urbanMSP

you're probably right, but I sure do hope the McDonald's site will be developed soon as well. such a waste of space on such a prominent corner. Where do you think Planned Parenthood would go if they replaced it?

Hey mplser, let's not forget the Arby's site!

What about Mosaic II they said they were talking about light medical or whatever? They wouldn't have to move far... Otherwise they could easily fill a great spot on Lake Further East.

Am I the only one who wants Cheapo to stay? I love browsing through all the used videos for amazingly cheap. The music selection is amazing and the bookstore downstairs is very neat. This is the kind of a place I live in the city to be near. It was hard enough to see the uptown bar go. I might really be stretching it to even say I'd like the Arby's to stay as well. Besides the food, I'd miss the sign. In fact, mostly, I'd miss the sign.

I would miss the Cheapo! One of the last vestiges of what made the Uptown neighborhood unique.

Cheapo and Ragstock remind me of my teenage years. Maybe it's for purely selfish, nostalgic reasons, but if it were up to me, they'd both stay right where they are, forever and ever.

I don't think people are opposed to Cheapo being there, they're opposed to Cheapo being there in that building. CPM is keeping Sally's in their new development in Stadium Village, maybe something similar could happen here in the future.

You are unlikely to see McDonalds redeveloped anytime soon. The thing is a cash cow and McDonalds owns it. Only way it will ever be redeveloped is if they can be put back into a new project with a drive thru. They probably do a few million in sales a year, so it wouldn't be a cheap site to purchase if you were buying out the location.

Arby's site is owned by Roundy's, so it is more likely than McDonalds.

At the end of the day, it's all about the motivation of the sellers and less about the developers at this point.

I don't think people are opposed to Cheapo being there, they're opposed to Cheapo being there in that building. CPM is keeping Sally's in their new development in Stadium Village, maybe something similar could happen here in the future.

But it wouldn't be the SAAAAME!!! WAAAAH!

That's right - it wouldn't be the same. If you like it as it is, you don't want it to change. We've screwed up and lost so much in this town, it's hard to trust that it would be done right. Plus shopping for cheap used music and videos in the bottom floor of a boxy six story building with weird needless shapes all over it just different.

Oops, that's supposed to say " feels different" .

Buying and selling used CDs and DVDs is not a long-term business. People buy music and movies online now, and the people that don't buy online are dying off. Vinyl and books could stick around as a viable business for a while longer. I believe vinyl records actually outsold CDs in 2012, or for the first time in nearly 30 years (go hipsters!) Cheapo could be conducting a books & records business in a much smaller location. They don't need a warehouse when no one cares about CDs anymore. I will miss the click-clackin sound of people flipping through CD cases...but only a little.

Love it or hate it, Uptown is rapidly changing and it won't be long before all the vacant or underutilized land (to the east towards Buzza) will sprout high density developments. It's inevitable. What my hope is independent stores like Cheapo etc will locate more in Lynn-Lake or the 26th and Nicollet retail nodes, making them more of a bustling shopping destination and interesting area to truly "hang out".

Since we're a bit off topic- I think the cheapo building might be able to support more stories. The structure seems rather rugged when you look at the ceiling and columns down in BookSmart.

What a huge first floor. Must be 20 feet high.

Thanks for the pics Bapster, I notice all those yesterday on my walk in Uptown and that the 3rd floor is complete on North Elan except for the roof trusses. one more level of stick to go on that and they will be topped out and then all that is left is interiors and the exterior finishes which I'm not noticed as being started yet.

I think the Walkway restraunts are to have a mezzanine level like Bar Louie. Would help explain the very high ceiling heights.

The Walkway from above:

What a great shot. It shows Cheapo and the empty lot to the south across Lake Street. It also reminds me it is almost rooftop patio beer time.

This location is so central and perfect if you want access to everything in Uptown!

The Walkway from above:

I've been waiting 30 years for the heart of Uptown to expand beyond the repressive constraint of that 4 block intersection at Hennepin and Lake. Here it comes!