An old coal plant generates ideas, but no plans
The St. Paul Gas Light Company Island Station, located along the Mississippi River in St. Paul, has been dormant for 40 years. Now the city of St. Paul is considering designating it a historic heritage site.
MPR News reporter Rupa Shenoy wrote this week that "nearby residents said the industrial building, unused since 1973, could be a valuable access point to the river. They said it could be turned into a museum, an arena, a place for climbing, or kayak rentals. But the building owner, Paul Breckner of Breckner Riverfront Development, said the building is deteriorating and dangerous, as well as a magnet for criminal behavior. He said he's considered many options for the former power plant but none worked for the site."
Will labeling it an historic site make the building any more appealing to developers?
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