urbanMSP

Both great wins for Nicollet Ave./Eat Street.

Like the Nicollet Diner concept. Always thought this spot had potential. Not a huge fan of the exterior design, but definitely an improvement to the building's current condition and hopefully will look better once actually completed.

Oh, the stores in Gaviidae are seasonal, I believe. Something they've been doing the past few years. Love it. Wish they'd open up permanently, but assume rent is pretty high. Cool Gaviidae works with them over the holidays, though. Seems many independent/start ups try to start out there, but unfortu...

The little orphan retail spot by Target now has something in it--an art gallery? There's a lot of that going on downtown lately, there are a couple different art galleries that popped up in Gaviidae over the past year. I peeked through the windows during my visit back to MN over the holidays. Looks...

Still looking forward to more images of the final design.

I think if Target tears the building down and puts up a new store, it would be a great win for downtown St. Paul. Sadly, I think Mpls. has a greater chance of a retail resurgence than downtown St. Paul. The business community in Mpls. is much more diverse, and hate to say it, more cosmo. St. Paul's ...

Interesting.

Any news on this project. Look forward to seeing images of the design.

They will be located inside on the second level next to LA Fitness.

They sure move a lot. Didn't they used to be in Calhoun? I know they also used to have a location downtown.

I haven't spent much time on Grand, but Coffee News would have been more compelling since I already have a French Meadow location nearby in Mpls. I haven't sampled many of their dessert items, but I like Moose & Sadie's brownies much better: denser, richer, and moist. I've been looking for a ni...

A new Wells Fargo campus?
http://www.startribune.com/business/183450161.html
and I recuse myself from further discussion on this tangent.

"One scenario apparently involves building a campus for Wells Fargo, a park, and perhaps residential housing".

Fingers crossed!!

Looks like the Bullpen is now open in the former Buttery space in downtown Saint Paul. http://www.twincities.com/stpaul/ci_22178059/bullpen-sports-saloon-opens-downtown-st-paul?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com Cool. Menu looks interesting. I always liked Buttery and was sad it clo...

Sorry - where in St. Paul? Not familiar with the News Cafe.

So, let's congregate all affordable/low-income housing in one unsafe area because, let's face it, all low-income people are criminals and lowlifes and don't deserve to live in a vibrant, safe neighborhood that has stores/services within walking distance and that may lead to a better quality of life?...

Didn't realize this was happening. Very sad indeed.

Article about possible warehouse to apartment conversion in N.E. from The Downtown Journal online:

http://journalmpls.wordpress.com/2012/1 ... warehouse/

The 2 skyways going over Hennepin Ave. should be lit up If the city is trying to make the street look more like Time Square. Could do the one as part of a Block E renovation As a city that is known for it's "skywalks", I always wondered why none were lit more dramatically, etc. Definitely...

I still think that for downtown to TRULY attract people (particularly families), it needs to FEEL family-oriented, which means it needs VERY safe and accessible parks. I'm not sure very many U.S. cities do this well, and the only one that I can think of that does is San Francisco. I don't think we ...

On a side note, does anyone know what's going on with the mansion next door? I believe it's unoccupied and lastly was used for office space. Does anyone think this area would support a restaurant/cafe? I know street parking would be bit#@@#, but for residents within walking, thought maybe the mansio...

Beautiful. This will definately liven up this block. What a different impression this and the new Xcel building are going to make to people arriving on the blue line.

Now, keeping fingers crossed they find quality RETAIL/restaurant tenants for the first floor/skyway level.

I like it Foto. Definately would create a draw for visitors and residents a like. At the least, I think they should build a glass cafe/restaurant overlooking the park to stimulate use/activity. The current Gateway Park also needs improvement. Does anyone know who prunes the trees downtown? Is it con...