In partnership with the Grand Avenue Business Association (GABA), SHA has requested an urgent meeting with City of Saint Paul elected officials and staff to address economic development on Grand Avenue.

This letter comes after repeated attempts over several years to work in partnership with the City, residents, other neighborhood organizations, and business partners to ensure a safe, vibrant Grand Avenue corridor.

The drumbeat of headlines related to Grand Avenue closures have brought these years of discussion to a head. SHA is committed to bringing economic development, public safety, and community development experts together to find real solutions through the Grand Avenue Working Group.

See our letter, submitted January 10, 2024, below:

A record crowd of over 2,000 people toured Summit Hill last weekend as the 2023 Summit Hill House Tour returned in full force.

Glorious weather, pent up demand from a 5 year hiatus, and a stunning roster of storied homes combined to bring out the crowds, as tour goers soaked in a mix of Victorian charm and thoughtful contemporary updates that allow 100+ year old homes to adapt to modern living.

Homes featured on the tour included Summit Avenue mansions, grand homes designed by a who’s who of notable architects such as Cass Gilbert and Clarence Johnston, family homes and duplexes. Together, the homes on this year’s tour collectively provide a window into life in Summit Hill.

A full list of this year’s houses is available on the Summit Hill Tours website.

Supporting Summit Hill

The House Tour is the Summit Hill Association’s biggest fundraiser of the year, supporting our community-focused programming throughout the year while helping to ensure the long term health and the neighborhood.

Some of our current projects include rebuilding Linwood Park, a working group to define a new vision for Grand Avenue, and community-building events such as summer concerts and open-air children’s theater.

A huge thank you to all the homeowners, volunteers, and community members who made this year’s tour possible.

On Monday August 3rd we held a community Open House for the Reimagine Linwood Park Project. Well over 100 community members - kids and adults alike - came out to the Rec Center on a beautiful summer’s evening, enjoyed an ice cream and told us about what they want to see in a redesigned community space.

Sharing Ideas for Linwood

We shared maps, information about existing facilities, pictures of play equipment, and survey data / analysis. By most displays, there were prompts, sheets and markers available to have folks respond to the information presented. Dot voting was extremely popular, and by the end of the night colored stickers covered almost everything on the wall.

Parks & Rec staff and SHA board members were also in attendance, and had lots of great conversations with community members throughout the evening.

Survey Readout and Analysis

We shared preliminary results from our community survey last night. We had over 200 responses going into the evening, and are now at close to 250 responses overall! Top priorities for a reimagined park include improved tree cover and shade, an amphitheater or similar for concerts and performances, picnic tables, and - parent favorite - a splash pad. Here’s the presentation:

If you haven’t taken the community survey yet, there’s still time!

Hearing from Kids

It’s important that kids’ voices are heard loud and clear throughout this process, not just the adults! Last night we set up tables where kids were led through a facilitated exercise to draw their ideal play and recreational facilities, which Linwood Rec’s kids program teacher facilitated.

We also made sure that dot voting and other activities were placed low enough so kids could engage with them directly.

Thanks to everyone who showed up, helped out, and made the event such a success!

How to Get Involved

We’re actively accepting volunteers to join a community working group for this project. The group will:

• Visiting other play and rec spaces throughout Saint Paul and beyond for ideas and inspiration.

• Working on initial concepts and ideas in partnership with Parks & Rec.

• Conducting community engagement as plans take shape.

• Planning small scale fundraising events to supplement grant funding.

• Communicating regular updates to the community.

If you want to help us make this exciting project happen, please email reimaginelinwood@summithillassociation.org or call the office at (651) 222-1222.

SHA and GABA are partnering with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation to care for the new trees that were recently planted along parts of East Grand Avenue to replace those lost to emerald ash borer control.

We are looking for businesses and neighbors to adopt one of the new trees that have been planted to ensure they stay watered and cared for. It's an easy and straightforward commitment that directly supports Grand Avenue. Full instructions will be provided and you’ll be able to contact SHA staff if you need anything!

If you’re ready to help, click the link below:

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This project is part of the Grand Avenue Working Group. Learn more about our work

Minneapolis-based Open Eye Theatre will bring its award-winning Driveway Tour theatre program to Linwood Park (Upper lawn area) on Friday, June 30, 2023 at 7:00pm!

