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280736 WMITE - C�TY CLERK COUflCII �� PINK - FINANCE CANARV - DEPARTMENT G I TY OF SA I NT PAU L BLUE - MAVOR File NO. 1 � cil Resolution Presented By Referred To Committee: Date Out of Committee By Date WHEREAS, a municipality may pursuant to Minnesota Statutes �462.353 carry on comprehensive municipal planning activities for guiding the future development and improvement of the municipality; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Saint Paul may pursuant to Minnesota Statutes �462,355 adopt or amend a comprehensive plan or portion thereof after a recommendation by the Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, the City Council upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission has heretofore adopted as a portion of the comprehensive plan the plan for District 7; and WHEREAS� the Planning Commission has recommended adoption of an update to the District 7 plan as part of the City comprehensive plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of St. Paul does hereby adopt the plan update for District 7, a copy of which is attached hereto as and to be incorporated into the City's comprehensive plan subject to such review by the Metropolitan Council as may be required by law. COUfVCILMEN Requested by Department of: Yeas Fletcher Nays Galles In Favor Masanz Nicosla Scheibel __ Aga1t1S1 BY Tedesco Wilson Adopted by Council: Date AUG 1 1 1983 Form Appr e ity rney Certified as d uncil ret BY w " ♦ App by Mavor: At1��K�g63 Appro Mayor for Submi s' t ounc'1 By BY PUBIiSNEO AU G 2 0 1983 . . . �80'73� � . . THOMAS�DALE ' , �� .��.�.,,•t4. ,: DISTRICT 7 PLAN � ;` ; � � . ,.: . , , -, � � Update ! � � r � �' I �:� � . ..� E �:a ` ' �` '� .�+ i.:� -_',� A�� h�_7 f.��J , ' � , , � ' ' , ' ' , ' ' 1 � oEwm�Nr a a��xiw c acowwrc oava�ww�Nr � DIVISION OF PLANNING•DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT•CITY OF SAINT PAUL CITY HALL ANNEX•25 WEST FOURTH STREET, SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, 55102•TELEPHONE 612-292-1577 �� SAINT PAUL PLANNING COMMISSION THOMAS-DALE/DISTRICT 7 PLAN UPDATE ERRATA SHEET, for purposes of a Public Hearing June 10, 1983 ' Omissions are de�e�e�, additions are underlined. (PLANBRIEF, 2nd-�page , RECOMMENDATIONS) : 5. THE 6��y sqea�� es��e� ��a�e LOCATION OF ADULTS-ONLY ESTABLISHMENTS should be restricted. (Title Page) : P4ARSb June 1983 (Contents Page, FIGURES, add) : 5 Parks and Recreational Facilities (Page 1, right column, Household Characteristics, 3rd sentence) : In 1980, � 34% of the community's households were made up of one person and epe half of those living alone were over the age of 65. (Page 4, Fi'gure 4) : Add Thomas,Dale ITA, Arundel -Galtier ITA, and _ . , Winter Street ITA to map. (Page 4, right column, #2, lst sentence) : The community should work with the City ap� , the University Avenue business community and District 8 to establish guidelines for the possible development of housing in the corri dor. (Page 6, le�ft column, Accomplishments) : 3:Thomas Avenue was designated as a collector street in the Plan for Streets and Highways, which played a major role in retaining the street as a bus route. (Page 6, right column, New Initiatives, Add 2 sentences to #3) : . . . by 1990. The d�strict strongly supports the Residential Street Paving Program and recommends its continued fundin . In addition, district residents support partia assessments for street paving if no alternative funding is avai able. (Page 6, ri'gh�t c6lumn, New Initiatives) : 4. Street lighting should be improved in District 7 to promote personal safety. The District strongly supports the Residential Street Lighting Program and recommends its continued , fundin9• _ 2 _ . . • (Page 7, right column, 2nd paragraph, last sentence) : It is this second site which includes the northern boundary of District Seyeq 7, (Page 7, right column, 3rd paragraph, 3rd sentence) : This includes the portion in District Sevep 7. , (Page 9, left column, Background, 2nd sentence) : �e �qe e��ep� �qa� Since one of the community's objectives is to stabilize the district's family population, the quality of public education should be a concern for•parents and non-parents alike. (Page 9, right column, 2nd paragraph, 2nd sentence) ; Students also attend Open School , Webster School , Franklin Elementary School , St. Adalbert School , a�� St. Agnes Elementary and High School , and the Red School House. (Page 10, left column, Background, lst paragraph, last sentence) : At the same time, some of District �e�ep's 7's most critical needs are for social services such as day care, counselling, emergency food and clothing assistance, and senior ,citizen and youth programs. (Page 10, right column, Parks and Recreation) : Add Figure 5 Parks and Recreational Facilities. " (Page 11, right column, New Initiatives, Add) : 3. Encourage industries to use neighborhood resources to fill new job o penings, (Page 12, �1eft column, New Initiatives) : 3. The district council , the University Avenue Development Council ap� , the Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development and District 8 should cooperatively assess the need for parking along University Avenue and determine a strategy for developing necessary parking. , . . � � � D � � � � TH0�1AS-DALE DISTRICT 7 PLAN UPDATE � , PREMISE THE DISTRICT 7 COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF have worked toaether on this update of the District 7 Plan. The Plan update is not intended to replace the � original 1979 plan, but rather to supplement it. A number of unfulfilled goals and unfinished strateyies from the original plan are still ' relevant to the Thomas-Dale community. Others have been implemented or attained, and others needed modifications due to the changinc� con- ditions in District 7. The update will set the � short-term agenda for the district council , city government and other community institutions in the context of the existing plan and the changing � district conditions which surround that plan. MAIN POINTS 1. THE THOMAS-DALE COMh1UNITY HAS CHAN�ED IN � COP�POSITION. Between 1970-1980 the com- position of the district population has shifted, with children and middle-aged persons making up a smaller proportion of the population ,� in 1980 than in 1970 and with the proportion of young adults and elderly increasing in size. The proportion of married couple ' households has dropped dramatically, a shift which is matched by an increase in the proportion of sin�le adult households. , 2. THE TNOMAS-DALE COMPAUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY was established and is a major new vehicle for residential rehabilitation. ' 3. THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES in the University Avenue corridor is the ' district's major new transportation issue. , � ' DIVISION OF PLANNING • DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT • CITY OF SAINT PAIJL CITY HALL ANNEX • 25 WEST FOURTH STREET,SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 • TELEPHONE:612•298-4151 r � � � 4. THE NUMBER OF BARS AND ADULT ENTERTAINMENT , � ESTABLISHMENTS in the district are of increasing concern to the Thomas-Dale community. � 5. THE THOMAS-DALE COMMUNITY CENTER emerged as an important component in the community-based social service delivery system. ! 6. THE REDEVELOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY AVENUE is the single greatest challenge facing District 7 � in its commercial development efforts. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. THE AREA BOUNDED BY UNIVERSITY, THOMAS, AVON ' AND WESTERN should be the next area designated for concentrated rehabilitation. 2. IMPROVED HOUSING CONDITION AND AVAILABILITY � should be encouraged by the Thomas-Dale Community Development Company through acquisition, renovation, and resale of structures and by � the city through rehabilitation loan and grant programs. 3. THE CITY SHOULD IMPROVE AT LEAST 20 BLOCKS � of District 7 streets, curbing and lighting by 1990. 4. THE BURLINGTON-NORTHERN RIGHT-OF-WAY on the � northern edge of the district should not be designated as a preferred area for hazardous � waste processing facilities. 5. THE CITY SHOULD RESTRICT future location of � adults-only establishments. 6. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN ADULT EDUCATION , should be encouraged by the District 7 Council . 7. DISTRICT 7 SHOULD ESTABLISH A THOMAS-DALE , COMMUNITY CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTARS to implement long-range planning and fund raising in order to provide consistent and accessible services to all district residents. � � � t 1 � � � 8. BLOCK CLUBS should be established throughout the district to focus on crime and fire protection. , 9. THE DISTRICT 7 COUNCIL AND THE UNIVERSITY AVENUE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SHOULD SPONSOR � JOINT ACTIVITIES and cooperation in order to develop a stronger sense of interdependence between area businesses and residents. ' ' � � � ' � � � � � � � , � � i � THOMAS-DALE DISTRICT 7 PLAN UPDATE � MARCH 1983 V � 1 1 1 1 i 1 ! ! 1 1 1 PLANNING DIUISION ' DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1100 CITY HALL ANNEX 25 WEST FOURTH STREET SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 � 612-292-1577 ' � ' CONTENTS CREDITS 1 Introduction GENERAL DISTRICT PLAN COMMITTEE � 1 Context - Changing Conditions 1 Household Characteristics Bruce Clendenen 2 Age Distribution Cynthia Kath 2 Minorities Conrad Leighton 1 3 Income Bob Mallet 3 Housing John Miersch 4 Physical Development A1 Podgorski ' 4 Housing Ted Tobler 6 Transportation Larry Winans 7 Land Use and Environment � 8 Social Development THE THOMAS-DALE/DISTRICT 7 PLANNING COUNCIL 8 Health 9 Education Sandra M. Morris, Community Organizer 10 Social Services ' 10 Parks and Recreation ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY DIRECTION 11 Public Safety 11 Economic Development James Bellus, Director, ' 11 Industrial Development Department of Planning & Economic Development 11 Commercial Development Peggy Reichert, Deputy Director for Planning Larry Soderholm, Principal Planner , FIGURES PLANNING AND RESEARCH 1 District 7 Household Type Nancy Homans, Planner � 1970-1980 Katy Sears Lindblad, Planner 2 District 7 Population by Age 1970-1980 ' 3 Racial/Ethnic Composition of District 7 1980 4 Concentrated Rehabilitation Area � ' ' , � ' , 1 , � ' ' � INTRODUCTION The purpose of this plan is to update was considerably larger than the city's � the General District Plan which was 13% loss. The district's 1980 popula- developed by the district, adopted by tion was 13,768. the Saint Paul Planning Commission on April 27, 1979 and approved by the Saint Household Characteristics ' Paul City Council on August 28, 1979. Among the most significant changes in Included in the update will be the the district's profile is a 31% decline ' following: in the number of married couple house- holds, with or without children. This - An analysis of current demographic, shift was coupled with a 43% increase ' social and economic conditions which in the number of single person house- define the context in which the holds. In 1980, 34� of the corrmunity's plan update is being developed. households were made up of one person and one half of those living alone were ' - An indication of those recomnenda- over the age of 65. Figure 1 illus- tions included in the General District trates the changing composition of the Plan which have been implemented. district's households by household type. , - An identification of new issues Figure 1 District 7 Household Type 1970-80 confronting the corrmunity and recom- , mendations on how those issues should be addressed. 