St. Anthony Park, FalconPa Heights, Lauderdale & Northwestrk Como Park BugleVolume 32, Number 9, March, 2006 Carleton Lofts project gets underway on University Ave. by Jane McClure Transformation of the former Johnson Brothers Liquor Company warehouses into the Carleton Lofts is in full swing. The first residents should be ready to move into 169 new loft apartments at University Ave. and Carleton St. in spring 2007. Eventually the south St. Anthony Park site will include more than 400 apartments. City officials see the Carleton Lofts as a key part of turning the University-Raymond area into a vibrant commercial-residential neighborhood. Ward 4 Council “I don’t know of any other converted Member Jay warehouses in the area that will have Benanav said the housing, which is units available for rent.” just blocks east of –Brad Johnson the new Emerald University Carleton Development Garden and Berry Place neighborhoods, will add to the area’s appeal for new residents. “We’re very excited about the development and we’re on track for the first occupants to start moving in in late spring 2007,” said Brad Johnson, chief development officer for University Carleton Development. “It’ll be great to see this area turn into an urban village.” Johnson said the rental lofts will provide a unique opportunity for those who want to try warehouse loft living without making a larger investment in a loft condominium. “I don’t know of any other converted warehouses in the area that will have units available for rent,” he said. This will not only appeal to Carleton Lofts to 6 Tales told out of school build An exhibition of paintings by Chinese artist He Qi will run from March 1 to April 16 at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church. Some 20 works will be on display, including this one: “The Women Arriving at the literacy in St. Anthony Park Tomb.” See story on p. 9. by Anne Holzman With an elementary school, a The St. Anthony Park S. St. Anthony Park development sparks debate junior high, a seminary and a Library serves as a hub of JPI proposal could have far-reaching implications in St. Paul university campus, it’s pretty language instruction, not only by obvious that education is a major providing the space, materials by Jane McClure and Dave Healy industry in St. Anthony Park. and expertise, but by referring What’s not so obvious is the volunteers to programs that A development proposal to put that apartments do not have to Attorney Eric Galatz noted constellation of literacy and might interest them and by 500 college students in three follow. that St. Paul has 33 rooming English language learning offering get-to-know-the-library buildings in an industrial area in Last year the city’s zoning houses, including fraternities and programs that support those tours to newcomers. St. Anthony Park could generate administrator decided that the sororities. The key difference institutions, programs that run From a third grader who debate well beyond that proposed student housing between the JPI proposal and largely on hour-by-hour needs help with spelling, to a neighborhood. development is a rooming house. rooming houses, he said, is that volunteer power but add up to a graduate student looking to At its Feb. 22 meeting, the That designation was applied in rooming houses, landlords — significant contribution. polish pronunciation, people seek St. Paul City Council voted to because each bedroom in a 2- to not tenants — control kitchen, And as volunteers often do, more than books at the library. overrule a December 2005 4-bedroom unit would be leased bathroom and living room space. these literacy “stars” say they On a cold Thursday judgment by the St. Paul Board separately. Each bedroom In JPI’s buildings the tenants receive as much as they give, afternoon, De la Salle High of Zoning Appeals (BZA) that occupant would share a kitchen, would control those spaces, just learning about new cultures or School freshman Kendra Eull would have designated a as any other apartment drawing inspiration from young 150-unit student dwellers would. “We feel industrial zoning is a more learners. Literacy to 10 housing development at JPI appealed the 2669 Territorial Rd. as appropriate land use than housing.” zoning administrator’s an apartment building –Ray Bryan, District 12 decision to the BZA, rather than a rooming Community Council which voted 4-3 in house. December 2005 to uphold The BZA decision was itself bathroom and living room space the appeal and redesignate the the result of an appeal by JPI with 1–3 other residents in a property as an apartment Development of a decision by suite arrangement. Each person building. St. Paul’s zoning administrator leasing a bedroom would have his The District 12 Community that the project should be or her own key for that room. Council in turn appealed the