Dear Neighbors,

On behalf of the Summit Hill Association I want to thank Peter Kenefick, John Wolf and all the stakeholders for your engagement in our discussions about 695 Grand Avenue (Dixie's, Emmett's, Saji-Ya).  We are grateful for your trust in us as facilitators.

Peter Kenefick has reached out to let us know the property owners have determined that their expansion plans do not coincide with the desires of many of their nearby residents.  Accordingly, they have decided not to proceed with redevelopment.

Now, more than ever, I encourage you to show your support of their businesses and all of those on Grand Avenue through your patronage.

Future development of our neighborhood is an important issue.  It requires careful balancing of pragmatic business economics, property value considerations, heritage preservation, housing needs and neighborhood vibrancy.  To be sure we are setting the state for careful development and supporting our local businesses, I invite you all to complete our Neighborhood Plan Survey.  It is available on our web page.

Sincerely,

Andrew Rorvig, President

Summit Hill Association

Please join us on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 7 pm for the Summit Hill Association Board Meeting at the Linwood Recreation Center for a project overview by HunWen Westman, City of St. Paul Public Works.

What is happening?  The City of St. Paul will be making pedestrial safety improvements on Grand Avenue at the intersections between Hamline Avenue and Victoria Street.

When is it happening?  The street will be under construction during the summer and fall of 2018.

How will it impact you?  There will be traffic changes and road closures during construction.

How will it benefit you?  We are making the intersections safer.  We will construct curb extensions (bump outs) and upgrade traffic signals to make it easier for you to cross the street.

Curb extensions will be built at the intersections of Grand Avenue at Syndicate, Dunlap, Oxford, Chatsworth and Milton streets.  Curb extensions will reduce the width of Grand Avenue at these intersections from 54 feet to 38 feet.  This will reduce how far people must walk in the street and it will provide better sight lines between drivers on Grand Avenue and pedestrians on corners.

Parking?  No parking will be removed.  The curb extensions will be put in where it is already illegal to park.

The owners of  are considering expansion plans. The scope of the project is to be determined, but may involve significant changes to the property. In advance of formal planning, the property owners and the Summit Hill Association/District 16 Planning Council invite you to a community discussion.

Tuesday, January 23, 7 pm at Dixie's, 695 Grand Avenue

More information coming soon! And thanks to Jason Koenig and Shane Montoya of the Odd Couple team for chairing this event.