Robbinsdale Residents Sign Petition Against Proposed Hubbard Avenue Bike Path
The city of Robbinsdale has a lot of work ahead to replace aging infrastructure throughout the city. According to city engineers, some of that infrastructure, which includes everything from water mains to stormwater sewer pipe, is roughly 100 years old.
But a $6.6 million plan to improve underground water utilities for a section of Hubbard Avenue and nearby streets includes something some residents are speaking out against. That something: a 10-foot-wide bike path.
Such street projects are an opportune time for cities to do other improvements, such as installing a bike path or sidewalk. In Robbinsdale’s case, the city is trying to make itself a “bikeable, walkable city,” as called for in its comprehensive plan, a document that involves decades of review.
Residents, however, on Hubbard Avenue — specifically, a quarter-mile stretch between Grimes and 38th avenues — wonder whether a bike path is needed at a significant expense to both their yards and pocketbooks.
For residents like Patrick Mengelkoch, it means losing about 30 feet of his front yard, property that’s part of the city’s right-of-way.
“I’ve lived there for five years. I haven’t seen any instances of where a bike path has been needed or people have asked to be biking down there,” said Mengelkoch.
David Ulbrich, who also lives on Hubbard, gave the city council a petition presenting 48 signatures against the project. Ulbrich said that’s nearly every resident on his street.
“There’s absolutely no need to add this to the east side of Hubbard,” said Ulbrich. “It’s an absolutely ridiculous waste of money.”
The other side of the street has a sidewalk, which would also be repaired as part of the overall project.
The average assessment for each impacted homeowner is $7,385. Residents can pay in full by November 2023 to avoid interest, or pay off their portion over a 10-year period. The assessments on property owners total nearly $550,000.
View of intersection at Hubbard and Grimes avenues
City Council on the Fence
The street portion of the project would reduce Hubbard Avenue from 34 feet to 32 feet. It would allow for one lane of traffic each way. The project also includes an 8-foot parking lane that would alternate on each side as a way to calm traffic speeds.
Most of the street and infrastructure improvements would be paid for through a combination of city and state funds. Hubbard Avenue is a state-aid road due to its higher traffic volumes and being a key collector street.
Richard McCoy, the city’s engineer, said Hubbard was chosen for a bike path because it’s a primary link and also makes sense for safety reasons. West Broadway, which runs parallel to Hubbard to the north, was deemed too busy with buses and trucks, McCoy said.
City staff also expressed that the bike path was included because it follows the city’s comprehensive plan. The bike path could eventually connect to 40th Avenue, where a possible Blue Line Extension light rail stop could go.
“Staff feels strongly that including infrastructure such as this trail, as opportunity allows, should remain a priority,” said McCoy. “Over time, as routes are completed, the city will have developed an excellent system of connectivity with its cycling routes.”
Some Robbinsdale City Council members initially supported the bike path, but now aren’t so sure.
“For me, I was in agreement with the bike lane, to be transparent. But hearing the opposition, I definitely have to take that into consideration,” said Sheila Webb, one of four members currently seated on the council.
The Robbinsdale City Council ended up tabling the project at its Oct. 18 meeting to allow for more discussion.
“If we’re going to have a policy, we had a complete streets policy that we created and a bikeable, walkable city policy. If we’re not going to continue that, why would we plan anything?” said Pat Backen, who supports the bike path. “These are tough, tough decisions without question.”
Also See: Robbinsdale to Support Resolution Asking for Help with Light Rail Route
