ST. PAUL NOTES | What's happening on Charles, Edmund and Sherburne Avenues in St. Paul?
As the Central Corridor takes shape, traffic is shifting for the neighborhoods and streets near University Avenue. One of the possibilities under discussion is turning Charles Avenue into a bike/walk boulevard. According to the Hamline-Midway website, no plans have been finalized, and resident opinions are being gathered this summer.
"Friendly Streets" is a project of the Hamline-Midway and Frogtown neighborhoods to involve residents in the change, and maybe in some decision-making. Half of the series of six Friendly Streets block parties have already happened, but three more are coming up on Fridays in August - August 12, 19 and 26.
Organizers hope that the community will be able to do placemaking:
Placemaking is a process that allows individuals and communities to shape their surroundings in ways that reflect their goals and dreams. Through placemaking, local communities work together to transform public spaces into communal, creative, and imaginative places. Placemaking puts tools in the hands of residents, empowering neighborhoods to develop and promote a unique sense of place. Using tools like benches, public art, traffic calming, street lighting, local plants, and signs; placemaking can transform generic or sterile spaces into beloved and creative spaces.
The FAQ page for Friendly Streets offers some interesting information, as well as a clue that decisions have not yet been finalized:
The Friendly Streets Initiative will take the information collected through gallery feedback and completed surveys to the city government so that the opinions of residents can play a role in the re-design of Charles Avenue. Following this summer's Block Parties, the Friendly Streets Initiative will _____
Hmmm. I'll definitely keep an eye on _________.
Block Party 4:
- Friday August 12 from 3:30-7:30pm
- On Charles Avenue somewhere between Kent and Mackubin
Block Party 5:
- Friday August 19 from 3:30-7:30pm
- At 533 N Dale Street
- hosted by Greater Frogtown Community Development Corporation
Block Party 6:
- Friday August 26 from 3:30-7:30pm
- On Charles Avenue somewhere between Western and Rice
- Exact location and host TBD
Coverage of issues and events that affect Central Corridor neighborhoods and communities is funded in part by a grant from Central Corridor Collaborative.
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Comments
interesting
These neighborhoods have been neglected for a long time and particularly hard hit by the foreclosure crisis. It's nice to at least see someone working on something.
Unintended consequences?
I live on a street that runs parallel to Charles. Won't the vehicle traffic just move to other streets? What about commuters parking due to the light rail? I'm not completely against the idea but the effect on the entire neighborhood needs to be considered.
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