The Buzz - May 2011

The City of West St. Paul has been awarded a 7 million dollar grant for improvements to Robert Street (from Mendota Road to Annapolis Street). The grant, awarded by the Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Advisory Board (TAB), is part of a federal transportation grant program and will be made available to the City for construction in the 2014 federal fiscal year.

The funding will be used to improve Robert Street by:
• Upgrading the deteriorated pavement, broken curbs, sidewalks, and aging utilities
• Adding a raised center median and turn lanes where needed to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
• Adding a “green” element though landscaping (trees, shrubs, and plants) and streetscape components (such as including replacing the existing street lighting and repainting/replacing traffic signals).
• Accommodating transit and bicycle users including the possibility of constructing a grade-separated (bridge or tunnel) bike/pedestrian crossing of Robert Street in the vicinity of Wentworth Avenue.

The City has scheduled three (3) neighborhood information meetings to gather input from residents and business owners and provide additional information on this project. We feel it is essential for business leaders to hear the plan and have their input heard.  In lieu of the regular Buzz meeting we encourge DCR Chamber members to join us at the Thursday, May 5th meeting at West St. Paul City Hall, 1616 Humboldt Avenue, from 7:30am - 9:30am.   

The purpose of these meetings is twofold:
a. Explain the intent and goals of the project and overall timeframe.
b. Solicit your comments or concerns and desired changes to Robert Street.

The meeting format will consist of a brief presentation at the beginning followed by an informal open house format to enable you to talk to any of the project representatives. 

The City of West St. Paul has been awarded a 7 million dollar grant for improvements to Robert Street (from Mendota Road to Annapolis Street). The grant, awarded by the Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Advisory Board (TAB), is part of a federal transportation grant program and will be made available to the City for construction in the 2014 federal fiscal year.
The funding will be used to improve Robert Street by:
• Upgrading the deteriorated pavement, broken curbs, sidewalks, and aging utilities
• Adding a raised center median and turn lanes where needed to improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
• Adding a “green” element though landscaping (trees, shrubs, and plants) and streetscape components (such as including replacing the existing street lighting and repainting/replacing traffic signals).
• Accommodating transit and bicycle users including the possibility of constructing a grade-separated (bridge or tunnel) bike/pedestrian crossing of Robert Street in the vicinity of Wentworth Avenue.

The City has scheduled three (3) neighborhood information meetings to gather input from residents and business owners and provide additional information on this project.

The purpose of these meetings is twofold:
a. Explain the intent and goals of the project and overall timeframe.
b. Solicit your comments or concerns and desired changes to Robert Street.

As the chamber we feel it is essential for business leaders hear the plan and have their input heard.  In lieu of the regular Buzz meeting we encourge DCR Chamber members to join us at the Thursday, May 5th meeting at West St. Paul City Hall, 1616 Humboldt Avenue, from 7:30am - 9:30am. 

The meeting format will consist of a brief presentation at the beginning followed by an informal open house format to enable you to talk to any of the project representatives.