Payne-Phalen Community Council

Organizing Strong, Safe, Welcoming and Connected Payne Phalen neighborhoods

Payne-Phalen Community Council (District Five) 

Our Mission:  To improve our Payne-Phalen neighborhoods by engaging, educating and empowering all residents in our diverse community. 

The Payne-Phalen Community Council exists to promote the physical, social and economic development and human dignity of all people within its geographic boundaries.

Who we are

Payne-Phalen Community Council is:

• One of 17 citizen participation districts established through a St. Paul City Council resolution in 1975.
• Celebrating 40 years of grassroots community leadership to improve our neighborhood and Saint Paul as a whole!
• Run by a community elected volunteer Board of 17 Payne-Phalen residents and business owners.
• An independent  MN registered 501 (c ) 3 nonprofit.
• Focused on promoting diverse community engagement, local development, public safety, healthy environment and transportation for all.

Who we serve

District Five serves the people in its geographic boundaries.  Payne-Phalen is the largest of St. Paul’s neighborhoods and serves a population total of 30,500 (Census 2010).  Payne–Phalen is also one of Minnesota's most diverse, younger and lower–income neighborhoods in MN.  The City of Saint Paul’s Planning District Five service area includes: East of I-35E, South of Larpenteur Avenue, West of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail, and North of Grove Street.

Our neighborhood is increasingly young, diverse and vibrant.

55% families of color.
76% of the area’s schoolchildren are children of color.
78% of area children qualify for free or reduced school lunch programs.
53.5% have incomes under 200% of the poverty level.

A resilient and proud neighborhood - Payne Phalen is becoming a neighborhood of choice.  Well-constructed, older housing stock represents a great value to first-time home buyers. Payne Avenue is home to very popular eateries such as Cook, East Side Thai, Tongue in Cheek, Magnolias, Yarusso's,  LaPalma, Sui Yep Cafe, East Side Pizzeria and much more.  Payne Avenue was awarded the Pioneer Press  "Munch Madness" popularity poll for best restaurants in town in 2015.  Beacon Bluff (former 3M site) brings 100's of new jobs to the area. Proposed housing developments and the City's Inspiring Communities program are restoring older homes and initiating new home construction.

What we do

District Five is a nimble, responsive neighborhood resource with 2 staff and a 17-member volunteer Board.  Staff and leaders alike support all residents and neighborhoods to address issues by exercising self-determination and building collective influence over local, city and regional decisions that affect their lives.  Our main focus currently is the District Plan - where residents decide what they want and don't want in their neighborhoods, getting key pieces in place for ongoing update.

Constituent issues - troubleshooting, information and referral
Recycling Outreach and Education
Crime Prevention
Community Gardening
Railroad Island (neighborhood) development
National Night Out
Voter Education for youth of color
Planning for larger developments in the area
Citywide Clean Ups and Beautification projects
Branding and marketing a positive East Side

How does the District Five Council plan?
Our resident Board facilitates public input process and promotes area developments, plans, projects and initiatives that match community established goals and vision.  Citizen panels review and make recommendations to local government on licensing and zoning issues.