Goodwill (University & Griggs) - former Whitaker Buick

[blindeke]

This rendering of the Whitaker Buick site at University & Griggs just crossed my desk. A friend of mine owns property on the alley behind this building, and received this in the mail. But I've not heard any other details about it.

Any thoughts? Anyone have more info?

At first glance, 2 stories is a bit disappointing to me...



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BX_wX1aCIAA30ei.jpg

[ps can't figure out how to put an image in this post so i just have a link]

[Wedgeguy]

Could be better, could be worse. Looks a lot like service and office building, so I find it had to believe that they would go above 2 stories. If it were residential then I'm want more stories.

[nickmgray]

We can't expect every project to be 4-6 stories along university. The size isn't impressive at all, but it's very pedestrian friendly.

[nordeast homer]

Do we know for sure this is 2 stories? This looks a lot like some of the newer retail that has second level glass, but it's merely for show or to let light in.

[Snelbian]

We can't expect every project to be 4-6 stories along university. The size isn't impressive at all, but it's very pedestrian friendly.

I'd say we SHOULD expect new development along a major transit corridor designated for TOD and often zoned Tx to be more than two stories. That's kinda the point.

The design is better than it could be, and would be great a block north on Griggs, or maybe on Selby midblock somewhere. For Midway it's unimpressive.

[mamundsen]

The local paper I get has a story about this development. I can't find it online right now... but here are the highlights.

-This is going to be a Goodwill store and their corporate operations office.
-It is indeed two floors. 34k sq ft total. 12k retail, 4k processing on 1st floor. 16k offices on 2nd floor.
-Retail is a relocation of the store currently on Fairview Ave.
-They want the parking lot to have 49 stalls. (Half the number at a typical store, according to the article) This will still require a variance because it will be 180 linear feet along University which is over the 60 ft limit.
-They plan to have rain gardens and landscaping around the lot.
-They hope to submit for approval by the end of November.

I'll update with a link if it ever pops up.

[twincitizen]

While this site remains a disappointment, the possible redevelopment of Goodwill's HUGE campus at Uni-Fairview would be incredible. Fairview Station could also probably support much higher density and market-rate rents. I hope an ambitious developer gets a hold of that site.

[mamundsen]

I just received my new Monitor local news paper and there a bunch of University Ave development updates. The info isn't online yet but here's what it had to say about this project:

-This was approved at the Feb 7 St Paul Planning Commission meeting
-still needs a conditional use permit for the drive-thru donation drop off
----the drive-thru is supposed to be 60 ft from residences, this will be 15 ft.
-a variance was approved to allow the parking lot along University. The frontage will be 199 ft.

[mattaudio]

Is a Goodwill donation drive-through regulated under the same zoning as a restaurant drive-through?

[mplser]

whoa whoa whoa. parking lot along university? so basically they are building a strip mall style building?

[mamundsen]

I believe the building(s) will also be along University. I haven't found a site plan yet. From the Feb 7 meeting minutes:

#13-260-424 Goodwill – Conditional use permit for retail/service establishment of more than 15,000 sq. ft., and for drive-through service, with modification of condition to allow ingress/egress within 60 ft. of residential property, and variances for 1) off-street parking with more than 60 ft. of frontage, and 2) building setback 7.5 ft. from the alley centerline (13 ft. required). 1221 University Avenue West, NW corner at Griggs. (Anton Jerve, 651/266-6567)

MOTION:
Commissioner Nelson moved the Zoning Committee’s recommendation to approve the conditional use permit subject to additional conditions. The motion carried 13-2 (Lindeke, Makarios) with 1 abstention (Noecker) on a voice vote

[mattaudio]

That Lindeke...

[lordmoke]

Neighborhood not happy about parking lot size:
http://finance-commerce.com/2014/02/goo ... ts-a-snag/

[mulad]

There's fencing up around this site and an office trailer in the existing parking lot.

[nate]

The Whitaker Buick building is going DOWN as we speak. About 1/3 demolished last night.

[mattaudio]

Are there any new car dealerships left in St. Paul?

[mulad]

I think they're all gone. I believe Saxon Ford was the last to depart University Avenue. I once had a car repaired at Midway Chevrolet (maybe 12 years ago?), but they closed their site a year or two after that.

Numerous used-car dealerships are still around, of course.

[Wedgeguy]

The last 4 are gone. Whitaker, Saxon, Midway Chevy and Suburban Chrysler which was right on the east edge of St. Paul. Like MPLS there are now no car dealerships when everyone is moving back into the city again. But if you have a car you can get to the burbs.

[mattaudio]

Car dealerships are sort of like coal power plants or water treatment plants. Essential functionality for those in the city? Yes. A land use that's compatible? Not really. I'm ok with them being in the burbs.

[RailBaronYarr]

They could be if they didn't include vast lots of surface parking. A show-room with a few models out back for test drives and the ability to custom order one (or have one driven in from the burbs) would work really well.