Why has downtown Saint Paul become so much like a ghost town? (Minneapolis: real estate, 2013)

[Kid Cann]

Originally Posted by emcee squared

Gotta agree with this.

I know that the 'X' has helped keep some people on the streets after hours (9-5), but there still isn't much to do after a game. It's the same feeling I had after leaving a Twins/Vikings game at the Dome. Drive up, park, watch game, drive home.

I know there is stuff to do in St. P (Science Museum, ect), can't deny that, but there is hardly a time where I will say, " hey, lets go to downtown St. P instead." Overall, I agree it all boils down to housing. If you see other people on the streets you will feel it is a much more lively, exciting place. Obvious, but true.

Yeah, exactly!

It's really hard to go DT STP when you can just go to the bigger, livelier DT in MPLS

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I wouldn't consider downtown St. Paul a ghost town and it actually offers quite a bit in terms of entertainment and interesting architecture. Beyond the Excel and Rivercentre, you also have places like the State Capitol, The Basilica, Harriet Park and the Mississippi river, the Science Museum, Mickey's Diner, etc. There isn't as much of a nightlife scene as you'll find in Uptown and Downtown Minneapolis but there are still some decent options: Alary's, The Liffey, McGovern's, Great Waters Brewing, Tom Reid's, etc. We hang out in Minneapolis the majority of the time but going to Downtown St. Paul will always be a good change of pace. My brother lived in Lowertown for a while and he enjoyed it immensely. I also have a good friend who lives in the condo developments right off the river and Shepherd Rd and we always have a good time when we're over there.

[emcee squared]

There is stuff to do, I accept that. Those things are always overshadowed by Minneapolis, sadly. I've never lived in either city, so I can't judge too much.

I also have a friend that lives in those condo/townhouses off of Shepard. Really nice views of the river over there.

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by Slig

I wouldn't consider downtown St. Paul a ghost town and it actually offers quite a bit in terms of entertainment and interesting architecture. Beyond the Excel and Rivercentre, you also have places like the State Capitol, The Basilica, Harriet Park and the Mississippi river, the Science Museum, Mickey's Diner, etc. There isn't as much of a nightlife scene as you'll find in Uptown and Downtown Minneapolis but there are still some decent options: Alary's, The Liffey, McGovern's, Great Waters Brewing, Tom Reid's, etc. We hang out in Minneapolis the majority of the time but going to Downtown St. Paul will always be a good change of pace. My brother lived in Lowertown for a while and he enjoyed it immensely. I also have a good friend who lives in the condo developments right off the river and Shepherd Rd and we always have a good time when we're over there.

Is the Cathedral of Saint Paul also a Basilica? I know that it is possible to be both, but I am not sure if that one is both.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by moving123456

Is the Cathedral of Saint Paul also a Basilica? I know that it is possible to be both, but I am not sure if that one is both.

Yeah, that's what I meant. The Cathedral is in downtown St. Paul, while the Basilica is in Minneapolis.

[City eYes]

I just spent an evening in DT STP and i was really nice. Quiet Italian restaurant and good music for the family. If I was in my 20s though, I would't think it was jumpin. When both cities get more dense, the twin cities will be world class destinations.

[emcee squared]

Originally Posted by City eYes

When both cities get more dense, the twin cities will be world class destinations.

Can't wait for that.

[Govie]

It's always been that way as far as I can remember. Born and raised Eastsider (@30) and it's just always been that way. Leave it, I say. The way I see it is Minneapolis and St. Paul are just one big city - the Twin Cities. Minneapolis is the downtown and St.Paul is just kind of a to the side place. When we were in HS we always wished there were clubs and stuff DT St.P and always went to Minneapolis. Whatever. I'm used to it now.

Besides, we still get great concerts in St. Paul without even mentioning the Taste and other stuff on Harriet, there is the Fitz and of course the X which is an even bigger draw for major acts now than Target. Do I feel like people will mock St. Paul when they come to town for a concert? Kind of. I mean there really is NOTHING there. But like I said, it is what it is.

At least I can drive 3 miles, park at a (free) meter and watch a Wild game anytime I want.

[Drewcifer]

If anything I think downtown St Paul is more active than it was 20 years ago. It was really dead back then.

St Paul is where I go to hang out if I don't want to run into anyone I know.

[QuantumIguana]

There are middle of the night dining options outside of Saint Paul. Flameburger in Columbia Heights is open 24 hours a day, except they close at 2pm Sunday and reopen at 6 am Monday. There's the Hard Times cafe, but a punk vegetarian restuarant might not appeal to everyone.

I don't see much difference between a suburban office park and a downtown office building, other than downtown is a lot easier to get to, and there's more to do. If I'm working downtown, I can easily walk to my choice of restuarants for lunch. In a suburban office park, it can be a long drive to anything.

Then again, when people say "downtown", they don't always mean the same thing. I live in the Powderhorn neighborhood, and people from the suburbs will sometimes call that downtown.