Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Grand Round?
Note: These segments were developed for planning purposes and do not reflect neighborhoods or District Council boundaries.
2. What is the Grand Round Project that is currently being discussed?
3. What are the Goals of the Grand Round Project?
Sustainability
Accessibility
Placemaking and Economic Vitality
4. What were the previous planning efforts for the Grand Round?
The Grand Round project will build upon work previously completed plans including:
5. What are the timelines for implementation of the Grand Round Project?
The project has been divided into two phases:
Phase I – Analysis and Conceptual Design (Northerly portion)
Phase II – Detailed Design and Construction timeline (Segments 1, 3, and 8)
NOTE: Remainder of the segments will be implemented as funding allows.
6. How can I find more information on what is being discussed and proposed?
Information can be found on Grand Round project public web site at: www.saintpaulgrandround.org
7. Will I have a chance to ask questions and provide comment and input?
Yes, during the Conceptual Design stage fourteen “listening” and “public outreach” sessions (open to the public) are being held in and around the project area. Public comment and questions are encouraged and welcomed. Information on dates and locations of meetings and can be found on the project web site at: www.saintpaulgrandround.org
A Kick-off Open House for the Weeklong Design Workshop was held on Monday, June 22. Open Houses during the workshop were also held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
July 2015 – Three public open houses were held to solicit input on the Draft Conceptual Design on:
8. Who can I call if I have a question or a comment?
9. What type of corridor improvements might I expect from the project?
The ideal corridor for the Grand Round project includes pedestrian facilities, bicycle facilities - both off road trail and on road bike lanes, parkway lighting, landscaping within green areas, public art, and parkway amenities. Areas of the corridor that will be reconstructed, such as Wheelock Parkway in 2016, includes a new roadway along with the addition of the other facilities listed above.
10. When will the proposed improvement occur?
The improvements will likely be implemented over the next five to eight years as funding is available. Wheelock Parkway, from Rice Street to Edgerton, improvements are anticipated to be implemented in 2016.
Phasing for the remaining segments will be identified during the conceptual design process.
11. How will the projects be funded and will the financing impact me?
The Grand Round project will be funded in part, through the City’s 8 80 Vitality Fund. The percentage and amount of city funding and property assessment will be determined at the conclusion of the Conceptual Design Phase.
Anticipated assessment strategies include:
12. How might the project physically change the street right-of-way along the Grand Round corridor?
Changes may include the following:
13. Will access to my property be impacted during construction?
14. Will the addition of sidewalks and a bike trail in the boulevards or street medians impact the value of my property?
Studies indicate that property owners and renters look favorably on properties and neighborhoods that include amenities and connectivity such as sidewalks, bike trails and access to multi-modal transportation options.
15. Will the addition of the enhancements (I.e. two on-road bike lanes, two off-road sidewalks and an off-road bike path) create congestion?
The project will identify the best methods to safely balance the needs of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular users within the existing right of way.
16. Will the proposed Grand Round enhancements impact parking?
Adding both off-street and on-street bike lanes will more than likely require that parking, lane widths, roadway access, alignment and turning movements be addressed to allow safe operations of both bikes and motor vehicles. In some locations parking may need to be eliminated, added, reconfigured, or relocated to accommodate the enhancements. Each block of the corridor is unique and will be evaluated independently.
17. Will the roadway alignment and configuration change along the corridor?
Roadway enhancements may include intersection modifications to reduce intersection conflicts, lane width adjustments, and/or curb modifications to accommodate multi-modes of transportation.
18. Will additional right-of-way need to be acquired in constricted areas of the corridor to accommodate the addition of corridor enhancements?
It is the goal of the project to keep proposed improvements within the existing right-of-way.
19. Who will maintain the amenities added to the corridor?
20. Will existing trees need to be removed to accommodate the addition of sidewalk, bike trail and road construction?
- The Grand Round is an existing linear parkway/park system that encircles the City of Saint Paul. It was envisioned in the 1880s under the direction of landscape architect H.W.S. Cleveland and implemented over the course of many years.
- The southern half has existing bike and pedestrian facilities that run along the Mississippi River adjacent to Mississippi River Boulevard on the west; Shepard Road and Warner Road on the south; to Burns Avenue on the east.
- The City has funding to design bike and pedestrian facilities along the approximately 12.5 mile northern half of the parkway system which includes the following segments:
- Johnson Parkway (Burns Ave. to Phalen Blvd.)
- Phalen Park (Phalen Blvd. to Arcade St.)
- Wheelock Parkway (Rice St. to Edgerton St.)
