Cac packet march 14

Citizen Advisory Committee 7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 14, 2017 – Capitol Region Watershed District 1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4, Saint Paul, MN 55108 Agenda

Materials Enclosed

7:00

I)

Welcome, Announcements and Updates – Introductions

7:05

II)

Public Comment for issues not on the Agenda (3 minutes per person)

7:08

III)

Approval of the Agenda

7:09

IV)

Approval of Minutes A) Approval of the February 14, 2018 Minutes

7:10

V)

District Initiatives for Review, Comment and Recommendations A) 595 Aldine History Project (Wagner) B) Strategic and Watershed Management Planning (Doneux)

7:55

VI)

CAC Initiatives A) 2018 Student Learner Program Update (Swanson) B) Urban Roots Tour/Speechcraft Program (MacDonald)

8:10

VII)

Project and Program Updates A) Building Update (Doneux) B) 2018 Tour Planning (Doneux)

8:40

VIII) CAC Observer Update

8:50

IX)

Discussion A) New & Old Issues B) CAC Observer for March 21, 2018 and April 4, 2018 Board of Managers Meetings C) 2018 Agenda Plan

9:00

X)

Adjourn

W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\Agendas\2018\March 14, 2018 CAC Agenda.docx

Our mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District.

Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting Wednesday, February 14, 2018 – 7:00 p.m.

CAC Members Present: Gwen Willems Mary Lilly Steve Duerre David Arbeit Bob Simonet Mike MacDonald Michelle Ulrich Richard Weil Tom Elko Kathryn Swanson

Others Present: Belinda Gardner, CRWD Bob Fossum, CRWD Lindsay Schwantes, CRWD Mark Doneux, CRWD Mary Henke-Haney, Saint Paul Natural Resources Joe Collins, Board of Managers Cole Anderson, Student Learner

Members absent: Pat Cavanaugh, w/notice Nicole Soderholm, w/notice Bill Barton, w/notice Welcome, Announcements, and Updates Mr. Doneux presented 5-year and 10-year award plaques to Richard Weil and Michelle Ulrich.

Public Comment for issues not on the agenda None III. Approval of Agenda CAC 18-004 Motion: To approve the CAC February 14, 2018 agenda as amended.

Duerre/Willems Unanimously approved IV. Approval of Minutes A) January 10, 2018 CAC Meeting Minutes

CAC 18-005 Motion: To approve the January 10, 2018 minutes.

Duerre/Simonet 1

Unanimously approved

V. District Initiatives for Review, Comment, and Recommendations A) Saint Paul Natural Resources Partner Grant Programs (Mary Henke-Haney) Ms. Schwantes introduced Ms. Henke-Haney of the Saint Paul Natural Resources. Ms. Henke-Haney and her organization have worked with the District for a couple of years. The mission is to connect people to watersheds, parks and nature and provide children with academic and health benefits plus a sense of stewardship. Her program helps overcome barriers to park use and underrepresented communities. SPARK is one program Ms. Haney highlighted, an 8-week water quality program, where they rent a van and pick up kids from several organizations and provide programming, including park access each week and exploration of the parks, games and arts and crafts. The group also participated in the Hidden Falls day camp, week long summer camp.

Ms. Willems asked if there are other existing programs that are similar in nature that might have contributed to SPARK and its programming. Ms. Haney replied that Spark started in 2014 with Arlington Hills Rec Center and that help shape the program.

The CAC thanked Ms. Henke-Haney for her presentation.

VI. CAC Initiatives A) Student Learner Presentation (Soderholm) Ms. Swanson introduced Cole, who is the newest student learner. Mr. Cole introduced himself and thanked the CAC for the opportunity. Ms. Swanson reminded the group that Mr. Cole has 24 total hours to work on his project. Ms. Bromelkamp, Ms. Swanson, and Mr. Cole created an idea that would provide a tool for the CAC that looks at the overall CAC capacity level and would include a study of the by-laws. Mr. Cole would carry out some interviews and include outside literature with other watersheds. Ms. Swanson mentioned that the project would reflect the CACs desire to do more.

Mr. Simonet recommended the student learner reflect on the current work of the CAC and Ms. Swanson replied that she would like to promote the current CAC model.

Ms Lilly asked if the District hears from other CAC groups. Mr. Doneux and Mr. Collins replied other Districts sees the CRWD CAC as one of the most active groups of its kind in Minnesota.

The CAC thanked Mr. Cole for sharing and are looking forward to his presentation.

B) 2017 Watershed Steward Awards Program Review Ms. Schwantes thanked the CAC who volunteered for the watershed steward awards event. On Thursday, January 18, CRWD hosted the 2017 Recognition & Awards Ceremony at the Amherst Wilder Foundation.

The event was moved to January this year to avoid scheduling conflicts in December. Approximately 88 staff, Citizen Advisory Committee members, Board of Managers and partners attended the event. Plaques “Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.�

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were presented to each of the winners and they were invited to briefly share their experiences working with the District. As always, hearing from the District’s partners was one of the highlights of the evening.

The CAC provided feedback. Mr. MacDonald recommended soliciting nominations from past winners. Mr. Arbeit commented that the nominations are an area that can be improved. Ms. Willems commented that it was a great idea to include spouses and significant others. Mr. Arbeit commented that the youth were great addition. Mr. Duerre commented that having a canoe at the event was great. Mr. Elko encouraged increasing media presence after the event to increase nominations for the following year.

