Reading the Highland Villager #113

[A Villager escapes its confines in Lowertown; h/t to Andy for the pic!]

[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. Until this newspaper goes online, sidewalk information must be set free.]

Headline: St. Paul delays its rollout of wheeled recycling containers; Alley and organic pickups also put off as city rethinks Eureka contract
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: You still have to put your recycling in blue bins and paper bags. There's some sort of fight simmering between the recycling non-profit and the mayor's office. [Sounds stinky.] The city has "zero waste" goals, but the issue is money.


Headline: HDC seeks Sibley Plaza review before Shepard-Davern vote
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city is doing a plan for the [horribly car-dependent and unsafe] West area of West 7th street, but the plan might be delayed because the guy who owns the strip mall doesn't want to be re-zoned to "traditional neighborhood" zoning [which would frown on big parking lot moats and drive thrus].


Headline: Promise of transit in Riverview Corridor discussed by county at meeting on Sept. 9 [The ephemeral nature of this headline is unparalleled.]
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There will be a meting to talk about a meeting for possible options for transit [that may or may not get built] along West 7th Street. "There's a whole lot of things going on, and we need to understand how various studies impact each other," is the quote from one person.


Headline: Committee supports storage biz at old Schmidt warehouse
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A Planning Commission committee approved plans to turn a building by the Schmidt brewery [now apartments] into a self-storage warehouse. The local neighborhood group does not like the idea, and would rather see retail. [The plans passed the full commission on a 9-8 vote.]


Headline: Plan to convert former CVA building into hotel gains ground
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A large fancy building on Summit Avenue that used to be offices for an arts college may become a "boutique hotel," with kitchenettes.


Headline: St. Paul takes steps to keep cheap cigars out of youths' hands
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Stores cannot sell cheap cigars individually any more. [Note: pretty much only people of color smoke these.] Best quote is "You can buy three cigarillos for less than the cost of a bottle of Mountain Dew."


Headline: Council adopts two ordinances that address the downside of teardowns; Planning Commission zoning study of issue is set to begin this fall
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: People are buying smaller houses in nice neighborhoods and then replacing them with new larger houses. Neighbors don't like it at all, particularly the "noise, debris, and other disruptions." The city is looking at doing something about it eventually.


Headline: Commission OKs permit for new homeless shelter downtown
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Dorothy Day homeless shelter will expand in downtown Saint Paul, replacing an old labor union office. [Amazingly] "No one appeared at an August public hearing to oppose the permit." [That's pretty amazing.]


Headline: Committee favors plan to rebuild on site of St. Mary's Home
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: An old Catholic nunnery is going to be a new home for old people with memory problems. "Parking was the biggest concern for neighbors who attended the HDC [neighborhood group] meeting."


Headline: City promises more restrictions on use of streets for runs, walks; Fees for such events are likely to rise in St. Paul
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: [The scourge of] using streets for anything other than driving may become more expensive. Interesting detail: "they are required to provide access lanes on any closed streets in areas where there are no alleys." [That seems difficult.] Note: Minneapolis charges far more than Saint Paul for these kinds of events. [Or at least, is used to.] Best quote: "we get cowbells and bull horns in front of our homes at 7 a.m. on a Saturday." [Note: many of these events sound pretty lame, such as the Team Ortho run, and the Women Rock event.]