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"Please Do Not ruin Summit Ave"

"Summit Avenue is one of the only remaining historical areas of Saint Paul that has not been commercialized. By preserving this area, we are preserving Saint Paul and the very thing that makes this city special and unique. Please work to keep this neighborhood quiet and peaceful, as it was meant to be."

"All my neighbors, family and friends value and enjoy the mature trees, beautiful homes and gardens of Summit Ave. We walk it regularly, show it off to visitors, and its presence brings us joy just driving on it. We are immensely proud that "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America" is in OUR city and hope to keep it that way! Reducing on-street parking will push household and visitor parking to the side streets which are already very crowded. We've already lost so many trees to the ash borer infestation - in our neighborhoods and along Summit. Please don't take even more down when it's so unnecessary! We also believe existing east- and west-side street bike lanes are quite sufficient -- they don't seem crowded at all. Please spend resources fixing our deplorably pitted and dangerous city streets, and rescue the crumbling asphalt and concrete of a true St.Paul asset, Summit Avenue."

"Spending money for a dedicated bike path when we already have bike lanes is a huge waste of taxpayer money, to say nothing of the trees that will undoubtedly be taken down. Street parking is also a critical asset to the neighborhood. If people can't readily find available parking why would they visit the area, let alone buy or rent? This bike path is just plain stupid. I'm confident there are causes more worthy of investment than a bike path that you can't even access 4 months out of a year. Instead of catering to road bike groups how about actually listening to the people that live in the neighborhood? If all you want is a bike expressway why are you picking the most historic block in the state? Put it over on University with the light rail no one rides."

"Summit Avenue is perfect as it is - leave it alone!"

"The beauty of summit avenue is beloved by all! I say “no” to the potential mass removal of old growth trees."

"As we all face climate change our trees are our greatest asset, they are carbon eaters and provide shade. If the city needs the fuel by felled trees for the District Heating and Cooling System , they need a new source of fuel."

"I emphatically encourage neighbors and history fans to stand together and protect Summit Avenue. It's a historic treasure that should not be destroyed at the whim of a bike-crazy city council person. We've already witnessed funding poured into creating new bike lanes and widening existing ones across St. Paul and none of those projects have seen much use. Why destroy the most majestic, historic, and renowned street in the State for something that appeased so few? Removing hundreds of healthy, century-old trees to complete this plan is shameful, especially after losing so many trees on parallel street this past year. Wise up and protect what matters. Cyclists can still use the existing bike la especially without sacrifice history, the environment, the neighborhood and community safety. Prioritize things that matter - education, public safety and economic recovery."

"I am a 69 year old bike rider that bikes along Summit from Western Avenue to the river and back. When we want to experience a bike trail we drive our bikes to Cannon Falls or other dedicated bike trails. This project is a bad idea. Converting Summit by installing raised buffers and cutting into boulevards is unnecessary, unreasonable, and will have unintended negative consequences. The project has understated the parking needs and overstated the number of additional bikers that might be attracted to this five mile stretch of historic avenue."

"You will de-value Summit Properties / your huge tax base! Eliminating parking will create a lawsuit over the loss of use to the homeowners. And many of the walkers/ runners park on Summit- You’ve taken away the parking restrictions for new condos and multi unit properties yet you’re taking away even more parking. Very bad idea! People walk and ride on Summit because of the natural beauty and the trail and there’s sidewalks that get shoveled. It’s used all year around just the way is. I am very opposed to this idea!! If there’s no parking on Summit then people are going too use the alleys and there is no additional parking in the alleys which will create a fire hazard if a fire truck needs to get down the alley. people will be parking illegally back there and it will create more need for police to patrol alleys since we can’t see what’s going on behind these houses. You Already have bike lanes on Summit. If you have to add another bike line please use a less travel street they can deal with parking on one side how about Marshall that connects straight to the Lake Street bridge. And I believe you need to find a way to tax people who use the bike lanes! How about just fixing the roads on Summit. It appears there are several other ways this money should be spent. It appears you’re catering to a very small percentage of our population."

"Save the trees! The mature trees along Summit Ave is what makes it such a beautiful place to be. Trees literally improve mental health, the healing calmness of mature trees is so vital for our community. Please do your absolute best to keep Summit Ave maintained and preserved just the way it is. Thank you!"

"I bike regularly along Summit Avenue and along bike trails. I strongly prefer the configuration that currently exists along Summit Ave and do not wish for ANY changes to bike or car lanes. I have found the proposed alternative to be more dangerous than what is current. There is a trail along Lexington Ave going north between Thomas and Como. Bikes are nearly invisible to cars in configurations such as proposed. Furthermore, the proposed loss of trees along Summit is completely unacceptable. I will vote against City Council, Mayor and all democrats if this passes. This issue is number one important to me."

