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"My name is Gar Hargens. I’m a resident of Ramsey Hill in Saint Paul. We've lived there on Portland Aveune for over twenty-eight years. I own Close Architects in Mpls. I taught undergrad and graduate students for ten years as an Associate under Ralph Rapson in the Univ. School of Architecture. I was a Commissioner for the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission for nine years, Chair for three. In recent years, many of my firms's projects have been restoration projects in the Hill District or have had historic designation. We fear the recent proposals by the City of Saint Paul to reorganize Summit Avenue are not thoroughly thought out and doomed to failure. We are most surprised that Summit was even proposed as a Regional Trail site. Such a route implies users who want to ride longer distances unimpeded. The River Road Bike Trails, those around the Lakes in Mpls., and the Midtown Greenway are rightly part of the system. To extend that system, were other options identified and studied? The Pierce Butler Route, Ayd Mill Road, Marshall Avenue all cut across St. Paul. All might be currently missing ideal connections but so is the East end of Summit. Finally, has there been a renewed attempt to get the railroads to discuss utilizing some of the fallow property along their right of way, beginning with the unused portion of the Mississippi train bridge at the end of the Greenway? The point is, the public is not seen any other consideration of options (Solutions) or analysis of types of users (Program). Some major problems with Summit as a Regional Trail are: 1. Summit’s two halves have National Historic Designations. SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) has already unofficially noted that Summit West's Designation findings were focused on its Streetscape: granite curbs, trees, sidewalks, proportions of its site planning. Any change to those could force it to lose this important badge. Summit East is part of a larger Neighborhood, but the Street is still the core of the Designation and to change it could risk the same loss. Unfortunately, SPHO’s formal review of the effect of changes to the Street’s status will only come after plans are approved and permits applied for, far too late in the process. The prospect that these important Designations to the City and Region could likely be lost should alone be enough warrant considering other/better options. 2. All plans submitted thus far for Summit reduce parking on it. There are many institutions along the Street whose users do daily drop off and pick up. Many others have numerous large events where Street parking is needed and there is much commotion of people leaving and getting into vehicles. Contrary to the beliefs of some local politicians, much of the housing on Summit, especially in the East Historic District, is not single family but apartments and condominiums. Parts of the Street have no alley, those that do have historic garages and carriage houses also with apartments/cars. Portions of Summit are routinely packed with parking that now spills onto side streets like ours which already have insufficient parking. 3. The rigid lanes and reduction of flexible, usable space will make accommodating moving vans, lawn services, and delivery vehicles problematic and dangerous. It will also compromise street cleaning and snow clearing. Some years ago, dedicated bike lanes were introduced in front of my office on Franklin Ave. in Mpls. It is a sad comedy to watch Mpls. Public Works plow snow back and forth ($$) over the competing surfaces. The other day, I watched in horror as the rigidity of that system left absolutely no space for a car to pull over and get out of the way of charging fire engines (it finally pulled into opposing traffic!). The current open plan on Summit has allowed flexibility for these realities to largely resolve themselves. 4. Finally, we wonder about the biking experience Summit currently provides and who would want to use it in the future. Many parents with younger children currently ride on the sidewalks. Neighbors who are serious bikers only ride Summit to get away to where there are not constant cross streets and slower bikers. They tell us they would simply ride in the Street if any of the City's plans put forward so far are put in place."

"Big hurrah for the High Vis plan. It is the only plan for Summit I’ve seen that honors and implements positive outcomes for all stakeholders— and actually enhances more bike routes through its sensible use of public funds while safeguarding the beauty and unique parklike quality of Summit where so many pedestrians come from near and far to take long walks in all seasons. This is an ingenious improvement for an historic civic treasure that serves motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Do it!"

"As a 40 year commuter in Denver and Washington DC your solution of green lanes on the existing surface is without question the most effect, safe and practical solution. Now that we live here I look forward to enjoying a beautiful road. But could us a new surface."

"You are doing good work, I was the committee chair in Duluth to try and save 250 canopy trees on 4th Street, we pushed in for two years and lost, all 250 trees 2miles of beautiful trees were cut down. So I totally support what you are doing I hope you are successful If I can be of assistance please contact me . Good luck!!!"

"Don't ruin historic Summit Avenue. There are plenty of nearby parks to bike off road."

