Reading the Highland Villager #73

[Holiday themed sidewalks in "The Village."]

[Basically the problem is that the best source of Saint Paul streets & sidewalks news is the Highland Villager, a very fine and historical newspaper. This wouldn't be a problem, except that its not available online. You basically have to live in or frequent Saint Paul to read it. That's why I'm reading the Highland Villager so that you don't have to. Until this newspaper goes online, sidewalk information must be set free.]



Headline: New journey begins for refurbished Union Depot
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Report on the opening of St Paul's Union Depot, plugging its [last weekend's] grand opening event. Article includes interview with Regional Rail Authority chair, description of future transit and rail systems planned for the station. [It should be noted that currently, there will be one train in and out of the station each day. One. Solo. Uno. Nada mucho. ... Everything else is but a dream. -Ed.] Also includes extended description of architecture and restoration details, discussion of some public art.

Headline: Public to weigh in on plan for razing Ford Plant
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Article on the demolition plan for the Highland Park Ford plant. [I'm not sure how difficult this is, knocking stuff down. Doesn't seem like rocket science to me.] Demolition will be "environmentally sensitive."

Headline: MAC approves partial adoption of new flight patterns
Reporter: Kevin Driscoll

Short short version: The Metropolitan Airports Commission is altering flight paths, because of some technological changes. The new paths will affect multiple cities. Some of these cities have not complained (Richfield, Mendota Heights) and some have complained (South Minneapolis, Edina). Includes quote from Mpls CM Colvin Roy about the situation being too complicated to understand.  

Headline: Love Doctor remains passionate about need for more visible sign
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The man who owns the sex-positive retail establishment on University Avenue [by the Turf Club] is trying to get a variance for the sign on his store. Current regulations limit his sign to 16 square feet. he received a variance for a 20.5 square foot sign (with 1 foot projection), but he would like a 25 feet sign (with 4 foot projection). [Look, it's not the size the counts; it's how you use it. -Ed.] The local neighborhood group is not pleased.

Headline: Work scheduled to begin on $3M Pelham Blvd. building
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The controversial [law-suited, St Paul Port Authority (SPPA)] industrial building right by 94 and 280 is going ahead, and has begun  construction. Article includes quote from SPPA pres: "a perfect structure in a perfect location for early-stage technology companies." [Industrial land near Highway 280 is in very high demand, due to central location and transportation access. -Ed.]

Headline: Zoning board tables decision on new Victoria Street garage
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: A man wants to build a detached garage in his front yard, but neighbors are upset. The recent meeting for the Board of Zoning Appeals didn't have enough of a quorum to pass the variance.

Headline: HRA approves $11.5M bond issue for Ordway concert hall
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: St Paul is helping to funding a new concert hall expansion for the Ordway. They're fundraising right now.

Headline: Site work unearths Visitation remnants
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Construction of an old Children's Home near Crocus Hill is finding parts of an old convent buried in the earth.

Headline: Judge gives Met Council more time to finish light-rail study
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Met Council is still working on figuring out how construction will affect local businesses, and that's OK. [The study will done by the time it isn't useful anymore. J/K, it's already done. Business was down 30%. -Ed.]

Headline: Local groups benefit from new round of Cultural STAR funds
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city has given out money for arts and culture to the public library, the children's museum, and a bunch of smaller awards (mostly to the downtown area).

Headline: Study proposes more walkable, bikable [sic] Snelling Ave.
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Report on MNDOT (and open house) study about how to make Snelling more pedestrian and bike friendly. [That's like asking "how can we make Twinkies more nutritious?"] Ideas include "reconfiguring traffic lanes, bumpouts, medians, bike corrals in the parking lane. [Good thing they're completing this study AFTER they just re-constructed the street without making significant changes.] Most of the study focuses on the Snelling and Selby intersection. [See below.]

Headline: Cahoots Coffee earns coveted Charlie Award
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: My favorite coffee shop is awesome. Their Moroccan coffee rocks.

Headline: Brewery, museum also on tap for Schmidt site
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The long-awaited mega re-development of the old historic Schmidt brewery will include a brewery and a museum of history. [The only way I could be happier is if it also included a bookstore, bike shop, and affordable sushi.]