Saint Paul City Council denies “Bridges” proposal

After more than two years of wrangling, community organizing, public meetings, full-page color ads and frequent media coverage, the Saint Paul City Council flatly denied the famed Bridges proposal by a 5-2 vote on September 5. Mayor Coleman also expressed his concurrence with the councils denial in a formal letter.

Thus ends the final chapter in a long drawn-out story of citizen vigilance, developer stubbornness and intense controversy that has sadly caused deep divisions in the west side community. But dont be surprised if theres a sequel already in the works.

At the City Council public hearing on September 5, the organized opposition gave a perfectly timed presentation succinctly outlining the many reasons that The Bridges should be denied. Testimony from Riverfront Corporation, the National Park Service, Friends of the Mississippi River, Preservation Alliance and two west side residents clearly demonstrated that the project does not meet the citys comprehensive plan, critical area plan or community vision for a neighborhood-scale urban village that connects west side residents to the river. Instead, The Bridges would put a wall of towering buildings on the river across from downtown, blocking scenic river views from around the valley and cutting off the community from the river with what is essentially an exclusive gated community and private shopping mall that sits four stories above the surrounding neighborhood. Citizens also expressed frustration about JLT Groups unwillingness to have real dialogue with the community or make substantive changes to the original plan.

City Council members who voted to deny the proposal expressed their desire to see something developed on the West Side Flats that meets the citys comprehensive plan, and asked the JLT Group to try again. Then, Council Member Dave Thune offered a six-page motion to deny the proposal, citing numerous and very specific reasons for the denial. Presumably this was done to ensure the city is protected from possible litigation by JLT Group.

Many thanks and congratulations to all the groups and individuals who contributed to the groundswell of opposition to the Bridges proposal during the last two years. Thanks also to the Mayor and City Council for standing up to big money in favor of protecting our community vision for the river. Everyone wants to see something positive developed on the west side flats. Now we have to continue pushing to see the communitys dream of a new riverfront neighborhood become a reality. But first, a little breather is in order!

Recent news coverage of this issue

• Report raises questions about Bridges plan by Tim Nelson — Pioneer Press, 30 August 2007
• Saint Paul Council tackles troubled Bridges by Tim Nelson — Pioneer Press, 4 September 2007
• Council says ‘no to Bridges of Saint Paul by Tim Nelson and Brady Silver — Pioneer Press, 6 September 2007
• Council did the right thing — Letter to the editor by Frank Jossi — Pioneer Press, 7 September 2007
• In Saint Paul, development deals unfulfilled by Myron Medcalf — Star Tribune, 29 August 2007
• Saint Paul council rejects Bridges project by Myron Medcalf — Star Tribune, 6 September 2007
• Editorial: Tweak wasn't enough to save Bridges plan — Star Tribune, 7 September 2007
• Bridges of Saint Paul Minnesota Public Radios Mid-Morning, 4 September 2007
• Council rejects Bridges of Saint Paul project
• by Marissa Helms — Minnesota Public Radio, 5 September 2007