West St. Paul City Council chambers

West St. Paul City Council Preview: March 24, 2025

Thanks to Fraidy Cats and Clothesline Laundromat for their support.

West St. Paul moves forward with public art, discussing the creation of an independent arts commission. Other items on the agenda include missing middle housing, 424 Butler redevelopment, low income rental classification, and a closed session for the former Burger King lot.

Independent Arts Commission

As part of an effort to encourage more public art but insulate the city from any first amendment concerns, the Council will discuss establishing an independent arts commission during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS).

Pace Automotive: Local, family owned auto repair. Personal, honest service.
  • This quasi-independent group would function like other city committees but with minimal city support.
  • Duties would include reviewing and recommending art proposals, creating policy and guidelines, preparing call for artists, and more.

Other Items on the Agenda

  • Legislative direction: The OCWS will include discussion on local zoning preemption proposed at the state legislature (known as “Missing Middle” housing bills) and potentially sending a letter opposing it.
  • 424 Butler: During the OCWS, Council will discuss hiring a construction manager to prepare the 424 Butler property for redevelopment.
  • LIRC declaration: The Council will consider multiple properties for 4D1 tax classification, a state program that diverts property tax funds to building maintenance.
  • Closed session: Council will have a closed session to discuss a nuisance property case with 1650 South Robert Street, the former Burger King site.

Engage

We believe in government transparency and provide these West St. Paul City Council recaps with the support of our members.

TAGS

RELATED

Vote Here sign at Heritage E-STEM Middle School.
Election

2026 Election: Voter’s Guide

Our expanded election guide covers local races in the surrounding communities of West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and the West Side. See voting details, voter’s guides for each area, and the races we’re covering.

MC's Pub
West St. Paul Eats

MC’s Pub Opens in Inver Grove Heights

MC’s Pub is opening in Inver Grove Heights on November 1. The sports bar and grill is part of the Muddy Cow Restaurant Group, with more than a dozen various locations in the metro area.

Printable voter's guide
Election

Printable Voter’s Guide for the 2026 Election

We’ve created a printable, nonpartisan voters guide summarizing races in the 2026 election for West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and the West Side. It’s an at-a-glance chart of local races and can be a starting point for your candidate research.

Two Rivers students phone banking
Education

Students Get on the Phone for ISD 197 Levy

Two seniors at Two Rivers High School rallied 35 of their fellow classmates to phone bank for the levy. “When we first learned about the levy, we saw this as a key issue that we needed to help support,” said Saakar Basyal.

Leave a Reply

Discover more from West St. Paul Reader

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Member Drive

20 New Members

We need 20 new members by August 10 to support coverage of ISD 197 School Board.