Reading the Highland Villager #185

[A Villager stuck in a fence.]

[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: Light rail scratched as transit option for Riverview line
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The technical advisory committee [which I am on, but missed this meeting] voted to narrow the options on the Riverview transit corridor, which could connect downtown Saint Paul to the airport in a few different ways. They have eliminated a “light rail” option from the set of choices, and now the only rail option is a “streetcar.” [The difference is largely semantic, but does involve some likely distinctions involving how the right-of-way looks, how many barriers there are, sizes of vehicles, etc. The big difference is of course the smaller section of dedicated right-of-way, but the planning team says, though I find it hard to believe, that the time difference will not be that significant between the smaller section of dedicated ROW -- and note that I said "smaller section" because there will be dedicated ROW on much of the route regardless, and that's something important to keep in mind -- and some of the other choices.] Article lists the six choices, which are bus or rail, Ford site or Highway 5 bridge, and CP Spur or West 7th only.  Article includes maps showing ridership for Ford and not-Ford, the latter of which is slightly higher. The CP Spur will cost $40 million to purchase from CP [estimated, using worst-case scenario guesses]. The Ford Site option is more expensive and takes longer. Article quotes former CM Thune: “Most businesses could live with some form of bus rapid transit or modern streetcar. There’s interest in streetcars because they would provide West Seventh with a unique form of transportation, and it might be an attraction for some people.” [Encouraging quote from him, which means a lot given the long legacy of neighborhood opposition to transit improvements here.] Quote from neighborhood business guy disagrees: “There are a lot of unknowns about what a modern streetcar means and whether or not we would be losing on-street parking.” [SPOILER yes you would but not all of it.]



Headline: Council seeks compromise at St. Clair-Snelling
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The City council voted to not vote on whether to rezone a property that might become an apartment building with a small coffee shop in it and also lots of parking. The developer is in court for some reason [involving a title dispute]. The Planning Commission had voted to approve the rezoning, to T3 zoning. The buildings are currently a largely abandoned strip mall. [Though there was apparently a “for lease” sign outside the old coney bun bakery now, which suggests that the owners are now not so interested in developing the property, does it not? If so that is really really unfortunate for Saint Paul, and optimists like myself should take note of it, I suppose. Though given the state of the property I doubt it will lease anytime soon.] The Planning Commission voted against the site plan [though, as I stated at the time, for reasons that had more to do with its pedestrian-unfriendly design and excess of parking, not its height]. There is a study going on right now that would recommend rezoning the property to a mix of T2 and T3. [The differences are minimal here, for the most part, in my opinion. Whether half the site or all the site is T3 is hardly something that will change the world, but might make a difference for a developer I suppose. As I said at the Commission, I want this site developed and am hopeful that it will happen.] CM Tolbert is quoted saying “We all want quality redevelopment at that site.” Article explains some of the rezoning plans, including difference in height between T2 and T3, which is about 20 fee without a conditional use permit [those permits, which by the way, are based on conditions that are clearly stated in the zoning code]. Neighbors are concerned about aesthetics, density, “towering”, traffic, and parking. Quote from the developer on the legal matter: “Settlement discussions are underway; we regret having to halt our efforts to improve this blighted property.” [That quote makes me still optimistic that some good development proposal will appear for this great property.]



Headline: Council OKs purchase of Schmidt Brewery office building
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: An cool building that was part of the old brewery and was potentially controlled by the neighborhood group can be sold now to a developer. The developer is going to build a restaurant and offices. There will be a “market” nearby with many kinds of food and beverages for sale. The building comes with $1.2M in TIF funds. There is a gigantic old safe inside also. [Are the TIF funds inside the safe?] The developer will restore it and including lots of cool things. [This is good. The neighborhood group was never going to really do anything with this building, it did not seem to me.]



Headline: TIF shift to aid in Midway project
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: The now-under-construction soccer stadium at Snelling and University is getting a bit more money for environmental cleanup, shifted around from a few other industrial sites. There is going to be a meeting about it.



