Jerry Trooien has tried to sell a large scale vision, of some questionable viability. Aside from some broad concepts and sketches, there aren't many concrete plans. There are some initial setbacks...
The state's DNR opposes the proposal. "In a formal response to a plan for the Bridges of St. Paul development, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said it falls short of the city's own comprehensive plan and fails to protect the river's visual qualities." (Pioneer Press 1/8/05).
The West Side Citizens Organization (WSCO) voted to restrict Lander Sherman's West Side Flats heights to the specifics found in the West Side Flats Master Plan. WSCO will continue to work proactively with the developer within that constraint. Councilmember Thune will go along with their recommendations. The Bridges has far taller buildings, and will face far greater scrutiny.
And there are the skeptical assessments in today's paper...
"He's proposed an awful lot of things over the last 10 years," said David Brennan, a marketing professor at the University of St. Thomas. "While I salute him, I think getting the financing is going to be a little bit of a struggle."
"I don't think he has run into the local opposition yet because everybody's looking at this thing and is saying, 'Oh, this will never happen,' " said St. Paul real estate broker John Mannillo. "A lot of people are skeptical whether he can achieve this."
"Brian Sweeney, a developer and former St. Paul development director under then-Mayor Norm Coleman...warned against creating 'a new millennial version of St. Anthony Main,' the never-entirely-successful retail center launched during the 1970s on the Minneapolis riverfront near Nicollet Island."
Even the developer says it will require nearly $100,000,000 in city financing, should it go forward. But there seems to be a notable possibility that day may never come. Should the project ever reach that stage, I'm sure there will be plenty of discussion...
Bob Spaulding
Downtown
-------------------------------------------------
JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY:
http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/
-------------------------------------------------
POST MESSAGES HERE: [email protected]To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul
Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
