Reading the Highland Villager #50

[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: 8
Total # of articles about sidewalks written by Jane McClure: 7 


Headline: Best laid plans may not matter at Ford; Redevelopment of former plan may hinge on extent of pollution and willingness of new owner to clean it up
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Long headline pretty much self-explanatory. Report on a meeting earlier this month about redevelopment plans for the old Ford factory. There is an environmental study underway to figure out how much it'll cost to clean up the [huge] factory site. Possible pollution includes: oil, nickel, asbestos, mercury, lead, and hydraulic fluids. One of the problems is that the developer will have to pay for the cleanup. Article includes awesome old photo of the plant that pre-dates the peopling of Highland Park.


Headline: Light-rail crews on track to finish this year's work by Nov. 30
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Article on the deadline for completion of Western section of the Universtiy Avenue construction. [NOTE: Mission accomplished. See today's paper.] Dry weather has made it possible for the contractor to meet the deadline.

Headline: Study of bus route changes starts rolling for Central Corridor
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Metro Transit and [something called] The Central Corridor Management Committee are studying changes for frequency for buses that will connect to the LRT. For example, a new bus route on Lexington, and other North-South lines may be changed and made more frequent. Summit Hill residents don't like the idea of buses on Lexington. Article includes mention of "plans ... to develop kiosks." [Nothing beats a kiosk! -Ed.]

Headline: Emily Program allowed to move into Bush Home site
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: An old children's home in a very nice St Paul neighborhood will be allowed to be bought by a program that treats eating disorders, despite the fact that many people will park their car near the building. Article includes discussion of "step down" transition programs buildings, and concerns about parking. Sample quote: "Residents are adamant about getting parked vehicles off of the streets."

Headline: Summit Hill Assn. turns down request for historic survey
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: A recent neighborhood group voted down the idea of applying for [MN legacy] money to survey historic buildings in the Summit Hill area. [For some reason this was controversial, but the article doesn't really make it clear why. -Ed.]

Headline: Op-Ed: UST is tackling 'serious' off-campus problem
Reporter: Doug Hennes (VP of University Relations for UST)

Short short version: Op-ed defending St Thomas' attempts to control "noise" "party" and "vandalism" by its students. Article lists good deeds of Tommies, including the posting of "civility posters", the shoveling of sidewalks for the elderly, and the [theoretical] baking of cookies for neighbors. [For some reason, no mention of helping grandparents to cross the street. -Ed.]

Headline: Council gazes into STAR and finds $3.7 million in old, unspent funds [This might be the worst headline pun of the issue! -Ed.]
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Article on how the city council found some Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) money which can only be used for "brick and mortar" projects. The money mostly comes from development projects which were allocated city funding, but then fell through. The money may be used for affordable housing. 

Headline: Survey suggests historic district in Uppertown
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city's Heritage Preservation Commission looked at a recent historical property study and figured out that the Uppertown area [near the terminus of the High Bridge] may have to be preserved because it has a lot of old "pre-Civil War" homes.