Headline: Mini-storage could affect Ayd Mill in big way
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: An old [city-owned, unnecessary, and super expensive-to-fix] freeway might not get “connected” to I-94 like some people had planned years ago because a self-storage facility is going to build a new building where the “freeway” might be. Article quotes PW Head Lantry: “The city doesn’t have any plans in the works that would impact the proposed building.” [“Fixing” Ayd Mill Road involves not connecting it, and reducing the number of lanes, and adding neighborhood amenities and also traffic calming further the way that it runs into Selby Avenue. A more bold option would be simply removing the road altogether, which is something I’d like to see put on the table and kept there and stared at until the aroma of the flavors become irresistible and you finally eat what’s in front of you like a good little girl or boy. Funny to me that the great decision in front of us here in Saint Paul is a choice between an intentionally empty building full of people’s stuff and an old expensive falling apart wasteful and environmentally destructive freeway that nobody really needs. These are the days of our lives.] The last time an Ayd Mill Road connection as studied was 2005. [That’s a long time ago. See also more history about this. SPOILER the connection will not be included in the upcoming Comprehensive Plan changes, not if I can help it anyway. Also SPOILER, any potential connection would be hugely expensive, like many tens of millions of dollars expensive, and the city would be on the hook for it and would not likely get a grant to pay for it, and the vast majority of the "benefits" of the project would go to people driving through Saint Paul from the Dakota county suburbs rather than people who live in the city and pay taxes here, in fact, the project would decrease livability and property values for people in the city because nobody wants to live next to a freeway, you see.]  Article quotes head of neighborhood group: “There’s been a push from the community to see what can be done to resolve the traffic issues.” [You could resolve then really quickly with a few cheap concrete barriers.] Interesting bit at the end: “MnDOT cautioned that because AMR is a city street and not a state highway, there are limits on what his department can do… the connection is not on the table at this time.”  [AMR is a “city street” in much the same way that Donald Trump is a “President of the United States.” Technically true…]



Headline: Marshall gets jitters from Starbucks drive-thru traffic; Idling customers block bike lane and sidewalk [Villager Headline Pun Award Winner!]
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A new Starbucks with a drive-thru is causing people who want coffee without getting out of their car to act like jerks and screw up lots of street-type things like turn lanes and bike lanes and U-turns. The city has installed a “camera.” [This should be a live stream. I would watch it!] The neighborhood wants the drive-thru closed until someone figures out what to do. There have been meetings about it but Starbucks “has not commented.” Quote from head of neighborhood group: “City staff made it clear that the obstruction of the right-of-way is violating the conditions of the coffee shop’s site plan and drive-through permit.” [Little bit of history: When this Starbucks was approved at the Planning Commission, I made a short but determined speech against the drive-thru portion of the plan. I also voted against it, but got out-voted. It’s unnecessary, will screw up traffic, and should not be part of a walkable neighborhood like this one, I said. We don’t need to build any more drive-thrus in Saint Paul, I said, or something like this. I asked around and the main reason Starbucks wanted a drive-thru is because it increased their store profit by something like 25%, I was told. "It's an awkward site to redevelop," I was told. Also note that they had had a Starbucks two blocks away without a drive-thru and everything was fine. Now apparently it’s crazy. One of these days I’m going to go down there and document some of the craziness. I am curious about how crazy it is. No more drive-thrus please. Get out of your car or go home.] Article includes some of the details about the drive-thru including how it has a “right turn only” exit. [People ignore this all the time. All the time.] People also apparently enter through the exit lane and exit through the enter lane, and also drive through the lane in reverse, according to the article. [The obvious solution is to configure the Ayd Mill Road connection to link straight into the Starbucks Drive-Thru and then have it loop around back into the outbound Ayd Mill Road lane, sending people back to Dakota County where they came from, but with fresh and delicious Saint Paul coffee.]



Headline: Pelham to get city’s first 2-way separated bikeway
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A new protected bike lane is being installed between the river and the Raymond Avenue area. It is part of the “Grand round.” [This is a good plan and an obvious link that is easy to construct, relatively, because the street is so wide. Really, the street is really wide.] Neighbors are concerned about parking and safety. One neighbor would also like his street repaved. [It is currently unsmooth concrete. The only think I worry about is that people will take the turns too wide and quickly here and maybe kill someone on a bike coming down the hill. I hope the city makes the bollards very obvious and traffic calm-y.]



