Title
Amending Chapter 140 of the Legislative Code regarding the maintenance of the Skyway Pedestrian System including responsibilities, abatements and assessments.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL DOES ORDAIN:
SECTION 1
WHEREAS the City Council is invested in making downtown Saint Paul vibrant, safe, and accessible; and
WHEREAS the Saint Paul Skyway Pedestrian System is valued downtown amenity, used daily by downtown residents, people who work downtown and visitors, particularly in inclement weather, to access their homes, place of business, restaurants and entertainment venues; and
WHEREAS use of the Skyway System is directly related to its convenience, comfort, and safety; and
WHEREAS nuisances, safety hazards, hazards and unsanitary elements in the Skyway System cause people to avoid its use and threaten public health and safety; and
WHEREAS Saint Paul’s skyways have a unique public-private partnership, in which the Skyway System was developed by the City and is governed by easements with building owners, who are responsible for maintenance and security; and
WHEREAS General Policy Statement for the Construction of the Saint Paul Skyway System, amended by the City Council on February 24, 2006, states that “the City will require, as part of the easement agreement, that the developer or building owner assume the full responsibility for the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement for all segments of the skyway system located within its property, for bridges over street abutting its property, and carry out such operation, maintenance, repair and replacement at its own expense without cost to the city;” and
WHEREAS, Council believes that the General Policy Statement requires that property owners and operators have a responsibility for correction and/or abatement of nuisances, safety hazards, hazards and unsanitary elements conditions; and
WHEREAS, Council believes that there needs to be tools to address and correct nuisances, safety ha...
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