While you were sleeping

Somewhere between last week's food coma and the onslaught of holiday music, the downtown Central station really starting shaping up. At first, I thought it was just some sort of Caddyshack-inspired public art. Go Gophers?


Man, those construction guys are always fighting an uphill battle.

But then I walked past tonight, and - holy bananas - that station is done! I only stood there to pout for a minute or two. No offense, 50. It's just that I'm ready for the upgrade.


Right next door, the small leftover space is starting to look like...a plaza? I think Leftover Plaza is a great name, but again, that might be the Thanksgiving buzz talking. Pie. We need to add pie here.


That's right. Saint Paul's got railgating, too. Somebody get this guy a plaza before he gets hit by a train.




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Location:4th & Cedar

What's old is new again

As I walked back from lunch today, I thought about how much this area has changed since we moved here six years ago. The falafel is awesome, but I still miss Jay's Cafe sometimes (that was two restaurants ago).

Still, everywhere I look, it's hard not to get excited that what is old is new again.

I passed two vintage stores, a (new?) mid-century modern furniture place, and an old-timey neighborhood hardware shop. I stopped in to wander through four floors of a second-hand office furniture retailer (like Ikea without the ice cream cones).




Across the street, the restoration of the new/old Chittenden & Eastman building is in full swing, with snow scattered on the new/old granite pavers.

Just east of here, they've been busy putting up catenary wires for a few weeks now.







There's something right about bringing the old overhead wire back to the Avenue - and tracks and trains - so nice to be back to the future, isn't it? And speaking of which, it's time to mark your calendars.




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Location:Ellis Ave,St Paul,United States