LRT Construction - University Ave at Dale looking East

Dale and University - North corner - LRT Construction

I probably already have the largest collection of light rail central corridor construction photos.  I plant to keep taking and hope that there will be a use for them some day.   I will admit that it is hard to stay away.  I worked for Metro transit for almost a decade and I think that is why I have more than a passing interest in public transportation.   

There is plenty of parking behind the restaurants that make up the five block area of the Little Mekong neighborhood East of Dale.  It is a good time to dine out early and often as these eateries have the best Asian food in the twin cities. 

The shops at Unidale are open and the large parking lot can be accessed from University avenue or Aurora Avenue which runs parallel  to University and is one block South. 

 LRT construction continues to roll through town and now the Eastern end of University avenue is under construction but that doesn't mean that it isn't open for business.

Last week I had a lovely lunch with a friend at one of my favorite University Avenue restaurants Little Szechuan.  Like many University avenue businesses Little Szechuan has off street parking behind the building.  There is plenty of signage and it was worth the effort to get there.   

I remember when Cossetta's was a small an Italian grocery store on Ryan and what is now Eagle street in St. Paul.   It is a family owned business started in about 1911.  They moved to West 7th street 25 years ago.  Both of my children had jobs there at one time or another and jobs are a good thing.  

The market is still there and I am a frequent shopper.  I go there for the bread, cheese and meat and there is also the very popular Cossetta's restaurant where a person can buy some pasta or maybe a pizza.   They are in the middle of a major expansion but are still open and busy during construction.  There is plenty of parking in a large lot behind the building. 

Construction

The project is in partnership with the City and  will create a one of a kind premier Midwest destination for Italian food.  The project consists of a three level structure that will connect to the existing Cossetta’s restaurant using a portion of the existing parking lot.

A new parking lot will be constructed on property owned by Cossetta’s at 212 Smith Street. (I think the parking lot is done)  The restaurant and food emporium expansion will include a bakery, meat market, take out meals and gelato.
- Estimated total development costs: $7.3 million
- Estimated total public investment: $2 million
- Estimated construction jobs: 112
- Estimated permanent jobs: 100
- Financing: Jobs Bill TIF

It is wonderful to see new construction and to see so many people working. I will be taking more photos as the construction continues. Remember to shop local and support your neighborhood businesses.  

 I have a rather large collection of photographs of front doors.  Some of the doors belong to houses but most belong to historic buildings and businesses.  If you have a home on the market and you would like to make a good first impression paint the door.

Red is a good color but if red is not the right color consider a fresh coat of paint or varnish or maybe a new door.   

Sophie Joe's West 7th Street St. Paul, MN

I think it would be fun to photograph all of the murals in St. Paul but that would take a lot of time because there are so many.  This one on the side of Java Train coffee shop on Pascal street in the Como Park neighborhood really caught my eye. 

Java Train

 There is a new donut shop in the area and we don't have many.  I have been waiting for the novelty to wear off but the lines are still mighty long. 

Welcome to the Mojo Monkey on West 7th street in St. Paul, Minnesota  the home of "handcrafted fresh donuts".

Mojo Monkey

They open at 5:30 in the morning during the week and 6:30 on the weekend. I am going to see if I can buy a donut at 6:30 tomorrow morning without having to wait in line.

 These were taken in St. Paul near where the 3M tapes and adhesive plants used to be near E 7th and Minnehaha in St. Paul.   I believe there used to be a Whirlpool plant in the area too and not too far away are the remains of the old Hamm's brewery which was another great source of jobs.   There are vacant homes and empty commercial buildings of all sizes around town and in most towns around the country.  I once worked in this area.  There is a vacant lot where my office used to be. 

yard sale 

It looks like they gave up on the house and decided to try selling the yard instead. 

history