Council continues Saint Anthony Rondo mill-and-overlay public hearing; assessment details explained

St. Paul staff presented project details Wednesday for the Saint Anthony Rondo arterial mill-and-overlay effort and said the Council will continue the public hearing to Jan. 28 to allow for additional resident notice and follow-up.

Brian Gravlin, Transportation Planning Lead for the project, told the Council the $4,500,000 effort is funded by the arterial mill-and-overlay program and property assessments and will grind off the top layer of pavement and replace it with new asphalt. The project is intended primarily to improve pavement condition while also adding bicycle connectivity and pedestrian improvements, including ADA curb ramps and curb extensions. Planning and design work occurred through 2025 and early 2026, and staff said they intend to construct in summer 2026 if scheduling proceeds as planned.

"The arterial mill and overlay program identifies streets with poor pavement condition and high traffic volumes such as Saint Anthony Rondo," Gravlin said, noting prior work on nearby Concordia. Lynn Rolfe of the Office of Financial Services explained how assessments are calculated under Chapter 13 of the city charter: the city covers 75% of the project cost and the assessable cost is 25%, with the final assessment the lesser of the special benefit analysis amount and the calculated assessment. Rolfe noted that for this project assessments account for about 11.2% of total project cost and are applied to properties abutting the improved streets; certain tax-exempt properties may be exempt under state or federal law.

With some residents reporting they had not received mailed notices, Councilmember Buie asked to postpone both the Saint Anthony Rondo and the Wheelock Grotto items until Jan. 28 so staff can ensure proper notice and provide follow-up to property owners; the Council approved continuing the public hearings to Jan. 28.