60% 57.3 a 1970 - An assessment of available resources ' which may be used to meet community � needs. 50� � 1980 , The plan update is not intended to 40.5 replace the General District Plan which 40% � includes a number of unfulfilled goals 34.3 and unfinished strategies. Rather, � , the update will set a short term agenda 30% for the district council , city govern- �� ment and other community institutions 23.4 :::;::;::: ' in the context of the existing plan 20� �. ::::::: 16.7 19..3 and the changing conditions which surround � that plan. � 10% 6.0 ' THE CONTEXT-CHANGING CONDITIONS :::::: 2.6 :,':.:::::;<: The 1980 Census revealed that the Thomas- ' Dale corrmunity has undergone significant Husband Single Single Non- changes over the past decade in the & Wife Parent Adult Family size and nature of its population. Family or ' Generally, like the city as a whole, Other the district lost population. Its 18% Family decline in total population, however, � , 1 , , ' Age Distribution Paralleling the shift in household type Consistent witli the data on household � has been a change in the community's type, those groups which grew propor- age profile. While all age groups lost tionately were those where one might population over the decade, two groups expect a higher number of single person , now claim a larger share of the total households. Those between 18 and 34 population than they did in 1970 - those may have not yet formed families of between 18 and 34 and those over 60. their own while those over 60 are near- ' The remaining two age cohorts (0-17 ing the end of the life cycle. and 35-59) fell behind in their per- centage of the total population. Figure Minorities 2 illustrates graphically the changing , composition of the district's population Twenty-four percent of the district's by age. 1980 population was composed of minority persons, 39� of whom are non-Hispanic � Blacks. The second largest group, Figure 2 District 7 Population By Age making up 26% of the minority population, 1970-80 is composed of Vietnamese, Hmong or � other Southeast Asians. Hispanics follow closely behind, making up 22% 35% 34.5 a 1970 of the minority population in the dis- trict. See Figure 3 for a graphic � 30% 29.3 30.5 � 1980 representation of the district's racial/ ethnic composition. 2 5% :�:::�: 2 5.4 :::::::;:::: 19.2 ' `�:�:� 22 3 Minority persons compose about one fifth 20� 17 8 21.0 of the population in each of the dis- trict s six census tracts, except tract 0 324 in the northwestern corner of the ' 15/ corrmunity where they account for 11% o and tract 329 on the eastern edge where 10/ they account for 59% of the population. . Ai Home s a d Mt r 29 inclu es ' Tract 3 y , 5� public housing complex for families, where over half of the present residents , 0-17� 18-34 35-59 60+ . are Southeast Asians. , � ' , 2 ' ' , I Fi ure 3 Racial Ethni om osition of ri g / c C p Dist ct 7 1980 1 � a � Non-Hispanic Black� (9.3/) ' —Southeast Asian Refugees (6.2q) ' ,Hispanics (5.3%) ' -- Native Americans (3.0%) �Other Asians (0.2%) , Non-Hispanics White (75.9%) , , , Income Housing Household incomes in the Thomas-Dale Thomas-Dale continues to provide a ' comnunity tend to be considerably lower significant percentage of the city's than those of Saint Paul households low cost housing. Home values in the in general . Where the median household area run, on average, about $15,000 income for the city was $16,029 in 1980, less than those of the city as a whole. , those for the six District Seven census As was the case in 1970, about half tracts ranged from $5,408 to $14,159. of the households in the community own the i r homes wh i 1 e ha 1 f are renters. ' , , , , ' 3 , � PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT � Housing Accomplishments � 2. The comnunity should work with the 1 . The district is engaged in ongoing City and the University Avenue planning and redevelopment acti- business community to establish , vities in the Rice-Marion and North guidelines for the possible develop- Capitol areas. ment of housing in the corridor. Major criteria to be developed , 2. The Arundel-Galtier ITA has been should relate to density, noise, closed out after a three year pro- dirt/fumes and parking. gram of systematic residential , rehabilitation. 3. New development on vacant residen- tial land should be done in a manner 3. The Thomas-Dale Community Develop- consistent with the guidelines ment Company was established for established by the Housing Develop- � the purpose of rehabilitating in- ment Plan adopted by the district dividual residential structures in October 1981 and the City Council for resale. in September 1982. ' New Initiatives 4. Improved housing condition and avail- 1 . The area bounded by University, ability should be encouraged by ' Thomas, Avon and Western should the Thomas-Dale Comnunity Develop- be the next area designated for ment Company through acquisition, concentrated rehabilitation (see renovation, and resale of structures ' Figure 4). The district will con- and by the City through rehabilita- sider this as a high priority area tion loan and grant programs. in its application for Neighborhood ' Partnership funds. Figure 4 Concentrated Rehabilitation Area � � ' wsw�rr 1 r�� w.+e.i r a» �i `Oyo x�w�aY � �� ' ,..,s�,) �� L�o�--� � .../`— rla�f W1N � O�� n ewmemu woR�r�w ww. ��.] 0� DOD�DOC��oo� � _ �� ] OO o000000�❑00� o : g I o❑00000�00000❑ � - � � o �d�o��, � ,�,� �00000��00000❑❑❑G �a❑o �Cl� �D ] �D OD C�Q'::::<:::> ::::::::::: :::::::>:::::::::::;::::: <:>:::;:::..:>:::::>OO�❑O�0��❑ .�.� �� ] DDODO��O��DOD � � ' � o000 0��i❑oo❑�o I�UD�� 00000��€�:c��o❑�❑o0 0 0�� ,��,,,., ^ r—„—,��,� ,--,�–,r-.��–,�r-,�� o��--�. , � z F g '� o � a C '1 ��f � � � � � � � � � � � � # � �'+, ��. � � � � > .� � � � s � � � � � � � � _ , 4 ' ' ' � Background , Rehabilitation: The district's housing has participated in several concentrated stock is typified by modest cost one programs. The last of these, the Arundel- and two family homes. About 49% of Galtier ITA, is presently being closed � the district's housing units are owner- out. occupied, down just slightly from the 50% mark in 1970. Similarly, 52% of The Thomas-Dale Comnunity Development ' the housing units are single family Company is the corrmunity's major non- homes. Thirty-five percent are located profit developer. It has devoted its in 2-9 unit buildings, while the re- resources, which come from both public maining 13% are located in buildings and private sources, to the rehabilita- ' with 10 or more units. tion and resale of one and two family structures in the corrmunity. The CDC In general , the district's housing stock Board has designated an area between , is in good condition. The City's 1981 Avon and Western Avenues and University Housing Condition Survey revealed that and Thomas Avenues as its target area 57� of the district's housing units for improvement of housing (see Figure � are in sound condition - needing no 4). repair or rehabilitation. Of the 2,220 units which need at least minor repair, New Housing: There is very little land 70% are in single family or duplex available for new housing development: , structures. That which is available was inventoried in the district's Housing Development The need for repair or rehabilitation Plan and consists largely of scattered ' of one and two unit structures is most single lots, many of which are located heavily concentrated in census tract in the area scheduled for sewer repair 327 where 51% of the units need minor and replacement. Also included in the ' repair and 14� need major rehabilitation plan are recorrrnendations for the eventual or are dilapidated. The need for minor development of each parcel . Major repair is significant also in tracts recomnendations include the following: 325 (43�) , 326 (36�) and 328 (47%) . , - Development of the vacant single The effort to stem deterioration of lots in the eastern portion of the the housing stock will likely proceed district should await completion ' on two levels. The first is grounded of the sewer renovation effort. in private reinvestment with or without public assistance. Low interest loans - The Drew School site should be main- � for homeowners are available through tained as a passive park, with appro- the City's Department of Planning and priate improvements. Economic Development. - The site along Pierce Butler between ' At another level, there is the oppor- Victoria and Grotto, which is pre- tunity for a concentrated rehabilitation sently used as open space, should effort through the Neighborhood Partner- be opened for duplex development , ship Program. The Thomas-Dale community as soon as the sewer project is completed. ' , 5 � ' � New Initiatives A second opportunity for housing develop- l . The major new transportation issue ' ment exists along University Avenue. facing the Thomas-Dale community Where the avenue presently houses low is the possible development of density corrmercial and residential transit alternatives in the Univer- � development there are increasing pressures sity Avenue corridor. While a full f or increased density. Proximity to analysis of the possible alterna- the capitol area and downtown, as well tives is beyond the scope of this ' as the possibility of alternative transit plan, the district should participate systems on the avenue, will attract fully in the planning process pre- additional development. sently being directed by the Metro- politan Council . , While University Avenue traditionally has not been regarded as a residential Major community concerns which resource, recent success with the develop- should be addressed by the process ' ment of inedium to high density housing include: along major thoroughfares has opened new possibilities. a. The transit alternative chosen ' should provide at least the Transportation same level of service as is presently provided along the Accomplishments avenue. � 1 . Residential parking was provided b. The transit alternative selected in the Winter Street area through should provide for improved , regulation. traffic flow in the corridor. 