http://www.tc.umn.edu/~hause011/NF/ (Ayd Mill info) www.aydmill.org

Hi Neighbor,    
 
>> It is time to take the Ayd Mill Corridor to the 
   next stage which is "sharing the street". Please contact 
   your city council and district councils to move the following 
   proposal forward.  Addresses are below.

>> 
Stripe, Walk and Bike Ayd Mill Project (Share the Street)

Objective:
To share Ayd Mill Corridor as a regular public street by the 
citizens of St Paul and gain the use of 20+ acres of greenspace
with MINIMAL COST.

Method:
> Share the street by striping one lane of Ayd Mill Road in 
  both directions for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

> Set the max speed limit of the two car lanes of Ayd Mill Road 
  to 35 miles per hour.

> Remove the signs at the entrances to Ayd Mill Road that read:
    Pedestrians
    Bicycles
    Motorized Bicycles
    Non-motorized vehicles
    PROHIBITED

> To keep COSTS to a MINIMUM we specifically do not want any landscaping,
  additional parking or other development at this time.

Rationale:

At the St Paul City Council sponsored Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming
Summit on May 16-19 the city brought in expert David Engwicht whose advice
was that the perceived use of public space shaped the neighborhood
and environment.  

St Paul prohibits the public from using Ayd Mill Corridor for 
pedestrian and bicycle use and the perception of the Ayd Mill Corridor
is a "Stunted Freeway".  Applying Mr. Engwicht's advice we will change 
this perception to "public street and bikeway" similar to 
River Road, Fairview Avenue, Montreal Avenue and Summit Avenue by 
allowing many other uses of the Ayd Mill Corridor.

St Paul City Council last year approved a 35 MPH two lane configuration
for Ayd Mill Road.

Traffic count on Ayd Mill Road is lower than other striped streets. 

The Metro Council has now downgraded Ayd Mill Road from a "freeway"
type road to a "secondary collector" (regular street) in its 
transportation plan.

Our estimate of the cost of striping is $1-$2/foot for 8,000 feet 
for each lane of Ayd Mill or $16,000-$32,000.

The gain of 20 acres of public recreation land in neighborhoods lacking
any significant greenspace is a very real benefit not seen in most
striping projects.  

Results of striping can be easily measured.

ST PAUL:
Address letters to: Your Council Member
                    City Hall, Room#: (see below)
                    St. Paul, MN 55102

Ward 1: Jerry Blakey 651-266-8610, Room 310C
        jerry.blakey@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Ward 2: Chris Coleman 651-266-8620, Room 310B
        chris.coleman@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Ward 3: Pat Harris 651-266-8630, Room 310C
        pat.harris@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Ward 4: Jay Benanav 651-266-8640, Room 310D
        jay.benanav@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Ward 5: Jim Reiter 651-266-8650, Room 320A
        jim.reiter@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Ward 6: Dan Bostrom, President 651-266-8660, Room 320B
        dan.bostrom@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Ward 7: Kathy Lantry 651-266-8670, Room 320C
        kathy.lantry@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Saint Paul City website:
http://www.stpaul.gov/council/
City Council Fax #: 651-266-8574

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