils and HPC staff. Department of Planning and Economic Development ISP staff meets weekly with all PED staff working in ISP areas. Most discussion is focused on strategies and solutions for addressing vacant buildings, foreclosures, and neighborhood partnerships..8 FTE added (by reassignment) to focus on foreclosure prevention within CityLiving Program. PED and ISP staff participate in Twin Cities-wide Foreclosure Prevention Funders Council meetings and sub-groups to identify potential strategies for lenders/loan servicers to consider for assisting families with foreclosure prevention. A PED staffer and a DSI staffer are now jointly fulfilling internal and external GIS mapping requests. 5
Police Department Crime Prevention and Community Outreach Grants: In June, a cross-departmental committee, convened by the Police Department, reviewed proposal submissions and awarded $50,000 in grants to community-based organizations, all within ISP areas. The Gang Unit hosts lemonade stands in ISP areas in an effort to engage with residents throughout the summer. Department of Public Works Committed $200,000 of curb, lighting, sidewalk and other improvements to the ISP areas. Completed $350,000 of street seal-coating between University, Minnehaha, Dale and Hamline. Repainting signals and light poles at major intersections (approximately $75,000 each location) in all ISP areas. Completed $575,000 of Rice Street improvements, including sidewalks, poles and new lighting. Department of Parks and Recreation Department has restructured to serve expressed neighborhood needs with targeted programming and adjusted hours. Received $600,000 in State funding for the Youth Job Corps to increase summer youth employment opportunities, many of which are offered in ISP areas. Parks & Rec will hire over 500 youth this summer and will look to increase opportunities for next summer, as well as for year-round employment. Plans are set for piloting community green space and gardens on vacant properties in targeted areas. Mobile Teams and Go Teams are active in ISP areas throughout the summer. Office of Technology and Communications Newly-hired GIS Manager (June 2007) is working with DSI and PED to create a system for neighborhood organizations and citizens to access City data on housing, licensing and other property issues. ISP is represented on the GIS Governance group, formed to set policy on coordinating data and mapping data more efficiently for City departments. 6
Office of Finance During the 2008 budgeting process, Department Directors provided a short narrative on how ISP would be included in their financial plans. Fire Department ISP will work with Fire on an education and outreach effort on the appropriate use of EMS services, designed to reduce the volume of EMS calls in ISP areas. Saint Paul Public Library Staff coordinates with PED staff and external organizations on mortgage foreclosure prevention outreach, given that libraries are often places where residents seek trusted sources of information. Flyers will be placed in libraries and the Home Ownership Center will provide a brief training for staff on how to handle questions and referrals on foreclosure prevention issues. Staff from libraries in the ISP areas is participating in trainings provided by Saint Paul Youth Services to learn constructive strategies for working with young patrons who might need extra assistance beyond traditional library services. City Attorney s Office, Department of Human Rights, Office of Human Resources Departments staff regularly provides feedback to ISP staff on projects, ideas and opportunities to enhance services to residents in ISP areas. Saint Paul Regional Water Services Worked with PED CityLiving Program to insert foreclosure prevention information in water bills. Since July 1, approximately 17,500 notices have been mailed to Saint Paul residents, including households within ISP areas. Similar notices were mailed to 3,000 commercial customers in Saint Paul. 7
Invest Saint Paul at Work -Growing Strong Partnerships- Invest Saint Paul is reaching beyond bricks and mortar by adding team members from many sectors to execute a full court press to score big in safety, jobs, education and well-being for neighborhood communities Working with SPARC to locate the God Squad in the North End as a boost to crime prevention and youth development activities. Working with Employer Solutions Inc. and the Port Authority to explore careerladder job training specific sectors such as precision manufacturing. Partnering with Smiles Across Minnesota on an ISP dental sealant initiative to provide dental services to low-income and uninsured kids in ISP areas. Services are being provided in libraries and community centers during the summer. As of next fall, with the addition of service in North End Elementary School, the four ISP neighborhoods will all have access to dental services year-round. Working with Paint-a-Thon to complete 6 homes in Invest Saint Paul areas. Working with the Mayor s Education Initiative to continue replicating successful educational models throughout ISP areas, in partnership with the Second Shift Initiative (out of school time), the Pre-school Scholarship Pilot Program, the VISTA program and our College Access initiative throughout the ISP neighborhoods. Current highlights include: 1. Three East Side neighborhood-based Circulator buses launched this summer for youth in Payne-Phalen and Dayton s Bluff neighborhoods. 2. Free educationally-rich youth programming and lunch program offered at all recreation centers in ISP areas. 3. Creating community collaboratives that serve youth and their families to achieve better access for out of school time programs & activities. 4. Opening up all Parks and Recreation Centers for young people during the No School Day Programs (SPPS official school release days). 5. Beginning January 2008, two-year pre-school scholarships will be offered to lower-income families in North End and Frogtown areas. Providers meeting/exceeding quality guidelines can serve scholarship recipients. As a partner Ramsey County Public Health will add parental training on quality childcare selection as part of home visits. Goal is 1400 kids will receive scholarships within a four-year period. 6. College Access resources being added to libraries and recreation centers. In 2007 Rice Street and Dayton s Bluff libraries and Dayton s Bluff Recreation Center will be pilot sites for college access information. 7. VISTA program members participated in several projects in ISP areas. 8
Invest Saint Paul at Work -Making Smart Capital Investments- The City earmarked $25 million of STAR jumpstart funds for strategic projects aligned with ISP s goals related to community revitalization that benefits both places and people. Additional dollars are being invested through other financing streams and external partners. In consultation with neighborhood groups, the STAR Board, and City staff, an overall ISP strategy has been crafted to identify programs and projects within ISP areas that have: Demonstrated neighborhood support Leverage from both City and non-city resources Potential to influence positive development in the surrounding area Below is a summary of strategic allocation opportunities for ISP STAR bonds: Invest Saint Paul Activities STAR Bonds Rehab 1,500,000 Mortgages 3,000,000 Strategic Acquisitions 4,000,000 Commercial Corridors 1,500,000 Projects 3,000,000 Small Business Program 2,000,000 ISP Portion of STAR Bonds 15,000,000 Supportive Housing 2,000,000 Sub-Total 17,000,000 City Projects 8,000,000 Total STAR Bonds-Series 2007 25,000,000 Conclusion Invest Saint Paul is underway as an initiative set to ensure all of the City s neighborhoods achieve the goals outlined in Mayor Chris Coleman s strategic plan to make Saint Paul The Most Livable City in America. This is an initiative that is: Grounded in new ways of thinking within the City about Department assets and synergy, Committed to working with and for residents as key customers of neighborhood communities, and Dedicated to jumpstarting revitalization, renewal and hope. 9