VII. Project and Program Updates A) Adopt a Drain Update (Schwantes) Ms. Schwantes reviewed the Adopt a drain program’s website and provided a detailed overview of the process. She reviewed participation from fall 2014 to present and in 2014 the program started with 33 participants to present day the program has 763 participants. Ms. Schwantes reviewed the participation by neighborhood and reviewed the Roseville Pilot Program. Ms. Schwantes provided info on reporting, 135 participants reported removing 325.5 bags of debris. She summarized 2017, program met goal of 300 new Saint Paul adoptions, and so they raised the goal to 550 for 2018. She shared the online survey and feedback from participants and she provided the online survey responses. Next steps include promoting in Frogtown and highland, spring cleanup events, social media, lawn signs, improve reporting methods and a new website by end of 2018.

Mr. Arbeit asked about sign ups and adopt a drain are separate from the cleanup of alleys. Mr. Arbeit asked what happens with inactive drains that were once adopted and then could not continue with the program.

Ms. Lilly asked for clarification on the increase in participation. She questioned the removal of debris and is concerned that the disposal is challenging and believes the city should help with removal and wants to know how we can support the removal of the material. Additional resources for residents. Ms. Schwantes replied that there’s an opportunity to explore options. Mr. Duerre asked if there’s a push for renters to participate.

B) Phalen Creek Daylighting Study Update Mr. Fossum reviewed the Phalen Creek Daylighting study, a cooperative project to look at what might be possible. The Lower Phalen Creek Project retained Inter-fluve to assess the feasibility of daylighting lower Phalen Creek, which is currently conveyed in storm sewer for much of its length between Lake Phalen and the Mississippi River. Mr. Fossum summarized the collected data and identified potential feasibility.

The CAC thanked Mr. Fossum for his update.

C) Research Program Update Bob Fossum provided an update stating the Minnesota Stormwater Research Council approved the pilot projects which includes two research projects, looking at different material that could be added to enhance sand filters and the other is looking at best design pretreatment systems. The goal is to maximize the removal of debris at the pretreatment phase. Preliminary results will be available later this year.

Mr. Arbeit asked about the second round of research. Mr. Fossum replied that the second round is undetermined.

D) Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary Update “Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.”

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Mr. Fossum provided an update on the Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary. Mr. Fossum commented that the work is currently being done.

VIII. CAC Observer Update Mr. Collins reported. The big effort is the building and the financing of the building. Mr. Doneux commented that things are moving. Mr. Collins mentioned that the staff did a good job on the announcement. Groundbreaking event will happen late March, early April.

IX. Discussion a. New & Old Issues b. CAC observer for March 21, 2018 and April 4, 2018 Board of Managers Meeting c. Upcoming CRWD Events A) New & Old issues None B) CAC Observer for the Board of Managers Meetings March 21, 2018 and April 4, 2018

C) 2018 Agenda Plan Mr. Doneux commented that the agenda plan is subject to change.

X. Adjourn CAC 18-006 Motion: To adjourn the February 14, 2018 CAC Meeting.

MacDonald/Duerre Unanimously approved The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Belinda Gardner

“Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.�

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Courtesy MacQueen Equipment Group

595 Aldine Street; A Midway History January 22, 2018

564 Country Court | St. Paul, MN 55123 | 651.295.1246 | bluestemheritage.com 1 595 Aldine History January 22, 2018

Earliest Settlers Before the arrival of European settlers in the late 1830s, St. Paul and the surrounding area were home to the Dakota, with frequent visits by the Ojibwe and other local Native Americans. The Dakota village of Kaposia was centered near where downtown St. Paul is, and trails stretched out from this village to other villages, spiritual locations, trading centers, and resource areas. The Falls of St. Anthony (known as Owámniyomni), was considered a sacred place to the Dakota, and was a significant cultural and natural resource.1 Between what are now the downtowns of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Native Americans established a major trail. This east-west route offered the most direct route between Kaposia and the Falls of St. Anthony. A slight ridge in the landscape, which runs north/ south approximately where Snelling Avenue is, created a rise. Native Americans ran the trail through a modest break in the ridge – near where I-94 and University Avenue now lie.2 This road became known as the Red River Trail, as it eventually extended to the fur-rich northwest Red River Valley.

In 1837, the first major treaty exchange for land in this region was made between the Dakota, Ojibwe, and the United States government, and the land east of the Mississippi (where St. Paul sits) was transferred to the U.S. Government. Soon after, the first wave of settlers began to arrive in the region, establishing villages near existing posts and along previously established trade routes. Before the land was even surveyed or the Dakota had yet moved, eager settlers began to stake claims. Land alongside pre-existing trails was often the first to be claimed. When the area was surveyed in 1847, the cartographers noted where some of the new farmers had begun to live.

Métis, people of native and European heritage, used the Red River Trails to drive ox carts full of furs to and between the commercial centers of St. Anthony and St. Paul. The purpose and location of these trails are echoed today in University Avenue, the Great Northern rail line, Interstate 94, and the Green Line light rail. (Minnesota Historical Society)

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595 Aldine History

St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood was built around the trails developed by the Dakota and other Native Americans.

