Historic building slated for demolition

The Hope Engine Company No. 3 building was designed and built in 1871­-72, and occupied for the first time in 1872. It is the oldest existing municipal building of any kind in the entire city of St. Paul and the station served the community until 1956, or 85 years of service. The building is structurally sound, and is considered a landmark in the neighborhood. It is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and is also eligible for local historic designation by the Heritage Preservation Commission. The building is in a high state of preservation, with much of its original fabric intact.

Local developer David Brooks has aims to take down the city’s oldest standing public building, the former St. Paul fire station located at the corner of Leech Street and Grand Avenue in St. Paul and replace it with a 109-unit Marriot, according to information provided by the city and Brooks, Friday, March 18, 2016. (Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri)

Many in the neighborhood strongly oppose the pending demolition of the Hope Engine Company No. 3 firehouse at 1 Leech Street (a.k.a. 200 Grand Avenue).  The demolition and development of the site are both  inconsistent with the mission, values, and wishes of the neighborhood. The firehouse belongs to all of us and it can never be build again. It is one of a kind.

I sent an email to our city council person as soon as I found out and will stand with my neighbors who want to fight this. The building should not be demolished. We just found out about this a few days ago. Opposition will need to organize quickly.

Fire house
Antique St. Paul Fire House
Leech Street
Firehouse

Please join neighbors at the firehouse at 3:00 PM on Sunday March 20th. To learn more about the building and maybe help save it.

 

 

A famous building

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Cathedral of St. Paul, Minnesota

I must have 20 pictures of this amazing church.  I took this one on Labor Day because I happen to be driving by and I liked the clouds and the light.  I parked and took the photo with what is called a prime lens.  Since prime lenses have no zoom I had to stand in this exact spot to get the entire building in the shot.  The photo is in “explore” on Flickr which is quite the honor it is like winning the Flickr lottery.  It is getting a lot of attention.  To be honest the Cathedral is such a beautiful building it is hard to mess it up.   If you have a camera and like to take pictures I highly recommend photographing the St. Paul Cathedral for fun . . and for profit. 

Laurel Terrace – Riley Row House

Riley Row House 286-294 Laurel Avenue, on the corner of Nina and Laurel.  So close to the cathedral that you can see it and close to Summit Avenue.  This building is one of St. Paul’s hidden gems and is considered to be one of the finest Victorian era row houses in the country. 

It was built in 1887 and the exterior is made of sandstone, granite, brick and slate.  F. Scott Fitzgerald lived there for a year between 1808 and 1809.  There are other amazing historic homes and rowhouses in the immediate area.  It is one of my favorite areas to walk or bike. 

Riley Row
Riley Row
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Riley Row