2. A parking ban was posted for the c. The system selected should be ' bus stop area within 100 feet of readily accessible to residents the intersection on the southwest of the district as opposed to and northeast corners of Grotto only providing rapid transit and Thomas, making the ban more through the district. ' enforcible. d. The development impacts, both 3. Thomas Avenue was designated as positive and negative, of each ' a collector street in the Plan for alternative should be presented Streets and Highways. for comnunity discussion. 4. The following paving projects were 2. The district still wants Dale Street 1 completed: widened between Sherburne and Minnehaha. - Dale Street north of Van Buren; - Lexington Parkway; 3. The district is still concerned ' - Van Buren, Blair, and LaFond about the lack of paved streets; Streets between Arundel and the City should improve at least Western. 20 blocks of District 7 streets, ' curbing and lighting by 1990. 4. Street lighting should be improved in District 7. , 6 ' � ' , Land Use and Environment tAccomplishments 1. The Drew School site, at Thomas tory of preferred areas for hazardous ' and Avon, was designated as open was-te processing facilities. Within space. Funding for improvements these areas the Board is in a position to the site is still pending. to assist a private developer gain the ' necessary approvals to develop a pro- 2. The Zoning Ordinance has been amended cessing facility. The Board will not to include better regulation of develop a facility independently or ' parking lots. actively seek a private developer for a given site. New Initiatives , 1. The district opposes the designation The final inventory of preferred sites of the Burlington-Northern right- will not be released by the Board until of-way on the northern edge of the June 1983. On its preliminary list ' district as a preferred area for of sites, however, are two in St. Paul. hazardous waste processing facilities. One is the Riverview Industrial Area on the city's West Side. The second 2. The district supports any efforts includes the sizeable industrial area ' to restrict adults-only establish- in the northwest sector of the city ments to B-3 zones and impose distance and then stretches roughly along the requirements between such facilities Burlington Northern railroad to I-35E. ' to avoid concentrations. It is this second site which includes the northern boundary of District Seven. 3. Inasmuch as the district's economic , health depends on the availability Before making its final recomnendations, of employment opportunities, available the Board is accepting public comnent. industrial and comnercial land The City of St. Paul has already sub- should not be downzoned without mitted comnents indicating its opposition , an assessment by the district that to the designation of that portion of residential development of the land the second site which forms a narrow will not impair the area's potential ribbon from Snelling Avenue to I-35E. ' for economic development. This includes the portion in District Seven. Citing its narrow width and Background close proximity to residential areas, ' the City has asked the Board to remove Hazardous Waste Processin Facilities: that portion from its inventory. There, e Waste Management Act of 198 created as yet, has been no official response the Minnesota Waste Management Board from the Board. ' and charged it with developing an inven- ' ' ' � ' ' SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT � Bars and Adult Entertainment: There Health is increasing concern in the Thomas- � Dale community about the number of bars Accomplishments which are distributed throughout the residential area as well as the adult 1 . A needs inventory was conducted entertainment establishments which are by the Thomas-Dale Comnunity Center � located on several of the corr�nunity's Advisory Committee and revealed major thoroughfares - primarily Univer- that health is among the community's sity Avenue, Rice Street, and Dale major concerns. � Street. New Initiatives The Planning Division of the City's Department of Planning and Economic 1 . Existing social service agencies t Development has been exploring ways and the Corrmunity Center should to restrict the future location of be encouraged to provide low cost adults-only establishments. Among the preventive care for corrmunity resi- ' recorrmendations presently being dis- dents. cussed are: Background , a. Restrict "adults-only" uses to B- 3 or less restrictive commercial The district's major medical needs zones; continue to be well served by Bethesda b. Make adults-only uses special con- Hospital and nearby Saint Paul Ramsey ' dition uses with conditions address- Medical Center. Resource constraints ing spacing between each other and at all levels, however, have resulted residential property, exteriors, in reductions in the amount of preventive ' parking and signs; care available in the community. The , c. Make existing adults-only uses non- school district has had to reduce the conforming. number of nurses located in the public schools. The Victoria Clinic, which , once provided low cost medical care and referrals, is no longer located in the district. ' While preventive care is among the first services cut in a time of budget reduc- ' tions, it is also true that it is highly cost effective and should be at the cornerstone of any health care strategy. The district council strongly supports ' preventive care, and opposes service cuts in this important area. The Thomas-Dale Comnunity Center Advi- , sory Committee has identified health care as one of the center's major prior- ' ities. While the center is not in a position to provide all the necessary services, it can combine some direct service with an information and referral , network to fill some of the gaps left by the recent loss of services. 8 ' I i 1 Education There is a widespread perception that ' the quality of the public schools located Accomplishments in the district is poor. Students tend to score poorly on standardized tests. 1 . A parent-teacher association has There is also, however, an appreciation � been established at Jackson Elemen- for the fact educational quality is tary School . not solely the responsibility of teachers and school administrators. Parent and ' 2. Play equipment for Jackson Elemen- comnunity involvement and support are tary School was donated by the essential ingredients for quality educa- district. tion in any corrmunity. That involvement may take the form of Parent-Teacher ' Major Initiatives Association membership, volunteer tutoring or serving as a resource person. l. The school district should place , particular emphasis on the students' Although a number of elementary and development of basic skills. secondary schools in the surrounding area serve district students, the one , 2. The district council should encour- school which is regarded by the com- age parents of school age children munity as the "neighborhood school" to become actively involved in their is Jackson Elementary School . Students school 's parent-teacher organization also attend Open School, Webster School , ' as well as other school activities. Franklin Elementary School, St. Adalbert School, and St. Agnes Elementary and 3. The district council should encour- High School.- While the district council , age general comnunity involvement encourages parents to be involved in in area schools. District residents whatever school their children attend, may be involved in tutoring, super- it regards Jackson School as the most vising special activities or serving appropriate focus for the energies and , as resource people. involvement of the comnunity as a whole. 4. The district council should encour- Another important dimension of the 1 age increased participation by education need in Thomas-Dale is adult district residents in adult educa- and vocational education. Many of the tion. comnunity's residents are unemployed ' or employed in marginal positions with Background little stability or security. The comnunity center is engaged in deter- ' The quality of a corrmunity's public mining how it might be most useful in schools is a pivotal factor in the meeting the area's vocational training location decision of families with needs. The district council supports children. To the extent that one of the center's involvement in this area. ' the community's objectives is to sta- bilize the district's family population, the quality of public education should , be a concern for parents and non-parents alike. , , 9 ! 1 1 Social Services has conducted an assessment of area needs and is developing a strategy for ' Accomplishments meeting those needs or coordinating existing resources to meet them. The 1 . The Thomas-Dale Corrmunity Center City, through its various divisions Advisory Comnittee has established such as Parks and Recreation, Libraries � a set of five priority areas to and Public Health should support that guide its prograrrrning over the short process where appropriate. term: community pride, counselling, , recreation, safety and health. Parks and Recreation Major Initiatives Accomplishments ' 1 . Strergthen the information and 1 . The Drew School site has been desig- referral network available to com- nated as passive open space. munity residents in order to make ' the most efficient use of existing 2. Funds for the design and construc- resources. tion of a new West Minnehaha Recrea- tion Center have been committed. ' 2. The community center will identify existing services or seek to develop 3. The open space on the ice arena services to more fully meet the site has been converted to a passive ' counselling, recreation, safety park. and health needs of the corrmunity. Major Initiatives 3. District 7 should establish a Thomas- ' Dale Community Center Board of 1 . The Drew School site should be Directors to implement long-range developed and maintained as a park planning and fund-raising. using both public and private re- ' sources. Background 2. Plans for the construction of the ' The City typically is not involved in West Minnehaha Recreation Center the delivery of social services. That should be implemented as soon as generally is the domain of the County possible. The center and its sur- and private non-profit agencies. At rounding facilities should be desig- , the same time, some of District Seven 's nated as being primarily for neigh- most critical needs are for social borhood use. services such as day care, counselling, , emergency food and clothing assistance, Background and senior citizen and youth programs. With the development of the Drew School The Thomas-Dale Comnunity Center is site and the West Minnehaha complex , emerging as a major component in the apparently on the verge of fruition, community-based social service delivery the major needs expressed in the original system. Closely related to the district district plan have been met. The dis- , council , the center's Advisory Comnittee trict, however, continues