Another Iconic Restaurant Could Meet the Wrecking Ball

The O’Gara family has operated the bar on the corner of Snelling and Selby Avenues since 1941, but a new plan would have the building that houses it torn down and replaced with apartment buildings. The bar would re-open once the new building was constructed, but on a much smaller scale, according to a report in the Star Tribune.

Owner Dan O’Gara and a Ryan Cos. representative are scheduled to share plans at a Union Park District Council land use committee meeting on March 19. Residents are invited to share input on the designs and the project is still in the early development phase.

The Irish bar, restaurant and music venue is largely recognized as the longest running family-owned bar in St. Paul in its original location.

The intersection of Selby and Snelling has undergone several changes over the past few years, including the building of a new apartment building across the street from O’Gara’s that houses 5,231-square-foot Whole Foods. That complex recently sold to a New York-based firm for $87 million. That complex was also originally developed by Ryan Cos.

Owner Dan O’Gara has yet to publicly comment on the proposed development.

• O’Gara’s [WEB]
• Demolition for O’Gara’s? Landmark St. Paul bar wants to build apartments over smaller tavern [PiPress]
• Plan would demolish O’Gara’s and build new bar in apartment building [STRIB]
• The Storied History of Nye’s [ETC]