"I ride both Wheelock Parkway and Summit Ave several times each week. The off-street bike path on Wheelock has created less safe intersections and more bicycle-pedestrian conflicts. I have had more close calls riding on the bike path on Wheelock Parkway in the few years since the trail was installed--with both pedestrians and motorists--than I did in nearly 20 years of daily commuting prior to the renovation. Meanwhile, the narrowed roadway is no longer as safe as it once was for cycling leaving me with two sub-par options. It would sadden me to see Summit Ave--with its much higher levels of bicycle and pedestrian traffic--use this same flawed approach to infrastructure."

"My Dutch cousin, who did business around the world, was dumb-founded when we drove the length of Summit Avenue. He said there was no other place in the world that comes close to it's magnificence. Please don't destroy that."

"There’s no need for Summit Ave to be widened for more bike traffic. Spend the funds on housing homeless people."

"Keep Summit historic! F. Scott Fitzgerald should be able to come back and not see any difference in the neighborhood that inspired him."

"I ride a bike on Summit Ave almost every day and biking on Summit is adequate most of the time. The repaving that has been done addresses the potholes. Plowing the street wide enough to include the bike lanes addresses bikability in the winter. Please do not kill any of the trees along Summit; killing the trees is totally unnecessary."

"As a long time visitor to the Ramsey Hill Neighborhood who is not a resident of the City of St. Paul or the State of Minnesota, let me say this. Summit Avenue is one of the last, mostly unmolested, remnants of the charm and majesty of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, in our country. Newer is not always better. Please do not destroy what you cannot restore later. Once these horrendous changes take place, if they do, it will never be as it was. You will have lost more than you can ever know. You cannot go back. It is most unfortunate that many of the great houses have seen conversion to multi family units, because of the incredible taxes and expense of keeping up such a home. The people who have earned the money to be able to live in those kinds of residences on that street, even in the more modest homes, and take care of the history and preservation thereof, deserve to not have this travesty put upon them, nor do the rest of us that love Summit Avenue the way it is, and the way it always has been. They openly share their wonderful street with everyone already. Why not enjoy it more like a museum and preserve it, rather than try to turn it in to the new Mall of America. Thank you for your consideration. Tommy Taylor Austin, Texas"

"I do not see a compelling reason why the current bike paths on both sides of Summit are not adequate for bicycling - which I do on Summit. The small benefits do not outweigh the damage to the en ironment from cutting down that many mature trees. There are not enough opportunities for residents of adjoining neighborhoods to enjoy the benefits of the green spaces provided on Summit if all those trees are destroyed."

"What is needed is a low impact upgrade of the current bike paths. (I'm a regular biker - multiple times per week.)"

"#savesummitavenue. Here are my concerns about the plans for the Summit bike path redesign: A dedicated two-lane bike path on a roadway that also accommodates vehicles poses several problems for bicycles. Recreational bicycle users enjoy a separate path design because they perceive they are safer. In reality, riding speeds of over 10 mph increase the incidence of crashes. Two-way riding on a narrow path with no escape option is more dangerous although it seems safer. Add inline skaters and scooters with drivers who are wearing earbuds and can't easily hear bells or voices warning of passing, etc,, the incidence of crashes increases along with irritation between all users, verbally or physically. E-bikes and bike commuters travel between 15-25 mph and will use the roadway to ride to work or for pleasure because bicycles are a legal vehicle allowed on roadways shared by cars and trucks. Having a dedicated path next to a roadway where bicyclists will have mixed use of both facilities will increase the incidents of harassment and confusion among all vehicle users since there are no ongoing educational opportunities to instruct vehicle users on new, or existing, laws. Another concern I see in an urban area using a dedicated bike facility on a roadway is an unintentional but real disconnect of both riders and drivers that the bicycle is a legal vehicle allowed on the roadways for transportation purposes. Rather than integrate road users with signage and lane stripping, these facilities teach everyone to consider the bicycle a recreational toy outside the traffic laws and to be accommodated rather than integrated. We currently have several problem bike lanes, routes, and paths in the city but the one for Summit Ave will take us to a new level of dysfunction and disruption in providing a safe, enjoyable, communal, and integrated facility where all users of transport can enjoy a trip down one of the most beautiful streets in America. While a lot of the dissent for this project is about the trees and the historical significance of Summit Ave, the concerns for future bicycling in the city rank as high. In my decades of working on bicycling issues locally, state-wide, and nationally, I have often seen practical, real, and relevant issues and concerns from users, residents, and drivers be left out of the discussion. St Paulites, I hope you will take all needs and concerns into account when listening to the pros and cons of such public and profound projects."