Section 33 is now bounded by Minnehaha, Snelling, Marshall, and are Cleveland. (Original Public Land Survey Plat, Minnesota Geospatial Information Office)

January 22, 2018

Settlement In 1849, Minnesota became a U.S. Territory, and in 1852, another major treaty with the Dakota was signed. As land became available for purchase, new arrivals rushed to establish legal claim to these lands. On August 1, 1853, a settler named William H. Townsend became the first to legally own an 80-acre parcel alongside the Red River Trail.3 This parcel includes what became 595 Aldine.4 Townsend may have used the land himself, but more likely he was among the many active speculators buying and selling land during this era. Among those early speculators was Daniel Hopkins, a son of a local early trader. He and his wife Elisabeth (Elisa) initially lived in downtown St. Paul along with their two children, James Mortimer and Minnesota Rose. Elisa wrote home to New Hampshire around 1849 to describe the land that Daniel had bought around that time— possibly the parcel that included 595 Aldine:

“ Daniel has already purchased 120 acres of land. Twenty acres of meadow grass on it. Grass stands to one’s head – good as a full meadow.”

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Other of her letters describe the rich natural resources and wildlife on the Hopkin’s land: timber, ducks, prairie chickens, and deer. There were wolves and bear nearby, too. Daniel’s purchase was savvy not only because of the abundant natural resources, but because of its location along the main Red River Road.

January 22, 2018

595 Aldine History

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St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood was built around the trails developed by the Dakota and other Native Americans.

(Original Public Land Survey Plat, Minnesota Geospatial Information Office)

Unfortunately, Elisa did not get to enjoy this land long. She died in 1857. Soon after, Daniel married Annette Bagsted, a recent immigrant from Norway. Together, along with a German immigrant farmhand named Theadore Heslter, they were farming the land by 1857.6 By 1860, Annette had given birth to two sons.7 Another six children would eventually be born to the couple. They remained on the property through 1867, but it appears they had moved by 1870. By 1875, the family had moved to Oakdale.8 One mystery is associated with the property: when Daniel’s father lay dying in 1852, he revealed that he had buried some treasure, and began to describe where it was buried.

Daniel discouraged his father from giving the instructions – he did not want to distress his father by confirming that he was mortally ill. The father died without completing the story.

Might the treasure have been buried on his son’s farm? The mystery endures.9

This 1867 map shows that residents were beginning to settle the area along the Red River Trail. (Ramsey County Historical Society)

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595 Aldine History

January 22, 2018

Industrial Growth About a decade after the first settlers began to farm in the area, railroads arrived and dramatically reshaped the Midway neighborhood. In the summer of 1862, the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad cut ten miles of track between St. Paul and St. Anthony, about a mile north of the Hopkins property. This was the first railroad line in Minnesota. Though the Civil War stalled the expansion of the railroad system for much of that decade, the significance and importance of the transportation method was obvious to many.

The William Crooks was the first locomotive to operate in Minnesota. Starting in 1862, it provided regular passenger service between St. Paul and St. Anthony on the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad line, which ran along the northern edge of the Midway neighborhood. (Minnesota Historical Society)

Located “mid-way” between the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Midway area was easily accessible to people in the cities, and the availability of large, flat pieces of open and affordable land led to a variety of large-scale uses.

As additional railroad lines came through the area, railroad shops and rail yards began to sprout up. Within the Midway district, an area called the Minnesota Transfer Neighborhood developed around a large rail yard about a half mile west of the 595 Aldine property. By 1888, this was a bustling area. Local author Frank C. Bliss described it this way: “The transfer company is composed of eight great railroad corporations. The grounds cover about 200 acres occupied by the tracks buildings and stockyard of the company. The immense business done by the company is the transferring of freights from the cars of one road to another. An army of men are employed here and the business is constantly increasing.”10 January 22, 2018

595 Aldine History

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The Midway Transfer Yards initially included the Union Stock Yards. By 1915, it was primarily used for transferring railroad cars.

(Minnesota Historical Society)

Associated industries, such as stockyards, factories, and warehouses soon followed. During the 1870s and 1880s, a small stockyard and two small slaughterhouses were located on the Transfer property. The Union Stock Yards were well located with access to many rail lines, including St. Paul and Northern Pacific lines, as well as the St. Paul, Minnesota, and Manitoba lines.11 The stoockyards were used primarily to provide water and rest for livestock on their way to Chicago. The slaughterhouses served local demand for meat. When livestock ranchers requested and expansion of the stockyards, the owner declined. In 1886, the ranchers moved their cattle to the recently established South St. Paul stockyards, and the Midway stockyard closed sometime after 1892.12

Around 1900, businesses associated with the Transfer Railroad yards continued to operate. This horse auction yard was located on the north side University, just east or Prior Avenue. (Minnesota Historical Society)

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595 Aldine History

January 22, 2018

Union Park was a short-lived amusement park located where Iris Lake and the Episcopal Homes are now.

(Minnesota Historical Society)

The open land was attractive for more erudite purposes, too. In the early 1870s, Hamline University made the decision to move from Red Wing to St. Paul. As a history of the institution notes, “A major reason for the University’s otherwise inexplicably bleak and barren location were the short line tracks of James J. Hill’s St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba Railroad. One mile to the south … lay the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad.” The first building on the new campus was constructed in 1880, though it burned down in 1883.13 Old Main, the oldest surviving building on campus, was constructed in 1884.14 The open land also drew pleasure-seekers. In 1880, soon after the short line opened, an amusement park was opened near the corner of University and Lynnhurst Avenue. Called “Union Park,” the park included a bowling alley, bandstand, dance hall, carousel, and even a small zoo. Ambitious visitors could climb up a tower to observe the growing area.15 The following year, in 1881, fur trader, entrepreneur, railroad magnate, and onetime mayor of St. Paul, Norman Kittson built a stables and a racetrack on the land he owned bordered by University, Snelling, Pascal, and St. Anthony.16 The current Turf Club restaurant takes its name from this venture.