to be con- ' 10 ' ' ' , ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT cerned about the maintenance and super- Industrial Development vision of park and recreation areas. ' It is willing to work with the City New Initiatives to determine the most appropriate com- bination of public and private responsi- 1. Explore the feasibility of attracting ' bility to ensure such supervision. additional labor intensive indus- trial enterprises to the area along Public Safety Pierce Butler Road and Como Avenue ' on the northern edge of the district. Accomplishments 2. Encourage the Port Authority to 1 . The district council has secured assist new industries interested ' grant funding to staff the organiza- in locating in the Dale Street and tion of block clubs throughout the Jackson Street shops area. district. The block clubs will ' focus on crime and fire protection Background by emphasizing neighborhood inter- action and education. The northern edge of the district has ' traditionally been dominated by indus- Major Initiatives trial uses, often related to the railroad. It is zoned for light industrial use. 1 . The major initiative related to There are, however, stretches of under- ' public safety will be the establish- utilized land as well as an occasional ment of block clubs throughout the block of marginal housing. The district district. Considerable energy will supports the development of additional � have to be devoted to this effort industrial uses in the area. if the clubs are to be effective. The development of industrial enter- ' prises is especially important for District 7 where 35% of the employed work force is classified as blue collar. ' Comnercial Development Accomplishments ' 1. The University Avenue Comnercial Revitalization Program was produced by the University Avenue Development , Council , including recommendations for design improvements, parking development and market revitaliza- ' tion. , ' ' 11 ' , � New Initiatives Background 1 . The district council , in cooperation The single greatest challenge facing � with Saint Paul 's Department of District 7 in its comnercial development Planning and Economic Development, efforts is the redevelopment of Univer- should conduct a market analysis sity Avenue. Once the metropolitan , of the University Avenue area to center for car sales and the major determine the combination of goods thoroughfare between Minneapolis and and services which should be delivered St. Paul, the avenue has been undergoing � in the area. a major transition for the better part of the past two decades. As a major 2. Efforts should be made to develop car retail center, it is competing with moderate density housing in proximity well established suburban locations. , to University Avenue in order to Construction of I-94 between the two strengthen the market for available cities reduced the daily traffic by and projected goods and services. about one-third. By almost any estima- , tion, the nature of University Avenue 3. The district council , the University has to be redefined if it really is Avenue Development Council and the going to thrive as a comnercial center. ' Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development should In 1976, the University Avenue Develop- cooperatively assess the need for ment Council corrmissioned a study by parking along University Avenue Grebner Schoen, Inc. , of University ' and determine a strategy for develop- Avenue between Lexington Parkway and ing necessary parking. Marion Street. Working in cooperation with business owners along the avenue, � 4. The University Avenue Development a series of recorrmendations were developed Council should consider the esta- addressing the organization of the blishment of a sign district along corrmercial strip, parking, and design University Avenue using the guide- guidelines for lighting, signage and ' lines established in the University screening. Avenue Comnercial Revitalization Program Implementation Guide. There is a fundamental assumption under- , lying the study relative to the nature 5. Develop schemes for tree-planting, of the enterprises which will populate unified lighting and signage as the avenue. It is suggested in the ' recomnended in the Revitalization Revitalization Program that the strip Program to enhance the appearance be divided into three major districts: for the avenue. Funding for some (1) "Auto World", (2) "Entertainment/ of these improvements may be lever- Retail World", and (3) "Capitol Area". , aged from the Neighborhood Partner- The rationale for emphasizing these ship Program by businesses willing uses is primarily historical . In the to invest in private improvements past, these enterprises have prospered , to their own structures. in the area. There is little evidence presented, however, to indicate that a market currently exists for such a ' combination of goods and services. ' 12 ' ' ' � The question about the nature of the ' market is central to the development of University Avenue. From what popula- tion area does it or might it draw its , customers? What combination of goods and services do those customers expect? What is the purchasing power of those ' who are or might be attracted to Univer- sity Avenue? To what extent does the revitalization of University Avenue depend on an increase in the population , of the immediate area? Or, can increased promotion alone bring sufficient pur- chasing power to the area? These are ' all questions which cannot be answered without some kind of market analysis. ' The major contribution of the Revitaliza- tion Program was related to the physical appearance of the avenue. It sets forth a series of specific guidelines on t signage, lighting, and construction of parking bays, building design and landscaping. These are intended to , improve the appearance and image of the area - both of which clearly impact the economic viability of a comnercial ' area. The implementation of design related guidelines may take one of several � ' f orms: l. persuasion of business owners by ' fellow owners; 2. low interest loans and grants to business owners to encourage exterior improvements; ' 3. establishment of a sign district as provided in the Saint Paul Zoning Code. ' ' ' ' 13 .��,.h��w�:.� J 3 � ��>�3� ,�s��., �- y�.: CITY. O�+ S..F�.INT PAUL _ �'' `� -� s • '� OFP'IC� OF THIC CITY COII1VCIL y'. � ��,.�.�, — .tf�si�oa�n= I�i.-� . . - 91iY�A r^ fF �{ . -- D d t e : July 7.6, 1983 . .Ya�. �i�� •s�,.: .�� ,+ ._:. ti COMM (TT � E RE PORT YO = Sain� Pau l Cifi� Couhci! � F(�� ' C O t'11 ii1��'�'�'� O h City Development and Transportation � � C N A t R Councilman Bob Fletcher Letter of the Mayor transmitting the Thamas-Dale District 7 Plan Update, as approved by the Planning Commission. At its meeting of Ju1y 26, 1983, the City Development Committee reco�nended approval of the Thomas-Dale District 7 Plan Update as approved by the � Planning Cormnission. � � - - � CITY HALL SEVENTH FLOOR SAINT PAUL, MINNES07A 5510? ,��.�� ' ' � - ,��`► /�� . , , - • . . , , . � .;. . � . '' . . _ _ �;:� :Jnae 2 3,`.1983 .._ . � . , . - , , . . , , , ; • � - , , , , . . . . . . . . , . ; . . . : . =;.�, _ , . , ,, . ., . i , . � . y �;; w. . . . . ' . ; � . .� ._ .i. . � � � , t n ry +'?f�' ' .. , ' _ �. . . , .. .. . q": r z� _ .. . ,: . �.' ..:. ` ` 1+. -�' t tiii. � '� ' � ��` .t �4 „ ! . . .�� _� � . _ , ...�, .,., .,;�, �.`y t ''. ` �. .. ` ;4cY ,µ � . .. . t�' . . 'Councilman .�tobert�Fletcher, �Chairmaa� . • ,. �°`► :, �,�`,.a. " r . Citq',:�avelopmeat M�.,Tra�sportatiba-Comnitte� J �' �" �'� ; � . � J22 ci�{� �� w y� = -, . � • . � � ";J I . r3w* �3� `t"'"��- ,r�`6 '" . � 'S�.z . . - �� ,�� . -� � J,,�� . � ,cd `;;' � � � � �.;_1 :: y�'Sa v'rz'Y��-ro -r.� � . . . . . . . . '. . . � ` ��-� � � Y {t � � � � . , _ . ,I�ar;�oun�ilmenea�let heri�== `� "a � ` ,, �`. , , � . . y. .i�"'�s h �.�"-,F� s ,�:wa•.�sg°`i,�"�,.�`�' 4��.�� 'yi.s� � � �.�/i P a,.`:,. � .``' _ , ' ' .. , .. , � � :'1'he�City Coiaicil��refenedlto �the :�City�De.welopmept.and ' . �, �. � ,. Traasportatiou;�ommittee'for �considerntion snd reca�s- � � � - . - mendatio� a leEter=of �he. Mayor.tran�mitting the,�'- =: . - - �. Thom$s-Dale:�tiBtr�ct;;T Plan Update, as e�Qzoved by� the ` ;:� " !:t � Planning Commiesion. . " , rc;,�.�,�,��;;�:�, t -�_��#':�k . - , . �. , ,: . .., • � . - _ Very truly voure, , . ., . , , . , , . ' - . � ABSEitT B. �JLS0:1 _ � : _ _ � . _ . City 'Clerk ' _ � : , , . _ - - � -. ; , . , ABO:ba � , cc PED Plancing St-aff . .�, � , . ` . ` � - . - . . . � . . . � . , ; , ' : _\ _ � . . . . . - , ; , , . + " - � " .� . - , � ' .J... .. . � � ' _ ... ' ' . ' • . . ' ,..,_ ) _ . . � ' . _ '��{; 'r. .� _ „SI. ' ( � ' . . � ,. � .. . - . . ` � . ' -. ' r . . . ' , ' • . ' . � ; , . . �� 1��3�` _ �� . ,,.�;'��no� CITY Oi+� SA7NT PAUL �e" . '; OFFICE OF THE MAYOR -� U�IIf Illli., � �.�:,� 1111 1:11 II� o � � � 347 CITY HALL ,... SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 GEORGE LATIMER (612) 298•4323 MAYOR June 13, 1983 Council President Victor Tedesco and Members of the City Council 7th Floor City Hall Saint Paul , Minnesota 55102 Re: Thomas-Dale/District 7 Plan Update Dear Council Members: On June 10, 1983, the Planninq Commission held a public hearing on an update to the Thomas-Dale/District 7 Plan. On that same day, the Commission recommended adoption of the Plan Update as a segment of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Saint Paul . The Thomas-Dale/District 7 Plan Update was prepared by the District 7 Planninq Council , workina toqether with Planning Division staff. The draft version of the update was reviewed by city departments and community organizations, and a revised update was adopted by the District 7 Planninq 'Council on May 26, 1983. I am pleased to transmit to you the Thomas-Dale/District 7 Plan Update and encourage its adoption. Sincerely, George Latimer Mayor GL:sb Encl . ��- �� . C�P��° PED _ DEPART�1ENT � � Katv Sears Lindblad CONTACT 7494_ ext. 307 PHONE � v� June 10 1983 DATE ree v . (Routing and Explanation Sheet) Assign Number for Routing Order (Clip All locations for Mayoral Signature) � ' J'��Department Di rector . JUM 14 1983 , � City Attorney Copy previously sent on 3/30/83. � Di rector of Management/Mayor Copy previ ously sent on 3/30/83. CITY ATTORNEY Finance and Management Services Director � City Clerk Budget Director � Deputy Director - Plannin� ��GG�,� �lhat Will be Achieved by Taking Action on the Attached Materials? (Purpose/Rationale): The Thomas-Dale/District 7 community will have an Update to its original plan. This will help to set the short-term agenda for the district council , city government, and other community institutions on matters pertaining to District 7. Financial , Budgetary and Personnel I�acts Anticipated: No direct impact. Will give planning direction an District 7 capital improvements. Funding Source and Fund Activity Nurt�er Charged or Credited: Attachments (List and N wr�er all Attachments� : 1 . Transmittal letter: Mayor to City Council 2. 