photo by Jef Nickerson

Last winter, Annette Rondano got frustrated navigating around mounds of snow and icy patches at the bus stop near her business in Highland Village. She contacted the business at the stop, the City and Metro Transit to express her concerns, but was surprised to learn that none were responsible for keeping her stop cleared of snow and ice.

"This year, I decided to put my money where my mouth was," Annette said, explaining that her business, The Great Metropolitan Backrub, has pledged to "adopt the stop" for snow removal at Cleveland and Ford Parkway and clear paths from the street to the sidewalk. Annette also launched an effort to encourage other local businesses to adopt a stop or corner and clear paths from the sidewalk to the street to improve access and safety for pedestrians and bus riders.

"I hope to set and example of what snow removal means, not just for business owners but for people who use the sidewalks and transit stops. I want people to be able to get to my store, but I also feel so sorry for people who are disabled or elderly and have mobility challenges even without snow. We are essentially making them shut-ins because it's dangerous so they stay indoors."

Join Annette and The Great Metropolitan Backrub in adopting a stop or corner near your home or business and help keep walkways safe for all users.  

Learn about Metro Transit's snow removal procedures and Adopt-A-Shelter program.   

City of St. Paul Sustainable Transportation Planner Emily Erickson appreciates all the input from residents last month about design options for the Jefferson Avenue Bikeway. "We received a lot of great feedback in ways new and old, including three public meetings and an online survey," Emily said.

The City will share design proposals based on that public input at an upcoming community meeting. Staff will then pursue project approval through the City Transportation Committee, Planning Commission and City Council. The future meeting date and related information will be posted soon on the project website.  

Photo courtesy of Councilmember Brendmoen, shown here with her son Sawyer.

St. Paul's newest City Council member Amy Brendmoen first tried bike commuting to downtown Minneapolis five years ago because she was frustrated by State Fair traffic. "I was hooked instantly," said the Como Park resident and Ward 5 representative.

"Starting my day biking in to work is exhilarating," she explained."It helps me clear my mind and arrive at my destination with a fresh perspective and energy to tackle the day. Likewise, biking home provides me the mental space to reflect on my work day and be in a different mindset by the time I arrive home to my family."

Amy enjoyed campaigning by bike and soon hopes to be biking to her new office at City Hall. She anticipates that her passion for biking will impact her views on city planning and livability. "I plan to recommend bike-minded individuals to participate in boards and commissions to help ensure we continue to develop a bike-friendly community," she added.

Amy encourages anyone to give bike commuting a try. "It has probably been the most life-altering and energizing personal choice I've ever made."

Learn more about Amy in a recent MinnPost profile.