"It is my hope that the historically-picturesque and accessible Summit Ave that exists (and that I have walked for 20 years) should be preserved in its current state."

"Yo why would u rip this up?"

"I love summit as it is. Do NOT cut down any trees"

"Keep summit as it is!"

"Please don’t wreck our historic Summit Avenue street and boulevards! A Travesty! I have lived in St. Paul since 1963 and this is the worst idea ever for our city!"

"Our streets are crumbling, and tree stumps are everywhere. The mayor and city council can't even provide these basic services. Now they want to spend money on Summit bike paths we don't need? The city clearly does not have the money for special projects until they get the basics done. Try driving Summit, Grand, Victoria, Shepard Rd, Davern, Hartford, or by Xcel Energy Center. Our roads are a mess and we are not being provided the basic services that we pay for. I say NO the the plan, this must be stopped."

"We live on Summit because of its charm. If you change the scenery it's not gonna be the same. Please do not allow the bike path and take away a part of history."

"Summit Ave is the most beautiful street in the St. Paul area. Why would anyone change this !!!"

"I moved to St Paul from Wisconsin because of the beauty of that Summit Avenue and Grand Avenue offer. I have family that comes to visit from all over the country just to walk down these streets and see how beautiful the trees and homes are in the fall. I am just one of many people to enjoy this and have visitors come enjoy as well. Please don’t take that away from us."

"Summit Avenue is an outstanding example of what Historic Preservation can do for a community. It is historically, and aesthetically a gem of St. Paul's history. To destroy its integrity would cost millions of dollars. Put the money into affordable housing, instead of messing with a paragon of residential splendor. I live nearby. I see the usage of the street's median greenway by ordinary citizens for recreation every day. I am reminded of Commonwealth Avenue in Boston , and shudder to think of that landmark being chopped up. Are we any less mindful of historic preservation than the city of Boston? I hope not, and will work to preserve its historic presence."

"Beautiful things are still the way for us all. People are searching for beauty and they find it naturally here every day. We must continue to, love our city, as we say at Summit Church, so we do so with a simple question…why cut out the things we love? I’m personally convinced that solutions like kindness, lowering the speed limit, and a culture of loving your neighbor should be continued and explored first."

"One of the oldest undisturbed Victorian avenues in the country. And we are willing to destroy it just to get federal funding from the regional trail program. It is on the Historical register which should include the street. The loss to our City is incomprehensible compared to the few bikers it would benefit."

"I really hope that we will keep Summit Avenue the way it is. It’s one of the reasons we live in Saint Paul, and we love to walk our dogs along it almost every day, regularly ride our bikes, and drive. It all works marvelously right now. Please don’t destroy it and kill a bunch of trees on top of everything else."

"AND, when will Summit be paved with new asphalt???? Let’s preserve this main east/west artery in our city! Summit has had major cracking, potholes and roughness for over 10 years. It’s time!"

"Please do not remove tress! Our climate needs them desperately and they are heart of Summit Avenue’s appeal. As a avid biker and user of Summit Avenue, I believe the proposal is not addressing any real problem. Repave the street! Please don’t kill one of Saint Paul’s treasures."

"We attended last night's meeting at Cathedral and feel urgent broad-based action is required... we are willing and able to help/volunteer/fund... but feel there's no time for delay."

"The proposed bike trail(s) would have a very negative impact on our historic boulevard. I really appreciate one comment that I saw: The City's proposed plan is a solution in search of a problem."

"I was so saddened and disappointed to hear of this proposed bike path. I am all for bike paths in the city. But this idea is horrendous on every level. I have an idea, lets take our most perfectly preserved, distinguished, most valuable street that literally tells the story of our capital city's history and tear it up for a bike lane that nobody wants. Some of those oak trees that would need to be romoved were living during the civl war,. They have survived storms, hail, wind, draughts , and over 150 minnesota winters, only to finaly meet there demise at the hands of a Met Council chainsaw. The destruction of our city's history in our states capital city is absolutley irresponsible for every future generation of Saint Paul resident."

"Please do not continue to destroy St. Paul’s beautiful mature tree canopy. And please, leave historic Summit Ave as it is."

"What Summit Avenue needs more than anything is proper repair and maintenance, something the City has ignored or neglected except for dangerous eternal patching. Appropriate care for this important avenue, already well used by cars, cyclists, electric bikes, scooters, runners, and walkers, would immediately make it safer for everyone. There is no need to waste money on a cycle super-highway through a well-loved urban parkland and historical residential neighborhood. All environmental high ground claimed by cyclists over cars is lost when their "needs" require the wanton destruction of mature and healthy trees along the route. Our tree canopy has already been decimated by emerald ash borer and the City's cack-handed response to it. Investment should be made to restore that canopy, not wreck it further, along with the surrounding neighborhood. Shame on everyone who came up with this demented plan."