8 copies District 7 P1an Update (Errata sheet included) 3. Planning Commission Resolution DEPARTMENT REVIEW CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW Yes No Council Resolution Required? Resolution Required? Yes No Yes No Insurance Required? Insurance Sufficient? Yes No Yes No Insurance Attached? Revision of October, 1982 fSPP RevPreP SidP for 'Instructions) . �� • - C . � ��:�� city of saint paul planning commission resolution � � f ile number 83-,� �te June 10, 1983 WHEREAS, the Thomas-Dale/District 7 Planning Council , working with the Planning Division staff, prepared an update to the City Council adopted District 7 Plan; and WHEREAS, the Planning Council , after considering the comments of city departments and citizens, adopted the District 7 Plan Update on May 26, 1983; and � WHEREAS, the Planning Comnission has reviewed the District 7 Plan t�pdate in light of the citywide plans and corr�nents from adjacent districts, . . �ity departments, Planning Division staff, and the people who spoke at a public hearing; and WHEREAS, the District 7 Plan Update was developed as a portion of the � Comprehensive Plan of the City of St. Paul ; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reached favorable conclusions on all major District 7 Plan Update recomnendations; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Corrgnission certifies the District 7 Plan �pdate recorr�nends to the City Council adoption of the District 7 Plan Update as a segment of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of St. Paul . moved by Tayl or - s�econded by McDonell , in favor �2 - � against � . . ; �� . ,. � . � � . . . . . . . , , : . , . . . . , . . � I .. ' . . . � ' . . . . . . . . , .. ' .. . . . . . . . .., ' . . . ' � .. � 1 , / . . . ; , .Jtme► 23, .148� � . ' . � i. � � ' , . - ` � , , :� • , ' _ 'Couacilnan �obert Fl�tcher, Chairmaa, . , • - `�°: , : City Aevelopaent 6 Tra�aportatib�n Co�ittee , . 722 C1ty Hall; � , - . , �ar Councilmen Fl�tchert— , , . � . , - . , � . • 1't�e� City Co�mcil�, referradlto the Ctty De.welopaent and� � � Tran�portation,Cd�nittre for caas,ideration snd r�coio�- . - � , � , mendatian s lett�r of Che Maqor tra�ts�t�ing the. , ' TtWm�a-Dale Dist�tict T Fian UP¢ate� as apRroyed ;by' the ' . . , Plaaaing CommYasion. � ' - ' ' Very trul,y 9ousRs, _ • . , , , . , A88]:RT B. OLSOI� - , Citp Clerk : ABO:ba . ! . , cc �ED Planaing 8'ta#� � , � � � - � , . . . . .. � �, . . . , � . .. � . I' � � . . � �. . � .+� .. . . � .. . �� . . - . ' . ._ . . . . . . . . � . ., • , _. . . . � . � . . y . i � . � � � � � , � � .� .. � . . . �. � _ 1 .. . . . . . .. . . � � . � � , . .. � . . . . , .. � . -' � � . . � . . . � ._ . . . . . . . / . . . ,. . � . - .. . . '� � � . . . � . . � . . . . ,. �. . � r , . , ' . . 1 � - � . . , � I � �. � � .. � �, � . .. � . � . � . ,. � � � � � , , �� i; . � ' . . . . , . ' . . .. , .. . . ' . . . � � . , , . :";. . , _ . . . . � . . ... _ ��. � � � . . . .. . . . ' , � , . � .. , k _ ^, � . . . .\ / . ' \ . . . . . � � , . : ' • � . . , . ; . , � . , �. .. �� . . . . . , . .. � . �.. . . . , . .. . � . . � . . . . . . . . � . . , . . . . : � �. . �. . . � . . . � � � - . . .. , , .. . . . ; . , . ' . . ,.. . � . .. . .. . , . . � .. , � . . . .. . . . .. � J� ' ' � . . . . . � . , . ' - � ' . \. . � � � , . . . . '!/ . � . .. , . ' � � . ' � , � . • - _ . _ . . �. , ' i.. . • '. . i . .. , ' ' ♦ � .. .. .t- . . t � . . . Y'.: . . � . , . . . . -, . .. ' . . .. . . . . ` � . � . . � � . .. ' ' � . ' � . . � �. � , � .� . . . .. . . - � . � � � . ,. . / � . . . . . � . .. 1 � . . ..�� - . . ' � - . . . . ' ; , ' . . . , . . . i ' . .. - . � � , ` i . .. . . .. . . • .. . . � � . .. . � . � . � . . ' � t . ' �4�- ... ,. � . . \ . . . � � ' � • . . � . � � . _ . � .. .� � . .. . . . . `7 �'� �k�� %��r ��t=•a, �, CI�Y OF SAINT PAUL o � OFFICE OF THE MAYOR � ii�mn . • ��i �� n • ,�i n° �� 347 CITY HALL SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 GEORGE LATIMER (612) 298-4323 MAYOR June 13, 1983 Council President Victor Tedesco and Members of the City Council 7th Floor City Hall Saint Paul , Minnesota 55102 Re: Thomas-Dale/District 7 Plan Update Dear Council Members: On June 10, 1983, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on an update to the Thomas-Dale/District 7 Plan. On that same day, the Commission recommended adoption of the Plan Update as a segment of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Saint Paul . The Thomas-Dale/District 7 Plan Update was prepared by the District 7 Planning Council , workinq toqether with Planning Division staff. The draft version of the update was reviewed by city departments and community organizations, and a revised update was adopted by the District 7 Planninq Council on May 26, 1983. I am pleased to transmit to you the Thomas-Dale/District 7 Plan Update and encourage its adoption. Sincerely, George Latimer Mayor GL:sb Encl . �O C . �-� �� city of saint paul planning commission resolution file number 83-,� �te June 10, 1983 WHEREAS, the Thomas-Dale/District 7 Planning Council , working with the Planning Division staff, prepared an update to the City Council adopted District 7 Plan; and WHEREAS, the Planning Council , after considering the comments of city departments and citizens, adopted the District 7 Plan I�pdate on May 26, 1983; and WHEREAS, the Planning Corr�nission has reviewed the District 7 Plan I�pdate in light of the citywide plans and comments from adjacent districts, . �ity departments, Planning Division staff, and the people who spoke at a public hearing; and WHEREAS, the District 7 Plan Update was developed as a portion of the � Comprehensive Plan of the City of St. Paul ; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reached favorable conclusions on all major District 7 Plan Update recomnendations; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission certifies the District 7 Plan Update recommends to the City Council adoption of the District 7 Plan �pdate as a segment of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of St. Paul . moved by Taylor � s�econded by McDonell in favor 12 � against- r 1 _ _ _ . �� THOMAS�DALE ' DISTRICT 7 PLAN � ;� , �� t� ��'-'� . ,.� , , ,. � U date � � s � � ; :., ��_ � i p ..�.- �� ,..w� �:.�- :.� ��.,�� + t::�^,:::� �;:�� =:� � , .. � ' ' 1 � . , � ' � � ► j ! 1 1 � � . �� OIVISION OF PLANNING•DEPARTMENT OF PLANI�NNG AND ECONOMIC OEVELOPMENT•CITY OF SAINT PAUL CITY HALL ANNEX•2S WEST FOURTH STREET, 8AINT PAUL, MINNESOTA. 55102•TELEPHONE 612-292-1577 �� SAINT PAUL PLANNING COMMISSION THOMAS-DALE/DISTRICT 7 PLAN UPDATE ERRATA SHEET, for purposes of a Public Hearing June 10, 1983 ' Omissions are �e�e�ed, additions are underlined. (PLANBRIEF, 2nd�page , RECOMMENDATIONS) : 5. THE 6��y sbe�� es��s� #'��=e ' LOCATION OF ADULTS-ONLY ESTABLISHMENTS should be restricted. (Titl e Page) : P4ARSa June 1983 . (Contents Page, FIGURES, add) : 5 Parks and Recreational Facilities (Page 1, right column , Household Characteristics, 3rd sentence) : In 1980, • 34q of the community's households were made up of one person and epe half of those living alone were over the age of 65. � (Page 4, Fi'gure 4) : Add Thomas-Dale ITA, Arundel -Galtier ITA, and _ . , Winter Street ITA to map. (Page 4, right column, #2, lst sentence) : The community should work with the City aq� , the University Avenue business community and District 8 to establish guidelines for the possible development of housing in the corridor. (Page 6, le•ft column, Accomplishments) : 3:Thomas Avenue was designated as a collector street in the Plan for Streets and Highways , which played a major role in retaining the street as a bus route. (Page 6, right column, New Initiatives, Add 2 sentences to #3) : . . . by 1990. The district strongly supports the esidential Street Paving Prngram and recommends its continued fundin . In addition, district residents supPort partia assessments for street paving if no alternative fun ing is avai able. (Page 6, r�i'gh`t cdlumn, New Initiatives) : 4. Street lighting should be improved in District 7 to promote personal safety. The District strongly supports the Residential Street Lighting Program and recommends its continued funding• , _ 2 _ ' • (Page 7, right column, 2nd paragraph, last sentence) : It is this second site which includes the northern boundary of District Sevep 7. (Page 7, right column, 3rd paragraph, 3rd sentence) : This includes the portion in District Seveq 7. (Page 9, left column, Background, 2nd sentence) : �e �qe e��ept �qa� Since one of the community's objectives is to stabilize the district's family population, the quality of public education should be a concern for parents and non-parents alike. (Page 9, right column, 2nd paragraph, 2nd sentence) : Students also attend Open School , Webster School , Franklin Elementary School , St. Adalbert School , a�� St. Agnes Elementary and High School , and the Red School House. (Page 10, left column, Background, lst paragraph, last sentence) : At the same time, some of District �e�eq's 7's most critical needs are for social services such as day care, counselling, emergency food and clothang assistance, and senior ,citizen and youth programs . (Page 10, right column, Parks and Recreation) : Add Figure 5 Parks and Recreational Facilities. " (Page 11, right column, New Initiatives, Add) : 3. Encourage industries to use neighborhood resources to fill new job openings. (Page 1�,�1eft column, New Initiatives) : 3. The district council , the University Avenue Development Council ap� , the Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development and District 8 should cooperatively assess the need for parking along University Avenue and determine a strategy for � developing necessary parking. � ' D � � � � � � _ E TNOP�IAS DAL DISTRICT 7 PLAN UPDATE � � PREMISE THE DISTRICT 7 COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF have worked toaether on this update of the District 7 Plan. The Plan update is not intended to replace the � oriqinal 1979 plan, but rather to supplement it. A number of unfulfilled croals and unfinished strategies from the original plan are still � relevant to the Thomas-Dale community. Others have been implemented or attained, and others needed modifications due to the changinc� con- ditions in District 7. The update will set the � short-term agenda for the district council , city government and other community institutions in the context of the existing plan �tnd the changing � district conditions which surround that plan. MAIN POINTS 1. THE THOMAS-DALE COMh1UNITY HAS CHANGED IN � COMPOSITION. Between 1970-1980 the com- position of the district population has shifted, with children and middle-aged persons making up a smaller proportion of the population ,� in 1980 than in 1970 and with the proportion of young adults and elderly increasinq in size. The proportion of married couple , households has dropped dramatically, a shift which is matched by an increase in the proportion of sin�le adult households. t2. THE THOP�AS-DALE COMP�IUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY was established and is a major new vehicle for residential rehabilitation. � 3. THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES in the University Avenue corridor is the � district's major new transportation issue. ' � - � DIVISION OF PIANNING • DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT • CITY OF SAINT PAUL CITY HALL ANNEX • 25 WEST FOURTH STREET, SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 • TELEPHONE: 612•299-4151 1 . . t � � � 4. THE NUMBER OF BARS AND ADULT ENTERTAINMENT . � ESTABLISHMENTS in the district are of increasing concern to the Thomas-Dale community. � 5. THE THOMAS-DALE COMMUNITY CENTER emerged as an important component in the corrrannunity-based social service delivery system. � 6. THE REDEVELOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY AVENUE is the sinqle greatest challenge facing District 7 ' in its commercial development efforts. