The Paxon - (324 First Street North)

[gahwi003]

The article notes that they'll be demolishing 95% of the existing structure. There has been speculation that the existing structure was somehow compromised -- this would seem to confirm that, as I'm sure they'd love to reuse it if it were at all possible.

Compromised meaning unusable with their design, or unable to use due to the structural condition?

[MNdible]

Compromised meaning due to the deteriorated structural condition. As I recall, this was why Hillcrest backed out of their deal to purchase the site a few years ago -- they had planned to reuse the structure but during due diligence discovered that they wouldn't be able to.

[sushisimo]

Visually, nothing looks bad here: concrete is fine, no rusting on exposed rebar. That probably means zilch, and I'm not arguing. I'm guessing the 5% retention (minus 95% demolition) will be the foundation walls somebody alluded to above?

[lordmoke]

Looks set to be approved by the CPC on May 20:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/meeting ... S1P-107647

[bubzki2]

Anything new on this project? Is it dead? What's likely to come of it if so? Last time I biked by here it's a real eye sore.

[RobN]

Drove by earlier today and noticed a construction trailer at the site. Looks like something might finally be moving forward!

[bubzki2]

That's outstanding! I remember this being basically right on the trail, maybe across the tracks. Anyone know if there will be direct access to the trail-grade?

[mamundsen]

It's across the tracks. It will not have access to the Cedar Lake Trail. It is only a block or so to West River Parkway.

[woofner]

Sighting confirmed: I saw concrete cutters on site, presumably cutting holes in the concrete into which they will insert sticks of dynamite.

[uptown067]

Looks like they just closed on their financing:
http://www.sherman-associates.com/news/ ... apolis-mn/

[lordmoke]

Jersey barriers now out into the street. They say Doran on them like almost everything else in this city right now.

[lordmoke]

Demo is cruising along- site is about half clear. Shame that the old concrete couldn't be reused.

[Wedgeguy]

Should be able to recycle the old concrete and rebar.

[Nick]

[David Greene]

So glad to see this happening. I used to live in the Lindsay Warehouse (top left in Nick's first photo). This parcel was an abandoned condo project when I moved in a decade ago and it just sat there. For ten years.

[Wedgeguy]

Surprised to see the whole foundation has been removed. I thought there was talk about reusing part of it. I guess they determined that it was all bad work and just started with a clean sheet of paper.

[nickmgray]

I'm sure the fact that the foundation has been exposed to the elements all these years played into the decision to not use it.

[Wedgeguy]

From what I ready years ago, they did a lousy and sub par job on the foundation and there was to be a lawsuit. Don't know how it came out, but I'm sure that is why they did not use any of it! Being exposed to the elements probably made the decision easier to make.

[Nick]

P1260035 by UrbanMSP, on Flickr


P1260037 by UrbanMSP, on Flickr

[TommyT]

Very excited about this project! I LOVE the rendering, looks gorgeous.