2010-09-20

Reading the Highland Villager #24 (September 15 - 28 Edition)

[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. That's why I'm reading the Highland Villager so that you don't have to. Until this newspaper goes online, sidewalk information must be set free.]


Total # of articles about sidewalks: 7
Total # of articles about sidewalks written by Jane McClure*: 7


Headline: Frequent target of vandals, vacant Island Station plant is fined by city
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Whoever owns the isolated brick antique abandoned power plant down by the river on the down-side of Shepard Road is having some real trouble keeping people [urban explorers? people who like to drink? graffiti taggers? the homeless? those guys who hang out down by the river?] out of it. Lots of great and desperate quotes from both property-owner "Paul Breckner" and City Councilmember Kathy Lantry. Article includes some history of the plant, which was shut off in 1943 and decommissioned in 1975. Fine was only $800. [Bonus: mention of "would-be developer T.J. Hammerstrom". -Ed.]


Headline: Cheeky Monkey is granted entertainment, patio licenses
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: New Selby Ave sandwich shop will soon have beer and wine outside, "entertainment" inside.


Headline: Rebuilt St. Paul generates debate on downtown units
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Councilmember Stark is upset that the Housing and Redvelopment Authority's new construction do not have enough affordable housing. Includes quote of official planning goal (30% affordable) v. the amount in the current 'Rebuild St. Paul' plans (<10%). [Good point, Mr Stark. Unfortunately, nobody seems to care. -Ed.]


Headline: Hearing set on assessments for West End street repaving
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The streets near West 7th and Douglas are gonna be repaved unless folks in those neighborhoods raise some serious hell before October 6th. Currently, homeowners pay 1/4 of the costs of such things. [The city pays the rest. -Ed.]


Headline: St. Paul marks reopening of improved Sam Morgan Trail
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The new and improved bike trail along Shepard Road West of Downtown is now open for business.


Headline: U of M, Met Council finally come to agreement on Central Corridor
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: Story, covered extensively elsewhere, about the end of the lawsuit threats b/w the U and the LRT.


Headline: Upper Landing permit parking OK'd
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: The streets in the "Upper Landing neighborhood" [located by Chestnut and Spring and Walnut streets... I don't know where this is? -Ed.] will now have permit parking, presumably to keep out people who park there but don't live there.


* The hardest working woman in local journalism.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I assume the Upper Landing is all them new condos across the river from Harriet Island.

Bill Lindeke said...

Ah yes. good point. thanks Reuben.