classified as a rooming house. Each bedroom would also be BZA decision, which sent the The distinction between equipped with a telephone with matter to the City Council, rooming houses and apartment an exclusive phone number. which ruled that the buildings is somewhat arcane. JPI disagreed with the development has characteristics of Both types of dwellings require zoning administrator’s decision, both a rooming house and an code compliance inspections, but arguing that the building they apartment building. Photo by Christy Myers rooming houses face more want to put up is an apartment The council directed JPI to Juan Domingo, a third-grade student at Brimhall Elementary, works regulations, including licensing, house. Development debate to 8 on his reading skills at St. Anthony Park Library. 2 P ARK BUGLE ■ MARCH 2006 ADD A TOUCH OF COLOR! CITY FILES 50% OFF Manicure/Pedicure Combos’ February, March & April Falcon Heights The City Council has approved St. Anthony Park Spa Combo Plans have begun for a “Treasures proceeding with a Roselawn About 80 citizens attended a Only $29.50 Avenue Reconstruction Project. Spa Manicure Reg. $59 of Falcon Heights” city tour on Feb. 2 meeting to hear about Spa Pedicure May 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Improvements will be made to plans for a new bank building on tour will include homes and Roselawn Ave. from Snelling to the corner of Como and Doswell Men’s Combo Hamline. The road will be Only $31.50 landmarks. A bike tour is also Avenues. Since then, representa- Men’s Manicure widened from 32 to 34 feet with Reg. $63.00 being considered. Interested tives from the bank have met Men’s Pedicure volunteers should contact City a sidewalk the entire length of the with an advisory group of citizens May not be used with any other offers, promotions, discounts or gift certificates (Spa Packages). Hall (644-5050). project. Construction is expected to discuss concerns. The bank is The idea is the brainchild of to begin in May 2006 and be working on revised plans in We can accommodate groups of 2 or more completed before the State Fair. Please give us 1 - 2 weeks notice. Neighborhood Commissioner response to neighborhood Laura Kwong, age 18. At the suggestions. Reserve your appointment now! January 25 City Council Lauderdale meeting, Mayor Sue Gehrz JPI wants to build housing for thanked Kwong for her The City Council has begun 500 students on a site behind dedication and enthusiasm and discussions about the possibility Hubbard Broadcasting. The 2301 Como Avenue / Suite 102 of licensing single-family and 651-645-7655 www.plspa.com said the city is grateful to have District Council has opposed the teens serving as commissioners. duplex rental properties. necessary rezoning. Falcon Heights Computer The city of Lauderdale is District Council elections will be Emergency Response Teams reviewing its comprehensive plan. held on Apr. 11. Applications (CERTs) will have a continuing The Metropolitan Council must be submitted by Mar. 15. education event on March 20 requires an update of the plan Applications are available at the that will also be relevant for all every 10 years, and Lauderdale office (890 Cromwell) or at Neighborhood Liaisons interested needs to have its plan updated in www.sapcc.org. in making preparations for a 2008. The current plan can be pandemic flu. viewed at City Hall. Mayor Coleman plans to attend Ramsey County and The city is looking for the full council meeting on Minnesota Department of Health volunteer candidates to serve on a Mar. 9. As always, the public is staff will present information comprehensive plan committee. welcome to attend. The location about the flu, possible scenarios Candidates should be residents of may be changed in anticipation and their preparations. Dan Lauderdale and have a vision for of larger attendance than usual. Johnson-Powers, lead CERT the future of the city, though no Call the office (649-5992) or trainer, will lead a discussion previous planning experience is check the council Web site about what individuals can do. required. (www.sapcc.org) before the Mel Baughman, also a CERT The commitment will meeting. trainer, will present practical involve one or two meetings per advice and samples of his month from April 2006 until Eureka Recycling will hold a personal preparations. September 2008. It will include roundtable discussion at South The event takes place participating in public forums St. Anthony Rec Center on Mar. 20, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at and encouraging other residents March 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. The Falcon Heights City Hall. RSVP to share their ideas with the topic is improving the quality to Kris Grangaard (647-4419 or committee. Call City Hall (631- and quantity of green space in [email protected]) by Mar.