urbanMSP

Wow, that’s sad. Is that the place on Excelsior Blvd at the border of Hopkins & SLP?

Yeah, that was Meadowbrook Manor.

Thought there might be some interest in seeing the zoning changes in the city’s 2040 comp plan changes.

https://www.stlouispark.org/home/showdocument?id=11871

Some items of interest. The mini storage at the end of France Ave is proposed rezoning from Industrial to Medium Density Residential.

Belt Line is nearly entirely upgrading to TOD.

The closed Sam’s Club is proposed for Business Park.

Near city hall, south of Minnetonka Blvd, some commercial and office is being rezoned to medium and high density residential.

Cedar Lake Rd and Louisiana’s aged small strips are rezoned Multi Use and the under occupied old offices along Louisiana are being rezoned medium density residential.

A weird triangle of highway right of way at 169 and 394, on the hill slope at the sw corner being rezoned Office.

The city’s 2040 comp plan had a document on transportation, walking, biking, transit, and driving.

https://www.stlouispark.org/home/showdocument?id=10391 (7+mb, 70+ page .pdf)

Notes:
- the city research shows a very much “build it and people use it” regarding sidewalks. The neighborhoods with sidewalks have high sidewalk demand, neighborhoods without sidewalks have no sidewalk demand,

- page 12 has a map of proposed future trails and bikeways. Page 16 shows which routes are regional bike transportation network routes, Louisiana Ave is a high priority here. Page 19 shows a fascinating map of “biker stress” by street section.

- In 2023 the county will reconstruct Minnetonka Blvd with a 4–3 conversion from France to TH 100. In 2019 from 100 to Louisiana with a 2–3 conversion. And in 2020 from Louisiana to 169 with a 2-3 conversion.

- in 2020 Excelsior Blvd is reconstructed from Louisiana to Meadowbrook Rd with no change in lanes but adding a sidewalk on the southside. In 2021 from Meadowbrook Rd to Blake Rd with a 4–5 conversion.

- I’m disappointed the city is proceeding to reconstruct Louisiana from Oxford to Excelsior and keep the four lane divided layout when page 44 explains it only deserves a two lane layout. The saved space could have been reused as on street parking for the station area redevelopment or wide, safe sidewalks and separated bike facilities.

- Page 53 shows desired future streets and alleys. Park Nicollet campus has a couple, north or Methodist linking to the future LRT station, the Microcenter megablock shows some, and all around the big blocks next to Belt Line.

- I wonder if Minneapolis is at all interested in coordinating 32nd to the proposed Park Glen extension out to the Minneapolis border. *cough*

Will a 4-5 conversion just make vehicles drive faster? Will they narrow the lanes?

Also, any talk of SLP adding streetlights to their neighborhoods with sidewalks? Otherwise it’s like the city rolls up the sidewalks at night.

It’s creepy crossing the border into Minnekhada Vista with street lights only at intersections.

Faster? I dunno, drivers easily hit 45-50 in this stretch. The 4–5 conversion primarily is needed for safety. There is an industrial district to the north, eastbound trucks that are coming from 169 will slow down and all sorts of dangerous weaving goes on. The residential neighborhood to the south has many streets coming off Excelsior and likewise westbound residents will turn down their street and block traffic also causing dangerous weaving. The separated turn lane is called for.

The lanes are extremely wide right now with a wide space between the curb and the paint of the outside lanes. There will probably be lane narrowing to make the 4–5 conversion fit because the wealthy residential neighborhood to the south has been begging for a sidewalk along Excelsior for years, I hope it gets it.

This stretch could arguably, barely take a 4–3 conversion based traffic counts but Methodist has an emergency room and ambulances get there by Excelsior Blvd. would need for vehicles to pull out of the way. That outer lane is a place drivers can slide off out of the way.

Not even one mention of possible passenger rail on the MN&S? They do know MnDOT has this route on their passenger rail plan, right?

At least they aren't assuming CP will abandon it and a rail-trail will be put in like Bloomington and Burnsville are.

Well Three Rivers, Hennepin, Met Council have it on their bike trail comprehensive plans.

Well Three Rivers, Hennepin, Met Council have it on their bike trail comprehensive plans.

So does Dakota County, and the railroad (CP) said no even though a train hasn't been on that route in 20 years.

Maybe just outside the Louisiana Station area, but easily in the Walker-Lake district, the vacant Park Vacuum building will be converted into a dog-friendly pub.

http://www.startribune.com/owners-of-st ... 500282381/

It’s also across the street from the Pampered Pooch doggy daycare.

Decent bike lane expansions are coming to extend the bike lane to Lake Street and up to Wooddale. It’s very nice to see the historic center of SLP get some redevelopment love.

Where will we get our Miele bags?!?!

That’s a great reuse of that building. My partner will love a dog-friendly pub.

Thought I saw a "Proposed New Development" sign in front of the Olive Garden along 394 this morning. Was too far away to get any details though.

Yeah, a 207-unit rental development.

Aldi coming to SLP.

https://finance-commerce.com/2018/11/al ... ouis-park/

It’ll be in the same strip Target is in. Placing it adjacent to the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail and a quick bike ride from Hopkins.

Appears to be replacing Big Lots

Yeah, a 207-unit rental development.

Planning Commission hearing on December 19, 6:00pm.

Yeah, a 207-unit rental development.

Planning Commission hearing on December 19, 6:00pm.

In case anyone is worried about unlimited breadsticks, Olive Garden will be moving into the old Avenida Cocina space near Hopkins Crossroad/394 a few miles west.

49 minute bike ride from Uptown. https://goo.gl/maps/WrUzyLZGgcH2

49 minute bike ride from Uptown. https://goo.gl/maps/WrUzyLZGgcH2

At that point you might as well go to the the other great Olive Garden. Bonus points if you actually bike down France Avenue through Southdale.

If you bike past Broders’, you will spontaneously combust. Better to stop there and get something delicious. You might also pass Hello Pizza, Red Wagon Pizza, and Pizzeria Lola.