Join the conversation about proposed improvements to Hamline Ave.

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The Transportation Committee of the Hamline Midway Coalition will host a community conversation around the scheduled construction project on Hamline Ave. Join us Wed., Apr. 27, 7-8:30pm at Galtier Community School, 1317 Charles Ave., to learn about the proposed improvements, and provide input on the plans to inform final design decisions.

The City of St. Paul plans to conduct a mill and overlay on Hamline Ave. between University and Minnehaha avenues in late 2016. The work will involve removing and replacing the top layer of pavement, updating some pedestrian ramps, and installing in-street bicycle lanes.

This vital neighborhood route services three schools, public housing, and a vibrant business community. As the neighborhood continues to grow, many neighbors have raised concerns about safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers alike, on Hamline Ave.

This project offers the community an opportunity to create a safer, more vibrant route that serves all road users.

Hamline Ave is identified as a key bike route in the Citywide Bike Plan, which was adopted by the city in early 2015. The City’s current strategy is to implement segments of the Bike Plan in conjunction with scheduled mill and overlay and other road construction projects as they happen. As part of the Hamline Ave. project, the city will install in-street separated bike lanes between University and Minnehaha. Due to the width of the road, on-street parking would likely be removed from one side of the street.

The Department of Public Works recently completed a traffic and parking study that found much of the on-street parking throughout most of the project area to be underutilized, and concluded the remaining on-street parking on Hamline and adjacent side streets would be more than sufficient to accommodate existing parking demands.

Parking demand was notably higher around the business node near Hamline and Thomas avenues., though it was still underutilized even at peak times. The parking study similarly determined that existing parking in that area would still be sufficient to satisfy the demand should on street parking be removed from one side.

Despite not being included in the original project, the Department of Public Works has also presented the community with the opportunity to decide whether to install some form of bike infrastructure on Hamline Ave. from Minnehaha to Pierce Butler Rte.—another important bike route that serves as the most direct bicycle connection to and from Hamline Midway to the west. This section of Hamline also serves the pedestrian bridge that crosses the train tracks north of Pierce Butler—the only dedicated railway crossing between Lexington Ave. and Snelling Ave.

Because this section of Hamline is narrower than the southern section, some types of bicycle infrastructure would require removal of on-street parking from both sides of the street.

The way the road is currently configured without shoulder striping, it appears much wider than a typical residential street due to the low on-street parking demand. When few cars are parked on the north section of Hamline, the apparent wide road encourages speeding, creating dangerous conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.

While bike infrastructure will likely eventually be installed on this north section of Hamline Ave. as outlined in the Bike Plan, it is not scheduled for construction work anytime soon. Installing bike infrastructure is a proven tactic to visually narrow a road and encourage safe driving speeds, which makes the road safer for all. This is an opportunity for the Hamline Midway community to determine the immediate future of Hamline Ave, and to help influence the safety and type of street it can be and how it serves the surrounding neighborhood.

We recognize that Hamline Ave. as currently configured poses significant safety risks to many in our community, but are also sensitive to the fact that the loss of some on-street parking can be troubling to others. We hope that this event will be the start of a productive community conversation about neighbors’ priorities for this important route and how best to balance the needs and safety of all road users.

Join us on Wed., Apr. 27, 7pm, to get the conversation started. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Kyle Mianulli at kyle@hamlinemidway.org or 651-494-7683.

Midway Spring Festival to partner with A-Line BRT Launch, June 11

The Hamline Midway Spring Festival is growing in 2016. This year, we are combining the annual festival with the planned A-Line Bus Rapid Transit launch on June 11 near the intersection of Snelling and University avenues. We’ll have all the fun, food, and community goodness from last year’s festival, plus a whole lot more. Hamline Midway Coalition is partnering with the Midway Chamber of Commerce, Union Park District Council, Metro Transit and members of the Planning and Economic Development department to put on a fabulously festive pre-summer bash that celebrates all Midway has to offer. If you’re interested in vending, exhibiting, performing, or helping to organize this event, contact Kyle Mianulli at kyle@hamlinemidway.org or 651-494-7683.

Registration for Neighborhood Garage Sale now open

Registration is now open for the annual Hamline Midway Neighborhood Garage Sale on Sat., June 4, from 8am to 3pm. Visit www.hamlinemidway.org/garagesale to register your sale. Garage sales are a great way to meet new neighbors, reduce waste, and support the community economy. With more than 50 participating sales across the neighborhood in 2015, we’re looking to have an even bigger impact this year.

There is a $10 fee for participating sales to help with the expense of printing flyers, sale maps, and signs, as well as advertising in local newspapers and Craigslist. If you live within the Hamline Midway boundaries, start clearing out your closets and collecting your items for this year’s sale! Want an even better turnout for your sale? Invite your neighbors to organize sales alongside yours to make an attractive cluster on the sale map. Visit our website for helpful tricks and tips for organizing a successful sale. You can also register your sale and pay online while you’re there. Feel free to contact us with any questions or for more information at garagesale@hamlinemidway.org.

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