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"A lot of profit would be made from the work destroying historic Summit Avenue. How much lobbying/campaign money does Mayor Carter receive from those pushing the Master Plan?"

"I have lived on Summit my entire life and this would be a travesty! Why would you ruin one of the most beautiful avenues in the country. Stop spending money on things not needed. No one wants this change to our city."

"Summit is a state wide draw for Minnesotans, leave it classic!! Use the money in other areas instead of messing up a historic street!!!"

"I have been riding on Summit Ave for more than 30 years. It works fine as it is with the exception of it needs a resurface as all streets do at some point. It does not need anything more."

"This CANNOT go through. It will absolutely destroy our beautiful neighborhood for more concrete."

"This proposal is such a bad idea. Though far from as dire, as when our city allowed the construction of 94 to destroy our resilient neighborhood, the Rondo neighborhood, whose members lost their homes, businesses, futures and sometimes their lives, because they couldn't endure loosing everything they had worked for throughout their lives, we don't know what the outcome of making Summit Avenue, (according to Joe Soucheray, a national treasure and the anchor of St. Paul), a bicycling thoroughfare will be. Having lived in this neighborhood for 50 years and our present house for 47 years, I can make some pretty good predictions, based on experience. Though this neighborhood, overlooking the Mississippi River Gorge, has a long history of beautiful homes, manicured lawns and woodland canopies covering pedestrian walkways, this isn't an uninterrupted history. There was a time when property values fell, The Victorian houses St. Paul was and is known for were divided up into apartments or became rooming houses. The tax base from these properties fell. But then in the 60s and early 70s young couples recognized the beauty of these older houses and invested their time and money into bringing them back to what they once were. I'm afraid this could happen again. If residents have no say and they are faced with obstacles that could impede their well-being, they will simply leave. There are several bike trails running east and west within walking distance of Summit Avenue, down by the Mississippi, one along the river near a pedestrian trail and one along Shepard Road. There is no need for another trails running east and west. P"

"This trail idea is a really bad one. We need to repair the horribly damaged road and restore our premier street in St.Paul to its splendor. We have lost enough trees and should be adding more all the time, not thinking about removing hunderds and destroying Summit Aves (already diminishing) canopy. Lets take back some pride in our City. I can hardly stand to drive in the City let lone bike with its badly damaged (form what I attribute to climate change and excessive use of road salt) roads."

"This argument is all about the bikers%%%%%. It is not about the health and well being of St Paul identity. Why do the bikers have all the power now? Trees provide health too . They make the human mind slow down. Summit ave has been in many movies. It creates a mindset. Let us not be weak in our arguments. Thank you."

"I am a cyclist (and veteran bike racer) and a motorist. I frequently cycle and/or drive Summit throughout the year. I see no need for altering Summit for some bike-lane zealots. Lately, I have been cycling on other parallel streets to avoid the deplorable road surface of some stretches, such as, in front of the governor's residence. I live just accross the river in Minneapolis. Summit is safe enough for street-wise cyclists."

"Our old trees deserve an historic designation, just as historic buildings do! Choose an alternate route; preserve Summit Ave trees!"

"Summit Ave is a destination for me and for out-of-town guests! This is especially true during the holidays, but throughout Minnesota's changing seasons. Fix the pavement, keep the bike lanes and parking - please!"

"Please stop this ridiculous waste of money and damaging project. St Paul has lost its mind about how we think of priorities, budgets and the bike issue. We live in a cold climate and very few residents bike year round and there are already plenty of safe, affordable options for bikers. Summit Avenue is a historic boulevard and should be protected as a city and state asset."

"I have lived most of my life in St Paul and am grateful to those who have worked to save our St Paul treasures. I believe the plan currently proposed will destroy one of those treasures."

"It is with great sadness to see our City Council and Park Board uniformly ignore the residents and taxpayers living on Summit Avenue regarding the plans to desecrate the street, destroy its historic character, kill thousands of trees for the sake of a tiny minority of skinny spandexed cyclists who ostensibly want to ride on an elevated platform. The already existing bicycle lanes work perfectly for needs of the cyclists. The lanes are wide and buffered from motorized traffic. They are perfectly safe for the cyclists if they confine their bicycles to the bike lines. Unfortunately, the spandex crowd rides very fast in groups of 15 to 20 bicycles going at the same high speed. These cyclists are notorious for loud conversations which requires them to ride 3 to 5 bicycles abreast so that they can hear each other talk. This invariably results in cyclists ending up riding in the automobile lanes, outside the bike lanes. This endangers the cyclists and the automobiles. With an elevated bicycle lane, the spandex crowd will skip the elevated platform altogether because it will hamper their ability to ride abreast and talk to each other while riding at very high speeds. Consequently, they will be riding in the street endangering themselves, cars, AND pedestrians. Furthermore, the spandex crowd does not tolerate slow bicyclists and will pass them by riding around them and, in the process, entering automobile traffic lanes. I seldom saw fast riding cyclists use the elevated bike platforms on Lake of the Isles Blvd in Minneapolis. They almost always use the street to bypass the slow cyclists on the platform. I strongly urge the Saint Paul Park Board and Saint Paul City Council to abandon this I’ll-conceived, totally unnecessary, pointless project that will result in nothing but danger, injury, and death to bicyclists, automobile drivers and pedestrians, to say nothing of permanently destroying trees and the historic character of our beloved Summit Avenue."

