Reading the Highland Villager #83

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[A Villager endures late night noise.]

[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: Advisory group unveils ideas for Victoria Park sans soccer fields

Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: A “citizen advisory task force” has drawn up plans for a park in a new brownfield neighborhood along West 7^th street , crucially without the inclusion of controversial soccer fields. [35 acres is a lot? Maybe.] Debate seems to be about whether or not to accommodate soccer teams [and presumable soccer moms] or to have the park be primarily [only] for the people in the neighborhood. New proposals include [not joking here] “hurling”, “communal bread-baking ovens”, “and “kayaks”. [All more popular than soccer, no doubt.]  Also tennis courts and an amphitheater.

Headline: Mental health care takes a hit with closing of Apollo; Summi-U drop-in center is shuttered after 40 years

Reporter: Leslie Walters

Short short version: A place where people with mental illness could go is closed now thanks to a cut in support from the county. [I’m sure there will be no negative effects of this.]

Headline: Highs and lows –CIB task forces sort the submissions

Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Projects trying to get city funding are being ranked by a committee. These projects range from street maintenance and re-construction to new city buildings to economic development loans and grants. Article includes lots of vague detail.

Headline: Construction season begins in earnest in Iris Park area

Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: They’re building a two new buildings near University and Fairview/Prior. [Expect traffic cones, noises, trucks, men in hard hats.]

Headline: St. Paul projects fare well in house’s $800M bonding bill

Reporter: Roger Barr

Short short version: The Minnesota House approved $5M for a new Ordway concert hall, $14M for the Children's Museum, $9 for TPT, and $500K for the Port Authority’s “science research center”, $33M for Metro State University’s science building, and $47M for the new Bell Museum on the St Paul campus. [Of course, all this may disappear in last-minute deadline negotiations. -Ed]

Headline: Lowertown ballpark plan proceeds [Worst headline in some time from the Villager, IMO. No delightful puns?]

Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Saints ballpark in Lowertown completed its “Environmental Assessment Worksheet.” Article includes discussion about parking, the Gillette building proposal. [Oy!]

Headline: Ten years after, St. Thomas is asked to fulfill campus housing plans

Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Article on the history of the student housing issue at the University of St Thomas. In 2004, a campus expansion was approved on the condition that the school would build a “Residential village” for students. This hasn’t happened yet, despite a list of recently completed school buildings. ARticle includes quote from University official saying that UST “is not in a position to build more on-campus housing in the near future.” The surface parking lot on the corner of Grand and Cleveland is one site for this housing in the future.

Headline: Lexington is granted the license to serve on a new rooftop patio

Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The wood paneled old-school bar [where Norm Coleman used to go for cocktails, chomping on a cigar] will have a rooftop patio. Article includes many anecdotes expressing frustration by the restaurant’s owners. Quote from one of them: Lexington attracts a “more upscale” clientele. [… than places like the Wild Onion or Billy’s. For example, Norm Coleman’s father was known to go there.] Engineering concerns over the patio mean the opening date is in limbo. PS. there will be a sidewalk café, too.

Headline:  St Paul’s Union Depot offers free tours every other Tuesday

Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: They will be run by the rail authority.

Headline: City sets hearing on proposed changes to industrial zoning

Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city is trying to make regulations less onerous in industrial zoning districts. There will be a City Council hearing on May 15^th.