During the 1880s, development began to push into the area. Streetcars carried people around town. Early cars were horse-drawn, but by the late 1880s, electric streetcars were running up and down University and other avenues. In 1885, the area was incorporated into the City of St. Paul.17 In 1889, University Avenue was first paved with a combination of lumber, cement, and asphalt.18 In 1890, Minneapolis and St. Paul combined their separate transit companies to form the Twin City Rapid Transit Company (TCRT). The TCRT operated

January 22, 2018

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streetcars and buses in St. Paul and Minneapolis and had a manufacturing facility — called the Snelling Shops — on the southeast corner of Snelling and University by 1906. The company also acquired and operated several bus lines during WWI.19 By 1892 the area bounded

by Fairview, Thomas, Aldine, and University (including the property at 595 Aldine) was owned by the Dickerman Investment Company, run by brothers Charles K. and Gilbert The Dickerman property in 1916. (1916 Hopkins Atlas, University of Minnesota) Dickerman.20 An 1892 atlas shows the area was platted, but no homes were constructed on the land, though there were residences on the western side of Fairview. In 1906, the land was re-platted by Dickerman.21 In 1908, development had still not occurred in the Dickerman lots, but that was soon to change.22

Griggs, Cooper & Company was a successful neighborhood business. Bakers worked in 1930 to produce cookies that were sold across the country. (Minnesota Historical Society)

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595 Aldine History

January 22, 2018

Sanitary Food workers took a lunch break in Dickerman Park in 1922. (Minnesota Historical Society)

In 1911, Griggs, Cooper & Company began construction of its Sanitary Food Manufacturing Plant on one of these parcels at 1821 University Avenue – the northeast corner of Fairview and University. The building was reportedly the world’s largest canning factory when it was constructed. Candy and cracker manufacturing was added, and warehouse wing additions were made in 1921 and 1925.23 Aerial photos show that train lines curved to the building, allowing for easy transportation of goods. The main building was converted to office use in 1955 when Griggs, Cooper closed its manufacturing operations.24 In 1912, the Dickerman Investment Company and Griggs, Cooper & Company re-platted the two southern blocks fronting University Avenue, creating a 160-foot strip along University that was “dedicated for a parkway.”25 This parcel is now known as Dickerman Park. For decades, the park was neglected and under-appreciated, and adjoining businesses even began to encroach with parking lots. Around 2002, the neighborhood and City began efforts to re-claim the park. In 2006, descendants of the Dickermans donated $46,000 towards the efforts to re-vitalize the park.26 These plans are slowly unfolding.

January 22, 2018

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In 1920s, the Midway district still had patches of undeveloped land, as this pair of aerial photos shows. The 595 Aldine property was undeveloped, but the prominence of the transfer yards, Griggs, Cooper building, and Brown-Blodget building are clear.

(Minnesota Historical Society)

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595 Aldine History

January 22, 2018

The Anchor Block Company at 571 Aldine produced concrete blocks for construction purposes. (Minnesota Historical Society)

In 1928, the parcel at 571 Aldine was owned by the Anchor Block Company.27 Workers fired concrete blocks in the kilns and likely transferred them via the rail spur that curved along its western edge.28 The northeast corner of University and Wheeler was home to a variety of businesses: Brown-Blodget, Worchester Cigar Company, and Cities Service Oil Company.

Residences continued to fill in around the area, though there were only a few on the northern side of Thomas Avenue.

In 1945, when this aerial photo was taken, rail lines to the Anchor Block Company and the Sanitary Food Manufacturing Plant appear to be still in use. The 595 Aldine property was an open area with trees. (Minnesota Historical Society)

January 22, 2018

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1935 Cummins car

In 1949, the property at 595 Aldine Street was owned by Cummins Diesel Sales Corporation, which constructed a building that year.29 Cummins Diesel Sales was founded in 1919 by Clessie Cummins in Columbus, Indiana, as the Cummins Engine Company. Cummins was a self-taught mechanic and inventor, and was among the first to see the commercial potential of the engine technology invented by Rudolph Diesel in the 1890s. On Christmas Day, 1929, Cummins mounted a diesel engine into a used Packard limousine and went for a ride— creating what was likely America’s first diesel-powered automobile.30 In the early 1960s, Lyle Jensen purchased the Cummins Distributorship in Minnesota and North Dakota, and oversaw a surge of growth in the company. At the 595 Aldine property, Cummins workers serviced a wide variety of trucks and road-building vehicles. The timing for this expansion was good, as a recent history of the Cummins company explained, “By the 1950s, America had embarked on a massive interstate highway construction program, with Cummins engines powering much of the equipment that built the roads and thousands of the trucks that began to roll down them.”31 Around 1950, the property just west of 595 Aldine at 1736 Thomas32, became the Liquid Carbonic Corporation, which sold dry ice and supplies for soda fountains. Later, this building became a small grocery store.33 The property just west of that, at 1750 Thomas, was a warehouse for Buick automobiles owned by General Motors. As a result, the area became known as “Buick Hill” to local kids.34 As University Avenue developed with commercial businesses and factories, residences began to fill in on the side streets. While many of the homes in the broader area were built as working class homes between 1900 and 1930, there were few residential properties on Thomas.35 The first – and, until the late 1950s, only – house constructed in the area was a white house on the corner of Aldine and Thomas. Mark Voerding, who grew up in the Midway area, recalls that the half block to the north along Thomas Avenue was primarily vacant until the 1950s. It served as a playground for neighborhood children, who would build forts and play games on what they referred to it as “the woods” or “the vacant lot.”36

