St. Paul’s city council is poised to take a last vote on whether to put bike lanes along Cleveland Avenue.
After about a year of discussion on the issue, the St. Paul City Council will consider a resolution Wednesday night that recommends adding bike facilities to a 2½-mile stretch along the busy street between Highland Parkway and University Avenue.
The plan also calls for creating half-block parking bays near Randolph and Palace to offset spots lost to the bike lanes. Each would add about four or five parking stalls, according to Luke Hanson, a technician in the city’s public works department.
The total project is expected to cost about $360,000. Much of that figure covers parking bay construction, Hanson said.
If the city council gives its nod of approval, it would then move to the Ramsey County Board for one last vote. Much of Cleveland Avenue is owned by the county.
If it passes that hurdle, the bulk of the project (from Highland Parkway to St. Anthony Parkway) would be implemented in 2016. The final couple-block stretch would be delayed while the city studies how best to address a railroad crossing in the lane’s path north of St. Anthony, Hanson said.
City council president Russ Stark and council member Chris Tolbert have both indicated they support the plan after a community working group recommended it in December after months of study. Most of the lane is in Tolbert’s Ward.
Some business owners and residents have expressed opposition to bike lanes along Cleveland, largely due to the impact on parking. There are also safety concerns about putting bike lanes on a narrow, busy thoroughfare.
Also Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council is expected to weigh in on three other related recommendations that would make changes to permit parking in the area to help further mitigate parking concerns.
After gathering public feedback on those proposals at a recent open house, Hanson said he expects the city council will table those votes until staff can do further study on the issue.