Headline: Five-story apartments planned for students at Marshall-Moore
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A guy wants to build a ten-unit apartment building. Also, some college students are “rowdy.” There will be an 18-space parking garage with a “car elevator.” [The parking minimums say 17. In general, I would like minimums lowered in walkalble, transit-friendly areas.] Quote from the developer, re: the students: “I know you’re concerned about students, but students are already in the neighborhood. It’s like chickens. You’d rather have them in a coop than running around your yard.”  [This is the best thing that’s ever been said about the Great Tommie Problem.] Neighbors are concerned about parking and aesthetics.



Headline:  Building manager continues push for earlier skyway closing
Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A woman who owns a few buildings in historic Lowertown will continue to lock her doors to the skyway through her building even though city ordinances state they must stay open until 2AM. [She sounds like a real peach. Maybe a similar situation to the Surdyk’s snafu? Like take away her liquor licenses or something. See also everything I’ve ever written about skyways.] Quote from CM Bostrom: “The number of miscreants … cause trouble." Quote from CM Prince: “We’ve marketed downtown as a residential community and this is an amenity that makes it work.”  There is a committee studying changes to the city ordinance. [Just take them down. Problem solved, and public space and architecture improved at the same time.] Quote from downtown neighborhood group guy: “The purpose of this request is so the building owner doesn’t have to pay for security.” The last line is the kicker: “Brooks [the building owner] has estimated that it would cost $50-100K per year to provide extra skyway security.” [Maybe just hire a guard? How hard is that? Why are we talking about this? Real headline should be "rich person too cheap to hire a guard, craps all over city instead."]

Sidewalk Dogs #15

 [Snelling Avenue, Saint Paul.]

[New Orleans, LA.]

[West Saint Paul.]

[New Orleans, LA.]

[Powderhorn, Minneapolis?]

[Lake Harriet, Minneapolis.]

 [Highland, Saint Paul.]

[Highland, Saint Paul.]

Noteworthy Dive Bars of Frogtown Walking Tour on July 6th

[Link to map is here.]

How did Frogtown get its name?

That's a tale for another day, a myth yet to be inscribed into the annals of Saint Paul lore. But know this: Frogtown is the old heart of Saint Paul, the center of the center of the city within which many names are etched, many songs have been sung, and its history is a tale of constant escape. On July 6th, in the evening, we will walk the streets of this old neighborhood, circling the great green spire of Saint Agnes, that glows each night like a 90s Indiglo watch. These are streets where flocks of nuns still circle the block, lined with chain link fences, the valley into which those on the hills look down, the space between University and the train tracks, the everyman flatland.

And dive bars have long been nestled in Frogtown, sitting like the flowers that grow in the cracks in the sidewalk. And they are close together, so we will walk along them and I will share some gleaned stories of these old Frogtown places, stories of perseverance, defensiveness, community, eccentricity, and even murder most foul.

[Facebook event here.]

[Secret baseball museum!]

Come along and make the most of your Thursday evening!

What: Walking tour of three or four (3-4) bars in Saint Paul's Frogtown neighborhood
When: Leaving at 6:30 on Thursday, July 6th
Where: Willard's Liquors on Thomas Avenue
Why: Because it's there
Who: Free of charge (but tips appreciated). All are welcome!

[Frogtown streetscape.]

Twin City Myth #1: The Origin of Highland

Long ago when Saint Paul was young, but not too young, just young enough to be still in part untamed, shortly after the ancient peoples had been forced from the land by white folk from the east, pushed with guns past the edge of the setting sun, the white people took the land and made use of it for themselves and renamed it Saint Paul and declared it “good.”

The land was lush and green and mostly undivided. The animals and birds and trees were plentiful and great grasses covered the hills. It was during this time, shortly after the First Great War, that Highland was born, a vast land of hills and fields that lay above old Rumtown, mostly unsettled by these same white people. And in that time Highland was a great prize that glimmered in the eyes of men who came from all parts of the city to look on the lands, and all of them were promised marvelous things.

