Posted on 05 September 2016 by Calvin

Development Roundup by JANE MCCLURE

City Council says they will find money for Central

Central High School’s Transforming Central project will receive assistance through the St. Paul Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Program. The St. Paul City Council Aug. 3 agreed to work with project supporters to find $100,000 in unspent past project fund balances.

The council also approved funding totaling $1.933 million for 18 other projects.

Transforming Central project backers sought a $100,000 grant, with a $560,249 match (see stories on pages 1 and 7).

Ward Three Council Member and Central High alumnus Chris Tolbert worked with parents to find funding.

Several other area projects were among the 18 recommended by the Neighborhood STAR Board. Ranked second citywide are patio improvements at Burning Brother Brewing, 1750 Thomas Av. The business won a $10,000 grant and $10,000 loan.

Other requests approved included Minnesota Cameroon Community’s $37,000 grant for building improvements at 1020 Bandana Blvd.; a $5,000 grant to soundproof meeting rooms at Independent Filmmaker Project Minnesota, 550 Vandalia St.; and a $50,000 grant and $50,000 loan toward further redevelopment at the former Old Home Dairy building at Western and University.

A total of 39 projects came in for the 2016 competitive grant and loan round, with 38 undergoing review. The recommended total was $1.245 in grants and $687,500 in loans. The 18 approved projects listed matches totaling $14.765 million.

Furniture Barn to relocate

Furniture Barn, a longtime Midway business, will be relocating to the former Midway Chevrolet building at University Ave. and Albert St. Work began on the building this summer and will continue with a new roof and refurbished interior.

The building has been vacant for almost a decade. It dates from the 1920s and is one of the last vestiges of University Aveenue’s “auto row.” It is owned by the Krebsbach family, owners of the motor vehicle dealership for many years.

Anderson Companies is leading the renovation. Work was done on the building three years ago to remove hazardous materials.

Store representatives had raised questions during the Major League Soccer planning process about how a new stadium would affect them.

Furniture Barn has had a presence in the Midway area for more than 40 years and currently operates a store at 453 N. Snelling Ave.

Furniture Barn has not announced how long it will maintain the Snelling location. The new site is expected to open this winter.