The Saint Paul Condo Blog

Wow, does 233 years fly by!  As you celebrate the 4th of July with your friends and family, take some time to remember the sacrifices people of this country have made to get us here today.

On a lighter note, if you are looking for something to do, the Taste of Minnesota has reinvented itself this year with a really good lineup of music and more local food options.  The Taste of MN opens at Noon Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  If you get there before 3pm, you get in absolutely free (after 3pm, there's a $10 charge to get in, but you get $10 in food vouchers).

Stay safe and have fun this weekend!

Want to see the behind the scenes shot?

I've got a 4 tickets to any Saint Paul Saints game between now and the end of July to the person who wants them the most.  Just post your reason why you should have them in the comments section on this post, and I will select a winner by the end of the week.

I would normally use the tickets myself, but I am jam packed this month so there was a really good chance these tickets would go to waste.

The Saint Paul Saints are testing the waters for a new stadium to be built in Lowertown of all places!  The site they picked will help heal the wounds of the LRT train wash in my mind - the Diamond Products site!!  I personally can't think of a better fit for the site, right on the edge of downtown, close to the freeway systems, and ample parking to the South and East.  This will be an absolute boon to home prices right around this area.  I talked to one owner in the MarketHouse building that was torn.  He was excited about the prospects of having a new stadium across the street and what that would do to his home value, but on the other hand, he'd have to sell the loft in order to capitalize on it.  "Why would I want to move?  I'd be living across the street from the Saints Stadium!"

I really need to get my rear in gear, as I don't have much time to buy the naming right to the building ;)

EDIT: Updated photo with a better shot of the actual location.

You just about have to peel me off the ceiling right now!  After many years of meetings, campaigning, and all out street fighting, it looks like Fitzgerald Park is moving forward!

A few weeks ago there was an important meeting before the CIB (Capital Improvement Board) where the Fitzgerald Park was up for a funding request of $100,000 to help design and plan for the park.  The CIB granted the funding and it was approved by the Mayor, so now it's planning time!

This is a sizable start to a project that will forever change the neighborhood that bears its name.  It's time to celebrate!

As a realtor that does most of his showings by foot, I wear out shoes rather quickly.  Well, there's a remedy and he's in downtown to boot! (pun intended)  Anjolen's Shoe Repair on the Skyway level of the Kellogg Square building is your man.  I've had him repair my shoes numerous times, and recently, took my wife Leslie there to have her heels looked at.  She was having a hard time with them and I thought maybe they were bugging her because they were a little too tall.  I asked if he could cut them down a bit, and he said no problem!

Well, as he's getting ready to shorten them up, he says to us "did you know that one heel is 1/8" shorter than the other?  LOL!

Anjolen is a true craftsman is every sense of the word, so when you think your shoes have had it, drop em off for the master to bring new life into them.  He even somehow manages to bring back that new shoe smell!

Anjolen's Shoe Repair
Kellogg Square Apartments
One Eleven E. Kellogg Boulevard
Suite 224
St. Paul, Minnesota  55101
651-222-066

I guess it depends on how old you are.  I would imagine the local kids think it's pretty cool.  Anyone about 20 is probably pretty mad about it.  The thing will have to be shut down, cleaned out, and refilled.  And yes, that is a giant bubble mass just float there.  It took flight just as I was snapping the picture.

Thanks Justin for the tip!

There's been talk at a few different buildings about banning smoking, and it usually involves grandfathering in the current smokers in the building and banning it for new owners/renters.

MarketHouse has done the incredible and banned smoking 100% throughout the condominium, including inside the lofts!

Smoking is really a hot button issue with condominiums.  Personally I'm torn.  I do enjoy a cigar (but never inside the condo) from time to time, so part of me feel banning smoking inside your own home starts to impede on quiet enjoyment of the property.  On the other hand, when smoke from one condo seeps into another, one person's enjoyment turns into a nightmare with no remedy for another.

Kudo's to MarketHouse for taking a leap into uncharted territory!

So apparently, for the last year and a half, my attention has been looking up at the buildings, not at the ground.  I'm actually not sure how I first noticed these, but I began to investigate!  This was a project from the City of St Paul's Public Works division in 2008.  Four covers were designed and placed throughout the city, with a total of 200 covers (there are 4 designs).  The designs are the Conductor, the Capitol dome (both pictured) a runner, and a snow flake.

The current art project that Public Works is "working" on is sidewalk poetry.  They are taking applications for possible sidewalks throughout the city, if you've got a good poem, check out their website, as they are taking poems until the end of the month.

www.StPaul.gov/poetry

Now, as far as I know, this photo is 100%.  This is not a photo I took, but an old acquaintance from high school was taking photos down at Raspberry Island and captured an interesting scene.

I've heard of extreme walking as a sport, but bridge running is new to me!  I've driven/walked past the bridge a thousand times and always wondered what stopped people from climbing up to the top of the Robert Street bridge.  I guess I have my answer, nothing except fear.  Put this on the list of activities I will NOT be trying.  Click the photo to zoom in a bit...

From the official press release:

3rd ANNUAL

Black Dog Block Party

Saturday, May 9 , 1:00-7:00 pm

4th & Broadway, in front of the Northern Warehouse Lowertown, St. Paul MN

Featuring:

Local favorite:

The Brass Messengers

Music based around the Gypsy Brass styles of Romania, with their own take on American Country music, Latin American dance rhythms and Afro-Pop.

http://www.brassmessengers.com

The sensational French band on their way to The New Orleans Heritage

Festival:

Tarace Boulba

Quality funk, and French Afro-Pop. www.taraceboulba.com

Also performing:

Aviette

Cafe Accordion

Farewell Pluto

Junkyard Empire

Maria Isa and El Arco Iris ­ student drumming group

Other activities include:
 - Street Dance

 - Artists booths with art and craft items
 - Street performers and stiltwalkers
 - Beer & wine selections
 - Food and drink inside the Black Dog Cafe

Make a date for the Third Annual Black Dog Block Party! A favorite Lowertown festival, the Black Dog Block Party will feature soul-stirring, foot-stompin', can't-stop-dancin' music by The Brass Messengers, and special guests, the French band Tarace Boulba. With an outdoor stage right on the street in the heart of Lowertown, the music is up close and personal, adding an electric energy to the event. Additionally, local artists and performers showcase their best arts, crafts, and carnival performances.

Come to the Farmers' Market and stay for the fun! A not-to-be-missed event!

For more information, call the Black Dog Cafe at 651-228-9274 or see www.blackdogstpaul.com