Whenever a new development is announced in West St. Paul, there’s consternation that it’s not what people wanted. But the reality is we don’t have a lot of control.

Whenever a new development is announced in West St. Paul, there’s consternation that it’s not what people wanted. But the reality is we don’t have a lot of control.
This week’s West St. Paul City Council meeting included informational updates on next week’s election, homeless outreach, a coming Thompson Avenue turnback, and the art park. There was also business as usual with failed alcohol and tobacco checks and public hearings for citations, assessments, and street improvements.
The West St. Paul City Council will consider future street improvements, unpaid assessments, alcohol and tobacco compliance checks, and a plan to refinance some bonds. Also look for updates on homelessness, the art park, and the coming election.
West St. Paul City Council learned about ranked choice voting and the coming Moreland Avenue reconstruction project in 2021, and also awarded small business grants to 21 West St. Paul businesses for COVID-19 loses.
How West St. Paul businesses respond to closures, from not requiring rent to opening a takeout window, can be heartening in the midst of the storm.
Beirut Restaurant opened on Robert Street 35 years ago serving authentic Lebanese food. It’s still there today, freshly opened after a $120,000 remodel.