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595 Aldine History

January 22, 2018

As the neighborhood developed, occassional friction between the industrial and residential uses occurred. A Cummmins employee recalled that when the apartment buildings at 565 Aldine were constructed in 1968 – on what had been the Anchor Block property – the apartment windows were directly across from where Cummins mechanics tested vehicles in an open-air dynometer room. The testing - which measured engine power - required revving engines to their maximum. “Cummins also did run a night shift. So you can imagine the noise some old tractor with a V8-265 engine, screaming its heart out at 10pm on the dyno would sound like, and also vibrate those apartment rooms!!!” Responding to complaints, Cummins enclosed the area within a year.37 The Midway neighborhood was known for decades for the many automobile dealerships that lined nearby University Avenue. Other automotive-related businesses such as repair shops and automotive supply stores sprung up nearby. Cummins Diesel Sales served larger industrial vehicles. Like Cummins, the next tenant of 595 Aldine would be automotiverelated.

With the post-WWII rise of the automobile, streetcar use declined, and in 1953, the streetcar system in St. Paul was decommissioned and replaced with buses.38 Cars and freeways were transforming our cities. In the 1940s, planners began to study the possibility of creating a freeway between the two cities. As the Dakota and the railroad engineers had previously discovered, the most direct route followed closely along the University Avenue route.

Though a more northern route paralleling the Northern Pacific rail line was considered, leaders chose to plat the freeway through the southern option and through the historically black Rondo neighborhood.39 This development displaced the residents and weakened the economic stability and vitality of the area.

Soon after this photo was taken in 1953 at University and Snelling, the streetcar service was stopped.

(Minnesota Historical Society)

January 22, 2018

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In the 1950s and 1960s, University Avenue was a popular place to race cars and was referred to as “Route 66 of the Twin Cities.” Catering to this car culture, a number of drive-in restaurants opened along the corridor. One of the most popular of these was Porky’s. Melvin Carter, Jr., remembers this culture:

“ Back in the 50s and 60s … there’d be a lot of drag racing up and down there. … So people would go up there sometimes and watch, get some hamburgers and go up there and park … and watch some of the drag racing.”

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Drag racing declined in popularity in the 1970s as police cracked down. To help keep that era alive, the Minnesota Street Rod Association organized the first “Back to the 50s” classic car show in 1973 in the parking lot of Midway Shopping Center. The show moved to Fairgrounds a few years later, and today is largest show of its kind in the world.41 By the end of the 1960s, the Cummins Corporation had expanded its sales and service network to 2,500 dealers in 98 countries and sales were around $13 million a year. A Cummins employee recalled the energy there when he was hired in June 1969. He was originally from Nebraska and had been recently honorably discharged from the Army after serving in Vietnam. After casually stopping by Cummins (CDSI) to inquire about any openings, he was directed by the front office receptionist to the Service Manager, who officed up some stairs in the “tower” in the shop area. After reviewing his documents, the manager said “you know, you look like a good kid. Tell you what, if you can pass the physical exam we require, you’re hired. We can always use another body around here.” The man passed the exam and remained an employee for 36 years. During his days at the 595 Aldine property, he attended training sessions in the rebuild room area where “each tech gathering a ‘bolt bucket’ to sit on if the better sitting spots were already taken.” Lunch breaks were taken on the grassy area to the east side of the building, beside the front offices.

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595 Aldine History

January 22, 2018

During the 1960s and 1970s, many University Avenue businesses were tied to cars and car culture. Porky’s was a popular drive-in located where Union Park had been. (Minnesota Historical Society)

On October 12, 1969, Cummins employees moved out of the building to their new location at 2690 Cleveland Avenue in Roseville. Remembering his time at 595 Aldine, the employee said “They were fine people. There was a brotherhood of such amongst us that was similar to the military. If you were a CDSI man, you had friends who were there for you. And that meant something to me being a young guy from another state.”42 The property was purchased by MacQueen Equipment in October 1969. MacQueen Equipment, Inc. was born in 1961 when Jack MacQueen, a St. Louis County engineer, acquired the Elgin product line and began selling its street sweepers. William J. Seivert and Harold J. Garber purchased the company from MacQueen in 1967. When MacQueen Equipment, Inc. opened for business it consisted of a staff of three: one salesman, one mechanic, and a receptionist. MacQueen remained active on the company’s sales force, while Seivert served as its president and Garber its secretary-treasurer. MacQueen provided service for two products – Elgin Street Sweepers and Leach Rubbish Packers.

January 22, 2018

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MacQueen Equipment hosted an open house in their location at 595 Aldine in 1970. (MacQueen Equipment Group)

In April 1970, MacQueen held an open house in its new St. Paul location at 595 Aldine.

Reports about the open house proclaimed that the 15,000-square-foot facility “provided ample space for the turnout of 400 guests to inspect the building and product line in the truck and equipment field.”43 According to local resident Mark Voerding, the MacQueen building was pretty much off-limits to neighborhood kids, but they would sometimes watch employees work on trucks outside. Just inside the small door on the north side of the building was a water cooler that was well known to neighborhood kids who would sneak in for a quick drink of the coldest, best-tasting water around.

