concluded, there was supposed to be a big announcement concerning the plans for
the development of the vacant block North of the Excel Center - for hotel &
retail? The RNC was over for more than a month at the time I made that posting.
What was all the development hoopla?
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Christopher B. Coleman, August 14, 2007 at
the Minnesota History Center. 2008 Budget Address: "A couple of weeks ago the
HRA designated a tentative developer for Cleveland Circle who has plans for a
development that will expand the West 7th street entertainment corridor into
the heart of downtown Saint Paul."
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY - Attachment D, Description of City Center
Retail Development Proposal (July 25, 2007): "City Center Retail, LLC (the
"Developer") is proposing to create a 300,000 square foot mixed-use project on
the Seven Corners Gateway Site that includes elements of retail, public use,
restaurant, cultural attraction, office, and hotel."
This was picked up at the time by the SPPP in a front page article in the Local
Section (B) on July 26, 2007. In that article, a statement by Mayor Chris
Coleman was quoted: "The designation of a tentative developer for this site is
a great step forward in our development agenda."
I picked up the SPPP yesterday and was surprised to see that not only had the
Cleveland Circle retail/hotel project joined the proposed Twins Stadium and
Target Store to the list of failed possible developments for that site, but the
newest scheme, the "Pond," was shot out of the water by the State Senate.
St. Paul arena fails; loan plan advances
By Bill Salisbury
Updated: 04/21/2009 10:58:24 PM CDT
"The Senate voted 55-8 to scrap a provision in an economic development bill
that would have authorized St. Paul to borrow up to $40 million to build the
rink on the vacant land across West Seventh Street from the Xcel Energy Center.
The arena would have served as a practice rink for the Minnesota Wild and as a
venue for amateur hockey and skating events."
Next! How about a giant Ferris Wheel? Check out London, Paris and Belfast. Lots
of pictures on the web.
Hey, while I am at it, what's shaking with the Penfield development? Back in
December 2008, there was a feast of self congratulatory posts about the
brilliant who politicians secured a major development for Downtown, with a
Hyatt hotel, a Lunds grocery, coupled with a high rise luxury apartment
building. There is nothing new on the web about the Penfield project since
December, except a SPPP article on a speech to the Capital City Partnership and
press release, both made or issued on 2/9/2009, by Mayor Chris Coleman. The
subject of his presentation was Downtown and Central Corridor development. The
reporter noted "None of the projects or improvements he discussed is new, and
some are even in limbo." I guess so.
How about a giant tilt a wheel for that site? (Sorry no pictures).