urbanMSP

Looks like both section of the buildings are constructed except for the exterior cladding and some ground floor windows and doors. Was surprised that the retail is being limited to the building nearest to Hamline only.

This seems to have turned out well. It's colorful, at least. Most of the exterior work is done, though they're still working on filling in the brick around vent outlets on the building closest to Hamline:


_mg_0404-edit by Michael Hicks, on Flickr


_mg_0405-edit by Michael Hicks, on Flickr


_mg_0406-edit by Michael Hicks, on Flickr


_mg_0407-edit by Michael Hicks, on Flickr

That orange! Yassssss! Thanks for all the pics!

This one turned out quite nicely.

Planning Commission overrules staff recommendation, will allow BP rebuild
http://monitorsaintpaul.com/planning-co ... p-rebuild/

An aging BP gas station, convenience store and car wash at the northwest corner of Hamline and University avenues, can be replaced with a new, larger structure. The St. Paul Planning Commission Apr. 20 approved a conditional use permit needed to replace the business at 1347 University Ave.

The station’s location is in an area eyed for future mixed-use redevelopment. It was rezoned from commercial to traditional neighborhoods (TN) zoning in 2011 as part of the Hamline Station study area. ....

The Most Livable City in America™

Pretty shabby station. I like that it's being upgraded, but sure looks like a flagrant violation of the area's plan. Plenty of gas stations in St. Paul.

Gotta love the car wash entrance (exit?) facing University right across from the light rail station. What a big FU that is.

That's it. I'm applying for the commission.

Sure would be nice to see this area be developed into something more useful. Not that I don’t enjoy noodles and company, been there several times.

[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201807 ... 64e609.png[/IMG]



Another overview picture
[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201807 ... 99ab96.png[/IMG]
The property to the left of the dropped pin appears to have a noodles and company, vitamin store, and Verizon wireless
[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201807 ... 416f23.png[/IMG]
The property to the right of the dropped pin does not appear to have any businesses on it.
[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201807 ... 59bb8d.png[/IMG]

It would be nice to see a mixed-use building go here. Something that has decent street frontage with retail/office on the ground level and residential above. I also wonder if this would not be a bad location for a hotel, given the proximity to the soccer stadium and potential development surrounding it.


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I've been puzzled for some time about the ownership of that large parcel. While the Target store is owned (as you would expect) by the Target Corporation, the property fronting University (which was split off for future development when the new Target was built) is owned by "Dayton Hudson Corporation, C/O Ecova, Inc." showing Ecova's address in Spokane. Ecova is now part of Engie, the French-based utility company. I would love to know how that came about.

From permit activity, it looks like "Ding Tea" is going to open in Hamline Station. Likely a franchise location of a Taiwanese bubble tea chain that seems to have a growing U.S. presence. It will be good to see one more of the retail spaces here occupied. I have yet to make it to Magic Noodle, but have heard very good reviews.

Magic noodle is really great!

I’ve asked this before, but I figured I’d drop a line again. Are they ever going to develop the parking lot out in front of the target store. So much wasted space.


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Nothing but crickets chirping on that parcel for years.

I don't quite get it... if the "snow pile" site on Lexington can draw market rate residential, it seems that this lot in front of a successful Target store should be able to draw some sort of attention for a mixed-use project. Unfortunately, the BP station at Hamline/University does the area no good in terms of image. Maybe if that was gone, the outlook would improve.

I don't know what's going on with the Midway Target, but my understanding of the similar Hi-Lake Target is that the land is owned by a secretive family real estate trust. They could make more by selling the outlots for redevelopment, but they're meeting their goal ROI by just collecting money from the Target lease, so they see no reason to change anything. Could be the same thing in the Midway.

Wow, look at that property tax bill. That's per year. That's amazing.

Well, they're probably pulling in at least 6 times that in rent.