St. Paul skyway businesses marking their territory (Updated)

Twitter friend Matt Becker is noticing what our colleague, Julia Schrenkler, noticed last week. The St. Paul skyway system is blooming with signs warning people to either keep moving or stay out altogether, depending on whatever factors they deem trespassing. Some are new. Some have been around awhile.

He spotted this one yesterday so we’re starting a new category: unfriendly skyways.

The law cited in this sign is different than the one cited on the sign we noted last week. This one defines trespassing and the rules for telling you it’s private property.

(5) “Posted,” as used:
(i) in paragraph (b), clause (4), means the placement of a sign at least 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches in a conspicuous place on the exterior of the building, or in a conspicuous place within the property on which the building is located. The sign must carry a general notice warning against trespass;
(ii) in paragraph (b), clause (9), means the placement of a sign at least 8-1/2 inches by 11 inches in a conspicuous place on the exterior of the building that is under construction, alteration, or repair, or in a conspicuous place within the area being protected. If the area being protected is less than three acres, one additional sign must be conspicuously placed within that area. If the area being protected is three acres but less than ten acres, two additional signs must be conspicuously placed within that area. For each additional full ten acres of area being protected beyond the first ten acres of area, two additional signs must be conspicuously placed within the area being protected. The sign must carry a general notice warning against trespass; and
(iii) in paragraph (b), clause (10), means the placement of signs that:
(A) carry a general notice warning against trespass;
(B) display letters at least two inches high;
(C) state that Minnesota law prohibits trespassing on the property; and
(D) are posted in a conspicuous place and at intervals of 500 feet or less.

Curiously, there are still no signs at the First National Bank building, where a man was eventually arrested after he was rousted from chairs set up in the skyway there.

The St. Paul attorney has ruled that the chairs in the skyway are in a public space.

Keep the pictures coming!

Update 1:43 p.m. – The First National Bank building is now posted.

Update 3:54 p.m. This sign (the topic of last week’s post), an unwelcoming bright orange “No Trespassing” sign and a smaller sign were removed this afternoon from the Alliance Bank Building.
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