"I am an avid bicycle rider. Ayd Mill is already available to do most of what a dedicated Summit bike path would do. Also there are more pedestrians on Summit than bikers. Last - for regular bikers like me Summit is fine as it is. To lose trees for a questionable project with no demonstrated need would be environmentally inappropriate."

"I value summit ave the way it is, my kids and I I love being able to drive, walk and bike down this street since I was a child."

"Summit Avenue is the most well known and well preserved street in either Minneapolis or Saint Paul, if it were to be altered in any way, it would lose its character and would not hold the same significance as it does now. It is the most enjoyable and safe street to walk in the Twin Cities. If you were to change this street in any way (besides filling the pot holes and repairing the road, which is much needed) it’s only out of greed and wanting money, more so than to maintain it and make it better for the people."

"Summit Ave is without question the best road in all of the twin cities. The walking trail, bike lanes and all of the trees and beautiful homes make this street a great place to spend time outdoors, studying, walking, biking and family gathering. It is the most historical well known street in all of Minnesota, and the twin cities would be a lot less enjoyable without Summit being how it is now."

"My 13 year old son is a year round bike to school commuter on Summit Ave. There are no issues requiring improvement or modification to the current bike path design on Summit and as his parent I strongly oppose any changes to the current design and expansion in anyway. St Paul needs to stop the attempts to frivolously spend my tax dollars on projects such as this and for a change focus on fixing the actual problem. Fix the pot holes, YES! Change the current historic layout and green space with more payment, cost and complexity, NO WAY!"

"To the planners and authorities involved, two questions: Have you lost your senses? Do you not understand that you have a treasure in the nature of Summit Avenue as it is? The beautiful, historic houses have been preserved at great effort and expense and the trees are integral to the overall neighborhood character. Cutting down the trees pulls out the rug from under the property owners feet. We always bring out-of-town guests for a drive on Summit and they are so impressed. Without the trees it would not be worth the sightseeing effort. Don't do this."

"I grew up in the Summit Hill neighborhood. Its beauty and magnificence is unmatched to any other street in Minnesota and beyond. If the Summit Ave environs is altered, it’s changed forever. You can’t recreate a historic street like Summit. Don’t make the mistake that Saint Paul once made by demolishing grand homes of the 1800s and 1900s. Please listen to the people who have made the Summit are their home."

"The marathon is coming up on Sunday, presently, the one day bicyclists and pedestrians have to share the boulevard. Take your cameras and take photos. And, take these photos to the city council meetings. They will show how the idea of bicyclists and pedestrians sharing the boulevard will not work. It will not be safe for pedestrians, especially children and elders. Some bicyclists will take any path or sidewalk, the one they think is most expedient for them, and assume they know the direction the pedestrians ahead of them are going to take, which makes a walk down Summit unsafe. There is already a similar situation down along the Mississippi River. Bicyclists and pedestrians share two trails on a wider space than the Summit Avenu Boulevard. Pedestrians have to constantly be aware of bicyclists who might be comin up behind them, as some bicyclists assume they can be on both trails. I walk down to the River frequently. It would take bicyclists minutes to get to that trail. We don't need another bicycle trail going east and west. Save Summit Avenue, that is known worldwide, and it's healthy trees that we desperately need with climate change looming."

"A separated two-way bike path has a safe speed limit of 10 mph. Besides bikes on such a path, there are inline skaters, and scooter drivers who often wear earbuds and can't easily hear warning signals or bells when being approached for passing. E-bikes often have speeds greater than 10 mph and many riders would prefer to use a dedicated bike path for recreational use. Lastly, the commuter rider who wants to use the roadway as a legal vehicle with speeds averaging 15 to 21 mph would receive more harassment from car drivers because of the misunderstanding rights of roadway users. The bicycle is a vehicle subjected to the same laws as cars on a roadway but when a dedicated recreational bike path is nearby, these rights are difficult to maintain, and verbal and physical assaults occur more frequently. This bike plan is not just about trees or the historical value of a neighborhood. It is also a hindrance to allowing bicycling to be an integrated part of our roadway traffic flow. Currently, Summit Ave succeeds in providing a pleasant combined use of a roadway for car and bicycle drivers with shared space, good signage, and abundant stripping to help everyone enjoy the roadway."

