Reading the Highland Villager #91

[The Villager hides in the shade.]

[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: Coleman supports city financing for Village streetscape; CIB funding announced as part of 2014 budget address
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: [Overturning the actual rankings by the CIB committee,] The mayor proposed giving Highland Park $1M for new sidewalks and streetscape. Best quote, from the Mayor: "We'll make sure Highland gets the attention it deserves and they often complain about." [Squeaky wheel, etc. No doubt this makes the village people quite pleased.] Article includes overview of CIB proposals that were included in the Mayor's budget. The budget still must be approved by the City Council [though they rarely mess with it too much]. The Mayor's budget cut $1M from the project to replace the Kellogg Boulevard bridges [which are in very rough shape; I've seen photos].


Headline: Snelling-Selby redevelopment plan comes into focus; Construction could begin as early as December on new Associated Bank building
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: "Detailed plans" were revealed. The new building will be called "the Vintage." [God. Who comes up with this schlock? Why don't they name it after actual people? Like maybe name it after August Wilson, who lived across the street...] It will have 208 "upscale" apartments and a Whole Foods. "Several neighbors expressed concern." The Whole Foods will have a sidewalk café. There will be 450 parking spaces. Article includes rendering. Best quote, from the developer: "You can expect to see granite countertops."


Headline: St. Paul eyes expanded recycling options
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Saint Paul will get single-sort recycling with more kinds of plastic in 2014. Article includes the following scintillating detail: "Residents of Ward 3 and 4 recycle the most ... and Ward 5 residents recycle the least." [As a former Ward 5 resident, I am sad.]


Headline: Coleman proposes zero increase in 2014 property tax levy; Budget includes fee hikes, puts focus on innovations
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Your taxes won't go up this year.


Headline: Library plans include major renovation of Highland branch
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Highland and Central libraries will be renovated and remodeled, with new technology.


Headline: City seeks businesses' support for shared parking at Snelling-Selby
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The [above] development will replace a 150-space surface parking lot that had been shared by businesses on the corner. People are worried. The developer had offered the business association an option to lease a shared lot of indeterminate size north of Dayton, where three houses are currently located. [So, they're tearing down the houses to build a parking lot.] The city is also installing parking meters in the area, and permit parking for employees of local businesses, as part of a "parking improvement district." [At least they're not calling it a "parking deterioration district."] Revenues from the district would go to pay for the shared lot. [This is straight up small-scale Shoupian, except that I doubt they'll charge market rates for the street parking. Still, my commendations to the city for coming up with this plan. It's a great start!] Residents do not want parking meters on their streets, and are still worried about Ayd Mill Road.


Headline: HRA approves additional funding for Prior Crossing housing project
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A proposed building for homeless youth on Prior and University that may or may not get built will get more money. Article includes rendering.


Headline: Mini-golf course, keg house developer eyed for brewery
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There are attempts to make the proposed mini-golf course and the proposed "keg house" [a place where someone lives in a keg? a place to house your keg?] be compatible at the remodeled Schmidt Brewery. Best quote: "we need to make sure the two uses complement each other." [Mini-golf: "I love what you've done with your hair." Keg house: "Thanks. Have you lost weight?"]


Headline: St. Paul backs long-awaited changes to industrial zoning
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city is creating a different zoning category for some industrial areas entitled "traditional industrial" for areas near residential neighborhoods.


Headline: Luxury apartments eyed for vacant Shepard-Davern site; Neighbors air concerns over noise, size of development
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A US bank office building may become luxury apartments. Neighbors are "worried about noise and dust" and about being "sandwiched." [That's what cheese said.]


Headline: Strip Club restaurant plans to open in St. Paul's Lowertown; Steakhouse to take vacant space in city-owned Lofts
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A fancy East Side steak restaurant is opening up a new space in Lowertown, in a building owned by the city. They won't have to pay their employees a "living wage." [This place is expensive, but good. It'll fit right in in Lowertown, where all the food is either expensive and good, or cheap as shit.]


Headline: Neighborhood gem regains its luster
Author: Dave Wright

Short short version: Dunning Field, a city ballpark, looks nice now.