Reading the Highland Villager #233

[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: Council approves Ryan changes to Ford site plan
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The developer asked the city to change the zoning at the former truck factory in Highland, including allowing single-family [mansion] homes, more parking, and changing the street network. They did. [See my previous comments on some of this.]


Headline: Stadium traffic plan passes first test; MN United's home opener posed few problems, but locals are pursuing permits fore residential only parking
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There was a soccer game at the new stadium. Neighbors are concerned about traffic and parking.


Headline: The Pitch's six stories OK'd for N. Snelling; Mixed-use apartment building gets permit for 2 drive-thru lanes
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version:  A former one-story bank with a large drive thru will become a six-story building with a small drive-thru. There were some variances and a conditional use permit needed.


Headline: Plans revealed for vacant Lex-Ham parcel; six-story building eyed near Lexington-University
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version:
A vacant lot by Lexington and University might become a six-story mixed use building with an "undetermined amount of structured parking." Neighbors are concerned about traffic and bike connections.

Headline: City Council approves $3.5 million resurfacing of Ayd Mill Road
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city will spend a lot of money to re-pave an odd city-owned urban freeway. Article includes some history of the street. [See my extremely long take on this at streets.mn.]


Headline: St. Paul takes closer look at assessments for street work Summit Hill residents join those protesting high bills
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Saint Paul now charges people a lot more money for repaving projects, sometimes up to $8000 per property owner. This was a recent change. Article describes the how pavements work and includes some history of department policy. Quote from homeowner: "we're not responsible for 50% of the traffic, we all should share the costs of thoroughfares."  Another says: "exorbitant and extremely unfair." [If you cannot connect the dots between this story and the preceding story here, well... it's all part of the same budget.] 


Headline: City seeks new powers in imposing fines; opponents of charter changes ask council to consider ramifications
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city sill change the charter to allow itself more power to use fines and fees for things like code violations, for example for people who do not pay their trash bill, though as yet these fines remain unclear.


Headline: Civilian board reviews police misconduct; 77 allegations in 2018 resulted in disciplining of 22 police officers
Author: Kevin Driscoll

Short short version: The commission that reviews police problems reviewed those problems and found a few, 19, to forward to the Chief for action.


Headline: Local projects wishing on Neighborhood STAR grants, loans; Expo School parents again seek funds for playground
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Organizations like centers, art groups, schools, and non-profits are competing for city money for stuff. Article includes list of these potential grants.


Headline: HDC election results in huge turnover of board members
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A neighborhood group had an election. [The city should require official neighborhood groups to at least report whether or not they represent the community viz. key demographics, and encourage in strong terms that these groups work hard to do so. A good idea would be having rental / POC / gender balance requirements, at the very least.]


Headline: St. Paul allows liquor sales closer to churches, schools
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: You can sell liquor close to a religious institution now, or close to a school if you are downtown. [Coming soon: Church of Scientology: the night club.] There was a charter school that got mad about a new bar downtown.


Headline: Storefronts purchased for new Lunds & Byerleys on Grand Ave.
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A company that sells food has bought a building on Grand Avenue and wants to build a new building there. Neighbors are concerned about traffic and parking.


Headline: Plan Fitness to join Aldi as new tenants at Sibley Plaza
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A strip mall that was mostly empty will have a fitness place and a grocery. [This is the strip mall that the city did NOT rezone because the owner asked them not to, because he promised he would develop the parking lot into housing.] 


Headline: Midway Marketplace is sold to Kraus-Anderson for $31M
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A strip mall was sold to a developer on University Avenue. The Herberger's is closed now.


Headline: Development of Gateway, riverfront properties are moving ahead in St. Paul
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A city-owned parking lot is being sold to a developer might become and might become a hotel and apartments with mixed-use retail. [As long as there are no skyways!] There will be parking. Also the county-owned vacant land by the river might become apartments, hotel offices, and commercial space, and a 1,500 space parking ramp. [That is a large parking ramp. See also: the city's Downtown Parking study which shows there are plenty of under-used existing parking ramps downtown, and also the city's request for $50M in state money for a completely different massive parking ramp a few blocks down the street from here.]