"Welcome to the peoples Republic of Saint Paul. Apparently, the government staff, none of which live in St Paul or on Summit Ave i’ve already decided what to do. This process is just for public show. Also, the articles written that say Save out Street is a disinformation campaign is offensive and insulting. Especially since they’re trying to make it a racial issue, which it never was. It is written by people with an agenda, none of them live on Summit or will will be affected by this. We’re all for bicycles, but many of us have gotten along for years if not decades without bike lanes. The bike association is out of control, dominating government over the views of people who live along the street and pay huge property taxes. Residents and automobiles pay the taxes that make the streets possible, not bicycles. It’s time to stop this Putin in America. Get out and vote next November when the St Paul city council is up for election. We need to throw out these people and get ones to represent the people who elect them, not government bureaucrats."

"Please preserve Summit Ave and Summit Hill. It's historical beauty and remarkableness is the reason I moved here from California."

"I see no reason to ruin Summit Avenue with a bike path that less than 1% of the population will use and for only 6 months or less out of the year."

"I go to school at Mitchell Hamline and this would take away a lot of parking. I also believe it is a waste of money and time. Is this really going to attract that many people as a tourist destination with an additional bike lane? I don’t think so and if that’s the reason for this then it is definitely not worth it."

"I regularly bike Summit Ave and have absolutely no problem with the bike lane outside the fact it needs repaving. It would be totally asinine to destroy the beauty and integrity of the most beautiful thoroughfare in St. Paul by reworking it with a bike/pedestrian path.. The sidewalks are fine for walkers and the bike lanes for cyclists. Some upgrades to what already exists would save money and there would be plenty left for continued maintenance. It’s one of the most well preserved historic places in our state, don’t ruin it."

"Historic Summit Avenue, from the Cathedral to the Mississippi River, offers rich history, walking and biking, picnicking and foot races. Each generation updates the apartments and houses, revitalizes the places of worship, and cares for the trees. Summit Ave. is a vital part of our history as a city and a state, from one generation to another. St Paul has many different and vital communities with rich histories, and it’s the weaving together of our many histories that supports our current diversity and our future."

"Do not fix what isn't broken. Repair roads that are broken. St. Paul streets are a patchwork of poorly conceived street repair."

"Summit Avenue with its majestic mature trees and green space inspired us to move to St. Paul in 1980. We walk, run, bike, and/or drive along the avenue daily. Never did we imagine the city of St. Paul would propose to “modernize” by expanding the roadway and cutting down trees. Historic preservation should be the priority. Our city government seems to look for ways to spend money and raise taxes. A better investment in Summit Avenue and all our city streets would be durable pavement rather than the patchwork roads we rattle over now. Furthermore, to maintain the streets in winter, the City ought to follow the model of Minneapolis and remove snow in a timely and efficient way. In short, a lot can be done to improve St. Paul without “modernizing.” Though preservation and maintenance may not have the glamor of new projects, believe us citizens when we tell you we will notice if you do a better job of maintaining what we already value. Preservation and maintenance belong at the top of the list on the city’s budget."

"Cutting down trees for bike paths is a totally misguided approach. There are MUCH better ways to make the city bike friendly."

"Preserve the history and the beauty of Summit Ave"

"City leaders need to listen to the people for solutions that preserve the community's priorities, not the priorities of one small group who shout loudly."

"What a lovely place to walk and visit while in town."

"Summit Ave is a treasure. Progress that destroys treasures is simply destruction. Future generations look back and think, What was wrong with them?! Be known as the people who saved Summit Ave not the people who destroyed a treasure."

"I am new to the St. Paul area for college and Summit Avenue has quickly become my favorite place to walk around and enjoy the scenery. The aged trees, accessible biking lanes, and integration with nature makes Summit Avenue—in my opinion—the highlight of St. Paul."

"Summit Avenue is one of the last beautiful places in the city. As urban sprawl increases and further encroaches on what remains of our precious landscape, it is truly disappointing to see the city move to erase this historic and beautiful place"

"We do not need a regional trail, we need the road repaved. The bike lanes are functional and the sidewalks are already accessible. Therefore, there is absolutely no need for the regional trail. Implementing it would greatly disrupt the feel of Summit, the tree canopy and the parking to the detriment of all who enjoy it now. The plan should be abandoned entirely."

