October 26 2022
This is our opportunity to ask questions

Community Open House:
Summit Avenue Regional Trail Master Plan

Today/Thursday, Oct 27, 2022 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Hidden River Middle School

Hosted by the City Parks and Recreation department.
Pre-registration is required.



Event Format
  • Open-house with gallery-style viewing of content from the draft master plan at 60% completion
  • Drop-in, flexible format for attendees
  • Food Concessions available from Brake Bread
  • Kids Activities
  • There will not be a formal presentation; project staff will be available for questions & community conversation
  • Following the Open House, a link to the draft Master Plan will be published online, starting a 30-day public comment period in November. 

Here are our three most pressing concerns:

  1. We request a 90-day comment period. City officials told us the draft Master Plan will be published online, starting a 30-day public comment period in November. We believe this is too quick for a project of this size and importance.
  2. We request that the city pass a tree preservation ordinance before the city council approves a proposed trail plan for Summit Avenue or any location.
  3. We request that the historical characteristics be preserved - those features which make Summit Avenue a distinct and nationally known street.
We hope you drop in to learn more details and ask questions.
Here are a few on our list:

GOALS, PRICE, PROCESS
  • What is the goal of the plan?

  • Were there alternative routes considered?

  • How much does each block of the trail cost? 

  • What is the timeframe for the entire project?

  • If this is a draft at 60% completion, what is the process for final approval?

  • Do you plan to have a public Q&A event once the plan is at 100%?

  • How many people have spoken out in favor of this plan? How many have contacted you in opposition?

TREES & HISTORIC DISTRICT ISSUES

  • Was the removal of 160 trees on Cleveland Ave. a similar project city-approved?


  • Since the entire length of Summit Avenue is in three different historic districts, will the city need approval from the State Historic Preservation office?

BIKE, PEDESTRIAN, AND MOTORIST SAFETY

  • Will the lane be raised to cross driveways? If so to what height and how will that be handled and funded?

  • What data can you show that shows this would increase bike use?

  • How will e-bikes use these?

  • What will the speed limits be?

  • Why has this plan ignored pedestrians? (they use Summit substantially more than cyclists do)

  • Why are there no safety improvements planned for pedestrians? Pedestrians are statistically the most vulnerable to injury. 
ABOUT SOS (Save Our Street)
Save Our Street is a citizen group that seeks to educate and advocate for the preservation of the historic streetscape of Summit Avenue as a treasured St. Paul destination and a safe, tree-lined, multi-modal corridor for generations to come.
SOS Steering Committee Chair: Gary Todd Grtodd@comcast.net 651-470-4720