This article is adapted fromAmerica’s Walking Renaissance, a free downloadable book fromAmerica Walks.
Construction on Charles Avenue began in 2014along a four-mile stretch of the street.
That activism showed political leaders the depth of public support for walk and bike projects.
“People would walk to the neighborhood store and kids could see all the others kids.
They’d play baseball and football in the street.
You couldnt do those things today.”
Conditions are grim on many of Saint Paul’s I-94 bridges.
“Let me tell you a story,” he adds.
“One night I was in a neighborhood near here and started talking to some kids about college.
They said, ‘Man, look at this place.
How can I think about going to college when I live in a trash basket?'”
Giles helped convene a series of listening sessions with people in the community.
“FSI is not doing things for us, it’s doing thingswithus,” he says.
“It’s not just community engagement.
FSI shows you how to turn your ideas into reality.”
“Biking and walking are healthy.
Biking and walking can save you money.
We need to create a culture of biking and walking.”
Anderson underscores the importance of making Saint Paul comfortable for older walkers.
“It’s not just cars and crime you have to be careful about, but also bikes.
Planned reconstruction of the freeway offers opportunities for big ideas that stir excitement in the community.
Jay Walljasper writes, speaks and consults about how to improve communities of all kinds.
He is the author ofThe Great Neighborhood Book.
