Residents urge Ramsey County to fund West Seventh transit and pedestrian projects, criticize proposed tax-spending plan

Ramsey County commissioners opened a public hearing on June 3, 2025, to gather input on the county's proposed use of transportation sales and use tax funds. Speakers from West Seventh and transit advocacy groups told the board the draft plan understates transit investments and fails to commit county funds to long-delayed West Seventh improvements, including a proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) alternative to the canceled Riverview Corridor and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure on Randolph Avenue.

John Levin, a Saint Paul resident, told commissioners the county is proposing to spend "nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars" but, in his view, has provided little opportunity for public input and has not stated clear goals for the spending. "It really isn't clear. I think it would be really helpful to start this plan by establishing clear goals," Levin said, urging the board to state whether the plan is meant to prioritize transit-oriented development, mode shift, safety, or other outcomes.

Julia Macauley, executive director of the West Seventh Fort Road Federation (District Council 9), said West Seventh has waited decades for investment and asked the county to include two immediate priorities in the plan: "a modern transit solution to replace the canceled Riverview Corridor project and a greenway with bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure on Randolph Avenue connecting West Seventh to Shepherd Road, the Grand Round and the river." She said prior Riverview planning consumed "over $11,700,000 in public funds" and that the neighborhood lost an estimated $28,000,000 in earlier transit investment opportunities in 2014 because of expectations about Riverview construction.

Frank Jassy, chair of the Highland District Council Transportation Committee, and other neighborhood speakers said the city's proposed West Seventh BRT could be an affordable and transformative option if the county partners and provides funding. Jay Severance, who said he served on the Riverview citizen advisory committee, urged the county to allocate funds to continue corridor planning, support a Purple Line extension that includes the corridor, and use county rail authority funds where appropriate.

Multiple speakers contended the draft county plan favors pavement and intersection improvements over dedicated transit projects. Timothy Marino said the plan "doesn't go far enough" on transit and noted earlier iterations had a higher share of revenue dedicated to transit. Melissa Wenzel, co-chair of Sustain Saint Paul, said the county should "resupport the new West Seventh Corridor" and place the needs of pedestrians and transit-dependent riders first.

Neighborhood leaders highlighted specific local safety problems: missing sidewalks and bike infrastructure on Randolph Avenue, removal of street trees without replacement, delayed MnDOT mill-and-overlay work, and an industrial truck facility they said increases safety risk for pedestrians.

The board did not take a vote at the public hearing. Commissioners closed the hearing after multiple residents and advocates spoke in favor of adding West Seventh BRT and pedestrian improvements to the county's prioritized projects.

Votes at a glance: The board took several procedural votes later in the meeting. The June 3 agenda and the May 27 minutes were approved by roll call; a motion to waive first reading and set a public hearing on a proposed Ramsey County commissioner salary ordinance for 2026 was moved, seconded and advanced; and the administrative consent items listed by Commissioner Jeong (items numbered in the meeting transcript as 5'10, including single-source agreements and the All-Abilities 2050 transportation plan) were moved, seconded, and approved by roll call during the administrative agenda. Specific recorded roll-call ayes were read on the agenda and minutes approvals (commissioners present recorded as "Aye").