Bridges of Saint Paul, Take Two

The Bridges of Saint Paul project is back again. This time around, JLT submitted an application for a Planned Development or what is known as PD Zoning. PDs enable the community to zone an area for a specific project, and are often characterized by trade-offs that enable a set of unique guidelines for the site that are less uniform than standard zoning. One of the main differences from the last proposal is that the project itself will now be evaluated. During the last round, the planning commission evaluated (and rejected) the proposed B5 zoning, irrespective of the project.

Very little has changed about the Bridges proposal. One building was lowered by four stories, but the development is still dominated by several tall structures. The plazas and walkway have been expanded with more connections to local streets, but all this public space would still be privately owned.

FMR and numerous groups are on record opposing this type of massive development on the west side flats, and we are now working together to plan public testimony and citizen organizing efforts to ensure that this proposal is firmly rejected by the planning commission and the city council.

We are opposed to the Bridges for the following reasons:

• It is inconsistent with the Citys Comprehensive Plan.
• It will block views of Saint Pauls dramatic river valley landscape.
• It will privatize the riverfront and limit public access to the river.
• It will create a traffic nightmare for West Side residents.
• It will drain business and commerce from downtown and other parts of the city.
• It will require an estimated $100+ million subsidy, the largest ever in Saint Paul.

There is a public hearing on the proposal before the Planning Commissions zoning committee on Thursday, July 19 at 3:30 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers (Kellogg & Wabasha). You can download the staff report (92 KB PDF) on the project, but if you want to look at the proposal, youll have to set up a time to look at the hefty document at the West Side Citizens Organization offices.

Please visit our Bridges of Saint Paul pages for additional background and how to contact your city council member. Contact Irene Jones through our contact form if you have questions or would like to get involved.

News Links:

Whats left of board embraces Bridges — Pioneer Press