St. Paul now oversees utilities, skyway access at Alliance Bank Center
Downtown St. Paul's largest property owner has abandoned the Alliance Bank Center, leaving basic management — from elevator and skyway access to security patrols — entirely to the city.
In a written statement Wednesday, the St. Paul mayor's office and the city's Department of Safety and Inspections announced they are limiting but not closing skyway access through the now-vacant office building, a major skyway link that stretches from Wabasha Street, over Cedar Street and onto Minnesota Street.
Interior skyway connections through the Osborn370 building and Treasure Island Center will remain open until 9 p.m. weekdays and be closed on weekends, as will access from the portions of an adjoining parking ramp operated by Interstate Parking. All other exterior connections to the Alliance Bank Center have been closed.
Madison Equities, which has lost multiple downtown buildings to foreclosure, has stopped paying the utilities for the Alliance Bank Center, as well as maintenance and security. On March 10, the building's 14 remaining commercial tenants were alerted they had two days to move, though the mayor's office quickly negotiated with Xcel Energy and District Energy to keep electricity on through March 31.
Under state statute, even unoccupied high-rise buildings must have functional utilities to maintain both fire suppression and fire alarm systems for the protection of first responders and neighboring properties, according to the mayor's office.
Because Madison Equities is no longer the acting landlord, the city is now operating as an intermediary to ensure minimal compliance, while also assuming additional maintenance of escalators and elevators. The St. Paul Police and Fire departments will continue to patrol the Alliance Bank Center.
In its written statement, the mayor's office said the decision to limit skyway access was made 'in collaboration with downtown stakeholders and business partners' and will allow the city to 'protect the integrity of the building until a future use has been determined.'
Officials with the CapitolRiver Council, a downtown nonprofit, said Wednesday they've been informed the city will condemn the property. For now, Madison Equities still maintains property rights as the legal owner, and the Royal Credit Union still holds the bank note for the structure.
Visitors and drivers with contract passes to the Alliance Bank Center ramp still have access from the Cedar Street entrance. The portion of ramp parking owned by Madison Equities is now cordoned off and closed to the public.
Pedestrians looking to avoid the building may travel through Treasure Island Center, Securian Center, Town Square, and a short outdoor stretch between Treasure Island Center and the Lawson Building.
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