Reading the Highland Villager #234

[Villager blowin' in the wind.]

[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: After 106 years, St. Mark's to close grades K-8 school for restructuring
Author: Melanie Soucheray

Short short version: A Catholic school is closing due to low enrollment


Headline: Grand Old Day is thrown into doubt for 2019; GABA pulls plug on June 2 street fest, then says it will strive to pull it off anyway
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The annual street parade / festival on Grand Avenue was cancelled, and then un-cancelled, maybe. It's put on the by business association [the same one that paid tens of thousands of dollars to a right-wing PR firm to try and keep the city from installing parking meters on Grand Avenue back in 2015, leading to a vitriolic public meeting where people talking about the importance of action on climate change, biking, and walking were mocked by a mob]. Reasons for the cancellation and un-cancellation are unclear. They are fundraising from businesses. There was a brief effort to go a gofundme by a group led by someone. Someone thought about asking for volunteers like during the Super Bowl, but nobody did.   The event is expensive to put on. Business owners are upset or not upset, depending. The business association board and membership seems really volatile. [From the folks who brought you the parking meter mob. At least they seem to be changing.] The parade will still happen, probably [but yeah also might not].


Headline: Next Chapter's Nick Ballas is bullsih on bookstores; New proprietor carries on in tradition of Common Good
Author: Anne Murphy

Short short version: Someone bought the bookstore that Garrison Keillor owned. [I hope they get rid of the dirty limerick board. Good luck to them!] 


Headline: Sizing up organized trash; City reviews performance of system in first 6 months
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Article about the organized trash situation and whether costs will go up because of the County. Quote from person in charge [and boy do I feel bad for him!]: "high quality service and consistent pricing... however some glitches remain." Smaller garbage companies are being bought out by larger ones. [I do not think they were negotiating in good faith from the very beginning.] People still complain a lo about trash stuff.


Headline: Developer hopes third time is charm for housing proposal at Laurel-Dale
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A guy wants to build some homes on Dale Street. They would be small homes and apartments in a "cluster development."Neighbors are concerned about traffic.


Headline: Thao gets party's not, but fellow DFLers will still challenge; City Council hopefuls Bowie, De La Torre exist convention in protest after incumbent's strong polling on first ballot
Author: Kevin Driscoll

Short short version: CM Thao was endorsed by the DFL.


Headline: Union Park seeks more permit parking near soccer stadium
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: People who live near the soccer stadium want to make it impossible for anyone to park on their streets. [Note that these districts are bad for the city, because they make it difficult to for the public to use public space, effectively privatizing the public streets. That's certainly bad for any businesses that might exist, let alone equity. Also, the city's disappointing "revision" of the permit parking system did not do much to change a broken system. The #1 problem with these districts are that it's impossible to enforce in an non-arbitrary way. The #2 problem is that it creates more demand for parking lots elsewhere.]  


Headline: BZA grants height variance for Cretin-Derham Hall expansion
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A Catholic high school will be allowed to make some changes to its building.


Headline: St. Paul tweaks how it awards charitable gambling proceeds
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The city will require some pull-tab charities to be more equitable in how they get the pulltab money.


Headline: St. Paul waits to assess flood damage in wake of 2nd crest
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Mississippi river flooded and there will be dirt and sediment and other things left behind when it recedes.


Headline: Commission grants permit for 6-story building near stadium
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A developer wants to build a six-story building in an old one-story shop on Snelling Avenue. There will be 122 apartments and 72 parking spots.


Headline: Rehab draws closer for Goodrich house
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A really old and really small house is getting fixed u and renovated. There are public funds going into it. It dates to 1856.


Headline: Council upholds variances for lot spilt, new garage on Heather Place
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A guy on Summit hill can "split" off a carriage house into apartments and build a new garage. The homes date to 1910.


Headline: St. Paul reviews comprehensive plan for development over next 20 years
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The Comprehensive Plan will have a public hearing. [Today!] Article goes over some of the details of the plan.


Headline: City gives heed to renters' needs
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There was a meeting about how renters can get involved in the city processes and whether they should have more rights. [Long overdue. There should be designated renters' seats on every neighborhood group and commission.] CM Jalali Nelson organized it, and is quoted saying "too many tenants are afraid to call their landlords for basic repairs because they fear retaliation." Rents are going up all across the city.


Headline: Prepare for detours during yearlong work on Summit bridge over Ayd Mill
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A bridge over Ayd Mill Road is being replaced. There will be a detour. It's really expensive, $8.2M. [Too bad we could not have figured what the city is doing with Ayd Mill Road before doing this project.]


Headline: Grand specialty market seeks rezoning
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A food market that used to be a second-hand clothes store wants to use the second floor as a restaurant. CM Noecker would support a zoning study. [Seems wise, given all the changes on Grand and the 1980s-era zoning code that seems out of date to me.]


Headline: City delays vote on plan to use former church as event center
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The City Council has not yet decided whether an old church can become an event center [and day-care facility]. Neighbors are concerned about traffic and parking.