St. Paul City Council poised to approve Summit Avenue bikeway

Frederick Melo, Pioneer Press
Updated ·5 min read

Following a lengthy and emotional public hearing that drew strong words from cyclists, homeowners, historic preservationists and environmental advocates, the St. Paul City Council was poised Wednesday night to approve a protected bikeway along nearly five miles of historic Summit Avenue.

The vote, expected to unfold shortly before 10 p.m. following four hours of staff and public testimony, represents the culmination of more than 18 months of planning and public engagement led by St. Paul Public Works and St. Paul Parks and Recreation. The elevated bikeway, which has yet to be funded, would be installed as Summit Avenue is reconstructed in phases, with curb, parking and other features effectively protecting cyclists navigating at sidewalk level.

“I really regret that it has gotten so divisive,” said Council Member Rebecca Noecker, who represents a stretch of Summit Avenue. “Just because an idea is divisive, though, isn’t a sign that it’s wrong. … I think that this plan strikes the right balance.”

She added, “I want to build a city and invest in infrastructure that’s for our children. … This is the best plan for children and families.”

Council Member Chris Tolbert called it “almost unprecedented” to have nearly two years of emails and outreach with constituents, only to have opponents claim the bikeway lacked sufficient public process. “I do think parks staff has listened to the feedback,” he said.

Council Member Russel Balenger praised the future bikeway as the first regional trail to stretch through Ward 1.

Ben Swanson-Hysell said a two-way trail on Como Avenue has made all the difference in hauling his 4-year-old daughter Harriet and 1-year-old son Viggo to his parents’ home in St. Anthony Park on the family cargo bike. He’d like to see that trail network expand, instead of risking his family in Summit Avenue traffic.

“An entire comprehensive network is crucial,” said Swanson-Hysell, holding his young daughter in his hands. “If a car door opens in front of us, my only escape route is into traffic.”

Opponents at the hearing raised questions about the number of trees that will have to be removed, parking loss and changes to the character of the avenue, which runs through multiple historic districts. West of Lexington Parkway, on-street parking would generally remain the same. East of Lexington Parkway, parking would be reduced by 50%.

“There’s not enough parking already, and you’re talking about reducing it by 50%?” said Kenn Rockler, an Ashland Avenue resident who said he uses handicapped parking after losing his leg 16 years ago.

Condominium owner Kelly Krause envisioned homeowners unable to park near their residences and walking home alone for blocks in the dark. “This plan puts bikes above all else, and jeopardizes resident safety,” said another woman, sounding a similar note of concern.

City officials called the bikeway, at an estimated cost of $12 million, an important future east-west bike connection that will be designed for all ages, linking Mississippi River Boulevard to the Cathedral of St. Paul and bike routes downtown. Alice Messer, the city’s design and construction manager, said an elevated bikeway speaks to climate change, population growth and a more diverse city.

“The right-of-way in front of my own house in St. Paul isn’t just mine, it’s ours,” said Public Works director Sean Kershaw, addressing the city council. “This is an opportunity to build better for the next 50 years.”

Accusations around tree loss

Of the 1,561 trees corridor-wide, 132 trees in the draft plan have been marked as “high vulnerability” because of their condition or location. In two construction segments, the bike trail as currently proposed would move the curb lines 1.5 feet on each side. That increases the potential tree removal from 8% up to 14% of the corridor, for a total removal of 221 high vulnerability trees, according to the city.

In contrast, Save Our Street, the coalition organized against the bikeway design, hired an arborist who predicted as many as 950 trees would be impacted. That’s raised concerns with critics that planning hasn’t involved the right experts.

“You could hit pause for just a few months, get a real bike expert in here,” said Bob Cattanach, a Summit Avenue resident who has sued the city for public documents related to trail planning.

Dan Marshall, a cycling advocate, said “trees aren’t the only disingenuous position that S.O.S. has taken,” noting bicycles are an integral part of the historic districts, dating back well before the advent of widespread car use. “This is all about limiting public access to one of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods. It’s about control, not trees.”

Calling tree loss and replacement dynamic, Rachel Coyle, the city’s urban forester, said more than 448 trees have been removed from Summit Avenue over the past 14 years, and street reconstruction and other changes will inevitably remove more. “We’re still removing ash trees from this corridor. Meanwhile, 330 new trees have been planted in this timeframe,” she said. “I can’t identify trees that are going to come out, today, in five years.”

Even before the official opening of the public hearing, council member Jane Prince gave an impassioned speech saying the city had other pressing spending priorities and needed to work harder on compromise and consensus.

“We’ve been watching this in slow motion, just turning into a really factious controversy,” said Prince, addressing the crowded council chamber before the vote. She said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has failed to make himself visible on the bikeway, leaving the heavy lifting to his department leaders.

“I believe we as a city can do so much better,” said Prince, to explosive applause. “I believe a vote today is premature.”

The mayor took to social media Wednesday evening, during the hearing, to respond.

“’Nobody should do anything until everybody agrees’ is the easiest argument a politician can use to block progress while pretending to be for the people and communities we’ve historically failed,” said Carter, on Twitter. “We can’t change things without changing things.”

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