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Compiled by JANE MCCLURE

Campus boundary study postponed over objections

A campus boundaries study, which would restrict how St. Paul colleges and universities use properties they own outside of their boundaries, has been postponed. The postponement would give St. Paul Planning and Economic Development (PED) staff more time to discuss issues with college and university officials.

That delay disappoints area residents concerned about Hamline University’s trend of buying houses outside of its boundaries and tearing them down. The university’s year-long, self-imposed moratorium on further teardowns expires this fall.

But after a public hearing last month where college and university officials objected to the study and its recommendations, a Planning Commission committee voted Aug. 26 to table the study and allow for more discussions. Hamline University, University of St. Thomas and Macalester College complained that the proposed restrictions were too onerous.

According to city staff, the recommendations are meant to discourage institutions from buying properties outside of their city-approved boundaries and tearing them down. The proposed zoning code change states that any property where the primary structure has been demolished within the past 10 years shall not be eligible for inclusion in a college, university or seminary boundary. The intent is to have more discussion about future use of those properties. Once a building comes down, that is seen as changing the surrounding neighborhood.

Trend Bar fined

A University Ave. bar has been penalized after an employee took part in charitable gambling on the premises. The St. Paul City Council last month imposed a $500 fine on the Trend Bar, 1537 University Ave. The bar owner didn’t appeal the decision or ask for a hearing before the City Council.

The council action stemmed from an April complaint to the city. The Minnesota Gambling Board found that a bartender/employee had been gambling at the Trend Bar, collecting $3,800 in pull-tab winnings in March. State law and city code prevent employees of an establishment that offers charitable gambling from taking part in gambling there.

Bars in St. Paul offer pull-tabs in conjunction with nonprofits. The pull-tabs in question would have benefitted Adonis Eco-Housing, a nonprofit that works on affordable housing issues. When pull-tabs are sold at a bar, workers can sell the pull-tabs at a booth. Or, pull-tabs can be sold at the bar. It’s up to the nonprofit to provide training for bar staff.

The Minnesota Gambling Control Board is reviewing the case and will decide whether it will take action against Adonis Eco-Housing. After the incident was reported, the nonprofit no longer sells pull-tabs at the Trend Bar.

Park plans materialize

A 5.4-acre site along Griggs St. will become a park as a result of St. Paul City Council action Aug. 19. The council approved spending $1.5 million from the city’s 8-80 Vitality Fund toward acquisition of the property, which is one-half block south of University Ave.

The park will extend south to St. Anthony Ave. along the east side of Griggs. The concept for the park was brought forward by Gordon Parks High School students and has been known since 2011 as Three Ring Gardens Park. That name was chosen because the area was known historically as “Circus Hill”—traveling circuses would set up there. City officials have been using the name “Lexington Commons.”

City officials will work with the Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit group that helps units of government purchase and preserve space for parks use. The Trust recently helped the city buy the a Frogtown for conversion into an urban farm and park space there. The Trust will help with fundraising for the project.

Much of the Griggs St. property was used for years as parking lots for University Ave. motor vehicle dealerships. The site is between the Central Medical Building and current Wilder Foundation complex, and Skyline Towers and commercial-industrial development. The property has three owners.

The Trust for Public Land will raise $1.035 million for the project.

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