Saint Paul Skyway System stakeholder lawsuit

In about 2008, John Mannillo led an effort of four plaintiffs in a pro se action against the City of Saint Paul. Mannillo was a recent owner of a skyway attached to the rest of the skyway system. In about 1980, Mannillo, representing Downtown skyway building owners, agreed for the group to provide accessibility and maintenance of the skyways and the City’s easements in a common use and benefit agreement. It was the City’s responsibility to enforce the agreements with each building owner. Over time, the City failed to keep up the agreements through enforcement with new owners.

Jack Hoeschler offered pro bono advice to Mannillo and three other condo owners on the system. The decision by the court was that Mannillo no longer had standing to bring the suit in that he was no longer an owner on the skyway system. The City however was put on notice as to its responsibility to both the public and other property owners.