Saint Paul - General Topics

[Wedgeguy]

Thanks, was not even aware of that development.

[Scott Wood]

Thune claimed this is the developer's fault for choosing to build condos, rather than smaller apartment units like the neighboring buildings, even though supposedly the building footprint is dictated by the parking (the neighboring apartment buildings provide little parking). So is Thune saying he'd support a parking variance instead? Somehow I doubt it.

I also wonder what the anti-development crowd thinks of the argument that rental units would have been better than owner occupied units...

[lordmoke]

Luther Seminary is selling a portion of their campus near Como to be developed into senior housing by Ecumen:

http://www.startribune.com/with-two-apa ... 361100901/

Also, that other project for those who were unaware.

[ProspectPete]

Pioneer Press on the Palace Theater renovation--

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_ ... town-music

[grant1simons2]

Construction on 25 units of apartments begins soon. First for the neighborhood of St. Anthony Park in years.

http://park-24.com/

http://www.startribune.com/with-two-apa ... 361100901/

[LakeCharles]

Cool. That area certainly could use it.

[Wedgeguy]

One of my favorite neighborhoods in St. Paul.

[BlueShine]

St. Anthony Park is dense with character. It's exciting to see some multi-family housing going in there, and pretty surprising that there wasn't more of a neighborhood fuss over this.

[seanrichardryan]

It's actually well designed and fits the site. Nothing to fuss over!

[tomhomas]

Any idea what's going into 1660/1664 University Ave? Vacant for years, and realtor claims it will close by end of the month.

[Nathan]

Streetview shows a for sale sign on the building, but I haven't heard of a specific development... It's definitely a prime spot.

[twincitizen]

Weyerhaeuser distribution center near Franklin & 280 to close next year: http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_ ... 1450308697

Here's what that property looks like:

Weyerhaeuser by Matt Brillhart, on Flickr

Sad to lose the jobs, but when only 17 people work there (according to PP) you've got a pretty inefficient use of prime urban land. It will be interesting to watch which way both the property owner and St. Paul move on this. Keep it industrial, but with a denser job concentration? Or let someone build more apartments/condos like to the immediate north of this site? Particularly with the LRT station just two blocks north, you have to imagine this will transition to residential, or at part of it. Then again, someone may see value in a centrally located site with a rail spur and good highway access. No matter the use, a prime location to be sure.

[Nathan]

Daaaaang, that's a big chunk. You could easily get more than 17 jobs back in that area though, probably more. It would be unfortunate for it all to go industrial again. I'd imagine some sort of industry on the south side keeping the rail link and by the intestate, while more retail and residential mixed use closer to Franklin* would be a win win for the community and land owners.

[Wedgeguy]

Back when they did the Green line "what if" they were looking at part of that area along the freeway being office. So that would surely add a few more jobs even if there is only two or three office buildings.

[mattaudio]

I used to live immediately across Emerald St from this fortress. Extending Sharon Ave and creating a normal street grid will be huge, if that can happen. Whatever happens, hopefully St. Paul Port Authority keeps their sprawlbuilding mittens off this.

[MNdible]

How about that poor little orphaned block of houses on Curfew?

[Anondson]

Being this perfectly centered in the metro might be attractive to businesses needing access to the dense central cities ... Amazon?

[LakeCharles]

How about that poor little orphaned block of houses on Curfew?

I used to live in 2526 Franklin. Strange neighborhood.

[seanrichardryan]

I think the main building is actually a post & beam structure. Might be cool to reuse is some capacity.

[ProspectPete]

I look at this site as a mini-Ford plant site. Lots of potential.
As far as biking is concerned, there are train tracks which lead from the lumberyard and the go parallel to Wabash over 280. It could be nice to use that ROW and integrate a bike trail from Franklin, through the site, and over 280, and connect to Pelham Ave, which will eventually be part of St Paul grand round bike loop.