Update on the Midway

More apartments are planned for 2225 University Avenue (next to the McDonald's)  This is the former site of Paster Enterprises office building.  We are excited to see more density for the neighborhood and more residents to support our local restaurants and retail.

The construction site is very busy at University and Hampden where the Platform Apartments are under construction.  This is going to be a great addition to the neighborhood - replacing two blighted buildings - turning the corner into a beautiful place to live.   A roof top patio will be a great amenity, as will the underground parking lot.   We are excited for our new neighbors to move in this fall.  St. Anthony Park is really growing - adding many new neighbors close to University.  Hopefully this development will bring a new restaurant!

Kraus Anderson is finalizing plans for a large apartment building at Raymond & University. We are excited to find out some retail and commercial space will anchor the street level.  The Raymond Station has really helped to spur redevelopment in our neighborhood.  We welcome the many new residents the spaces will bring!   Let's get started!

One of Update Company's long time tenants is awarded a Bush Fellowship.  Dave Anderson, from All Parks Alliance for Change is one of the 2020 Bush Fellows, 24 visionary leaders who are thinking big about how to solve problems and shape a better future for their communities. The Bush Fellowship is an investment in individual leaders. It provides Fellows with up to $100,000 over 12 to 24 months to pursue formal and informal learning experiences that help them develop the skills, attributes and relationships they need to become more effective, equitable leaders who can drive change in their communities and region as a whole. The Fellowship is distinctive in its flexibility, allowing Fellows to articulate what they need to become more effective and agile leaders. 

We recently completed a beautiful sunny office for the Sierra Club at 2300 Myrtle Avenue and  we are excited to add them to our campus!   This nationwide organization was established in 1892.   They work tirelessly to protect the earth. The Sierra Club's mission is "To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives."

This is one of my favorite murals by artist Chuck U. It's painted on 2290 Wycliff, close to my office. The Creative Enterprise Zone did a great job with the mural fest!  It makes the neighborhood feel more vibrant. So much is happening here, but sometimes we fly under the radar. I've always felt that the people in the Creative Enterprise Zone knew we had a lot going on, but now we have visual proof!    It will be fun to see what the CEZ comes up with next. 

I like the benches that Jack and Jim crafted for our building at 661 LaSalle.   They look great, and should last a long time outside.

This is a great article about our tenant at 2380 Wycliff. They do great work with people who live with autism - children, teens and adults. AUSM Works to Improve Lives in Minnesota

Dual Citizen Brewing is now open at 725 Raymond Avenue! We are excited to welcome our new neighbors.  Their space is really a nice space to have a beer.    Too bad our spring weather hasn't been ideal to open up the glass doors; I bet this space will be great when it's warmer.  It nice that you can order from the Naughty Greek too. The Creative Enterprise Zone continues to attract great businesses! www.dualcitizenbrewing.com

Now that our newest building at 661 LaSalle is up and running, I have a little time to reflect on the progress Update Co. has made in the St. Anthony Park/Creative Enterprise Zone area.   This map shows our projects over the years.  I'm proud of the positive changes our company has made to the neighborhood, helping to bring investment, workers and energy to an area that was getting a little run down. It's satisfying to see other groups investing in the area and bringing even more people to the Raymond/University area.   I'm excited for the new apartments, restaurants, breweries and other developments.    What would I like to see next?  Some better signage, a few more green "pocket parks" maybe some cool new public art.  Another restaurant would be great too.  A left hand turn signal from Raymond to University.  How about some of that St. Paul sidewalk poetry?   Planters?  Replacement trees for all the ash tree...

New kids in the Park: The Naughty Greek St. Anthony Park Community Council is excited to announce a restaurant coming soon to University Avenue in the CEZ. Construction is underway for The Naughty Greek at University  . Coming from a family of over 30 years of Greek restaurant tradition and experience, owner Angelo Giovanis shares the taste of quality ingredients and traditional recipes from his home that he couldn't find when he moved here with his wife 18 years ago. After taking it upon himself and opening doors  on Snelling and Selby last year   , he looks forward to a larger location to expand catering to accommodate larger events.  Angelo tell us, "My kitchen is open and I passionately await to teach our Neighbors and friends the true meaning of a Greek Fresh Gyro, a fresh Greek Village salad, Tzatziki made from real Greek yogurt, Feta cheese actually made in Greece along with all of our other Greek ingredients."    As we watch construction...

We are pleased to announce that Congresswoman Betty McCollum has moved her congressional office to our new office building at 661 LaSalle St.   It's interesting to work with the federal government to see how their process is for leasing space and it has worked smoothly!  We are excited to work with her great staff and I think they will like their new offices.

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts has moved into their new office at 661 LaSalle St. They have a sunny office with lots of space for their displays of artwork.   http://artsmn.org/ MCA is a statewide arts advocacy organization that organizes the arts community to lobby the Minnesota State Legislature and Congress. Their mission is to ensure opportunity for all people to have access to and involvement in the arts. WELCOME!

So Much Happening Here! This is a link to the great article in the Pioneer Press published 11-25-16. The Raymond/University area is really growing and changing. 

It's always fun to see the landscaping go in!!  We are just waiting on a few last items and our first tenant will move into 661 LaSalle.  Bluhm Brothers is doing a great job on our landscaping.  We are installing more than 24 trees, 42 shrubs and 180 perennials. 

Here's an interesting concept - Micro apartments. The developer of the Carleton Lofts in the CEZ is going to build an 80 unit apartment building with "micro" units that are just 350 to 450 sq. ft.   Similar in size to a  studio apartment, the units are meant to appeal to millennials who want to use the Green Line LRT to get around.  The apartment building will offer a rooftop patio and many other amenities.  The address will be 2323 Charles Ave. We are excited that the project will bring more people to the neighborhood!  

We are excited to welcome our newest tenant!  The Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association advocates for persons with food allergies and educates individuals and organizations about living with food allergies.  Their advocacy has makes a real difference in the lives of children and parents.   www.minnesotafoodallergy.org

The new building is really looking great!   We are excited about the exterior colors and the big windows let in so much light!   We are 1/2 leased, but still have some great spaces available on the ground floor and second floor.   Look at those great big windows!

We are excited to see all the progress at our new office building at 661 LaSallle St. The concrete floors are poured and decorative block is being installed on the exterior of the building.  Plumbing and sprinkler pipes are being installed inside.   We are still looking at summer occupancy and our leasing is going well. We should be ready to walk people through the spaces in a few weeks.

Yesterday they poured the concrete for the third floor.  Today is concrete for the second floor!