Until the late 1970s, MacQueen shared 595 Aldine with Mid-America Pipe Cleaning. A review of building and electrical permits shows that MacQueen made improvements to the building in 1973 and 1979. A secondary structure along the southern edge of the property was built in 1978.44 The MacQueen company worked closely with the City of St. Paul to supply the dozens of snow plows, street sweepers, sewer cleaners, and garbage trucks needed to maintain city streets. One company brochure testified that “St. Paul has the largest fleet of Elgin Sweepers, Vactor Sewer Cleaners, and Schmidt Snow Plows in Minnesota.”45 MacQueen prided itself on being a locally oriented company where “the territory managers … live in the territories they serve, which enables them to be on hand for their customers and to have a full understanding of the demands and needs of the communities in which they live and work.”46 16

595 Aldine History

January 22, 2018

MacQueen built and serviced a wide variety of vehicles, including this snowplow. (Courtesy MacQueen Equipment Group)

A MacQueen worker cleaning sweeping brushes on site in 2015. (Steve “Wolfie” Browender)

January 22, 2018

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The Latest Chapter By the 2000s, the Midway area was home to a mix of businesses. Efforts to re-develop and revitalize the area began in earnest during this time. In 2007, Menards opened a new store on part of the old Transfer property. Goodwill opened a new outlet at 553 Fairview Avenue around the same time. In anticipation of a new light rail line, developers began to eye the area. Light rail construction began in 2010, greatly disrupting parking and causing many smaller businesses to suffer.

In 2014, the 11-mile light-rail passenger Green Line was finally completed, linking downtown St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis via University Avenue. Once again, transportation modes follow the pre-existing paths, and once again they are changing the neighborhood. The new light rail has revitalized stretches of University Avenue. New apartment complexes, restaurants, and shops have opened since its completion, including a new YMCA Midway in 2016.

The Midway neighborhood is about to witness another major transformation. In August 2017, plans for a $200 million, 20,000 seat soccer stadium were announced. This new field, which will be known as Allianz Field, echoes historic uses such Kittson’s racetrack and Union Park. The Minnesota United soccer team will play there, and the stadium will be part of a planned 35-acre urban village including retail, office, residential, and public open space uses.

The housing in the immediate neighborhood was primarily built in the 1940s-1960s period, and included many single-family detached homes and apartment buildings. The affordability of this housing has attracted many younger individuals and families, as well as recent migrants. The diversity of the neighborhood generally reflects the broader pattern of St. Paul, as a 2015 report documents. Around 14% of residents report as black or African-American, around 6% as Hispanic, and around 5% as Asian.47 Hamline-Midway’s median household income during that same period was $50,750, compared with $51,405 for St. Paul as a whole.48 A recent influx of immigrants from East Africa have revitalized businesses in the area.49

By the 2000s, MacQueen was servicing dozens of vehicles on site, and space was tight. (Courtesy Steve “Wolfie” Browender)

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595 Aldine History

January 22, 2018

As the broader economy improved, so did MacQueen’s business. By the 2010s, MacQueen had around thirty-five staff working on site, including 5-6 office staff, 5-6 sales staff, and around 20-23 in parts and service. Space was too tight to support the growing business.

“We would have stayed longer if there was more room,” commented Curt Steffen. “It was hard decision to leave.” “We are a family. Everyone knows every one here. People stay here 40 years - we are a close-knit company. The building treated us well, I’m sure it will do well for Capitol Region, too.”50 In 2016, MacQueen Equipment moved into a 40,000-square-foot facility in the Beacon Bluff Industrial Park on St. Paul’s East Side. That same year, Capitol Region Watershed District purchased the 595 Aldine property. Capitol Region Watershed is renovating the building and using the opportunity to demonstrate best practices for storm-water management and other green building techniques. When the new offices open in 2018, they will become the latest caretaker of this land in the center of a prosperous American city.

“ The building treated us well, I’m sure it will do well for Capitol Region, too.”

In 2015, MacQueen Equipment Group employees serviced vehicles inside the building. (Steve “Wolfie” Browender)

January 22, 2018

595 Aldine History

19

Endnotes 1

Mona M Smith, “Owámniyomni, a Dakota Name for ‘St. Anthony Falls’” Open Rivers: Rethinking The Mississippi, 2016, no. 4.

2

David Montgomery, “Ancient Glaciers Shaped these Twin Cities. Here’s How.” Pioneer Press, September 1, 2017.

3

Bureau Land Management Records.

4

Ownership records for this era are murky. Though Townsend claimed the land in 1853, it is entirely possible that Hopkins purchased this land in 1849. The other adjoining parcels in section 33 were claimed in 1848 and 1850. What is clear is that Daniel and his second wife Annette were living on this lightly-wooded farmland in 1857.

5

Elvia [Elisa/Elisabeth] Hopkins Letters, Minnesota Historical Society.

6

1857 Ramsey County Census.

7

1860 Rose Township Census.

8

They are noted in the 1867 Rose Township map, Ramsey County Historical Society, but not listed in the 1870 non-population Agriculture census. 1875 Census.

9

“Gold Buried Here, Pioneer’s Kin Says.” Undated newspaper clipping, Elvia [Elisa] Hopkins Letters, Minnesota Historical Society.

10

Frank C. Bliss, St. Paul, Its Past and Present, 1888, 222.

11

E.S. Norton, Map of St. Paul, 1886, Minnesota Historical Society.

12

David Lanegran and Carol Urness, Minnesota on the Map, 2008, 146. Donnelley’s 1892 Atlas of the City of St. Paul, Minnesota, Volume 2.