"I am a bike rider and strong believer in bike paths but this proposal seems foolish in terms of risk/reward for Summit Ave."

"No. Just no. I relocated to St. Paul nine years ago. I have lived in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Boston and Orlando. Summit Ave is the Commonwealth Ave. Mall of Boston and St. Charles Ave of New Orleans. It is the essential character of this city. Destroy it and St. Paul becomes more like Orlando. No thank you. Resurface it and then just leave it alone. It is perfect."

"I drive on Summit Avenue frequently. There is already AMPLE of room for bicyclists on Summit Avenue. There is NO NEED to build another trail. STOP building (and spending money on) trails for the few at the sacrifice of many. The time and money is the quality of the existing streets and making our streets safer."

"On street bike lanes are safe enough. There are so many of these around the world - as proof of this! Trees contribute so much to our world!! They take soooo long to grow and it's too easy to just cut them down in a matter of an hour or two! I don't want trees to be intentionally destroyed as a way to try to prevent bicyclists from accidentally being injured. Accidents may still happen. It's not worth killing trees just to try to avoid things that can't be totally avoided - bicycle deaths."

"Not one tree should be threatened or lost for the sake of ride on a bike. Trees are oxygen and life on this planet."

"It would destroy the beautiful scenery of the historic Avenue and the canopy that is Summit Avenue!"

"Don't ruin Summit Ave. with an unnecessary bike path, as the city did Wabasha St., downtown St. Paul. A bicyclist myself, I have never had issues cycling Summit Ave. And if there is traffic, nearby residential streets are available for bicyclists to use. Summit Ave is terrific, beautiful boulevard as is. Leave it alone. City should save its money and lower taxes. City has too much money if it is developing unnecessary bike paths, ruing streets and transit in process."

"This plan is insane and serves absolutely no purpose. The reasoning is supposed to be a need for a trail between the river and downtown, well the trail on the river goes right downtown already. Clearly there are underhanded motives at work here. Whether its contract nepotism or just a jealous mean spirited "mess up the rich peoples neighborhood" mentality I can't possibly imagine. I am an avid biker and I can't believe anyone into cycling for pleasure wants to see the character of this unique and scenic historic area spoiled and destroyed for an unnecessary not to mention costly trail surgery. Historically St. Paul has always been the better city for treating its historic buildings and areas with more respect and foresight than Minneapolis. Summit avenue has no equivalent anywhere else in North America it would be a sin to spoil it."

"I grew up at Laurel and Griggs just a few blocks over from Summit and now live on Lexington in Highland. Summit has always been my main driving street and an aesthetic feast for my senses through all the seasons. I've celebrated as mansions are restored and given new life. It is an urban, nationally known treasure. The Twin Cities have miles of hiking, biking and recreation options. I am dismayed beyond words that Summit would be altered to provide a route for a few bikers that would entail a total change of its character and history. Repaving is needed and the lilacs need pruning."

"I grew up in the 60's Frog Town St Paul. At a time when all the streets in St Paul looked like Summit Ave. It is one of the last beautiful streets in the city. Stop the destruction."

"Don’t change the beautiful nature of Summit avenue - I bring all our visitors to the city for a drive on Summit to show the beautiful homes and huge trees lining the street - don’t mess with this gem"

"I have lived and biked on Summit Ave, along with many places in the USA and internationally. Summit ave is a Jewel, and progressive socialists trying to eliminate cars all together in favor of bikes and light rail will destroy this jewel because they can. Please stop this nonsense for the sake of future generations. Remember they also tried to destroy this beautiful ave in the 1970 and almost succeeded."

"Yes, we must persevere!!! I first moved onto Summit Avenue in 1974. I have lived other places since then, but I have been back on Summit Avenue since 2001. The historical character of the Avenue is a huge asset. I am more than a little appalled that the Historical Preservation Commission is not opposing this plan. Thank you for all that you are doing!!!"

"STOP!! DO NOT TOUCH SUMMIT AVENUE. Leave the trees alone. I was raised in St. Paul and Summit Avenue is sacred to all St. Paul! Spend that money on something else! You can start by fixing pot holes."

"Purchasing homes in this area comes with the responsibility to protect the integrity and history of the neighborhood. The City should do the same."

"This is ridiculous! There is already a bike lane there. 12 million dollars should not be designated to destroy trees for a few bikers, we are not a state where bikers ride year-round. Enough is enough!!"

"I cannot believe this is an issue. NO!"

"I am in St Paul often as that is where I work. Please do not alter the current design of Summit! Trees are beautiful and appeal to the natural and historical existence. It’s shameful this would even be considered as an option!!"

"A new bike trail, especially where a bike lane already exists on the street, is not worth the loss of so many trees along Summit Avenue. Also, I believe most accidents involving bikes and automobiles happen at intersections and driveways. The proposed bike path eliminates no intersections or driveways, therefore the new path would not increase safety."

