⛳ What would you build on this golf course?

No Golf Course Means More Homes in Falcon Heights

If you’ve ever driven to the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus and accidentally found yourself in Falcon Heights, you’ve definitely spotted the sprawling Les Bolstad Golf Course. The university has owned the 141-acre golf course for over a hundred years, but sold it last month for $30.5 million. A spokesperson said the school didn’t have the money to fix the course’s long-standing maintenance issues. [CBS Minnesota / Star Tribune]

• More housing: St. Michael-based Rachel Development now controls the future of the land, and multiple cities and residents are watching closely. Developers want to build up to 1,818 housing units of different types, from apartments, single-family homes, to senior homes. The plans also call for retail and office space. About three-quarters of the area’s wetlands would be impacted. [Pioneer Press]
• The debate: Plans to turn the golf course land into housing have been controversial. Golf course advocates, outdoor enthusiasts, and naturalists say the massive green space is precious and unique. A preliminary soil analysis found arsenic and mercury exceeding acceptable levels for residential development, which could mean some major excavation. [Pioneer Press / MinnPost]
• “Once in a lifetime”: No matter how the former golf course changes, the redevelopment will drastically change Falcon Heights. As urbanist Bill Lindeke points out, the city doesn’t have much room to grow elsewhere; the State Fair and U of M take up a lot of space. The city’s population of 5,000 could double with the influx of housing. [MinnPost / Pioneer Press]

New chapter: The Wells Fargo burned down in the uprisings of 2020 is now an apartment complex. Called “Opportunity Crossings,” homes are available to residents who make 50% or less of the area median income. The project is a result of multi-million dollar investments from the city, state, county and Ameriprise Financial. [Spokesman-Recorder]

Surveillance from Indiana: Law enforcement agencies, some from out-of-state, accessed Minnesota’s Flock traffic camera data for immigration enforcement purposes during Operation Metro Surge. In one case, FBI agents were able to access Fridley’s data by using the Flock account of police in Fisher, Indiana. Minnesota law says that license plate readers can only be used in active criminal investigations. [Star Tribune]

Two mass shootings: Minneapolis was rocked by two mass shootings on Sunday. Nine people were shot outside of the Reign Event Center, a nightclub in Uptown. That night, at least four men were shot at the 1800 block of Nicollet Avenue. Mayor Jacob Frey said the shootings emphasize the need for technology like drones; the City Council recently rejected a program that would test using drones as first responders. [CBS Minnesota / MPR News]

MyVoter Registration: President Trump recently endorsed MyPillow exec Mike Lindell for governor, but to quote “Mean Girls,” he doesn’t even go here. Turns out, Lindell is only registered to vote in his home state of Texas. He assured the Star Tribune he won’t vote twice. Notably, he’s claimed the 2020 presidential election results were “rigged.” [Star Tribune / New York Times]

Grand opening: Artists of color can now get help marketing their brand or even pricing their art at Roho Collective’s new space. Stop by to shop from local creators or view pieces by 30 Black artists in the gallery. [Sahan Journal]

Tuesday, July 21

• 💃 Waltz! Beginner Social Dancing with Bre Gay | Eastside Food Co-op
• 🎣 Family Fishing | Phalen Lake
• 🆓 Art in the Park | Waite Park
• 🆓 Bad River Documentary Screening | New City Center
• 🎸 Pavement (with Nap Eyes) | Palace Theatre
• 😂 Canned Laughter Show ft. Dru Nustad | Sisyphus Brewing
• 🆓 2026 Funniest Person in St Paul Prelims | Gambit Brewing Co

Wednesday, July 22

• 🎤 Sing Together | Macphail Center for Music
• 🎨 Hands On: Summer Darning Workshop | Casket Arts Building
• 👭 Carabiner Connect | Utepils Brewing
• 🆓 Groovin' in the Garden ft. Red Eye Ruby | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
• 🎨 Tarot and Clay Series | West River Arts Building
• 🌈 TC Queer Transplants Meet-up | Queermunity
• 😂 Queers Crush Comedy | Black Hart of Saint Paul

• Vice President, Marketing at Minnesota United FC | $110k – $130k per year
• Knowledge Content Strategist at Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development | $71k – $106k per year
• Law Library Experiential Learning Librarian at University of Minnesota Law School | $110k – $118k per year
• Executive Producer at Hubbard Broadcasting (KSTP-TV) | $80k – $90k per year
• Freedom Navigator at Minnesota Freedom Fund | $20 – $27 per hour (PT)