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File #: RES PH 21-118    Version: 1
Type: Resolution-Public Hearing Status: Passed
In control: City Council
Final action: 5/12/2021
Title: Denying the March 11, 2021 application submitted by Ronn Jansen of Madison Equities for an exception to the general hours of operation for Pedestrian Skyway Bridge #14 which serves the Mears Park Place Apartments and Park Square Court.
Sponsors: Rebecca Noecker
Attachments: 1. DSI Recommendations, 2. Email about SGAC approval, 3. Public Submission (online), 4. Skyway Ordinance 140.11, 5. RES PH 21-118 - Susan Gillmer, 6. RES PH 21-118 - Judy Miller, 7. RES PH 21-118 - Ryan Powers, 8. RES PH 21-118 - Kathleen and Patrick Shannon, 9. RES PH 21-118 - Pete & Carolyn Thompson, 10. Ward 2-RES PH 21-118, 11. Email to City Clerk, 12. NCH Ronn Jansen with Madison Equities Letter
Title
Denying the March 11, 2021 application submitted by Ronn Jansen of Madison Equities for an exception to the general hours of operation for Pedestrian Skyway Bridge #14 which serves the Mears Park Place Apartments and Park Square Court.

Body
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2021, Ronn Jansen submitted a request for an exception to the general hours of skyway operation, incorporated herein as Exhibit 1, on behalf of Madison Equities to the Department of Safety and Inspections (“Department”); and


WHEREAS, that application requested an exception to the general hours of operation for the skyway bridge #14 which connects Mears Park Place Apartments and Park Square Court; and


WHEREAS, the exception requested a total closure of the Skyway 14 until July 1, 2024 to the general public; and


WHEREAS, Chapter 140.10(b) of the Saint Paul Legislative Code gives the Council the power to grant such exceptions and directs that in determining whether to grant or deny the petition, the council shall consider:

(1) Whether the portion of the skyway system petitioning for alternative hours leads to another portion of skyway system that has the general hours of operation;
(2) Whether security such as a metal detector or photo identification is required to gain access to the portion of the skyway system requesting the alternative hours;
(3) Whether there is a contract or other legal document between the property and the city outlining alternative hours that cannot be altered by ordinance;
(4) Whether retail or other business activities take place within the skyway system and the difficulty of closing off those business areas from the ingress/egress area;
(5) The reasonableness of the alternative proposed hours;
(6) Other logistical or financial hardship imposed on the building if it is not granted alternative hours.
and;


WHEREAS, Chapter 140.10(b) d...

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Date NameDistrictOpinionCommentAction
5/12/2021 8:34 PMJoe Baierl Against Hello. I am a resident in the River Park Lofts (RPL) building and have attended the last two Skyway Governance Committee meetings which attracted many RPL residents and significant input on this closure application. There are multiple disabled residents in RPL who will be harmed by Madison's proposed closure. Some of these people purchased units in RPL because of Skyway access. They feel that there must be or should be American Disabilities Act ramifications to a closure, and at least one person claims she will take legal action if the Skyway is closed. It is my hope that the City Council and City of St Paul will not let it come to this, and that the City will treat the Skyway as the important public access that it is, and protect it for the Downtown residents. Other building owners have demonstrated the feasibility of maintaining Skyway access during serious remodeling and renovations. I believe Madison Equities should do so, as well. +4 -4 4
5/12/2021 1:28 PMJohn Wilcox Against As previously sent to the Council, I live in the RPL building and recently learned of a proposal to close the Skyway in the Park Square Court Building for three years. That would in effect isolate our building for a 1000 plus days. There will be periods of time when the Skyway must be closed for safety and other reasons, but clearly, three years is a disingenuous request and can't be condoned by the Council. Quite frankly, by requesting a three year closure, Madison Equities has just demonstrated they aren't serious about maintaining access. I would require them to give thirty days notice before closing the Skyway, restrict closure to no more than 14 days at a time, and make each 14 closure require separate approval at the City level. The Skyway is a Saint Paul ***et and we can't let it be chipped away by developers or individuals one building or p***ageway at a time. People have made life decisions based on the access provided by the Skyway so any decisions must be deliberate. +4 -4 4
5/11/2021 1:07 AMSandra Smith Against As I previously emailed the City Council, I am opposed to the request by Madison Equities as this would be untenable to many of us who live, work and play in Lowertown. One of the reasons that my husband and I bought our unit in River Park Lofts was because of skyway access. We use the skyway frequently to see our dentist, go to Walgreens, use the ATM machine near Wells Fargo, and many other activities. This would effectively cut off our route as there is no other alternative. More importantly, we have a number of residents in our building who suffer from mobility issues and a closure of such an extensive duration would essentially isolate them from their community. Many of them would not have moved into the building if there was no skyway access. Madison Equities tried to initiate the three year closure without going through proper channels in mid-March. This abuse of the system needs to stop! I urge the council to vote no! +4 -4 5