"FYI Re: Summit Avenue. Please send to an appropriate contact. Thank you. My curiosity has me asking three question. Please reply. 1. Why must bike traffic be allowed on Summit Avenue? 2. What fixes" are needed in order for bikers to use nearby routes. 3. How many bikers use Summit Avenue during a calendar year? Summit Avenue is a Minnesota historical treasure and as such draws historic minded individuals and families to to enjoy and learn about its history. Design a new route for bike traffic. RSVP Judy Gulden, Stillwater, MN"

"There is no need for an expensive new trail that studies have proven is more dangerous than the existing bike lanes, and which will destroy hundreds of mature trees as well as the historic character of Summit Avenue"

"PLEASE LISTEN and DO NOT DESTROY THOSE BEAUTIFUL TREES!!! I know we live in crazy times, but I can't believe someone is actually considering this horrific act. You cannot justify creating a bike path at the expense (destruction) of natural beauty. We live in MN for a reason and P.S....it's not the weather!! Please do not do this."

"I’ve biked on Summit Ave. with my husband many times. It’s beautiful, and actually iconic in the city of St. Paul. There’s plenty of room to bike the way it is currently configured. I would hate to see trees taken down, and newly replaced curbs torn up. I’m against widening the bicycle lane. I am in favor of repaving Summit in certain areas, to smooth out the surface. If any money is spent on Summit Ave, that’s where I would like to see it spent, NOT making cycling lanes wider."

"I treasure Summit Avenue as it is. I don’t want to see it loses its character. I shared the possible city plan with my 21 year old son. He said he treasures Summit Avenue as it is. He attends the University of St. Thomas. He says Summit’s trees and boulevard makes him want to attend St. Thomas because of its greenery that distinguishes it from the University of Minnesota with so many buildings and lots of cement. I grew up in St. Paul when I show people from out of town my city. I drive them or we walk up and down Summit Avenue. They marvel at its beauty which relates to its large boulevard trees in all seasons and its distinct roadways that set it apart from the suburbs. No changes need to be made. No extra bikeways or road improvements are necessary and would detract from its beauty."

"Why would you not want to preserve such a historical street and beautiful trees?? There are plenty of other streets that can/could be utilized by bicyclists! If this is changed, it will never be the same. Shame on YOU, whoever started this!!@"

"Leave the trees, curbs, and bike lane alone on Summit Ave. It was just redone, and does not need it again. There is already a bike lane"

"There are plenty of bikeways in a city that has winter-like weather for half the year. Also, at a time when we should be much more aware of the damage we are doing to the climate is not the time to cut down trees. In other words, get your head or of your bike- loving ass!"

"Summit avenue is already bike friendly. Plus we can bike by the river . The median on summit is extremely pleasant for running and walking . As a biker 🚴‍♂️, I am very happy with the way it is and the city plan is a little too much, and destroy trees and charm. I wish it remains the same."

"We love Summit Avenue exactly as it is! As a biker who bikes with little kids, we feel we have ample space to bike. We also love seeing people relaxing and being active amongst the trees on the boulevard. Summit Avenue is a highlight of what makes St. Paul special and beautiful."

"Dear City of St. Paul, In your efforts to bequeath St.Paul with yet more dedicated bike lanes, please do not destroy the remarkable historic jewel we have in Summit Avenue. As a biker myself, I love biking on Summit Avenue JUST AS IT IS. If some MINOR changes can improve safety, without massive investment in curbs and definitely NO EFFECT ON TREES, I would support it, but I do not support wasting money and destroying the precious green space we have on Summit. If you need to add dedicated bike lanes, please look at Marshall Ave (or Selby or St. Clair or Jefferson.) thank you for taking only responsible and prudent action to develop our city for the best of all, now and into the future."

"If a bike lane is absolutely required then look at alternate adjacent streets. NOTE: Take a look at what the bike lanes did for business in the North Park area of San Diego. The installation of the bike lane removed a significant portion of the parking. Due to no parking available, customers are no longer coming to the area as they are frustrated. So as a result many businesses are closing. These streets are not engineered or built to hold all levels of transportation. Before you install any bike trails, please understand the impact to the area."

"Please leave Summit Avenue as it is. The middle boulevard creates such an elegant and gracious avenue for all to enjoy the beautiful stately homes lining the avenue. The current bike lanes are completely sufficient for the area, providing just the right amount of bike traffic for the neighborhood. To remove all the green grass and wonderfully gorgeous trees would be simply be the worst case scenario. Please work to save the beauty and calm of Summit Avenue for the future generations. We’ve lost so much already. There’s so little remaining of our wonderful history."

"Please don’t tear down a pivotal piece of fabric that holds the St. Paul character together."

"Start listening to your residents. The mayor and city council won’t be happy till we look like Uptown Minneapolis which has become unrecognizable and so dense you can no longer maneuver!!"

"For the love of God, please leave exquisite Summit Avenue as it is! Summit Avenue is extremely historical and beautiful!"

"Lincoln Ave native 🎄 Summit Ave and islands are a historic promenade that should be protected not paved over - why try to “fix” something that isn’t broken ? Save Summit Ave!"