Reading the Highland Villager #81

[A Villager waits for spring.]

[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: Feeling pinched for parking, folks in Lowertown ask city to reconsider plans for ballpark
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: "A growing number" of people want free convenient parking in downtown / Lowertown. [Just as an aside, anything can be a "growing number" if it is on the way to becoming something slightly larger.] Report on a meeting about the Saints stadium design, gives POV of the 'Save the Gillette' folks. Real hodgepodge of every possible type of urban project here, including "indoor farmers market, artists' center, sports bar, Model Railroad museum, velodrome, and  ice rink. [Is there anything they left out? Maybe artificial ski slope / unicyle mountain biking center, artisanal pogo stick factory, jai-alia fronton, and kosho court...] Article includes details of the Gillette building, quote from CM Thune, who wants to "study" the idea. End of article focuses on people concerned about parking. Best quote: "twenty-five years ago we needed parking in Lowertown, and now we need it even more."


Headline: Episcopal Homes to break ground on new senior housing; Seven-story building ot rise at University and Lynnhurst
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Article on the expansion of the old folks home by the Iris Park LRT. 174 units, done by September 2014. It will include a "pub and café" [which as someone who knows a lot of aging Episcopalians, should be highly non-raucous]. Part of the project involves a complete street set of traffic calming and ped amenities along Lynnhurst [which makes a great deal of sense].


Headline: District councils release their priorities for capital projects; Proposed improvements are in the running for city funds
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: More on competition for the Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) money, as neighborhood groups ranked their projects, hoping for money. Some of them include intersection improvements on W 7th Street, sidewalks in the Highland Village, rec center funding, and the Ayd Mill Road study.

Headline: Summit Hill prepares to break ground on community garden
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Someone is trying to get money for a community garden on by the rec center on St Clair overlooking the river.

Headline: Century-old Fort Snelling buildings will be renovated as veterans housing
Author: Kevin Driscoll

Short short version: Buildings that were part of the super old Army fort and have been abandoned for as long as I've been alive will be restored and used for a much needed purpose: reducing veteran homelessness. [This is awesome in may ways.]

Headline: St. Paul approves more sidewalks to get people to light-rail stations
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Streets that don't have sidewalks in an industrial / residential area of town by the Raymond LRT are going to get some. Article includes CM Stark talking about some compromise with local businesses, who will be partially assessed for them.

Headline: Rapid bus route planned for Snelling
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Met Council is planning a rapid bus route for Snelling that may be up and running by Spring 2015. [Soooo far from now!] Snelling is the #1 spot for this service, according to a Met Council study. The system would have 10 minute frequency have fewer stops, off-bus fare paying, lower floor, and better signal timing.


Headline: Prepare for detours as work begins on new Hamline Ave. bridge
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city is replacing the bridge over Ayd Mill at Hamline, which has terrible sidewalks. It will take a long time. The new bridge will have wider sidewalks.

Headline: Villager to roll out 60 years of memories
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Wow. An especially nostalgic section of the Villager coming May 15th.

Headline: Craft beer brewers will have easier time opening tap rooms
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The City Council passed a change in zoning to allow for brewpubs in places people actually will want to go to them.

Headline: French Meadow needs permit, parking before Grand opening
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The bakery going into the Coffee News Café site on Grand by Macalester will need a conditional use permit (CUP) and to expand the parking lo, apparently.

Headline: Plan in the works to complete Marshal Ave. improvements
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city is having a meeting [Oops: had a meeting, my bad] to talk about continuing the bike lane / median / traffic calming treatments all along Marshall to the cathedral. [It currently stops at Snelling.]

Headline: Committee supports plans for art-inspired mini-golf course
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Schmidt Brewery development will have mini-golf, as long as its historic preservation approved.

Headline: BZA nixed request for 10-unit apartment on Marshall Ave.
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A man wanted to tear down a building on Marshall and build more density, but he won't now.