“Here will be factories," said a man named George, who built many things during Saint Paul’s early years, “and this land will be the foundation of many lives. Here we will provide riches and food and a good many things for the people to come. And none will want for bounty and all will be fat and bear many children.”

And the people listened and clapped their hands for they were glad to hear it, and they said, “Take this Highland and use it.”

And then another man came to these same hills over Rumtown, and this man offered a different proclamation: “This Highland will be a great green haven,” he said, raising his large hands above him. He wore a hat made of brown pressed fur, a suit of the finest dark felt, and bore on his wrist a gleaming watch of silver.

“This will be a place of peace and quiet,” he promised the people. “All around you will be safe homes and pleasing streets lined with great green trees, and these homes will give refuge to those who seek solace from the noise and din of the unruly city on the river. Here there will be women and children and grass and blue skies and the distant views of the fields thither and yon.”

And the people clapped again, but not too loudly, yet they were glad for this was the dream of many. And so it went for years after the First Great War had ended. And then a street was paved through the Highland, and then a second, and the men came to the land to look upon its pastures and to discuss among themselves what to do.

It was at this time that a very great man from the east appeared. His name was Henry Ford and he brought with him a host of companions with shining suits and thick words and slick hair and fine black hats. Gold fell from their pockets as they walked through the city, clinking on the cobblestones as they passed.

And on that day, Henry Ford arrived in an elaborate machine that transported itself without water, horse, or wire, and when the people asked how it worked he replied that it was a magical machine that he had crafted for himself out of metal from the northern mines and coal from the east and rubber from jungles across the sea.

And the people were amazed, and transfixed their eyes as it moved by itself without horses or wire or steam or metal track. They saw it and exclaimed “Oh!” and bustled with joy, for the man was stern yet finely dressed and spoke with measured fervor, promising impossible things.

“One day every single one of you will have one of my machines and the color shall be black,” he said to the people, “and on that day all of you will all have the power to go anywhere at any time and every man will be his own master. These will be called motorcars and they will carry you swiftly into the future."

"More than this, you will build these magical machines yourselves, and every man who builds one shall be able to own one,” said the great man Henry Ford.

And at that the people trembled with joy. They shouted their praise and begged the man for favor. And so the great Henry Ford offered the dream of motorcars for all, and demanded the best, finest pastures in all of Highland for his great factory. And the people made promises of land and access and workers. And Henry Ford asked not only for the land, and access, and workers, but also for the river itself, and the people agreed again and offered up the flowing water and pledged their loyalty and hours of toil.

And so it was that a great factory came to Highland, and it rose on the bluff over old Rumtown, just up river from the oldest fort of the white people. And soon the factory belched smoke and churned with noise and whistles and clanking steel, and thousands of men lined at the factory gates to sweat inside, and from its gates poured motorcars one by one all day and all night to cover the land with their speed and insistence.

And soon after that the streets of Highland were built encircling the factory and lo they filled with quiet homes for the men with families and good jobs, and small apartments for the men without, and men and women and children came to the Highland from across the land and these new streets were filled with motor cars.

And so it went for many years, through hard times and easy times. And though there were many hard times, the factory that the great Henry Ford had built stayed busy and productive and gave food and gold and motorcars to men and their families for many years.

And then in Highland a great temple was built to show stories in motion pictures, and every day inside its walls a new story was told, images made of light and dark. And the people flocked to its gates and waited in line to see the flickering stories made from light itself and it kept their heads and thoughts free and light as eagles soaring over the great river.

And then a great road was built, long and straight as the tallest white pine, and it crossed the length of Highland and alongside the road a great green field was crafted from the earth. And along this field, short green grass was sown in lovely patches and trees were carefully set in place and tiny holes were drilled into the grass and flags were planted in honor of men that they may wander and frolic upon the short grasses. And lo the men came and formed into small groups and chased tiny white balls during daylight hours, wandering the well-tended pastures and forming thoughts of nature and their place within and upon it. And they tamed the land around them in threesomes and foursomes and later they drank mixed drinks and spoke again of the future and all was well for a time.

