Overview

Working with the District 10 Como Community Council and the South Como Co-op, North End Neighborhood Organization (NENO) carried out various activities focused on highlighting neighborhood identity and corridor beautification using their 2025 Commercial Corridor Program funds. For 2026, the Como Community Council is taking over responsibilities for the corridor. The Como Community Council is working closely with the Como Front Dale Business Collective (CFD Collective) continuing support with marketing, events, and a business subgrant program.

What the funding supports

Sheer Craft woodworking shop storefront with visitors browsing outside during an open-shop event, showing signage for woodworking and boat-building classes.

Events

Event funds cover the Front Avenue Community Crawl and bimonthly community meetings.

Learn more about Events
Como Front Dale district ad seen from inside a bus shelter.

Marketing

Marketing funds pay for a business directory and advertising at the Mali Center and in bus shelters.

Learn more about Marketing
A Como Front Dale Business Collective outreach tent set up alongside Oakland Cemetery, with a staff member, T-shirts, a prize wheel and two visitors.

Business subgrants

Business subgrants assists business owners to make capital improvements to their business and provide technical assistance to local businesses.

Learn more about Business Support
Yellow "Como • Front • Dale" bike rack on a sidewalk next to a bike lane.

Beautification

Beautification funds bring new bike racks, banners, outdoor benches and planters to the corridor.

Learn more about Beautification

Events

Infographic of Front Avenue Crawl

Front Avenue Community Crawl

The Front Avenue Community Crawl is a celebration of local businesses intended to activate several commercial spaces in the corridor. It is operated in partnership with the District 10 Como Community Council with funding provided by the Commercial Corridor program. 

Flyer for the Como Front Dale Business Collective's free Small Business Sessions on March 22, April 26, and May 24, 1–3 p.m. at 1010 Dale Street.

Business Connectors

Business networking and planning meetings will be held by the District 10 Como Community Council and the Como Front Dale Business Collective bi-monthly.

Marketing

Como Front Dale Collective Webpage

Business Corridor Website

Commercial Corridor funds helped pay for the design and creation of the Como Front Dale Collective website, a member directory for the corridor. Como Community Council plans on continuing support for the website into 2026 along with SEO support.

Join the Collective
Como Front Dale district ad on a bus shelter panel, promoting the area as a place for start-ups, makers, and micro businesses.

Neighborhood Advertising

Corridor advertising was placed throughout the corridor using Commercial Corridor funds. This primarily consisted of advertisements in bus shelters and the Mali Center. Como Community Council plans to continue this through business cards, brochures, and racks.

Business Subgrants

Como Front Dale Commercial Corridor Micro-Grant Program hero, with a Round 1 deadline of November 13 and the Saint Paul Commercial Corridors seal.

Como Front Dale Microgrant Program

District 10 Como Community Council is planning to create a micro-grant program, using Commercial Corridor funds, to address capital improvements, beautification, marketing, and promotion for local businesses on an as-needed basis.

Learn more about the Micro-grant Program

Beautification

A loaded bicycle parked at a yellow "Como • Front • Dale" bike rack with a wheel cutout design.

Bike Racks

A total of eight bike racks were procured and installed along the corridor next to local businesses, using Commercial Corridor funds.

Como Front Dale Street Banner

Corridor Banners

Commercial Corridor funds supported the design and creation of corridor banners, including meetings to discuss designs and the procurement and installation of the banners.

Conny's Creamy Cone Bench

Benches & Planters

A total of five outdoor benches and nineteen outdoor planters with Como Front Dale corridor branding were commissioned by the North End Neighborhood Organization for the corridor, paid for by Commercial Corridor funding.