1990 Census and City of St. Cloud Assessor's Office Like a brick building where the blocks remain but the mortar is chipped away, so too is the East Side. The East Side is a neighborhood of modest homes.
Mature trees shade front porches, where people sit on summer evenings.
But the area is also home to shelters that cater to the poor and transients, some of whom ride the rails into town in the summer looking for free food and a place to sleep. One of St. Cloud's richest neighborhoods in character and diversity, the East Side in recent years has suffered some neglect. Today, however, the area is on the rebound, with new businesses moving in and cleanup efforts underway. East Side merchants have taken the offensive to make their district a more appealing one. They recently held a get-together to discuss the future and celebrate their community.