Title
Recommending University Avenue Design Changes to Permit On-Street Parking in Designated Areas from 6:00 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Body
WHEREAS, the Green Line Light Rail Transit (“the Green Line”) opened for operations in June 2014; and
WHEREAS, construction of the Green Line involved removal of parking spaces on University Avenue, with the understanding that such decision could be reevaluated after Green Line operations had commenced and new University Avenue traffic patterns became established; and
WHEREAS, stakeholders expressed a desire to evaluate the return of on-street parking to University Avenue in order to support small businesses and institutions and to strengthen the pedestrian realm; and
WHEREAS, a study titled “University Avenue Parking Possibilities” (“the study”) was conducted for the City of Saint Paul that evaluated the technical feasibility of converting portions of existing vehicular traffic lanes to on-street parking spaces on University Avenue from 23rd Avenue in Minneapolis to Rice Street in Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, a survey of businesses and residents (“the survey”) was conducted for the City of Saint Paul that addressed the potential impacts to respondents of adding on-street parking and preferences for changes to the University Avenue design; and
WHEREAS, a technical advisory committee was established consisting of staff from various affected governments; and
WHEREAS, an advisory committee was established consisting of elected officials, Mayor’s Office staff and Public Works staff; and
WHEREAS, the technical advisory committee, considering the study and the survey, provided a recommendation to the advisory committee regarding the establishment of on-street parking during certain hours and in certain locations along University Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the advisory committee, considering the study, the survey, and the technical advisory committee’s recommendation, provided a recommendation to the Transportation Committee of the Saint Pau...
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