Reading the Highland Villager #10 (December 16 - January 12 Edition)

[Basically, the problem is that the best source of local streets & sidewalks news in Saint Paul is the Highland Villager. This wouldn't be a problem, except that its not available online. I'm reading the Highland Villager so that you don't have to. Until this newspaper goes online, sidewalk information must be set free.]

Total # of articles about sidewalks: 4
Total # of articles about sidewalks written by Jane McClure: 3


Title: Public to weight in on Central Corridor streetscape assessments
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The assessments to pay for the streetscape (trees, sidewalks, etc.) are a lot of money, and people are going to have a chance to complain at upcoming meetings (January 6th at StP City Hall).


Title: St. Paul revises regulations for electronic sign displays
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Changing electronic digital billboards are now legal in St Paul as long as they're 75 feet from a "residential district"/


Title: Costs v. benefits of light rail
Author: Michael Mischke

Short short version: Justifiable complaing from editor Mischke about how the cost of streetscape improvements are going to be borne by small business owners. While he wishes for an alternative, he also points out that $175 / foot isn't all that much money. The Highland Park area paid double that when they re-did their sidewalks over a decade ago.


Title: City buys Midway Chev lot in hopes of selling it for affordable housing: Council is banking on the value of parcel to rise with the coming of light-rail line
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: City buys one of the many abandoned giant car dealers on University Avenue to flip it, someday, in a better market. They spent $580K and are going to use the space for affordable housing.