We respectfully present this 2002 overview of the Ayd Mill Corridor, and the opportunity at hand to carefully reintroduce humans into the everyday life of this historic place.
The Ayd Mill Corridor is largely defined by a ravine extending from what was once the Midway area woodland plain down to the lowlands of the West Seventh Street community along the east bank of the Mississippi River. The Short Line Railroad through the corridor took form more than 100 years ago.
During the 1950's and the Eisenhower Era promotion/development of the Interstate Highway System, the corridor was identified by the City of St Paul as a potential high volume car and truck corridor to serve as a north/south connection between the downtowns of St Paul and Minneapolis. As planning to what would become I-94 and I-35E continued, the city built the present 1-1/2 mile stretch of four lane divided, limited access "practice freeway" which has primarily served local residents since its completion in the 1960's. It remains a city street on city property and under city jurisdiction.
The controversy over the best use of these 40 acres of land which bisect some of the healthiest residential neighborhoods in the city has waxed and waned for three generations since.
Ten years ago St Paul began an exhaustive process of study, discussion and consideration of options, the primary vehicle of which was the Ayd Mill Road Task Force ( AMRTF ). This city staffed, citizen task force considered options which ranged from a high volume four lane connection with I-35E at the south, and an indirect connection with I-94 on the north, to a two lane down build with or without direct connections to the interstate system, to reclaiming the area as a park in a reprise of city plans made but never funded in the early 1900's.
In a process well critiqued in the public record, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which came out of the Task Force (AMRTF), was considered by the City Council in the spring of 2000. In a surprise to many, it brought a task force recommendation for the linear park option as the best long term choice for the city . In a surprise to no one, the Planning Commission rejected the citizen recommendation and unanimously recommended the $40-60 million four lane connection to I-35E option.
In April of 2000, by a 5-2 vote, St Paul City Council moved to down build the street to one lane of 35 mph traffic in each direction with a connection to I-35E, and a restructured non-connection to I-94. They directed the Department of Public Works to report on possible funding of the project which would run $35-50 million conservatively. That report is still forthcoming, presumably because there is no money source for the scale of such a project.
Meanwhile, individuals and families continue to live and grow in St Paul. Neighborhoods First! drafted the 'Stripe, Walk and Bike' proposal in the Summer of 2001 in order to put into action part of the city council resolution in an economically feasible way. More importantly, the proposal will open the way for people with bikes, pets or skis to visit, explore, and travel through this space in a way other than inside a car. This has been forbidden by municipal stature for more than 35 years.
The core of the Stripe, Walk and Bike proposal as considered and supported by many of the District Community Councils of St Paul is as follows: Stripe, Walk and Bike
Thus far in discussions and public hearings at many Community Councils there is shared enthusiasm for the proposal. We have also gained important insights to the details which will need to be worked out.
* Safety is an important issue. After decades of car only access, entry routes into and out of the corridor for bicycles and pedestrians will need to be carefully determined, and signs for drivers must be designed for safety.
* Several configurations of the lanes for automobile traffic are possible. Examples: Two lanes on the East for cars, two lanes on the West for bikes and pedestrians. Or one lane on each side for cars, one for bikes and pedestrians.
* People have suggested minimal landscaping such as tree planting may enhance the shift toward a low key vehicle parkway with gradual evolution of recreational options at various points along the one and a half mile pathway.
We believe the essence of the proposal reflects the direction that the citizens and the government of St Paul would like to take. We present it in the best spirit of community democracy.
* We support quick implementation of this economical, quick, non-permanent proposal.
* We ask for constructive feedback in developing a safe and effective plan to be implemented as soon as possible.
For the Steering Committee of Neighborhoods First!
Mike Madden: 644-2288 Michael Cline: mcline@igc.org