City of St. Paul and Department of Safety and Inspections: Preserve our Artistic Landmark: The People's Park of 680 East Wells Street

The Issue

For ten years the city of St. Paul has allowed our neighbor Arjo Adams to create a unique, artistic landmark in our neighborhood at 680 East Wells Street in St. Paul. We call it The Peoples’ Park. 680 East Wells Street was created by our neighbor on public land owned by the City of St. Paul. However, due to code violations on a separate, private property next door at 676 East Wells Street, now demolition of The Peoples’ Park is being contemplated. Over the last ten years many people have visited and contributed to this unique art installation in our neighborhood, and we find meaning and value in it as a neighborhood landmark; something that makes our neighborhood different and unique from other neighborhoods. If we are going to put money into public art, as we are doing a lot these days, then why tear down exactly that? That seems very inefficient and wasteful. There must be a way to preserve the spirit of Arjo's project while addressing safety or liability concerns. Not everything has to be out of the box and great art rarely if ever is. We believe that the City could work to find a compromise that reduces liability but retains what some find to be a unique artistic landmark in the neighborhood, and we believe the community deserves time for the fans of this landmark artistic installation to be heard.

Like The People's Park on Facebook! Visit it at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Peoples-Park/588070574550350?ref=hl#

 

avatar of the starter
Stephanie McCorkellPetition Starter
Media inquiries
This petition had 247 supporters

The Issue

For ten years the city of St. Paul has allowed our neighbor Arjo Adams to create a unique, artistic landmark in our neighborhood at 680 East Wells Street in St. Paul. We call it The Peoples’ Park. 680 East Wells Street was created by our neighbor on public land owned by the City of St. Paul. However, due to code violations on a separate, private property next door at 676 East Wells Street, now demolition of The Peoples’ Park is being contemplated. Over the last ten years many people have visited and contributed to this unique art installation in our neighborhood, and we find meaning and value in it as a neighborhood landmark; something that makes our neighborhood different and unique from other neighborhoods. If we are going to put money into public art, as we are doing a lot these days, then why tear down exactly that? That seems very inefficient and wasteful. There must be a way to preserve the spirit of Arjo's project while addressing safety or liability concerns. Not everything has to be out of the box and great art rarely if ever is. We believe that the City could work to find a compromise that reduces liability but retains what some find to be a unique artistic landmark in the neighborhood, and we believe the community deserves time for the fans of this landmark artistic installation to be heard.

Like The People's Park on Facebook! Visit it at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Peoples-Park/588070574550350?ref=hl#

 

avatar of the starter
Stephanie McCorkellPetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Robert Humphrey
Robert Humphrey
Department of Safety and Inspections, City of St. Paul
Responded
“Thank you for submitting the petition and expressing your concern and feedback. Public safety is always the first priority of the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department (Parks) and the Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). Prior to Parks and Recreation officially becoming the land owner last month, the materials at 680 Wells were constructed without any permits or authorization from the City on City-owned property. DSI became aware of the materials and inspected them for safety. At the inspection, DSI determined that the wall itself and much of the material on site were significant hazards to passers-by. The DSI Building Official also determined that the handrail and other portions of the site offered a degree of false protection and could easily fail at any time for any reason. Following the inspection, the Parks and Recreation Department was notified by DSI of its findings of significant public safety hazards and was made aware that those materials need to be removed. As I am sure you can appreciate, it is of the utmost importance that the city have safe, stable structures on its property and those that are deemed unsafe or unstable – in this case, 680 Wells – are addressed. As a supporter of public art, the Parks and Recreation Department has embraced its growing popularity and demand throughout the city. The department is always open and willing to have meaningful discussions with the community about public art (much like was done and accomplished at the neighboring Eastside Heritage Park a few years ago). So, to address the community’s concerns about this property, and have a meaningful discussion about the remaining materials on the site that haven’t been deemed hazardous, staff from the Parks and Recreation Department and DSI have agreed to attend the Payne Phalen District 5 Planning Council’s monthly Community Planning and Economic Development meeting on August 7. We hope this information is helpful to you, and are looking forward to having a productive dialogue on August 7. If you have additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Mike Hahm, Director Department of Parks and Recreation Ricardo Cervantes, Director Department of Safety and Inspections ”
Dan Bostrom
Dan Bostrom
Councilmember, Ward 6
Mike Hahm
Mike Hahm
Director of Recreation, City of St. Paul

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on July 9, 2013