Category: Land Use

The ADUs of St. Paul … and why aren’t there more of them?

Mark Thieroff • October 29, 2021

With St. Paul having recently announced plans to once again tinker with its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance, it seemed like an apt time to try to figure out just how many people have taken advantage of the citywide ADU ordinance passed in late 2018, and to see just what they’ve been building. So, on a recent beautiful Saturday, I set off on my bike in search of the 12 ADUs that have been permitted and built in St. Paul under the rules set in 2018.

A Public Park Designed to Feel Private

Macalester Student Perspectives • October 25, 2021

By Anna Turner In 1873 at a Saint Paul City Council meeting, Horace W.S. Cleveland, the landscape architect responsible for much of the design of the Twin Cities’ original park system, declared his intention to designate a lot on Summit Avenue for the public. The sprawling views of downtown Saint Paul and the Mississippi River, […]

The Mosquito Hunter

Wolfie Browender • September 24, 2021

Seeing St. Paul by bike is an enriching view.

National Links: Build a Better Lego Bike Lane

Jeff Wood • September 15, 2021

Every day at The Overhead Wire, we collect news about cities and send the links to our email list. At the end of the week we take some of the most popular stories and post them to Greater Greater Washington, a group blog similar to streets.mn that focuses on urban issues in the D.C. region. […]

A Place to Play: Mattocks Park

Macalester Student Perspectives • September 2, 2021

With “a little bit of everything for everyone,” Mattocks Park spans a neighborhood block, nestled snugly between rows of family homes in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood. Housing a large green space with shaded seating, two gated tennis courts, a half-court basketball court, baseball diamond, and playground with a separate “tot-lot,” the park provides a space that […]

National Links: Amazon Bringing Back the Mall?

Jeff Wood • September 1, 2021

Iris Park

Macalester Student Perspectives • August 30, 2021

Imagine you are strolling down the sidewalk on the busy, urban road of University Avenue in St. Paul, MN. The Green Line train dings to announce its arrival at the Fairview Station as cars fly by and construction vehicles clunk and hum across the street. City life is abuzz all around you. You spot a […]

Como: A Park and Pavilion for a Representative Public

Macalester Student Perspectives • August 23, 2021

-Editor’s note: streets.mn is once again presenting essays on Twin Cities’ public space from students at Macalester College. Read through all the essays from this and previous years here. Como Regional Park is a vast, multifaceted 441-acre park that serves as the centerfold of St. Paul’s vibrant Como Park neighborhood. It is the most heavily […]

Now more than ever, we need A Field Guide to Public Spaces

Macalester Student Perspectives • August 19, 2021

-Editors note: streets.mn is once again presenting essays on Twin Cities’ public space from students at Macalester College. Read through all the essays from this and previous years here. “No justice, no streets!” This pronouncement rang out during the many demonstrations for racial justice that have taken place since the summer of 2020 in the […]

National Links: Sprawling Across America

Jeff Wood • August 18, 2021