Reading the Highland Villager #34 (April ? - 24th Edition)

[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.]

Total # of articles about sidewalks: 11
Total # of articles about sidewalks written by Jane McClure: 9

[Editorial note: My apologies for the delay on these last few RtHVs. As it turns out, I greatly underestimated the effect the Central Corridor construction would have on my ability to tolerate looking at The Highland Villager. Is this really going to go on for two more years?]


Headline: Multitudes turn out for the last days of Porky's; University drive-in closes in a hail of burgers, shakes and burning rubber [Note the absence of the Oxford comma.]

Reporter: Bill Stieger
Short short version: Some history of the closing. [Article waits until second paragraph to] Make mention of Central Corridor construction along University Avenue. Lots of nice quotes from people eating at Porky's, including a “vintage-car nut,” and a woman who “won't reveal her age.” Some discussion of historic preservation issues. Profile of Nora Truelson, owner of Porky's, who “just wanted out [of owning the business]” according to one informed observer.


Headline: Popular protest puts brakes on light-rail rezoning; local residents push for more controls on the development that the new train could bring [Note: headline is accurate if by “more controls,” one means “less controls”]

Reporter: Jane McClure
Short short version: Coverage of the April City Council decision about rezoning away from auto-oriented businesses. Article makes no distinctions between gentrification, retention of industrial land use, zoning for auto-oriented land uses such as drive-thrus, and the use of TN or “traditional neighborhood” zoning. Includes quote from Preserve and Benefit Historic Rondo member about gentrification concerns and need for affordable housing.


Headline: Neighbors steamed about light-rail project; Narrowed and blocked streets back up traffic both north and south of University Avenue

Reporter: Jane McClure
Short short version: Report on LRT construction, including “blocked streets, traffic backups, poor signage and gas leaks.” Includes exasperation quote from “one woman” and speculation about interior mind-states of “some people” and “motorists.”


Headline: Reuse of Schmidt Brewery site gains momentum; Historic designation, loan hailed as kickoff to long-awaited development
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Article about the historic designation status and the $1.89M “deferred loan” from the St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The project involves a $76M financing effort and is being organized by the Dominium Development company. The “next step” is to repair a leaky roof and remove asbestos from the buildings.


Headline: St. Paul unveils master plan for its 17 miles of riverfront; Improvements eyed for Island Station, Shepard Road and Hidden Falls

Reporter: Jane McClure
Short short version: Shepard Road redesign is part of a larger plan for the St Paul riverfront. One idea is to calm Shepard into a “parkway more like Mississippi River Boulevard.” [That would make it FAR more pleasant to bicycle there.] The connection to Randolph Avenue is mentioned as particularly important.


Headline: Public weighs design options for a major upgrade of Lilydale Park

Reporter: Jane McClure
Short short version: A $13.7M plan was unveiled for Lilydale Park that includes picnic areas and parking lots.


Headline: Dunning boosters plan to add hockey rink, multipurpose field

Reporter: Jane McClure
Short short version: There was a meeting at the Union Park District Council where they decided they wanted to add a hockey rink and a field to Dunning Park for $750K.


Headline: Op-Ed: Another public trail railroaded by a corporation

Reporter: Mike Madden
Short short version: Op-ed on how the CP railway is putting the kibosh on an Ayd Mill greenway extension. [Really stupid and interesting story actually.]


Headline: Stage set for Victoria Theater to obtain historic designation

Reporter: Jane McClure
Short short version: Victoria Theater fans lobbied the City Council for historic designation on April 6th.


Headline: City Council rejects Wild Onion's request to serve liquor on patio

Reporter: Jane McClure
Short short version: [Another seemingly evergreen story] The City Council is saying “no” to a liquor on the back patio for Wild Onion because of “noise, trash and unruly patron behavior.”


Headline: Village rezonings amended at last minute

Reporter: Jane McClure
Short short version: Rezonings for Highland Village received last-minute changes from Pat Harris that nixed the TN (Traditional Neighorhood) zoning in favor of leaving it as it was (business and residential) for a serires of properties along Cleveland Avenue. Includes quote from Harris about how TN zoning on those properties would be “incompatible with residential areas... You can have a tattoo parlor in a TN zone.” [Also, bakery, frame shop, hardware store, , sporting goods store, coffee shop, store designed simply to raise property values, etc. -Ed.]