- Wheelock Parkway (Como Ave. to Rice St. and Edgerton St. to Arcade St.)
- Como Park (Como Ave. to Hamline Ave)
- Como Avenue (Hamline Ave. to Raymond Ave.)
- Raymond Avenue (Como Ave. to University Ave.)
- Pelham Boulevard (University Ave. to Mississippi River Blvd.)
Note: These segments were developed for planning purposes and do not reflect neighborhoods or District Council boundaries.
2. What is the Grand Round Project that is currently being discussed?
- The City has funding to design parkway improvements to include bike and pedestrian modes of transportation and enhancements such as signage, landscaping, and user amenities along the northern half of the corridor.
- The funding will also go toward implementation of the bike and pedestrian facilities along:
- Johnson Parkway: (Burns Ave. to Phalen Blvd.)
- Wheelock Parkway: includes full road reconstruction (Rice St. to Edgerton St.)
- Pelham Boulevard (University Ave. to Mississippi River Blvd.)
3. What are the Goals of the Grand Round Project?
Sustainability
- Build awareness and understanding of the Grand Round as a continuous multi-modal system and as a community asset
- Generate support, advocacy and stewardship for the Saint Paul Grand Round
- Protect and enhance the corridor environment – natural, cultural, scenic and habitat
- Honor the cultural legacy of the city, neighborhoods, and the people of Saint Paul.
- Promote functional safety and use
Accessibility
- Access for users with a broad range of abilities
- Access to trail amenities such as parking, restrooms and drinking water
- Safety measures including multi-seasonal use, trail access, sight distance, signage, lighting and way finding.
- Provide options appropriate for commuters and recreational users
Placemaking and Economic Vitality
- Promote awareness of the Saint Paul Grand Round as a destination and a regional asset of national significance
- Increase the use of the Saint Paul Grand Round amenities and facilities
- Incorporate intuitive and multilingual functional assets including branding and way finding elements, points of interest – scenic vistas, historic and natural interpretive sites, and pedestrian gathering areas
- Integrate public art to create a sense of place and enhance the user experience
- Incorporate education and information features to support local, neighborhood, and social dynamics
- Positioning the Saint Paul Grand Round as a key component in making Saint Paul a great place to live, work and do business.
4. What were the previous planning efforts for the Grand Round?
The Grand Round project will build upon work previously completed plans including:
- Grand Round Master Plan (2003)
- Grand Round Historic Preservation Plan (2010)
- Saint Paul Park and Recreation Plan (2010)
- Saint Paul Parks and Recreation System Plan (2010)
- Saint Paul Street and Park Master Tree Plan (2010)
- Saint Paul Transportation Plan (2010)
- Saint Paul Historic Resources Inventory (2011)
- Saint Paul Complete Streets Design Manual (Draft 2014)
- Saint Paul Bridge Map and Truck Routes (2014)
- Saint Paul Bicycle Plan (2014)
- City of Saint Paul Comprehensive Plan – (Transportation, Parks and Recreation chapters)
5. What are the timelines for implementation of the Grand Round Project?
The project has been divided into two phases:
Phase I – Analysis and Conceptual Design (Northerly portion)
- Inventory and Analysis (March – May 2015)
- Community Input (March – August 2015)
- Conceptual Design (May – Sept. 2015)
Phase II – Detailed Design and Construction timeline (Segments 1, 3, and 8)
- Detailed Design (Sept. – Dec. 2015)
- Construction (Feb. – Dec. 2016)
NOTE: Remainder of the segments will be implemented as funding allows.
6. How can I find more information on what is being discussed and proposed?
Information can be found on Grand Round project public web site at: www.saintpaulgrandround.org
7. Will I have a chance to ask questions and provide comment and input?
Yes, during the Conceptual Design stage fourteen “listening” and “public outreach” sessions (open to the public) are being held in and around the project area. Public comment and questions are encouraged and welcomed. Information on dates and locations of meetings and can be found on the project web site at: www.saintpaulgrandround.org
A Kick-off Open House for the Weeklong Design Workshop was held on Monday, June 22. Open Houses during the workshop were also held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
July 2015 – Three public open houses were held to solicit input on the Draft Conceptual Design on:
- July 13th – Western portion of corridor- Langford Park Recreation Center
- July 14th – Central portion of corridor - North Dale Recreation Center
- July 15th – Eastern portion of corridor – Arlington Hills Community Center
8. Who can I call if I have a question or a comment?
- City of Saint Paul – Kathleen Anglo - Kathleen.anglo@ci.stpaul.mn.us 651.266.6368
- SEH – Wayne Houle - whoule@sehinc.com 952.238.6540
9. What type of corridor improvements might I expect from the project?
The ideal corridor for the Grand Round project includes pedestrian facilities, bicycle facilities - both off road trail and on road bike lanes, parkway lighting, landscaping within green areas, public art, and parkway amenities. Areas of the corridor that will be reconstructed, such as Wheelock Parkway in 2016, includes a new roadway along with the addition of the other facilities listed above.
