Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association

Historic Summit Avenue, dba SOS Save Our Street, is a 501 c(3) affiliated with SARPA. We encourage all supporters of maintaining Summit Avenue’s green, safe and historic character to help our cause and DONATE.

The City of St. Paul plans to redo Summit Avenue to make room for suburban-style, above-street-grade bike paths along its entire length. The ‘Summit Avenue Regional Trail’ (SART) is NOT A DONE DEAL.

Cost. Enormous. SART funding has been prioritized ahead of far more pressing City needs. The initial phase would be the western end of Summit with funding from various sources. Plans call for $3 million in assessments on fewer than 100 homeowners, or about $30k each.

In response to pressure from SOS, the City has now reversed course, agreeing to commission an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). The EAW must address the potential for significant impact for the full length of Summit. SOS will closely monitor this process, pressing for an honest assessment. Maintaining public awareness, engaging experts, etc., is crucial. SOS NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!!

Environment. SOS is committed to ensuring that such assessment addresses the massive loss of tree canopy and green space together with safety, access and historic issues. Removing existing curbs to make space for the bike paths, extending driveways and sidewalks, changing fire hydrants and drainage, and changing lighting, will all impact trees. Also, trees within 61’ of each side of non-metered intersections would be eliminated as the raised bike path veers over next to the sidewalk to share raised crosswalks.

Safety. Bike paths would now traverse 100’s of driveways and walkways, endangering cyclists and pedestrians alike. Entering or leaving a driveway becomes challenging. SART makes no mention of e-bikes. Lacking on–street bike lanes, many experienced cyclists and e-bikes would now share the roadway with vehicle traffic.

Access. Parking reduced by up to 50% compromises school and event access, mail and delivery service, and disability access. Denying access to those with disabilities is disqualifying and at variance with state and federal law. Elimination of up to 14 median crossings on the west end of Summit would impact emergency response. Issues with snow removal are compounded.

Historic impact. A 21st-century parkway would replace a 19th-century historic streetscape.

The mission of the Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association (SARPA, a 501 c(3) nonprofit) is to preserve the historic residential character of Summit Avenue for all users. Unfortunately, St. Paul's historic Summit Avenue is under threat

Saint Paul’s Summit Avenue is America's best-preserved boulevard of Victorian and monumental architecture. The 4 ½ mile stretch comprises two National Historic Districts and extends from Minnesota’s State Capitol to the Mississippi River. Designed in the 1800s, Summit has maintained its residential character and streetscape. In addition to its more than 400 houses, Summit Avenue is home to thirteen churches, nine schools and several parks. Summit’s residential zoning includes allowances for non-residential use for churches and colleges but expressly prohibits commercial development. Residents and those who value Summit Avenue are strongly motivated by an awareness of the deterioration and loss of similar historic avenues in many cities.

SOS promotes transparency and public awareness. MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY DONATING to Save Our Street.