Reading the Highland Villager #211

[Don't put all your old Villagers in one basket.]

[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. Until this newspaper goes online, sidewalk information must be set free. See also: Three Reasons Why I Re-Blog the Highland Villager.]

Headline: Historic Fort Snelling revitalization proceeds; Historical Society makes do with $15M of the $30M it sought in state bonding
Author: Dave Page

Short short version: The state gave some money to the old fort to fix up the visitor center.


Headline: City begins test of pedestrian improvements on West Seventh
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: [After decades and decades of ignoring this deadly street] The city has installed temporary bumpouts and crosswalk improvements along West 7th street. [I saw these in action the other day. People crossed the street and cars stopped for them. It was amazing! Much more of this please.] 


Headline: Bonding bill jump-starts renovation of Fort Snelling's Upper Post
Author: Dave Page

Short short version: The state gave some affordable housing money to the old fort to fix up long-abandoned historic buildings. [See also this scathing take on this funding allotment.]


Headline: Bicyclists push for safety improvements on Summit Ave.' Among suggestions are protected bike lanes on curb side of parking lane
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: After another person was killed bicycling on Summit Avenue, there was a meeting about safety improvement ideas. Many ideas were floated, including protected bike lanes of different types. Article explains what bollards are. Quote from bicyclist: "biking down Summit in the winter? It's a contact sport."


Headline: City grants to variances for 73-unit apartment building; five-story structure may be the first high-density project to break ground since Snelling's rezoning
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A 73-unit apartment building may soon be built on Snelling Avenue by 04. It needed two variances for height and balcony setbacks. Neighbors are concerned about traffic and parking.


Headline: Wellington plans five-story building near soccer stadium
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A one-story bank, parking lot, and drive-thru may become a five-story mixed-use apartment building with 175 units. [This would be the first market-rate University Avenue-area housing project of over four units built anywhere east of Cleveland Avenue in over 50 years. Perhaps a sign of more to come.]


Headline: Moeller Jeweler buys its long-time home at Ford & Cleveland
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A jewelry company bought the building it is in. [Moeller was an early Villager advertiser even back in the 1950s.]


Headline: Midway Pro Bowl owners seek relocation expenses from city
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The bowling alley that was displaced for the soccer stadium wants some money for its move. [See also my coverage of the alley's closure.] Because it is not a city-purchase, they are not legally owed anything.


Headline: Commissions favor historic designation for former Fire Station 10 on Randolph
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) and Planning Commission voted to approve historic designation for an old fire station from 1885.


Headline: St. Paul suspends its effort to revise parts of city's historic preservation regulations
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city wanted to change some HPC processes, including adding a fee, but will delay any decision pending more process.


Headline: Fundraiser on tap to save Goodrich home
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: And old [very small] house from 1856 might be knocked down, but not if people can rase some money. The fundraiser [took place] on June 21st.


Headline: St. Paul seeks to shape future through 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The required comp plan update is happening right now. There are new language and changes in the plan. There were lots of meetings with neighborhood groups. It's 210 pages long. The plan focuses on building more housing, especially mid-scale, and trying to keep housing affordable in the city. It also focuses on disparities in parks.


Headline: Draft plan lists dozens of neighborhood nodes, opportunity sites
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: In the plan there are small circles placed on the zoning map to denote where opportunity sites, called "neighborhood nodes", exist. [No offense, but these seem a bit arbitrary to me.] Quote from planner: "We heard loud and clear that people want to be able to walk to places in their neighborhoods." [Good call!] Neighbors are concerned about change happening at Grand and Victoria.


Headline: Cretin stretch among 'urban districts' eyed for lower speeds
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city is asking the state for permission to lower the speed on a few dangerous streets. [It's stupid that the city has to go through this process to lower speeds to less dangerous levels!] Cretin, Wabasha, Mississippi, Fillmore, and Chavez streets are all on the list of places that should have slower speed limits. MnDOT has to say yes to the request. Quote from CM Henningson: "obviously we have work to do on all of our streets." 


Headline: Committee focuses on increase in requests to age in place
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: More older adults are seeking variances on city requirements in order to make their homes work better for them, things like adding a bedroom or garage. [Making streets more walkable would be a good start.]


Headline: BZA grants variances for Laurel-Dale apartment building
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A six-unit building can be built on Lake Street with a slightly smaller setback than required by code. Neighbors are concerned about parking. [This is the kind of "middle scale" development that everyone is always talking about.]