After David Levinson posted his article–Roll with Us Transit Challenge: March 1-7, 2015—about the campaign to get state legislators to ride transit for a week, I e-mailed a few legislators to encourage them to participate in the challenge. Although I knew the House members I contacted were likely supporters of building out and maintaining a robust […]
Quite a number of people commented on the article I posted last week – Getting to the Green Line: Seen through the Lens of a Wheelchair User. So I thought I would follow up with some observations, photos and questions from streets.mn readers. “Glad to see this issue being discussed,” wrote UrbanDoofus. “What good are […]
No, I’m not in a wheelchair, but I’ve spent time walking alongside people who are, as we tested out walking and rolling routes to a couple of the Green Line stations. For me, and others who walk every day, the wheelchair user’s view offers a new lens that focuses on the challenges facing people who […]
With snow, ice and freezing temperatures bringing the 2014 street repair season to an early close, I decided it was time to see what progress has been made to address the sorry state of Saint Paul’s streets and bridges, and what is planned for 2015. Fairview I-94 Underpass — Photo by […]
As I’ve worked on walkability surveys of routes to Green Line stations over the last few years, one of the issues consistently raised by community members is the need for more benches at bus stops and along major arterials, to provide places to rest, especially for seniors and people who use canes or walkers, and […]
When I was in New York City a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to get together with Nolan Levenson, a Macalester graduate who now works as a transportation planner in New York City. We met near his office in lower Manhattan to talk about ways the City of Saint Paul might apply some […]
Today, I’m going to focus on David Zinn’s temporary street art, as an example of a way to create an ever-changing treasure hunt along the Green Line. With small creatures to be discovered on the sidewalk and in the landscape, walking is greatly enriched. In my neighborhood, I know of three locations that are favorites […]
Ever since Mayor Chris Coleman introduced his 2015 budget in August, I’ve been anxious to learn more about the details of the Mayor’s proposal for a new $42.5 million “8-80 Vitality Fund”. Last week a list of projects were posted online in preparation for the City Council’s October 8th budget review session. I shared the list […]
After posting “Green Art for the Green Line” last Sunday, (streets.mn, October 5, 2014) I followed up with Sara Udvig, artist and Executive Director of the Summit-University, to find out more about the images I had shared. She steered me to several websites with a treasure trove of information about graffiti and art interwoven with […]
On Wednesday, October 8th, at 10:00 am, the Saint Paul City Council Budget Committee will review Mayor Chris Coleman’s proposed 8-80 Vitality Fund. If approved, the fund will invest $42.5 million in infrastructure projects designed to promote economic development by enlivening Saint Paul’s streets and public spaces. The idea for the fund was inspired by […]