10. When will the proposed improvement occur?
The improvements will likely be implemented over the next five to eight years as funding is available. Wheelock Parkway, from Rice Street to Edgerton, improvements are anticipated to be implemented in 2016.
Phasing for the remaining segments will be identified during the conceptual design process.
11. How will the projects be funded and will the financing impact me?
The Grand Round project will be funded in part, through the City’s 8 80 Vitality Fund. The percentage and amount of city funding and property assessment will be determined at the conclusion of the Conceptual Design Phase.
Anticipated assessment strategies include:
- Street reconstruction will be assessed against benefitting properties at a rate of up to 25% of overall street improvement cost. This includes pavement, curb and gutter, repair or replacement of existing sidewalk, lighting, landscaping, boulevard restoration, carriage walks (walks that extend your front walk to the street), and driveway aprons.
- Off-road bike trail construction is anticipated to be paid for through the 8 80 Vitality Funding or other funding sources.
- Construction of new sidewalk where it does not currently exist will be assessed 100% to adjacent properties per City Ordinance.
12. How might the project physically change the street right-of-way along the Grand Round corridor?
Changes may include the following:
- Selective tree removal to accommodate trail or sidewalk alignment
- Intersection modifications
- Addition of stormwater treatment elements (I.e. rain gardens, bio-swales)
- Drainage structure reconstruction and/or relocation
- Placement of new trail and roadway lighting
- Addition/removal/relocation of sidewalk and trails
- Addition of traffic and way finding signage
- Addition of retaining walls in select locations to accommodate difficult grades
- Temporary access disturbances and dust during construction
- Boulevard disturbance and restoration
13. Will access to my property be impacted during construction?
- Once the detailed design is completed, construction access to your property will be determined in more detail. A typical project limits access during the work day and for a couple of days and after the driveway aprons have been replaced. Wherever possible, temporary access will be provided. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained continuously.
- Prior to construction, public open houses will be conducted to review detailed design and construction access impacts and to ask for any special needs for access to properties.
14. Will the addition of sidewalks and a bike trail in the boulevards or street medians impact the value of my property?
Studies indicate that property owners and renters look favorably on properties and neighborhoods that include amenities and connectivity such as sidewalks, bike trails and access to multi-modal transportation options.
15. Will the addition of the enhancements (I.e. two on-road bike lanes, two off-road sidewalks and an off-road bike path) create congestion?
The project will identify the best methods to safely balance the needs of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular users within the existing right of way.
16. Will the proposed Grand Round enhancements impact parking?
Adding both off-street and on-street bike lanes will more than likely require that parking, lane widths, roadway access, alignment and turning movements be addressed to allow safe operations of both bikes and motor vehicles. In some locations parking may need to be eliminated, added, reconfigured, or relocated to accommodate the enhancements. Each block of the corridor is unique and will be evaluated independently.
17. Will the roadway alignment and configuration change along the corridor?
Roadway enhancements may include intersection modifications to reduce intersection conflicts, lane width adjustments, and/or curb modifications to accommodate multi-modes of transportation.
18. Will additional right-of-way need to be acquired in constricted areas of the corridor to accommodate the addition of corridor enhancements?
It is the goal of the project to keep proposed improvements within the existing right-of-way.
19. Who will maintain the amenities added to the corridor?
- The Grand Round system including the parkways, bike trails, landscaping, lighting and other public amenities are operated and maintained by the City of Saint Paul.
- Current city policy requires that sidewalks adjacent to private property be shoveled by the abutting property owner.
20. Will existing trees need to be removed to accommodate the addition of sidewalk, bike trail and road construction?
- It is the intent of the Grand Round plan to protect existing trees as much as possible. The Grand Round plan is being developed with input from the City of Saint Paul Forestry staff.
- The health and quality of certain trees along the corridor will be analyzed. There are numerous Ash trees located along the corridor. The prognosis for this existing ash tree inventory is not good due to Emerald Ash Borer. As a result, the plan will address the timing of removal and replacement of these trees as part of the design and implementation plan.
- If removal is necessary for safety and operational reasons, the focus will be to remove diseased or poor quality trees first.