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. THE AREA BOUNDED BY UNIVERSITY, THOMAS, AVON � AND WESTERN should be the next area designated for concentrated rehabilitation. 2. IMPROVED HOUSING CONDITION AND AVAILABILITY � should be encouraged by the Thomas-Dale Community Development Company through acquisition, renovation, and resale of structures and by � the city through rehabilitation loan and grant programs. 3. THE CITY SHOULD IMPROVE AT LEAST 20 BLOCKS � of District 7 streets, curbing and lighting by 1990. 4. THE BURLINGTON-NORTHERN RIGHT-OF-WAY on the � northern edge of the district should not be designated as a preferred area for hazardous � waste processing facilities. 5. THE CITY SHOULD RESTRICT future location of adults-only establishments. � 6. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN ADULT EDUCATION � should be encouraged by the District 7 Council . 7. DISTRICT 7 SHOULD ESTABLISH A THOMAS-DALE � COMMUNITY CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTARS to implement long-range planning and fund raising in order to provide consistent and accessible services to all district residents. � � � � • � � � 1 , 8. BLOCK CLUBS should be established throughout the district to focus on crime and fire protection. � 9. THE DISTRICT 7 COUNCIL AND THE UNIVERSITY AVENUE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SHOULD SPONSOR 1 JOINT ACTIVITIES and cooperation in order to develop a stronger sense of interdependence between area businesses and residents. � , . � � � � � , � ' � ' , ' , . � , THOMAS-DALE DISTRICT 7 PLAN UPDATE 1 MARCH 1983 V � � ' ' ' ' r r � � � � PLANNING DIVISION ' DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1100 CITY HALL ANNEX 25 WEST FOURTH STREET SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 , 612-292-1577 � ' ' , CONTENTS CREDITS 1 Introduction GENERAL DISTRICT PLAN COMMITTEE 1 1 Context - Changing Conditions 1 Household Characteristics Bruce Clendenen 2 Age Distribution Cynthia Kath 2 Minorities Conrad Leighton � 3 Income Bob Mallet 3 Housing John Miersch 4 Physical Development A1 Podgorski � 4 Housing Ted Tobler 6 Transportation Larry Winans 7 Land Use and Environment � 8 Social Development THE THOMAS-DALE/DISTRICT 7 PLANNING COUNCIL 8 Health 9 Education Sandra M. Morris, Community Organizer 10 Social Services ' 10 Parks and Recreation ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY DIRECTION 11 Public Safety 11 Economic Development James Bellus, Director, ' 11 Industrial Development Department of Planning & Economic Development 11 Commercial Development Peggy Reichert, Deputy Director for Planning Larry Soderholm, Principal Planner ' FIGURES PLANNING AND RESEARCH 1 District 7 Household Type Nancy Homans, Planner ' 1970-1980 Katy Sears Lindblad, Planner 2 District 7 Population by Age 1970-1980 � 3 Racial/Ethnic Composition of District 7 1980 4 Concentrated Rehabilitation Area ' ' ' ' , � , ' � ' , . ' � INTRODUCTION The purpose of this plan is to update was considerably larger than the city's � the General District Plan which was 13X loss. The district's 1980 popula- developed by the district, adopted by tion was 13,768. the Saint Paul Planning Comnission on April 27, 1979 and approved by the Saint Household Characteristics � Paul City Council on August 28, 1979. Among the most significant changes in Included in the update will be the the district's profile is a 31% decline � following: in the number of married couple house- holds, with or without children. This - An analysis of current demographic, shift was coupled with a 43% increase ' social and economic conditions which in the number of single person house- define the context in which the holds. In 1980, 34% of the comnunity's plan update is being developed. households were made up of one person and one half of those living alone were ' - An indication of those recomnenda- over the age of 65. Figure 1 illus- tions included in the General District trates the changing composition of the Plan which have been implemented. district's households by household type. ' - An identification of new issues Figure 1 District 7 Household Type 1970-80 confronting the comnunity and recom- ' mendations on how those issues should be addressed. 60% 57.3 � 1970 - An assessment of available resources , which may be used to meet community i O 1980 needs. 50% ' The plan update is not intended to 40.5 replace the General District Plan which 40% includes a number of unfulfilled goals 34.3 and unfinished strategies. Rather, � ' the update will set a short term agenda 30% � for the district council , city govern- ��` ment and other community institutions � 23.4 ::;::::::: ' in the context of the existing plan 2p/ � :::::: 16.719:'3 and the changing conditions which surround that plan. 10% 6.0 , THE CONTEXT-CHANGING CONDITIONS :;� 2.6 ::::::::� The 1980 Census revealed that the Thomas- ' Oale community has undergone significant Husband Single Single Non- changes over the past decade in the & Wife Parent Adult Family size and nature of its population. Family or ' Generally, like the city as a whole, Other the district lost population. Its 18% Family decline in total population, however, , ' 1 � ' ' � � Age Distribution Paralleling the shift in household type Consistent with the data on household � has been a change in the community's type, those groups which grew propor- age profile. While all age groups lost tionately were those where one might population over the decade, two groups expect a higher number of single person � now claim a larger share of the total households. Those between 18 and 34 population than they did in 1970 - those may have not yet formed families of between 18 and 34 and those over 60. their own while those over 60 are near- , The remaining two age cohorts (0-17 ing the end of the life cycle. and 35-59) fell behind in their per- centage of the total population. Figure Minorities 2 illustrates graphically the changing i composition of the district's population Twenty-four percent of the district's by age. 1980 population was composed of minority persons, 39� of whom are non-Hispanic , Blacks. The second largest group, Figure 2 District 7 Population By Age making up 26� of the minority population, 1970-80 is composed of Vietnamese, Hmong or ' other Southeast Asians. Hispanics follow closely behind, making up 22% 35% 34.5 � 1970 of the minority population in the dis- trict. See Figure 3 for a graphic , 30% 29.3 30.5 ('":�'?'?"1 lgg� representation of the district's racial/ R��---�� ethn i c compos i t i on. ::::::: 25.4 ::�:::::::: 19.2 , 25� �::::::::: Minority persons compose about one fifth 20/ ::::::: 22•3 17 8 21.0 of the popu 1 ati on i n each of the di s- � trict s six census tracts, except tract 0 324 in the northwestern corner of the 15/ corrmunity where they account for 11� � o and tract 329 on the eastern edge where 10/ they account for 59% of the population. Ai Home s a d Mt. r 2 'n e ' p Tract 3 9 i clu s y , 5� ::::::>j:� public housing complex for families, where over half of the present residents 0-1.7... 18-34. 35-.59. 60+r.' are Southeast Asians. � , , , , 2 , ' . � ' Figure 3 Racial/Ethnic Composition of District 7 1980 � o � Non-Hispanic Blacks (9.3/) � ��..� --Southeast Asian Refugees (6.2q) ' ,Hispanics (5.3%) ' — Native Americans (3.0%) �Other Asians (0.2%) , Non-Hispanics White (75.9%) , ' ' Income Housing Household incomes in the Thomas-Dale Thomas-Dale continues to provide a ' comnunity tend to be considerably lower significant percentage of the city's than those of Saint Paul households low cost housing. Home values in the in general. Where the median household area run, on average, about $15,000 income for the city was $16,029 in 1980, less than those of the city as a whole. ' those for the six District Seven census As was the case in 1970, about half tracts ranged from $5,408 to $14,159. of the households in the community own their homes while half are renters. ' , ' 1 , ' 3 � - 1 � PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT ' Housing Accomplishments � 2. The community should work with the 1 . The district is engaged in ongoing City and the University Avenue planning and redevelopment acti- business community to establish � vities in the Rice-Marion and North guidelines for the possible develop- Capitol areas. ment of housing in the corridor. Major criteria to be developed , 2. The Arundel-Galtier ITA has been should relate to density, noise, closed out after a three year pro- dirt/fumes and parking. gram of systematic residential , rehabilitation. 3. New development on vacant residen- tial land should be done in a manner 3. The Thomas-Dale Comnunity Develop- consistent with the guidelines ment Company was established for established by the Housing Develop- ' the purpose of rehabilitating in- ment Plan adopted by the district dividual residential structures in October 1981 and the City Council for resale. in September 1982. ' New Initiatives 4. Improved housing condition and avail- , 1 . The area bounded by University, ability should be encouraged by Thomas, Avon and Western should the Thomas-Dale Corrmunity Develop- be the next area designated for ment Company through acquisition, concentrated rehabilitation (see renovation, and resale of structures � Figure 4). The district will con- and by the City through rehabilita- sider this as a high priority area tion loan and grant programs. in its application for Neighborhood ' Partnership funds. Figure 4 Concentrated Rehabi1itation Area � � ' w.wnT 1 0� ��w'w "o+"' rc.»�---�,i `O�O ' �wq�av � ww.cwuoo�1 ��I-1�� u� U I ��`� 1 �� -. . U c�\ euaiMe.uu�+w ww. ��,] �0 �DDDD�C��oo� : tJL� �� o0 000000��❑0❑� � : 4 1 ❑00000�oo ❑oo� o - � � oo �d�o��, � ,�,�, �00000�o�00000❑❑o�l �aoo �Cl� �,�,o � 0000��:::::::::.:::::::::: :::::<:::::::::::::::: :::>::::::::_�o❑❑a❑�o��❑ � �.