Join us at the park for live music, puppetry, and more as we host a family-friendly performance of “Tucker’s Robot”. Kids will be able to go behind the scenes and meet the puppeteers after the show.

This is a free community event - all are welcome! We suggest bringing a chair or blanket, and you’re welcome to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy.

For more info, see the SHA calendar event.

Grand Old Day is back - this Sunday June 4th 2023! Join your neighbors and support the Grand Avenue Business Association as we kick off Summer with food, music, an arts corridor, family fun zone, a parade, and much much more at the largest free festival in the Midwest!

Please note that this is NOT a Summit Hill Association Event - all inquiries should be directed to the organizers at info@grandave.com

Come Visit SHA!

We'll have a table next to the info booth at the corner of Oxford and Grand. You can:

• Find out more about the House Tour and buy tickets

• Learn how to get involved with our work improving Grand Avenue or Reimagining Linwood Park

• Meet some of our current board members and learn more about our events and volunteering with SHA

We hope to see you on Sunday!

More Information

For more information about the event, schedule, map, wristband purchases, and registration information, please visit the main Grand Old Day website.

The full SHA Board of Directors has voted to oppose the application of DWD Group (Gather Eatery / Billy’s on Grand) for its liquor licenses as submitted at a Special Board Meeting held on Tuesday 5/23.

• A motion to support all five licenses as proposed with DSI conditions failed 1-7.

• A motion to approve licenses as proposed with DSI conditions except an added midnight closure Sunday-Thursday and a 1am closure Friday-Saturday failed 1-6-1.

• A motion to approve licenses as proposed with DSI conditions except an added midnight closure on all days of the week carried 6-1-1.

SHA Would Support Midnight Closing TIme

Based on those votes and additional board conversation, the final recommendation from SHA to the City is:

• SHA does not support the application as submitted.

• SHA would support a license with:

  • 12am closing time

  • Improved camera and security coverage of common areas within the Victoria East complex and the parking lot. SHA would encourage the DWD group to seek outside security expertise in placing cameras.

  • Strengthening proposed condition 8 to apply an “upward departure” to any license violations accrued in the first two years of the new license given recent enforcement actions under this management team and at this location.

From the letter:

SHA is supportive of DWD’s plans to rebrand Billy’s and focus more on food and a wider range of customers and entertainment options. We believe an earlier closing time and more vigilance around safety within and outside the property is compatible with their goals to modify their business model. It would also represent a commitment from DWD group to taking safety and neighborhood concerns seriously and make it possible for Gather Eatery & Bar to thrive in this location for many years to come.

Thanks to all the neighbors that sent in written comments or showed up to our public hearing. We look forward to continuing to work with DWD Group / Gather Eatery as they rebrand and refocus their business to serve Summit Hill and the wider Saint Paul community.

This signature event of the Summit Hill Association will take place on October 8, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM and will showcase some of the most stunning and historic homes in the Summit Hill neighborhood.

"We're thrilled to be able to bring the Summit Hill House Tour after a few years off due to the pandemic," said Summit Hill Association Executive Director Monica Haas. "This event is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the beauty and history of this unique neighborhood and to bring together community members to celebrate our shared heritage."

"We encourage everyone to come out and join us for a day of fun, history, and beautiful homes," said Haas. "The Summit Hill House Tour is a true highlight of the fall season in St. Paul, and we can't wait to share it with you."

The Summit Hill House Tour has been a special event in St. Paul for many years, and this year's tour promises to be one of the best yet. Visitors can explore beautiful homes, ranging from modern residences to historic Victorian homes, each with a unique architectural style and history.

“The Summit Hill Association has been instrumental in helping preserve the integrity of our beautiful neighborhood over the years. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share some of our neighborhood’s best homes with the public and help raise money for our neighborhood association in the process. We have handpicked some of the most beautiful homes in the area to showcase on the tour, and our guests will not be disappointed!” said Marcy Wengler, area realtor, neighborhood resident and Summit Hill House Tour event chair.

In addition to the beautiful homes on display, visitors can enjoy strolling the neighborhood and visiting Grand Avenue's local shops and eateries. The event features general admission tickets and a VIP Access option, including a pre-event brunch in the neighborhood and early access to the properties. The Summit Hill House Tour tickets are $40 for general admission or $135 for VIP access.

Tickets go on sale June 1st at www.summithilltours.org