Latest Skyway News...And A Few Thoughts

The Saint Paul City Council has approved the updates to the skyway ordinance proposed by Councilmember Noecker after months of discussion and debate by various parties, including the Skyway Governance Advisory Committee (SGAC) and the Skyway Vitality Work Group (SVWG).

When the updates take effect in late October, skyways will be open from 6am to midnight, building owners will be required to meet minimum standards for security, a new code of conduct will be clearly posted throughout the system, and police will be freer to take action against those behaving badly. While no one expects these changes to solve every problem, they should be a good first step.

The SVWG has turned its attention to several new initiatives, including wayfinding improvements, availability of public restrooms, and introducing positive decor and activities in the skyways to promote vitality and discourage negative behavior. There is much concern over where to send the homeless if we are no longer going to tolerate sleeping in the skyway system, and solutions are being sought. Efforts continue to steer youth toward positive activities when downtown for school, transportation, etc.

Building owners, led by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), have hired a consultant to study the best ways to make downtown safe and comfortable for residents, businesses, workers and visitors alike. While much remains to be determined regarding funding, having a vision for securing downtown, including the skyway system, will be a big step forward.

There is a significant difference of opinion as to who should provide security in the skyways. Some building owners feel that police should have a primary role instead of past practice whereby private building security personnel were expected to handle all but the most serious issues. City representatives claim police presence has been greatly increased in recent years and that building owners need to step up to their responsibilities as specified in the skyway ordinance and their easement agreements (which gave the owners skyway connections in exchange for right-of-way through their properties and agreement to provide security and maintenance). For now, it appears the city intends to hold building owners to their agreements while shortening skyway hours to lighten the burden on owners.

It's unlikely that much will change until BOMA completes its security study and we see how the ordinance changes affect behavior over the coming winter. This gives us some breathing room to consider other important issues such as wayfinding, vitality and emergency shelter for the homeless. I expect the SVWG and others to revisit the ordinance changes in the spring to review their effect and consider further modifications. Until then, our efforts continue to make our skyway system something of which we can be justly proud.