Union Park District Council Streets & Utilities CIB Proposal Pedestrian Safety & Traffic Improvements in the Snelling-Selby Area

The Project Area: a vibrant commercial core surrounded by residential streets

O’Gara’s Bar and Grill is a family- owned landmark that has been on this corner for almost 75 years. A unique shopping area with a variety of shops and services More than 30 locally-owned and locally-run businesses Buildings with historical significance, built before 1928 The recently restored, classic 105-year- old Legacy Rose building now houses an array of locally owned boutiques

 More than 43,000 vehicles pass through Snelling-Selby intersection every day  Traffic backs up for several blocks at all hours of the day  Snelling is major truck route for semi trucks connecting from I-35E and I-94 The problem

 Walkability to local businesses is a top community priority  100 pedestrians cross Snelling at Selby per hour  It has the second busiest level of pedestrian and bicycle activity on Snelling (behind only University) Protection of key community assets

At least 10,000 vehicles make turns at this intersection every day Drivers don’t yield to pedestrians in crosswalks when turning at intersections. Pedestrians don’t feel safe crossing Snelling. – Snelling Multimodal Study Pedestrian hazards Two recent surveys reflect serious concern around pedestrian safety: “I often feel very unsafe crossing the street, with traffic …trying to turn onto Snelling.” – Neighborhood Resident

Construction is underway…

The Vintage – 208 new apartments, 475 parking spots Opening November 2015 Whole Foods Market – 40,000 square foot market Opening spring 2016 New Associated Bank – already open A Line Bus Rapid Transit along Snelling – stop at Dayton Starting fall 2015 Primrose Day Care Center – 181 children, surface parking New developments will add to traffic congestion and pedestrian safety concerns

“This is going to be a crucial pedestrian intersection once the [market] opens there. Please make it safe for pedestrians!” – A neighborhood resident We need to address concerns about pedestrian safety and traffic congestion as the new development draws additional walkers, cyclists, drivers and transit riders to the area

The solution This proposal has three goals: 1.Divert traffic away from the Snelling-Selby intersection, making it safer for pedestrians and easier for everyone to access businesses. 1.Discourage cut-through traffic through the adjacent residential neighborhood and preserves the quality of life there. 2.Calm traffic through the intersection and creates a more welcoming walking environment.

Dayton Avenue Selby Avenue Hague Avenue Snelling Avenue The Project Area Saratoga St CIB Funding Funding by MnDOT, Developer & City

Extensive community process – Development proposals reviewed and discussed by UPDC Land Use Committee & Board UPDC held multiple community meetings Aug-Dec 2013 – UPDC approved site plans, variances & zoning changes, with the requirement that the City & MnDOT work with UPDC to address pedestrian safety & traffic concerns January 2014 – Task Force convened 2014 – Friendly Streets events planned & funding secured Focus groups, surveys and events for Snelling-Selby and Hague Avenue residential blocks

Task Force Membership: Six residents Two business association representatives Two Saint Paul Public Works staff members A MnDOT staff member MetroTransit lead staff for A Line Bus Rapid Transit Ward 1 Councilmember’s aide A representative of the Vintage development project Community Engagement: Survey responses from 215 residents Community meetings at the beginning and end of Task Force process Recommendations presented & discussed at May UPDC Land Use meeting Recommendations adopted by UPDC board at June meeting The Selby-Snelling Task Force

Request for funding to implement infrastructure changes recommended by the Task Force.  Encourage traffic to flow behind the Vintage development and avoid the Snelling-Selby intersection.  Provide a safer environment for pedestrians  Reduce traffic congestion at Snelling-Selby intersection Part One: Complete Implementation of Key Task Force Recommendations

Dayton Selby Snelling Saratoga 1.Snelling-Dayton – MnDOT will install a mid-lane median island & add a high visibility crosswalk 2.Snelling-Selby – Vintage developer will expand bumpout on northeast corner & City will paint stop bars at all four directions Task Force Recommendations Scheduled for Implementation

Add bumpout at NW corner Paint crosswalk & improve lighting Remove existing bumpout to create right turn lane Install signage to encourage right turns at Saratoga for through traffic Selby Ave CIB funding for Selby-Saratoga intersection: Divert traffic away from Snelling & Selby by encouraging right turn onto Saratoga Saratoga St

Install reduced speed limit signs CIB funding for Saratoga-Dayton corner: Add striping, signage and bollards or median island to slow traffic at the curve Saratoga St Dayton Ave

Part Two: Discourage traffic from cutting through residential streets to avoid Snelling-Selby corner Goal: To insure the safety of residents on nearby streets and preserve their quality of life, in the face of increasing traffic due to the development. Selby Avenue Hague Avenue Fry Street Snelling Avenue

Community Engagement UPDC-funded Friendly Streets event on two blocks west of Snelling Over 130 residents attended 78 resident surveys and 409 votes on an image gallery were collected

The diverter received the strongest resident support of all potential solutions, with a 4.5 point score out of a total of 5.0 points. Part Two: Install a diagonal diverter median at Hague and Fry This addresses the primary concern expressed by residents: “Cut-through traffic goes too fast on residential streets and doesn’t stop at stop signs or yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in crosswalks.”

Other existing diverters in the Twin Cities

Goal: To create a sense of place and to calm traffic Community Engagement: UPDC has secured funding for a Friendly Streets event in spring 2015 Use surveys, image voting, interviews, and focus groups Work with the city, community will determine wayfinding, seating, public art, and signage Part Three: Funding to design and install placemaking elements in the Snelling-Selby area

Addresses pedestrian safety issues by completing infrastructure improvements recommended by Task Force and supported by MnDOT and Public Works Ensures the success of the small, independent businesses Improves traffic flow for better travel for all users Preserves and enhances the quality of life in the adjacent residential areas Urgency and importance of this project

A few words from our neighborhood residents and business owners: “Selby and Snelling should be looked at by the city as a destination point and not just a way to move a lot of car traffic. Make it safe and make it inviting for pedestrians, bikes and motor vehicles.” “The goal should be to improve the quality of life around these intersections and to make this a special, walkable shopping destination.” “Something really needs to be done before the new development brings more people and cars to our neighborhood.”