And while a long, unforgiving plague had spread across the land, causing misery and hunger throughout the hills and across the prairie, yet in Highland there was food and warmth from well-tended fires, and people came to Highland from across the city for solace and opportunity.

It was at this time that a great stone tower was built on top of the highest hill, designed by a man with dark skin, and it was filled of the purest water and surrounded by an endless staircase and at the very top the people could gaze in all directions. Inside the tower a great light was lit and it shone for all to see, marking the highest of the high hills of Highland. And the people declared it “good.” And thus the Third Ward was born.

Reading the Highland Villager #184

[Villagers chillin' by the fireplace in Mendota Heights.]

[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: Changes sought in Snelling rezoning; Lower building heights urged at St. Clair corner

Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There is a plan to rezone much of the land facing Senlling Avenue using newer, more old fashioned, “traditional neighborhood” zoning that allows more mixed-use walkable land uses. A developer wants to build a building on the corner of Snelling and St. Clair. Some people want some of the building site to be TN3 and the rest of it to be TN2 while others want it all to be TN3.Also there is a church that might be either TN2 or TN1. Neighbors are concerned about “negative impacts.”

Headline: Redevelopment in works for last bit of old brewery; Cohen agrees to purchase office, building, rathskeller

Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A developer is going to buy part of the old brewery and make offices and a restaurant there. Nearby another building by the same developer is going to become a “festival marketplace” and will open in in the fall. CM Noecker is quoted saying “I’m beyond thrilled.” People who have worked at the neighborhood group plan to retire soon. The neighborhood group currently owns the building. Germanfest will be on Summit Avenue this year. [That’ll be fun, but probably also different than if it had been at the brewery.]

Headline: St. Paul neighbors, B&Bs seek to regulate short-term rentals; Licensing, zoning and taxation proposed for Airbnb-type offerings

Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Saint Paul has never had any regulations for online “bnb” type things but they are going to start soon. City staff have studied the issue, and wants to add signage, parking, and other standards. [Let’s keep parking minimums to a minimum, shall we?] Large buildings will be allowed up to four rentals, but can get permits for more. Article includes brief description of the internet. Quote from resident:” If I rented my triplex to conventional long-term residents, there could be si cars on the street; typically now there are only two on any given day.” The Planning Commission will look at this soon.

Headline: Vision becomes clearer to replacing busy Dale Street bridge over freeway

Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: There was a meeting to discuss how to improve the bridge over the freeway when it gets replaced soon. [The bridge is an unforgivable sidewalk hell.] The County is going to expand the bridge, build 16’ sidewalks, and create a public space. There are hills near there that pose problems. There will also be bike lanes. [Kind of silly/meaningless because Dale Street is one of the worst for bicycling in the entire city. Still anything would be an improvement over the horrific status quo.]

Headline: Ramsey, Hennepin approve new transit tax

Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: [The sales tax to pay for transit will be doubled and counties will not have to compromise as much with their plans.]

Headline: Midway stadium project gets underway on south end of site

Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Construction of the soccer stadium has finally begun. Existing [strip mall] businesses will remain for now.

Headline: St. Paul’s city parks are facing $57M backlog in maintenance

Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: A lot of park infrastructure needs money, according to a new report by a consultant.

Headline: County Board gives itself 2.6 percent raise for 2018

Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Commissioners make $92K a year now. [Nice work if you can get it!] CM Rettman voted against the raise. [Cantankerous pro-parking gadfly] Bill Hosko is quoted.

Headline: Fewer complaints reported despite extended Grand Old Day

Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Not as many people complained this year, only five, and two were for noise. There were pedicabs and Uber and more cops. Not enough people went to the Italian Pie Shoppe, though.

 

Headline: Committee advises city on how to prepare for aging population

Author: Jane McClure

Short short version: Old people are getting older. Also Saint Paul is more “ethnically diverse.” Many older people need more housing. Quote from neighbor, “too many of our elders are becoming isolated.” [Seems like we need better sidewalks to me.]