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Union Park District CouncilAyd Mill Road Task Force

St. Paul Capital Improvement Budget Proposal 2013

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Background

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1965: Opened as I-35E to I94 connector, but NOT

connected

1993: EIS process started

2002: Connection to I-35E opened

2005: EIS Completed, with Record of Decision issued for “4-lane Extended to St. Anthony.”

2005-present: No action.

2010: EIS expires. New action requires a Supplemental EIS.

(Very) Brief History

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Ayd Mill Road Today

Four lanes.

A speed limit of 45 mph.

A connection to I-35E on the south end.

A northern terminus on Selby between Pascal and Saratoga.

Several entrances/exits closed with temporary barricades.

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Ugly… but with

potential

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Temporary Barricades

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Current North-End

ConnectHamline to St.

AnthonySelby to Snelling

7 stoplights thru residential area and Concordia U

4 stoplights through bustling retail area

CongestionCongestion

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Shortage of Parks

No parks

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EIS-Proposed Extension

(2005) Roughly 1/3-

mile, in effect re-creating Albert Avenue between Selby and St. Anthony Aves.

Behind Concordia U athletic fields

Just west of Higher Ground Academy

Across I-94 on new bridge to St. Anthony Ave.

Just east of US Post Office

Through nonresidental area

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The Proposal

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Summary

This study uses a community process to

identify a preferred disposition of the north end

of Ayd Mill Road, prior to the legally-required

Supplemental Environmental Impact Study.

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Enhance livability in north end neighborhoods.

Improve car, bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.

Encourage pedestrian and bicycle activity.

Increase multi-modality and sustainability.

Move some traffic (and associated congestion, accidents and pollution) out of residential areas.

Why Change Ayd Mill Road?

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Support redevelopment at Selby and Snelling.

Support redevelopment near Snelling and I-94.

Foster use of the light rail system.

Correct the long-noted absence of parks in area.

Aesthetically improve the area.

Why Change… (Continued)

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Changes in 2002 made the north

end particularly unlivable.

Some of the trickiest resolution problems are in the north end.

Why Just the North End?

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It’s overdue: Since 2002 traffic at the north end

has become too congested, too dangerous to residents.

New development at Snelling and Selby.

Imminent opening of the Green Line LRT.

Likely new development near Snelling and I-94.

The reconstruction of the Hamline Avenue bridge.

Why Now?

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Directed by DPED with City Council and

DPW.

Including a Community Process, preceding data collection.

Including Data Collection and Analysis conducted by DPW and reviewed and approved by outside consultant.

Study Components

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Using “Context Sensitive Solutions” approach.

Facilitated by a nationally-recognized Consultant. Credible, engaging all stakeholders, including

representatives from the south end.

Investigating New Design Ideas as well as long-identified ones.

No preconceived outcome.

Community Process

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Reduce accidents, noise, congestion and

pollution at the north end.

Reduce cut-through traffic on north end residential streets.

Restrict truck traffic on Ayd Mill and in neighborhoods.

Provide a bicycle and pedestrian trail along Ayd Mill.

Add green space for neighborhood use.

The Preferred Solution MUST:

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Traffic calming on Ayd Mill Road and in

neighborhoods.

Alternatives to removal of the Pascal Avenue bridge.

Noise and pollution remediation along Ayd Mill Road.

Aesthetic and safety improvements in affected north end streets and intersections.

Increased transit options.

Bike and pedestrian connections to Light Rail.

Add’l Issues to Study

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Park Opportunity

2008 UPDC proposal

Expanded Community Garden space to include Hamline Ramp and “Ashland Park.”

Conceptual plan includes: Picnic space Playgrounds Open space for

recreation Walking paths Edible plants and trees

that attract wildlife.

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www.amrtf.weebly.com