Council approves 2025 pavement management plan with new Boone Avenue sidewalk; resident raises tree concerns

The St. Louis Park City Council voted to adopt the 2025 pavement management project, which includes neighborhood roadway reconstruction in Cedar Manor, Westwood Hills and Kilmer Pond and a proposed new sidewalk on Boone Avenue from Cedar Lake Road to 20th Street.

Project engineer Aaron Wiesen told the council the project scope is based on pavement and underground infrastructure condition and that the recommended action was to adopt the project report, approve plans and specifications, and authorize advertisement for bids. Wiesen said the cost estimate for the overall pavement management project is $3,200,000 and that funding is planned from franchise fees, utility funds and general obligation bonds. He said the Boone Avenue sidewalk would be constructed at no cost to property owners; the city would assume future repairs while property owners would remain responsible for snow removal. Wiesen said construction would be bid in March, awarded in April and begin in May if approved.

During council discussion and public comment, a nearby resident identified as Kate asked the council to reconsider the Boone Avenue sidewalk placement and to acknowledge that two trees near her property likely would not survive construction. Kate said the sidewalk segment covers the equivalent of three small residential lots, questioned whether the $10,500 cost aligned with citywide sidewalk objectives and asked that the city assume responsibility for tree removal if trees on her property die because of the work.

Council members acknowledged residents’ concerns, described efforts to minimize tree impacts and said staff would try to preserve or relocate trees where feasible. Wiesen said minimal tree impacts are expected on Boone Avenue and that one 12‑inch tree (as described by staff) would likely have to be removed or relocated; he said staff would evaluate relocation and noted survival after relocation is not guaranteed. The council also directed staff to inspect the nearby 20th Street sidewalk that residents reported as substandard; Wiesen said repairs could be funded from pavement management or the city's concrete replacement project.

After debate, the council voted to adopt the staff recommendation and establish the 2025 pavement management project, approve plans and specifications and authorize the city to advertise for bids.

Next steps: staff will advertise the project for bids in March and return to council for contract award and construction schedule updates.