13

St. Paul Daily Globe, February 8, 1883.

14

D avid W. Johnson, Hamline University: A History 1854-1994, 1994, 21. Larry Millet, AIA Guide to the Twin Cities, 2007, 562

15

Millet, 502.

16

Jane McClure, “Bus Barn Site Has Rich History in the Midway,” Monitor, March 13, 2014.

17

“Growth of the City of St. Paul” Map, Ramsey County Historical Society.

18

Donald Empson. The Street Where You Live, 2006, 274.

19

John W. Diers and Aaron Isaacs, Twin Cities by Trolley: the Streetcar Era in Minneapolis and St. Paul, 2007.

20

595 Aldine History

January 22, 2018

20

Donnelley’s 1892 Atlas of the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, Volume 2.

21

Empson, 76.

22

C urtice’s Revised Atlas of St. Paul, 1908. University of Minnesota

23

Aaron Rubenstein, “Summary of Historical Significance of Nine Focus Buildings; Central Corridor Historic Properties Initiative,” Historic St. Paul, 2013, 6.

24

Rubenstein, 7.

25

Empson, 76.

26

Heidi Bakk-Hansen. “The Dickerman Family” Zenith City Online (2012-2017).

27

G.M. Hopkins, Plat Book of the City of Saint Paul, 1928. University of Minnesota.

28

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.

29

No original building permits exist, but Ramsey County Records lists the building as being built in 1949. The 595 Aldine property is first listed in the St. Paul City in 1950.

30

Cummins “Company History: Nearly 100 Years of Dependability and Service,” cumminsengines.com/history.

31

Ibid.

32

The 1951 St. Paul City Directory lists the Liquid Carbonic Corporation at 1736 Thomas.

33

Mark Voerding email to Elizabeth Lorenz-Meyer, 22 August 2017.

34

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map. Mark Vording described a warehouse (likely the GM warehouse) at this location burning down in the mid 1950s per email to Elizabeth LorenzMeyer, 22 August 2017.

35

Millet, 563.

36

Mark Vording email to Elizabeth Lorenz-Meyer, 22 August 2017.

37

Cummins employee memories, forwarded by Tami Halliday, Cummins Marketing Communications Manager, on January 9, 2018, to Nancy O’Brien Wagner.

38

Anne M. Ketz, “University Avenue’s Enduring Car Culture,” Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, 2013, 6.

39

Nancy O’Brien Wagner, “True North: Rondo: Urban Renewal Lesson,” 2007.

40

Ketz, 19.

41

Ketz, 22.

January 22, 2018

595 Aldine History

21

42

Cummins employee memories, forwarded by Tami Halliday, Cummins Marketing Communications Manager, on January 9, 2018, to Nancy O’Brien Wagner.

Cummins “Company History: Nearly 100 Years of Dependability and Service,” cumminsengines.com/history.

43

“MacQueen Equipment Holds Open House in New St. Paul Location,” Untitled Clipping, May 1970, Midway History Corps archive.

44

Ramsey County Property Records.

45

“MacQueen Equipment, Inc.” sign, undated, provided by Allie Keller, MacQueen.

46

ibid

47

Minnesota Compass, “Planning District 11 Hamline-Midway Neighborhood” Demographic Report, 2015.

48

Ibid.

49

Frederick Melo, “For African Immigrants, St. Paul is Starting to Feel More Like Home,” Pioneer Press, July 4, 2015.

50

Conversation with Curt Steffen and Nancy O’Brien Wagner, December 19, 2017.

22

595 Aldine History

January 22, 2018

Metro Watershed Management Plan Update Guide Purpose The following guide provides information for metro Watershed Districts (WD) and Water Management Organizations (WMO) about the process for updating metro watershed plans (plans). The update process is broken up into four major phases: initiate, draft, review and adopt (see Figure 1). Each phase consists of required and recommended steps for updating water plans, as per Minnesota Statute §103B.231 and Rule 8410. The required steps are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Figure 1. Metro Watershed Plan Update Process Initiate

Draft

•Consult •Engage committee(s) •Notify •Host initial meeting •Public input •Assessment •Review •Identify issues

Review •Outline •Draft •Review (informal) •Discuss •Revise

•Review (formal) •Compile •Response •Public hearing •Revise •Submit

Adopt •Adopt •Prep •Distribute

Update Process Phase One: Initiate the update process Step 1. Consult WD/WMO consults with BWSR Board Conservationist to review the plan update process. Prepare to start the update process approximately 18-26 months prior to the expiration of the current plan to allow adequate time to gather priority concerns, write the plan, and meet the review timelines. Discuss public input ideas. Set a due date for update completion and work backward to develop an internal timeline.

WD/WMO Board passes a resolution indicating the intent to update their plan. Submit resolution to the BWSR Board Conservationist. The “Resolution to Update” template is located on the BWSR website.

Step 2. Advisory committee(s)* Engage committee(s) in the update process. The purpose of the committee(s) are to make recommendations on the issues identified in the plan (8410.0045, Subpart 2). Committees are most beneficial when their input is solicited and integrated regularly throughout the update process. WDs have a standing advisory committee and a technical advisory committee. WMOs have an advisory committee and/or other type of committee, or other public and technical participation.

Step 3. Notify* www.bwsr.state.mn.us

1

WD/WMO notifies the required state review agencies, any county, city, township and soil and water conservation district in the area, and MnDOT. The notice describes the initiation of the plan update and requests input on water resource information; allow 60 days for response (prior to initial planning meeting) (8410.0045, Subparts 3 and 4.).