� �,�, � 00000��❑oa❑oo � 1 � 00000��❑000��C��.J C1D�� . ,�,�,� m ] �o 00 oF��€�:��1�€�ooO o o C�0��r--� �r-� „ WNQ.L7Y 1 r� �-i r-�r--�r—�r—�r—��r—��—i��r-��—�f �— �f��l��I /i�t `. ' � k J � o Z 9 0 � c � a�c i Z r � 1 �1 f � � �Pk, � � 2 a � � � � ? � � g � � � � � � g � � ff � � � d � � � � �' ' 4 ' ' ' . � � Background ' Rehabilitation: The district's housing has participated in several concentrated stock is typified by modest cost one programs. The last of these, the Arundel- and two family homes. About 49% of Galtier ITA, is presently being closed � the district's housing units are owner- out. occupied, down just slightly from the 50% mark in 1970. Similarly, 52% of The Thomas-Dale Community Development ' the housing units are single family Company is the comnunity's major non- homes. Thirty-five percent are located profit developer. It has devoted its in 2-9 unit buildings, while the re- resources, which come from both public ' maining 13� are located in buildings and private sources, to the rehabilita- with 10 or more units. tion and resale of one and two family structures in the corrmunity. The CDC In general, the district's housing stock Board has designated an area between ' is in good condition. The City's 1981 Avon and Western Avenues and University Housing Condition Survey revealed that and Thomas Avenues as its target area 57� of the district's housing units for improvement of housing (see Figure ' are in sound condition - needing no 4). repair or rehabilitation. Of the 2,220 units which need at least minor repair, New Housing: There is very little land 70% are in single family or duplex available for new housing development. ' structures. That which is available was inventoried in the district's Housing Development The need for repair or rehabilitation Plan and consists largely of scattered ' of one and two unit structures is most single lots, many of which are located heavily concentrated in census tract in the area scheduled for sewer repair 327 where 51% of the units need minor and replacement. Also included in the ' repair and 14� need major rehabilitation plan are recommendations for the eventual or are dilapidated. The need for minor development of each parcel . Major repair is significant also in tracts recorrmendations include the following: 325 (43�) , 326 (36%) and 328 (47�) . ' - Development of the vacant single The effort to stem deterioration of lots in the eastern portion of the the housing stock will likely proceed district should await completion ' on two levels. The first is grounded of the sewer renovation effort. in private reinvestment with or without public assistance. Low interest loans - The Drew School site should be main- , for homeowners are available through tained as a passive park, with appro- the City's Department of Planning and priate improvements. Economic Development. - The site along Pierce Butler between ' At another level , there is the oppor- Victoria and Grotto, which is pre- tunity for a concentrated rehabilitation sently used as open space, should effort through the Neighborhood Partner- be opened for duplex development ' ship Program. The Thomas-Dale corrmunity as soon as the sewer project is completed. ' ' 5 � ' 1 , � New Initiatives A second opportunity for housing develop- 1 . The major new transportation issue ' ment exists along University Avenue. facing the Thomas-Dale community Where the avenue presently houses low is the possible development of density comnercial and residential transit alternatives in the Univer- � development there are increasing pressures sity Avenue corridor. While a full for increased density. Proximity to analysis of the possible alterna- the capitol area and downtown, as well tives is beyond the scope of this ' as the possibility of alternative transit plan, the district should participate systems on the avenue, will attract fully in the planning process pre- additional development. sently being directed by the Metro- ' politan Council . While University Avenue traditionally has not been regarded as a residential Major community concerns which resource, recent success with the develop- should be addressed by the process ' ment of inedium to high density housing include: along major thoroughfares has opened new possibilities. a. The transit alternative chosen , should provide at least the Transportation same level of service as is presently provided along the Accomplishments avenue. , 1 . Residential parking was provided b. The transit alternative selected in the Winter Street area through should provide for improved ' regulation. traffic flow in the corridor. 2. A parking ban was posted for the c. The system selected should be ' bus stop area within 100 feet of readily accessible to residents the intersection on the southwest of the district as opposed to and northeast corners of Grotto only providing rapid transit and Thomas, making the ban more through the district. , enforcible. d. The development impacts, both 3. Thomas Avenue was designated as positive and negative, of each , a collector street in the Plan for alternative should be presented Streets and Highways. for community discussion. 4. The following paving projects were 2. The district still wants Dale Street ' completed: widened between Sherburne and Minnehaha. - Dale Street north of Van Buren; - Lexington Parkway; 3. The district is still concerned , - Van Buren, Blair, and LaFond about the lack of paved streets; Streets between Arundel and the City should improve at least Western. 20 blocks of District 7 streets, ' curbing and lighting by 1990. 4. Street lighting should be improved ' in District 7. 6 ' , . . , � Land �se and Environment , Accomplishments 1. The Drew School site, at Thomas tory of preferred areas for hazardous ' and Avon, was designated as open was�te processing facilities. Within space. Funding for improvements these areas the Board is in a position to the site is still pending. to assist a private developer gain the ' necessary approvals to develop a pro- 2. The Zoning Ordinance has been amended cessing facility. The Board will not to include better regulation of develop a facility independently or parking lots. actively seek a private developer for r a given site. . New Initiatives ' l . The district opposes the designation The final inventory of preferred sites of the Burlington-Northern right- will not be released by the Board until of-way on the northern edge of the June 1983. On its preliminary list ' district as a preferred area for of sites, however, are two in St. Paul. hazardous waste processing facilities. One is the Riverview Industrial Area on the city's West Side. The second 2. The district supports any efforts includes the sizeable industrial area ' to restrict adults-only establish- in the northwest sector of the city ments to B-3 zones and impose distance and then stretches roughly along the requirements between such facilities Burlington Northern railroad to I-35E. , to avoid concentrations. It is this second site which includes the northern boundary of District Seven. 3. Inasmuch as the district's economic ' health depends on the availability Before making its final recomnendations, of employment opportunities, available the Board is accepting public comment. industrial and corrmercial land The City of St. Paul has already sub- should not be downzoned without mitted corrrnents indicating its opposition ' an assessment by the district that to the designation of that portion of residential development of the land the second site which forms a narrow will not impair the area's potential ribbon from Snelling Avenue to I-35E. � for economic development. This includes the portion in District Seven. Citing its narrow width and Background close proximity to residential areas, , the City has asked the Board to remove Hazardous Waste Processin Facilities: that portion from its inventory. There, e Waste Management Act of 1 8 created as yet, has been no official response the Minnesota Waste Management Board from the Board. ' and charged it with developing an inven- ' ' , 7 ' ' � SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT � Bars and Adult Entertainment: There Health is increasing concern in the Thomas- Dale comnunity about the number of bars Accomplishments � which are distributed throughout the residential area as well as the adult 1 . A needs inventory was conducted entertainment establishments which are by the Thomas-Dale Community Center , located on several of the community's Advisory Corrmittee and revealed major thoroughfares - primarily Univer- that health is among the comnunity's sity Avenue, Rice Street, and Dale major concerns. ' Street. New Initiatives The Planning Division of the City's Department of Planning and Economic 1 . Existing social service agencies , Development has been exploring ways and the Corrmunity Center should to restrict the future location of be encouraged to provide low cost adults-only establishments. Among the preventive care for community resi- ' recomnendations presently being dis- dents. cussed are: Background ' a. Restrict "adults-only" uses to B- 3 or less restrictive commercial The district's major medical needs zones; continue to be well served by Bethesda b. Make adults-only uses special con- Hospital and nearby Saint Paul Ramsey , dition uses with conditions address- Medical Center. Resource constraints ing spacing between each other and at all levels, however, have resulted residential property, exteriors, in reductions in the amount of preventive , parking and signs; care available in the comnunity. The , c. Make existing adults-only uses non- school district has had to reduce the conforming. number of nurses located in the public schools. The Victoria Clinic, which ' once provided low cost medical care and referrals, is no longer located in the district. ' While preventive care is among the first services cut in a time of budget reduc- � tions, it is also true that it is highly cost effective and should be at the cornerstone of any health care strategy. The district council strongly supports ' preventive care, and opposes service cuts in this important area. The Thomas-Dale Comnunity Center Advi- ' sory Corrmittee has identified health care as one of the center's major prior- ' ities. While the center is not in a position to provide all the necessary services, it can combine some direct service with an information and referral � network to fill some of the gaps left by the recent loss of services. 8 � , . � ' Education There is a widespread perception that � the quality of the public schools located Accomplishments in the district is poor. Students tend to score poorly on standardized tests. l . A parent-teacher association has There is also, however, an appreciation ' been established at Jackson Elemen- for the fact educational quality is tary School . not solely the responsibility of teachers and school administrators. Parent and ' 2. Play equipment for Jackson Elemen- comnunity involvement and support are tary School was donated by the essential ingredients for quality educa- district. tion in any comnunity. That involvement ' may take the form of Parent-Teacher Major Initiatives Association membership, volunteer tutoring � or serving as a resource person. 