"Greetings: Although my wife and I do not live on Summit Avenue, we do travel to the area somewhat frequently and are opposed to any development that negatively impacts the current functionality of the Avenue as well as the park-like feel. This corridor is a Minnesota gem, not just a Saint Paul street, and needs to be treated with due respect and careful consideration. Mark Anderson"

"I graduated from Macalester College about fifty years ago and have lived on or near Summit Avenue during many of the years since then. I now live in South Minneapolis and frequently visit the Summit Avenue area for walks, shopping, and driving. It has special neighborhoods with beautiful trees, classic and diverse housing, and the picturesque drive along Summit Avenue. In past years, I enjoyed biking on Summit and the side streets. I certainly support opportunities for cyclists, but strongly believe that the proposed bicycle trail along Summit is unnecessary and destructive. Much of Summit Avenue, however, needs major resurfacing/reconstruction for safe driving and cycling."

"We are visitors staying at the Davidson Hotel. Please preserve this extraordinarily rare slice of America for those of us from out of state to treasure. There is nothing else like this."

"The only thing that should be done to summit is to fix the damn roads. It’s the only thing that poses any threat to pedestrians. One big ass pothole nearly killed me on my bike, but I’ve never felt threatened by traffic. The dirt trail down the center is perfect for running and waking as it is, and the bike lanes are just fine for the bikes. Added a paved trail would ruin the feel of the street and be a waste of money. Maybe put that money towards something else like fixing a damn pothole or putting a park where one needs to be. Hell I’d even be content with a few new park benches scattered amongst the summit center median. I’m just trying to have a peaceful section to run on that’s not tainted by the boring tar trails surrounding the area. The chance to run on grass such as the center median of summit is very seldom in the city."

"As avid bikers and long-time residents on Summit Avenue this plan is crazy and not what is best for our street, especially not for us local bikers and certainly not for us local residents. Please take some of this money and plant more trees to replace all the ones we are losing to emerald ash and do not take more trees for a bike trail that is out of place on Summit Avenue."

"Keep in mind that Summit Ave has always been there "for all"--bikers, walkers, runners, drivers. Also that those who live in those houses along Summit Ave have at their own expense, purchased, restored, maintained and pay up to $40,000 annually in taxes so that the beauty of this street is available "to all". Maintenance is more expensive because it requires custom craftsmen to restore elements of architectural design. To make it a regional trail is 1) to destroy the beauty of this street for all. 2) to increase air pollution since trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, store carbon in the trees and soil, and release oxygen into the atmosphere. 3) to obstruct the driveways of the very homeowners who have built the beauty of Summit Area. In effect, to build the regional trail is to kill the goose that laid the golden egg. What's to keep these homeowners from moving elsewhere and allowing these homes to revert to the dilapidated state in which they were purchased? Keep in mind, these homeowners took round the clock shifts to keep drug dealers and prostitutes at bay during the early days of their purchase, and this while they were working full time jobs. These homes were not inherited! Why would you destroy their gift to all of us?"

"I am against the proposed Summit Avenue Regional Trail Master Plan. I live in a modest apartment building a few blocks off of Summit. I drive, walk and bike the Avenue. Though resurfacing is sorely needed (and repainting the bike lane lines), I share with many others the opinion that the current configuration works well for all. I am particularly appalled by the thought of taking down ANY mature trees in the city that aren't fatally diseased or damaged (heaven knows the loss of our mature ash trees has been a gut punch). This isn't "just" about their beauty; the canopy is an amazing carbon sink and provides substantial cooling. Laura"

"Get those government hands off historical beauty."

"Summit Ave is a beautiful, wide, historic street with plenty of parking and bike lanes in both directions! There’s mature trees and nice wide sidewalks. To attempt to improve on it would be a travesty!!!!"

"Please do no change one of the most unique and lovely streets in the city and country. I say “unique” as more and more streets have been altered due to city planning and master plans. Please do not change Summit Avenue - why fix what it not broke - Summit is a wonderful oasis of historic houses, trees and green space. As an avid cyclist, bike rider, I see no reason to change summit. With Summit only being one lane on moving cars and parking throughout most of its street, there is more than enough room for parked cars, bikes, and cars to move safely along Summit Avenue."

"The only thing Summit Avenue needs is to be resurfaced, the amount of potholes is jarring to this resident. It's such a nice Street let's simply repave it?!"