Twin Cities Streets for People

The St. Paul City Council unanimously adopted a resolution for a Complete Streets policy. The resolution, introduced by Councilmember Russ Stark, also requests that the Planning Commission create guidelines for implementing complete streets by January 1, 2010.

"Complete Streets" accommodate all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and drivers of all ages and abilities. Complete Streets policies ensure that these needs are routinely taken into account on all types of streets.

St. Paul is the first city in Minnesota to adopt a complete streets policy.

As the resolution states, "the Capital city of the State of Minnesota can be a leader for the state, setting a precedent for making streets safe and friendly for users of all kinds."

Complete Streets policies are gaining momentum at many levels of decision-making throughout the State. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the Minnesota's first complete streets resolution, which called for the development of a complete streets policy, on February 10.

The State legislature also has ordered a study of the benefits, feasibility, and costs of adopting a statewide complete streets policy, to be submitted by December 5, 2009. MnDOT is undertaking the study and has created a webpage with a survey for the public.