The Saint Paul Condo Blog

You would think so with the sheer amount of realtors that where in the building today!  The Minnesota Association of Realtors had our annual rally at the Capitol today to support property owners rights and to lobby our elected officials to support real estate friendly legislation, and to oppose bills that are harmful to real estate and the economy at large.

The Minnesota Association of Realtors is one of the largest trade associations in the state with nearly 20,000 members.  Our goal is to make the real estate transaction as painless as possible, with less fees and taxes for you as the consumer.  We also want to protect and uphold property owner's rights against government intervention.

I would like to personally like to thank Mee Moua, one of St Paul's representatives in the Minnesota Senate.  Senator Moua has been a great supporter of real estate related issues through the years and I believe she will continue to help our city and state see us through this real estate downturn.

There's been some talk lately of what will become of David Fhima's LoTo restaurant, overlooking Mears Park in the Galtier building.  There were rumors floating about a possible shake up there.  Well I confirmed this morning that in fact, the restaurant will be undergoing a change.  Fhima's already operates two other Zahtar's in the twin cities, and now LoTo will be the third.  Expect this change to take place in April.

I was told that the deli, bakery, and coffee shop will stay (which is weird, since the coffee shop has been closed since about 6 months after opening).

The location of Loto (Zahtar) is pretty prime in my book, you are elevated off the street, with a very nice view of Mears Park.  I think one thing they need to figure out is better signage outside of the building. It's easy to miss the fact there's a restaurant in there.  I'm hoping with this incarnation, the service will be a little more timely, as that's really been bad in the past at LoTo.

It's a question I get asked a lot, so I thought I should explain it.  There's two answers to this question:

1.  Technically, nothing.  They are one in the same, they both describe ownership in a multifamily building.

2.  Practically, a condo refers to an "apartment" style unit or more traditional space.  Where the loft is defined by the lack of walls, high ceilings, and generally large windows in turn of the century buildings.  With the popularity of lofts, new construction projects wanted to emulate the success of the loft, and so spawned the "soft loft".

So just to confuse you...

A loft is a condo, but not all condos can be lofts.  Got it?

It seems like this happens with some frequency, but the power went out for the Rossmor, Produce Exchange, and even Printers Row for a few hours tonight.  Between Robert and Sibley Streets and 9th and 11th Streets, the power was out, even the stop lights were out (very scary, since people seem to think that if the lights out, they don't need to stop).  Sorry for the low quality pic, but by the time I got back home, got the kids tucked into bed, the power was restored.  I'm sure the restaurants at the Rossmor were pretty peeved as this went out at about 7pm.

Normally it takes a good storm or a heat wave to knock power out for that grid, but that wasn't the case tonight.  If you live in one of the effected buildings, I'd love to hear what Xcel had to say was the cause.

Call or email for details, but yes, the Feds stepped up to the plate.  This is for a 30 year FIXED rate.

I'm not going to add much to this other than my personal distaste for this plan.  I am very disappointed the Trains are going to run all the way down 4th in the Diamond Products building.  I've already laid out my opposition to this, and I am willing to bet this is not my last disappointment with Met Council's handling of the Center Corrridor. 

A fond farewell to an unfulfilled dream.

Well well well, what do we have here?  When everyone is saying the end is near, someone is willing to stick their neck on the line and bring Downtown a new restaurant!  And that someone is no other than former executive chef Rino Baglio of Pazzaluna.  I've been wanting a burger bar since 2003 when I moved to Downtown.  Now, in a few weeks when American Burger Bar opens, Downtown will have two great places for a burger and a beer (The Bulldog Lowertown being the other one).

ABB is taking over the location of Matty B's, across the street from the Lowry building on Wabasha Street.  The location has a history of Hits and Misses.  Before Matty B's took up residence in the location, it was the Rockin' Lobster.  For many years it went by the name of Gallivan's.  If you've never been inside, it's really a cool set up.  Lots of wood and big, comfy booths.  Now I'm sure some of the place is getting a work-over with the new transition, but it's good to see this space getting filled.

UPDATE:  I've heard they are now open for business!  Go grab a burger and a beer, quick!

It's been something I have been trying to confirm since the first of the year, but it looks like Union Depot Lofts has gone the way of Apartments.  From my tax search, it looks like 6 people purchased lofts in the building, but none of them are listed as owner occupied, meaning the transition to apartment building isn't as traumatic.

I won't remove the building from the condo directory until I hear from someone over at JAS Apartments (the original developer and current leasing company).

And to everyone who attended last night's City Council meeting.  Mr. Thune had put forth a resolution in opposition of Met Council's decision of using the Diamond Products site as a maintenance site and over 100 people came to support Mr. Thune's resolution.  It was decided at the meeting to work on a better solution and have that ready by March 18th's City Council meeting.  After watching the meeting, it's really hard to understand why this site was chosen over more obvious sites.

Below is the link to the council meeting.  Scroll down to item #35 and click the link, it will take you directly to that part of the meeting.  It runs over an hour long, so be warned!

http://stpaul.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=37&clip_id=1231

My prediction back on November 25th(New keys = new management?) has turned out to be correct!  The Rossmor has switched management companies!  The home owners at the Rossmor have picked Gittleman Management to manage their building.  I am so happy for the Rossmorites, as I know they will be very pleased with Gittleman.

The Rossmor wasn't alone in switching out management companies, as Gallery Tower also switched to Gittleman(much needed) and 9th Street Lofts switched to Community Association Group recently.

Gittleman has a long track record of managing buildings here in Downtown and in my opinion, they are an A+ company.  I don't know CAG as well, but from my limited dealings with them, they are very professional and responsive to my requests.

Congratulations to all and good luck!

OK, boys and girls, it's time to rally the troops!  Tomorrow night, City Council is discussing a resolution to possibly block Met Council from using the Diamond Proprieties building as a train maintenance facility.  As my previous post about the issue stated, I am in total opposition to the train coming that far down 4th Street.

If I didn't already have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow, I would be there myself to oppose the train.  So this is where I ask anyone reading this who's as mad as I am to attend the meeting.  The meeting is tomorrow (Wednesday at 3:30pm in the City Council chambers of City Hall (I believe it's on the 3rd floor).

35.	Resolution - 09-260 - Opposing the use of the Gillette/Diamond Products site for a light rail transit maintenance, cleaning, and storage facility, and directing staff to indicate such opposition in the proposed Memorandum of Agreement.  (GS 3067225)

If you are in favor of the maintenance facility, the meeting is Thursday at 7pm.  :p

Finally after many months, the condo directory is getting a refresh!  By tomorrow morning, directory will look a little better and hopefully respond a little faster.  I am also toying with a new search feature.  Stay tuned for that...

On the topic of site updates, is there anything you would like to see?  Comment below and let me know what you think!