Title
Approving the Installation of a bike lane on Concordia Avenue and Rondo Avenue from Pascal Street North to Western Avenue North.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul Department of Public Works is planning a mill and overlay of Concordia / Rondo Avenue from Asbury Street to Marion Street in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works is proposing to implement a bicycle lane on Concordia / Rondo Avenue from Pascal Street to Western Avenue to improve safety and comfort for all users of the street and connect elements of the existing bicycle network; and
WHEREAS, the elements proposed for implementation are referred to and listed in the Concordia Avenue and Rondo Avenue Resurfacing Project Bicycle Lane Summary of Engineering Recommendations, provided as an attachment to this resolution and public hearing; and
WHEREAS, additional planning processes led by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the City of Saint Paul, and community organizations are currently underway which will affect the long-term vision and form for Concordia Avenue and Rondo Avenue, but this project concerns the planned repaving and is intended for near-term implementation; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Saint Paul approved the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan (RES PH 24-76) on 4/24/2024; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Saint Paul approved a resolution (RES 24-190) on 2/14/2024 authorizing the Department of Public Works to request a variance from Minnesota State Aid rules for Concordia / Rondo Avenue, which is a Municipal State Aid street; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works requested and received a variance from the Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of State Aid for Local Transportation to reduce the number of lanes on Concordia / Rondo Avenue from two (2) lanes to one (1) lane, alongside a buffered bicycle lane; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Fire Department and Department of Safety and Inspections have reviewed the proposed changes and confirm they would allow for sufficient emergency access and would not hinder emergency response; and
WHEREAS, the reduction in the number of lanes on this street is intended to be a safety improvement addressing a history of neighborhood and resident concerns about speeding and traffic safety on Concordia / Rondo Avenue and is intended to calm traffic, provide better mobility for all users, and enhance overall quality of life; and
WHEREAS, parking removal is required for some limited locations along Concordia / Rondo Avenue to facilitate installation of a continuous bicycle lane and accommodate traffic movements as recommended including: west of Hamline Avenue, east of Lexington Avenue to the freeway on-ramp, approaching the Dale Street freeway off-ramp, and east of Dale Street to the freeway on-ramp; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works held meetings with the District 8 (Summit University Planning Council) and District 4 (Union Park District Council) councils to share preliminary plans and receive feedback; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works held a public meeting on April 24, 2024, which included a mailed notification of the open house time and date to properties within 500 feet of the repaving project, provided information about additional project resources and invited questions or comments regarding the project to be sent to city staff; and
WHEREAS, staff presented its recommendation for the lane reduction and bicycle plan concept to the Transportation Committee of the Planning Commission on March 18, 2024; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul does hereby approve installation of a bicycle lane on Concordia Avenue and Rondo Avenue from Pascal Street to Western Avenue concurrent with the mill and overlay scheduled for 2024.