Reading the Highland Villager #79

[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: City is swinging for 2015 opening of Saints ballpark; But questions remain about availability of parking in Lowertown
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Saints stadium will cost $54M. The bid has been given to the Ryan Companies. People are worried about parking their cars. They mayor called it a "huge milestone." Design details are very unclear. The Gillette building is going to be blown up this spring, and then they'll look at the earth beneath it, which may or may not be contaminated by horrible things. "City officials" say there is lots of parking in the area, as many as 11,000 spaces within six blocks of the ballpark site. The Union Depot has 1,300 spaces all by itself. Article includes many more descriptions of parking concerns, approximately eleven paragraphs.


Headline: Lilydale highlight
Author: James McKenzie

Short short version: Inset box of history in a article about Lilydale [the strange old dumpy small town along the river that has Henry Sibley's historic house]. Weirdest details: it used to be spelled "lilly dale," two words, two L's; Diamond Jim's mall used to be  a "Gay '90s theme club," and Dick Van Dyke played there once; the '65 flood swept away all the homes along the river flats, except for one school which was burned down by an arsonist in 1983.


Headline: Old Glory stolen from Grand jeweler's facade
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Someone keeps taking the flag from the jewelry store on Grand Avenue. The patriotic jewelers will wait until it warms up to replace it.


Headline: CVA Action raises $56,000-plus in early effort to save art school
Author: Kevin Driscoll

Short short version: Alumni are trying to save the art school in St Paul. [Good luck. Not easy, that.]


Headline: Firefighters hope to expand Station 19 in Highland Park
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The fire station is trying to get city money to expand the dormintaroy and kitchen, and to add an "apparatus bay."


Headline: Qdoba Mexcian Grill eyes vacant Highland Village parcel; 'Fast casual' eatery planned for former Sibley Drug site
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A burrito type thing restaurant may go where a drugs tore used to be. Qdoba wants to build a smaller building than is in the plans for the site. People seem to be arguing about the size of the plan, parking lots, and its relation to the street. [It's all unclear.] The building would have a "26-foot tower," [whatever that means.]


Headline: St Thomas plans $2M upgrade of former St. Paul Seminary ballfields; New bleachers, artificial turf in store for Tommie's softball and soccer fields
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: [I feel like I've read this story three times before, somehow.] There will be new turf on the field. They will move the scoreboard.


Headline: Council paves way for TIF district to aid in redeveloping Ford Plant
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The City Council voted to think about having a TIF district to redevelop the Ford plant site. In order to qualify, it would have to be "blighted." [That's the most vague term in the history of planning terms, which is really saying something.] Some want to save some of the historic parts of the building, but the HRA argued that the building has already "lost its historical integrity." [Is that like when a politician loses his integrity?]


Headline: Tea House is steeped in the flavors of Russia
Author: Morgan Smith

Short short version: A review of one of my favorite strange St Paul eateries, the Russian Tea House on University Avenue. Article includes details like: "it was the first Russian carry-out restaurant in the US" [made by one man?]; their piroshkis used to be deep fried; the Russian owner was "raised in the Russian church."