Group of eleven people posing in a room. They are standing in two rows. A wooden podium and partial 'NORTH ST PAUL' text are visible behind them, along with an American flag on the right."

Saint Paul College and the City of North St. Paul have launched a new partnership that will provide students with hands-on experience building a duplex from the ground up. Approved unanimously at the North St. Paul City Council meeting, the initiative will engage 21 carpentry students and 19 cabinetmaking students starting later this month. 

The city has committed to providing student scholarships, recognizing the value of workforce development and community collaboration. The project not only supports technical education but also strengthens ties between the college and the broader community. 

“The partnership with the City of North St. Paul and Saint Paul College is really the start of something big,” said V.A. Hayman-Barber, Dean of Trade and Technical Programs at Saint Paul College.  “Not only through building this twin home, but also through impacting the community and giving the students something they can be proud of for years to come.” 

The initiative builds on a legacy of similar work previously coordinated through District 916, with longtime faculty member Tom Hillstead playing a key role in establishing trust and continuity. 

Tom Leiskau and Tom Hillstead standing on a grassy field with autumn-colored trees and houses in the background. Both are smiling and facing the camera.

“The partnership to build residential structures with the City of North St. Paul offers the real on-site facilities required to provide a detailed educational background for carpentry students,” said Saint Paul College Carpentry Faculty Tom Leiskau. “The students will gain valuable skills and experiences to develop outstanding future employment opportunities. These skills and experiences include, but are not limited to, civil site engineering, individual stick and wall panel framing, engineered structural framing, and detailed exterior and interior finishing. The value of team building to create a residential structure that becomes the largest financial investment of a future family’s life is not forgotten among the elements learned.  The knowledge gained from this partnership cannot be forgotten by the student builder.  They can always say, “I built that structure”.   Saint Paul College and the City of North St. Paul are building futures with real-world carpentry experiences.” 

The duplex will be constructed on a spacious, one-fifth-acre parcel located at 2357 7th Ave E, just blocks from downtown North St. Paul. The site offers students a unique opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting while contributing to the local community.