On the Way
Volume 2, Issue 2
February 2008

Pedestrians May Catch a Break

Last October, support for a green median along Snelling Avenue in the Macalester-Groveland Community was lagging: public comments on the issue were stacked two to one against the median. At that point, Transit for Livable Communities issued an action alert to the community, letting them know that the St. Paul Public Works department was soliciting comments on the proposed project.

After TLC’s action alert was issued, the comments swung overwhelmingly in the other direction: of the comments sent to the St. Paul Public Works department, 79 percent were in favor of the project. Last month, the Macalester-Groveland Community Council agreed to back city efforts to seek state money to fund the project. It has yet to lend full support, however, saying the city needs to resolve several issues, including access to a nearby strip mall.

If the plan is approved, a median will be placed along Snelling Avenue between St. Clair and Grand Avenues. The median will slow traffic, support trees, and provide a safe place for pedestrians and bicyclists to wait while crossing the street. Joan Pasiuk, Director of TLC’s Bike Walk Twin Cities initiative, was cited in a Star Tribune piece, saying the median “would be a major improvement.”