1 . The school district should place ' particular emphasis on the students ' Although a number of elementary and development of basic skills. secondary schools in the surrounding area serve district students, the one ' 2. The district council should encour- school which is regarded by the com- age parents of school age children munity as the "neighborhood school" to become actively involved in their is Jackson Elementary School . Students school 's parent-teacher organization also attend Open School, Webster School, ' as well as other school activities. Franklin Elementary School, St. Adalbert School, and St. Agnes Elementary and 3. The district council should encour- High School . While the district council ' age general comnunity involvement encourages parents to be involved in in area schools. District residents whatever school their children attend, may be involved in tutoring, super- it regards Jackson School as the most ' vising special activities or serving appropriate focus for the energies and as resource people. involvement of the corrmunity as a whole. 4. The district council should encour- Another important dimension of the ' age increased participation by education need in Thomas-Dale is adult district residents in adult educa- and vocational education. Many of the tion. community's residents are unemployed ' or employed in marginal positions with Background little stability or security. The comnunity center is engaged in deter- ' The quality of a community's public mining how it might be most useful in schools is a pivotal factor in the meeting the area's vocational training location decision of families with needs. The district council supports children. To the extent that one of the center's involvement in this area. � the corrmunity's objectives is to sta- bilize the district's family population, the quality of public education should , be a concern for parents and non-parents alike. ' , 9 , , ' Social Services has conducted an assessment of area needs and is developing a strategy for � Accomplishments meeting those needs or coordinating existing resources to meet them. The 1 . The Thomas-Dale Corrmunity Center City, through its various divisions ' Advisory Committee has established such as Parks and Recreation, Libraries a set of five priority areas to and Public Nealth should support that guide its programming over the short process where appropriate. term: community pride, counselling, t recreation, safety and health. Parks and Recreation Major Initiatives Accomplishments , l . Strergthen the information and 1 . The Drew School site has been desig- referral network available to com- nated as passive open space. munity residents in order to make ' the most efficient use of existing 2. Funds for the design and construc- resources. tion of a new West Minnehaha Recrea- tion Center have been committed. , 2. The comnunity center will identify existing services or seek to develop 3. The open space on the ice arena services to more fully meet the site has been converted to a passive , counselling, recreation, safety park. and health needs of the community. Major Initiatives 3. District 7 should establish a Thomas- ' Dale Comnunity Center Board of l . The Drew School site should be Directors to implement long-range developed and maintained as a park planning and fund-raising. using both public and private re- ' sources. Background 2. Plans for the construction of the , The City typically is not involved in West Minnehaha Recreation Center the delivery of social services. That should be implemented as soon as generally is the domain of the County possible. The center and its sur- and private non-profit agencies. At rounding facilities should be desig- ' the same time, some of District Seven 's nated as being primarily for neigh- most critical needs are for social borhood use. services such as day care, counselling, ' emergency food and clothing assistance, Background and senior citizen and youth programs. With the development of the Drew School The Thomas-Dale Comnunity Center is site and the West Minnehaha complex � emerging as a major component in the apparently on the verge of fruition, community-based social service delivery the major needs expressed in the original system. Closely related to the district district plan have been met. The dis- ' council , the center's Advisory Corrmittee trict, however, continues to be con- , 10 ' ' _ . ' ' ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT cerned about the maintenance and super- Industrial Development vision of park and recreation areas. � It is willing to work with the City New Initiatives to determine the most appropriate com- bination of public and private responsi- 1 . Explore the feasibility of attracting ' bility to ensure such supervision. additional labor intensive indus- trial enterprises to the area along Public Safety Pierce Butler Road and Como Avenue ' on the northern edge of the district. Accomplishments 2. Encourage the Port Authority to 1. The district council has secured assist new industries interested ' grant funding to staff the organiza- in locating in the Dale Street and , tion of block clubs throughout the Jackson Street shops area. district. The block clubs will ' focus on crime and fire protection Background by emphasizing neighborhood inter- action and education. The northern edge of the district has ' traditionally been dominated by indus- Major Initiatives trial uses, often related to the railroad. It is zoned for light industrial use. 1. The major initiative related to There are, however, stretches of under- ' public safety will be the establish- utilized land as well as an occasional ment of block clubs throughout the block of marginal housing. The district district. Considerable energy will supports the development of additional , have to be devoted to this effort industrial uses in the area. if the clubs are to be effective. The development of industrial enter- t prises is especially important for District 7 where 35� of the employed work force is classified as blue collar. ' Comnercial Development Accomplishments ' 1 . The University Avenue Comnercial Revitalization Program was produced ' by the University Avenue Development Council , including recommendations for design improvements, parking development and market revitaliza- ' tion. ' ' ' 11 � - , ' � New Initiatives Background 1 . The district council , in cooperation The single greatest challenge facing t with Saint Paul 's Department of District 7 in its comnercial development Planning and Economic Development, efforts is the redevelopment of Univer- should conduct a market analysis sity Avenue. Once the metropolitan , of the University Avenue area to center for car sales and the major determine the combination of goods thoroughfare between Minneapolis and and services which should be delivered St. Paul , the avenue has been undergoing ' in the area. a major transition for the better part of the past two decades. As a major 2. Efforts should be made to develop car retail center, it is competing with moderate density housing in proximity well established suburban locations. ' to University Avenue in order to Construction of I-94 between the two strengthen the market for available cities reduced the daily traffic by and projected goods and services. about one-third. By almost any estima- ' tion, the nature of University Avenue 3. The district council , the University has to be redefined if it really is Avenue Development Council and the going to thrive as a commercial center. ' Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development should In 1976, the University Avenue Develop- cooperatively assess the need for ment Council commissioned a study by parking along University Avenue Grebner Schoen, Inc. , of University t and determine a strategy for develop- Avenue between Lexington Parkway and ing necessary parking. Marion Street. Working in cooperation with business owners along the avenue, ' 4. The University Avenue Development a series of recommendations were developed Council should consider the esta- addressing the organization of the blishment of a sign district along corrrnercial strip, parking, and design University Avenue using the guide- guidelines for lighting, signage and ' lines established in the University screening. Avenue Comnercial Revitalization Program Implementation Guide. There is a fundamental assumption under- ' lying the study relative to the nature 5. Develop schemes for tree-planting, of the enterprises which will populate unified lighting and signage as the avenue. It is suggested in the ' recomnended in the Revitalization Revitalization Program that the strip Program to enhance the appearance be divided into three major districts: for the avenue. Funding for some (1 ) "Auto World", (2) "Entertainment/ of these improvements may be lever- Retail World", and (3) "Capitol Area". ' aged from the Neighborhood Partner- The rationale for emphasizing these ship Program by businesses willing uses is primarily historical . In the to invest in private improvements past, these enterprises have prospered ' to their own structures. in the area. There is little evidence presented, however, to indicate that a market currently exists for such a ' combination of goods and services. ' 12 ' ' . - ' ' The question about the nature of the , market is central to the development of University Avenue. From what popula- tion area does it or might it draw its ' customers? What combination of goods and services do those customers expect? What is the purchasing power of those ' who are or might be attracted to Univer- sity Avenue? To what extent does the revitalization of University Avenue depend on an increase in the population ' of the immediate area? Or, can increased promotion alone bring sufficient pur- chasing power to the area? These are ' all questions which cannot be answered without some kind of market analysis. The major contribution of the Revitaliza- ' tion Program was related to the physical appearance of the avenue. It sets forth a series of specific guidelines on ' signage, lighting, and construction of parking bays, building design and landscaping. These are intended to ' improve the appearance and image of the area - both of which clearly impact the economic viability of a comnercial area. ' The implementation of design related guidelines may take one of several � ' forms: 1 . persuasion of business owners by ' fellow owners; 2. low interest loans and grants to business owners to encourage exterior improvements; ' 3. establishment of a sign district as provided in the Saint Paul Zoning Code. ' , ' � 13