Monitor in a Minute March 2022

Bike parking allowed
Biking to a Loons game or the event at Allianz Field? Stopping at a local spot beforehand? Finding a parking spot may be easier. The St. Paul City Council, acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Board Feb. 23, granted a temporary one-year agreement with Black Hart of St. Paul, 1415 University Ave., to place a bike parking rack next door at 1433 University Ave. The property at 1433 University Ave. has been owned by the city for many years, and is a candidate for future redevelopment. It is currently used for parking by Constantino Real Estate LLC. Owner Tetra Constantino supports the bike rack request.
The site was earmarked several year ago for future redevelopment. Ideas have been brought forward in the past but none have come to fruition. It provides parking for nearby buildings.

Starbucks drive-through will go
A controversial drive-through service at the Snelling-Marshall Starbucks will be permanently removed, with approval from city staff. Removal and replacement with a patio will end debate that began after the coffee shop opened in early 2017. The removal ends a problem of vehicles traveling on Marshall Avenue and blocking traffic lanes, an eastbound bike lane and the sidewalk. Traffic would sometimes back up in the area and spill onto Snelling Avenue.
Plans submitted to the city call for eliminating the drive-through lane. The current drive-through area would be filled with a patio space, with a pergola-style roof just south of the window. The roof would be attached to the east side of the building and would be above outdoor seating. The current drive-through window would be used for walk-up service.
Starbucks was built as part of a larger plan for redevelopment at the Selby-Snelling intersection to the south. The Snelling-Marshall coffee shop and caffeine-deprived traffic jams were quickly dubbed “Carbucks” and “Snarshall” by irate area residents. Vehicles turning into the Marshall entrance blocked a sidewalk and bike lane, and caused traffic backups that spilled onto Snelling.