Update on the Midway

It's pretty exciting when you see all the new developments pinned to this map!   We are pleased that the two new housing developments and two office buildings will bring many new jobs and residents to our neighborhood.    Sunrise Banks will build a beautiful office building, I'm sure.   Their bank on Como Avenue is very pretty and sustainable development too.   With their building and our development at 661 LaSalle, there will be over 150 new workers in the neighborhood every day.    The new new apartments on University will bring hundreds of residents  to the area as well.   We need the mix of both to support our restaurants and shops in the  Raymond/University area. Welcome to the Creative Enterprise Zone!   We Make it Here!    And people want to be here.

My tenants at 970 Raymond and 2380 Wycliff will be excited to hear that the City of St. Paul will be adding improvements to Hampden Park in 2016.  The park will get some added landscaping, benches and a plaza on the Hampden/Raymond corner.  This will be a great place to eat lunch or just take a quick stroll.

This might be your last week to enjoy Foxy Falafel out on the sidewalk  at 791 Raymond Avenue .  They have been a great addition to our neighborhood and a favorite stop for lunch.   This is the falafel salad with strawberry basil water.  YUM !!   I enjoy their cute storefront and great plants too.  It's always clean and cute.  You can follow them on Twitter to find out about their food truck locations. www.foxyfalafel.com

Salon George  856 Raymond Ave. Salon George has the most beautiful storefront flowers in the Creative Enterprise Zone.   Every year they have different plantings and each year they are amazing.   Inside the salon, you will find a beautiful peaceful setting too.   I love the renovated building and the unique art they display.   They offer hair, make-up, nail and many spa services.   Located just a few blocks north of University on Raymond Ave. www.salongeorgestpaul.com

Okay it doesn't look like much and frankly, we are going to tear it down, but we are buying a new property: This is 661 LaSalle, just one block from the Raymond Station. We are exited to start planning our next project.  Looks like we can fit a 14,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. office building on this site. The site is adjacent to the Foundry on Raymond and our 2300 Myrtle Avenue building, so we can really develop almost the whole block.  Pretty exciting!

  The Raymond Station Area in 1988      What an amazing difference!

I decided to walk out to the Raymond Station rail platform.  It is really looking good.  Some of the signs are installed and wiring is there for the ticket machines etc.  I think that it will be pretty easy to get out to the platform. This is looking west from the platform. This is looking at 2314 University from the platform.

Minnesota 2020, http://www.mn2020.org/   one of our tenants at Midtown Commons has put together a time lapse video of LRT progress on University Avenue from the  rooftop at 2324 University Avenue. This is pretty cool to watch.

So let's see...We are a thriving creative community, but it's been a while since we have celebrated that fact.  To celebrate the completion of light rail in our neighborhood, I think we should put together some creative artwork to showcase our thriving area and welcome the many new developments that have arrived. A sculpture in the grassy area of the Carleton Lofts A mural about reading for the Minnesota Literacy Council An interactive artwork for the Avalon school students A collaborative outdoor place for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits staff to sit Planters, banners, yarn bombing?  Who knows. Gets you thinking doesn't it?  Send me your ideas.

Everyone who works in the Raymond/University area knows we have a good thing going..... cool renovated buildings, new business start-ups, nonprofit groups, and soon - an LRT station. Why is our neighborhood thriving even in this down economy? It is because we are a "Creative Enterprise Zone". Our success has been due to the many artists and creative businesses that have chosen to work in the Raymond/University area. We also have tireless supporters in the St. Anthony Park Community Council and the St. Anthony Park Community Foundation. So we know we have a good thing, how do we foster the creative businesses and arts groups in our area? And how do we spread the word about the great things happening here? Catherine Reid Day and I met at the Edge Coffe Shop and had a great conversation about the creative enterprise zone plan that has been developed.  www.SAPCC.org/cezplan I look forward to helping the many collaborators with sharing our vision for the neighborhood and work...

Improving Organizations that Impact the World The Impact Group assists organizations that do great things in areas of health, human services, education, the arts and criminal justice. They help organizations define the real worth of what they do and enable them to communicate that value to others. We are excited that they are moving into the neighborhood, where there are many possibilities for collaboration with many other groups here. http://www.theimprovegroup.com/    The Impact Group is moving their office from Mendota Heights.  Welcome!!

Congratulations to Barbara Hunn-Miesen, our long-time Raymond Avenue neighbor. Barbara, co-owner of Keys Restaurant,  is being awarded the Pioneer Award by WomenVenture.  Keys is a neighborhood favorite place to eat, known for its wonderful breakfasts and great homemade dishes.  As a family owned business, we are always pleased to see other family businesses succeed.  Congratulations Barb! For more information see the article in this month's Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine. http://www.mspmag.com/

We're exciting to see another project in the University/Raymond neighborhood. The Chittenden & Eastman Building at 2402 University is being turned into 100 apartment units. Construction will begin around Labor Day with occupancy in fall 2012. This brings an additional $ 19 million dollars of investment to the corner! University and Raymond is booming!

Some neighbors in St. Anthony Park are pushing for a City plan that will tear up Raymond Ave. from University to Hampden in 2012 and re-do the streets. I have been campaigning against this plan for the following reasons: 1. The scope of the traffic calming has gone from changing a unsafe interscetions to re-paving the whole street. Now it's a plan spending over $ 1.5 million dollars. 2. It removes parking along Raymond. Haven't we been over this parking thing enough? LRT took away parking from the Raymond-University area. The City has not come up with any plans to replace it. Now the calming plan will remove over 40 spaces on Raymond. Seriously? 3. Businesses were not involved in the planning and people were not told that they would be assessed for part of the cost. Update will be assessed over $ 17,500!! 4. The timing of the plan is horrible. Raymond businesses are suffering from LRT construction this whole year - can they make it through another year of cl...

Nice Ride, the non-profit public bike share system began installing stations in St. Paul today. Four stations will include - University and Snelling University and Fairview Raymond and Ellis Westgate and Territorial Check out the program at www.niceridemn.org

Another new development is coming to the neighborhood! Avalon Charter School will be the anchor tenant at 705 Raymond, across the street from the Foundry building. Construction has already started and the school plans to hold classes at the new site this fall. With the Port Authority project down the block on Pelham, our neighborhood continues to grow. The building used to house the Sewall Gear Company, which moved out in 2009.

The Raymond & University neighborhood continues to grow even in this tough economy. The great location combined with future light rail makes it a perfect opportunity. The Chittenden & Eastman building at 2402 will be converted into market rate apartments. The seven story building is currently occupied by many artists and a variety of smaller businesses. http://finance-commerce.com/2010/10/apartment-conversion-planned-for-vintage-building-on-lrt-line/ Also the St. Paul Port Authority is developing the site at Wabash and Pelham - the former Overnight Express trucking company. The old buildings have been demolished and a purchase agreement has been put in place to develop the land. These two projects will revive two underutilized and run-down sites. Update is excited for the new energy that is definitely flowing into the neighborhood.

CodeWeavers Creative Office Space This 4050 sq. ft. space has a loft area and a mix of private and open space. Creative color scheme and exposed brick make this a unique space. Many windows (that actually open) and lush landscaping make this a great place for employees to work. Update worked with CodeWeavers to incorporate their needs and designs into the suite. Our great subcontractors really helped to come up with creative solutions in lighting, railings, windows and flooring. We're really excited about how this space turned out.

Here's a look at the inside of The Foundry at Raymond. The big iron trusses are so cool and the light from all the windows is amazing. These photos are with the lights off!

Here's a comparison of The Foundry before and after renovation. What a difference!