"I am completely opposed to the changes planned for historic Summit Avenue"

"Summit ave is one of my most beloved places in the world and losing the greenery and walkability of the street would be devastating. The Summit boulevard is essentially a Saint Paul park and there are other ways to make our city more “bike friendly” without destroying historic green space."

"Not understanding urban desert reality and the budget constraints to replant with a position to cut down trees for a different kind of bike access. Note - bike lanes exist"

"I see few winter bicyclists on Summit. This plan, in my opinion, is unencumbered by the thought process. It appears that we need to address those members that can't get enough bikes on Summit. In short, this is a really stupid plan; money is truly better spent converting the Summit ave cow pasture roadway to a true paved, pothole free, roadway.."

"As a St Paul resident, Keep it as it is. Fix the curbs, sidewalks and the James J Hill steps. Please keep the design as is."

"Please don’t expand the street or take any trees away. There is already plenty of wonderful room for biking, which we do often. Thank you for your leadership in keeping our community beautiful!"

"This is another of Saint Paul’s city government’s helter skelter scheme to spend taxpayer money on projects with no accountability nor concern for its citizens nor the environment. The city replaced the storm sewer grid at the southwest corner of Summit and Dunlap two months ago. Last week, they ripped that grid out to build a”bump out” on that same corner. Then, they plan on ripping out the newly built bump out with an elevated bike lane. The city is addicted to spending other people’s money on needless unwanted projects that destroy the environment and the historic character of Summit Avenue. The City of Saint Paul MUST be stopped from continuing this destruction and waste."

"Totally opposed to altering Summit in any way other than improving the street pavement. We are losing greenspace in an alarming way in the Saint Paul Park system: artificial turf soccer fields, development of Crosby/Hiddem Falls, proposed re-purposing of the Highland 9-hole. It has to stop. We don't need this trail system on the most beautiful, tree-lined, historical corridor in Saint Paul."

"Summit Avenue is one of the great landmark, multi-use, historically significant and thoughtfully preserved boulevards in America. There is nothing more grand than the beautiful green canopy of trees lining most of this great American Street. Clearly, there are many ways to repair and improve the flow of vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic without removing the wonderful trees which line the street. Let’s be clear: bicycles and automobiles can easily coexist in a manner similar to the current structures. We don’t need more asphalt. Present parking conditions are more than adequate and serve the needs of both residents and visitors to the area. Sometimes, leaving well enough alone, makes the most sense. Well-maintained sidewalks, highly visible crosswalks and clearly marked intersections will provide the optimal pedestrian experience, as it relates to other forms of transportation. It was thoughtful preservation which allowed Summit Avenue to retain its grandeur for the last 100 years. Let’s apply the same thoughtful approach now. There are precious few Boulevards and promenades in the Twin Cities which come close to the beauty of Summit Avenue. We should, in every possible way, preserve this."

"Please preserve Summit Avenue and the established trees that line the Avenue."

"Summit avenue is a jewel in the crown of this city, one that is iconic and frankly, one of the first things somebody thinks of who is familiar with St. Paul in any way. Remove its face, remove the trees, you erase the beauty that has made memories for generations while stealing memories from generations to come. Part of what makes this city special is its character. With each matchbox luxury apartment building that goes up, each building housing another fast food chain, and each teeny tiny tree planted by the city, then left to fend for itself, a little bit more of the character is eroded away. I ask you to listen to the voices of this city and preserve the beauty of this street (not to mention its gorgeous fall colors) for years to come. Honest to pete, just fix the road, this beauty is fine the way it is."

"Summit Avenue is a rare treasure and must be preserved. The mature trees are a huge part of the character and beauty of the Avenue. Any plan which involves a threat to the trees would be foolish and counterproductive."

"I've lived on Summit Avenue for nearly fifty years. The Avenue is treated as and used as a park. Walkers, bikers, picnickers, dog walkers and a myriad of other uses. It is fun to watch and is a wonderful piece of St. Paul. LEAVE IT ALONE. We don't need fewer trees and more pavement."

"This Summit Avenue Master Regional Trail Plan is the worst thing possible for St Paul. It flies in the face of all historical restrictions that have been imposed on current Summit Avenue residents!"

"Summit is first and foremost a residential street, not a regional park or trail. Let's first pave Summit with asphalt (not oil & gravel) for a safe surface for cars and bikes. Then enforce the 25 mph speed limit which is a very safe speed for a residential street with recreational uses. Let's please work with what is already in place and preserve our beautiful historic avenue."