Step 4. Initial planning meeting* Host initial planning meeting(s) to receive, review and discuss public input (8410.0045, Subparts 5 and 7). At the initial planning meeting, the WD/WMO should discuss the planning process, issues identified during the initial 60-day agency comment period, potential goals and priorities, and discuss public input opportunities.

Step 5. Public input* Develop a public input process that is WD/WMO Board approved and acceptable to BWSR. At least one public input meeting is required, however, multiple public meetings may be necessary to explain the planning process, the goals of the plan, and to solicit meaningful input. Citizen surveys and workshops with interest groups can be additional means to gather public input.

Step 6. Assessment* WD/WMO performs self-assessment, gap analysis, and/or needs assessment to evaluate progress on current plan (8410.0045, Subpart 7).

Step 7. Review* WD/WMO identifies and considers all relevant plans and programs (8410.0045, Subpart 6). Review any Water Resources and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) reports, Groundwater Restoration and Protection Strategies (GRAPS) reports, and One Watershed, One Plans (1W1P) developed for the area. The BWSR website contains information on how to use the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) reports in water plans.

Step 8. Identify priority issues* WD/WMO Committee(s) and Board identify and prioritize issues after assessing available information including input from the public and the resource inventory.

Phase Two: Draft plan Step 9. Outline WD/WMO reviews current plan sections, develop list of sections to update/revise, note areas where information is missing, or out of date. Develop and approve plan outline.

Step 10. Draft WD/WMO develops first draft of plan. See Minnesota Rules 8410 for plan content requirements. Advisory and Technical Committees should provide input throughout the drafting process.

Step 11. Informal review WD/WMO conducts an informal review. Gather feedback on first draft plan from required review agencies, Advisory Committee(s) and other means of public participation.

www.bwsr.state.mn.us

2

Step 12. Discuss WD/WMO Board and Advisory Committee discuss and provide direction regarding feedback.

Step 13. Revise draft plan WD/WMO revises draft plan per informal review and WD/WMO Board and Advisory Committee discussions.

Submit second draft plan for review with WD/WMO Board approval.

Phase 3: Formal Review and Approval Step 14. Formal review* WD/WMO conducts first formal review of (60 day) draft plan (103B.231, Subpart 7). Allow at least 60 days for comments.

Step 15. Compile comments WD/WMO compiles comments and prepares draft response to comments.

Step 16. Response to comments* WD/WMO Board approves response to comments. Distribute responses to comments at least 10 days prior to public hearing (103B.231, Subpart 7, (b)).

Step 17. Public hearing* WD/WMO conducts public hearing on (60 day) draft plan (103B.231, Subpart 7, (c.)). Public hearing is held at least 10 days after distribution of response to comments and no sooner than 14 days after end of 60-day review period.

Step 18. Revise plan WD/WMO revises (60 day) draft plan. Obtain WD/WMO Board approval to submit plan to BWSR for final review.

Step 19. Submit plan* WD/WMO submits (90 day) final draft plan to BWSR to complete final formal review (103B.231, Subpart 9).

The BWSR subcommittee will make a recommendation and send to the BWSR Board for decision.

Phase 4: Plan Adoption, Production, Distribution Step 20. Adopt* WD/WMO Board adopts final plan as approved by BWSR (103B.231, Subpart 10, (a.)). Upon receiving notice that BWSR has approved their plan, the organization has 120 days to pass an Adoption and Implementation Resolution (template on BWSR website) and forward a copy of the adoption to the BWSR Regional Manager and Board Conservationist.

Step 21. Distribute* WD/WMO prepares final plan for electronic and print distribution. WD/WMO distributes Plan to stakeholders (8410.0140, Subpart 5). www.bwsr.state.mn.us

3

Capitol Region Watershed District Citizen Advisory Committee 2018 Agenda Plan CAC Meeting Date January 10, 2018

District Initiatives Friends of the Mississippi River Partner Grant Presentation, Adam Flett Phalen Creek Daylighting Study CRWD Research Program Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary Lift Station.

Saint Paul Natural Resources Partner Grant Programs Adopt a Drain Program

CAC Initiatives 2018 CAC Meeting Plan Watershed Steward Awards Event Service Learning Student Presentation

March 14, 2018

595 Aldine History Project Strategic and Watershed Management Planning

Service Learning Student Urban Root-Speechcraft Program

April 11, 2018

2017 Permit Program Review

May 9, 2018

2019 Budget

Election of Officers Student Worker Program CAC Tour Planning Service Learning Student Summer Tour

February 14, 2018

June 13, 2018 July 18, 2018

2018 Student Learner Program 2017 Watershed Steward Awards Program Review

Service Learning Student

September 12, 2018

2018 Budget Targeted Watershed Program 2018 Budget Review and Comment on 2019 Budget 2018-2019 Construction Projects

October 10, 2018

New Building Open House

Service Learning Student Watershed Steward Awards Program Moos Lecture Series Watershed Steward Awards Program Moos Lecture Series Service Learning Student Watershed Steward Awards

August 8, 2018

November 14, 2018

December 1, 2018

2017 Reappointment Recommendations 2019 Partner Grants Program Updated: December 27, 2017 W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\Agendas\2018 CAC Agenda Plan 1-10

-17.doc

2018 Awards Program Adoption Moos Lecture Series Watershed Steward Awards Program