Bandana Square: Difference between revisions

[[File:Bandana Square's steam engine, Grand Trunk Western 0-8-0 8327.jpg|thumb|left|Grand Trunk Western 0-8-0 8327 at Bandana Square, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.]]

[[File:Old Como Shops transfer table at Bandana Square.jpg|thumb|left|Bandana Square's old transfer table.]]

A [[Best Western]] hotel and conference center remains at Bandana Square. When Bandana originally opened, the complex was home to several restaurants such as the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant. The Dakota moved to Downtown Minneapolis in 2003.<ref name=Feyder /> The [[Dino's]] [[Greek cuisine|Greek]] fast-food chain, formerly known as Dino's Gyros, also had its first year-round restaurant at Bandana Square (previously, the company had only set up stands at the [[Minnesota State Fair]] and other events).

The center was purchased by the Saint Paul-based Wilder Foundation in 1983 for $17 million.<ref name=Feyder /> By 1989 the foundation had lost $9 million and sought help from the Saint Paul Port Authority. The project had become a financial drain to the foundation and was detracting from its mission to help children and at-risk families.<ref>{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Thomas|title=BANDANA SQUARE AID IS SOUGHT BY WILDER|newspaper=Saint Paul Pioneer Press|date=January 12, 1989}}</ref> At that time only 65% of the space was occupied.<ref>{{cite news|last=Meryhew|first=Richard|last2=Lonetree|first2=Anthony|title=Bandana Square management seeks bailout|newspaper=Star Tribune|date=January 12, 1989}}</ref> The Port Authority proposed a plan that would save the Wilder Foundation $780,000 a year<ref>{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Thomas|title=BANDANA RESCUE PLAN PROPOSED|newspaper=St. Paul Pioneer Press|date=January 21, 1989}}</ref> but the Port Authority took over the center in March 1989.<ref>{{cite news|last=Meryhew|first=Richard|title=Port Authority to take over Bandana Square|newspaper=Star Tribune|date=March 30, 1989}}</ref> The port authority sold it to investors for $3 million who tried to refocus it as a regional retail and entertainment center. Wellington Management bought the center in 2003 for $6.1 million. The center was converted entirely to offices in 2006.<ref name=Feyder>{{cite news|last=Feyder|first=Susan|title=No more retail at Bandana Square - The owners of the historic parcel in St. Paul's Energy Park are converting the building to an all- office property.|newspaper=[[Star Tribune]]|date=March 3, 2006}}</ref>