Jack’s Key Endeavors

by John Mannillo, St. Paul developer and civic leader

Jack Hoeschler cared about Saint Paul. He understood what made it special. He both worked to preserve its character but also worked to help change things that weren’t working well. Jack realized that people who made the effort could impact both the good and bad aspects of his city ever since he arrived in the 1960’s. 

He and I, along with others, invested our time and experience in all kinds of these efforts. He was instrumental in creating Saint Paul STRONG, a non-partisan group of experienced civic leaders as a watchdog over municipal policy. He also cared about the people who needed his help and advice. His legal mind and real estate background were a perfect fit for what was needed to keep local policies on the right track. This is what he did.

I think Jack made his greatest impact in Minnesota when he successfully argued for The First Baptist Church and two other Downtown Saint Paul churches in the Right-Of-Way assessment law suit that was decided by the Supreme Court of Minnesota. That decision changed the property tax structure for homeowners, commercial and non-profit property owners. It was used for simple political benefit. This decision has impacted all of Minnesota’s property tax structure. 

Issues or projects I have worked on with Jack Hoeschler since 1981:

• Sale and preservation of the Pioneer Endicott Buildings

• Saving the New York Life Eagle

• The Minnesota Museum of American Art

• Saint Paul Union Depot

• 230 East Fifth Street development

• Gilbert Building property tax lawsuit

• Saint Paul Skyway System stakeholder lawsuit

• Tax Increment Financing

• Saint Paul STRONG

Saint Paul STRONG Op-Eds

• Op-Ed re: Abuse of “Quasi-Judicial” Authority

• Op-Ed re: Transparency and Candor

• Cameroon Community Center

• Ebenezer Karen Baptist Church

• Right-Of-Way Assessment Lawsuits

• Lowertown Future Fund, Inc. / Lowertown Residential Improvement District

• Instigated development of property tax valuation database for Ramsey County

• 375 N Robert Street development

John Mannillo grew up on Long Island. He and his wife Lee, moved to Saint Paul in 1975. John and his brother began by restoring older homes in Summit Hill and Crocus Hill. They bought a warehouse in Lowertown in 1976, the Pioneer Endicott Buildings in 1978 and the Gilbert Building in 1986. He managed the Saint Paul Union Depot. John helped found the Lowertown Commercial Club, was a longstanding Board Member and Chair and founder of the District 17 community Council. He redeveloped historic properties, both commercial and residential, in Saint Paul. He is President of the Lowertown Future Fund, Inc., Chair of Friends of Mears Park, founded and Chairs Saint Paul STRONG and organizes a weekly speakers forum. Mannillo ran for Mayor in 1993. They have lived in Highland Park since 1978.