Reading the Highland Villager #12 (February 24 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: 6
Total # of articles about sidewalks written by Jane McClure: 6


Title: Walgreens drafts third site plan for Highland Village. Development would encompass vacated Snyders property
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The latest [nearly identical] story about a long saga over big box pharamacy store construction on Ford Parkway. [In the last round, the new Planning Commission rejected the proposal because it was not pedestrian-friendly. -Ed.] The new plan will not include a drive through lane. The article references how failure to design a building around the corner of the intersection can be overcome by the inclusion of an architectural "vertical element" at the corner [a la the atrocious CVS at Snelling and University -Ed].


Title: Commission denies request for auto sales on West 7th
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A guy who owns a car repair shop cannot sell cars on his lot, according to the St Paul Planning Commission.


Title: Coleman replaces longtime planning commissioners with his appointees
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Very interesting article on the details of Planning Commission appointments. Apparently the mayor has just installed a large new contingent of Commissioners, something that is not done all that frequently in the Capitol City. [Worth a read if you're a process junkie. Hizzoner the Mayor is apparently trying to change things. One example might be the above Walgreens situation, where the new Commissioners seemed to really have made a difference in development and planning policy. -Ed.]


Title: On-street festival garden idea nixed for this Grand Old Day
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Follow-up to recent article on allowing a "festival garden" [i.e. "frat boy pen" -Ed.] at the East End of Grand Avenue for the GOD.


Title: Lawsuits, complaints continue to mount over Central Corridor line
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Boilerplate LRT history piece, with updates about a meeting held by a business association. Features business owners [Ax-Man! -Ed.] complaining about the loss of parking.


Title: West 7th Federation asked to revise district plan
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: After years of waiting for a response from the city, the proposed neighborhood district plan for the W 7th area is now out of date, as the economy has crashed and there is almost no hope of rehabbing the old Schmidts Brewery.