What’s happening to those beautiful homes?
Unique, elegant, and architecturally creative, the houses lining Summit Avenue add a stunning appearance to St. Paul. They also provide St. Thomas with an established, affluent atmosphere that is attractive to prospective students and others interested in involving themselves with the University.
When these homes were constructed, they were made to reflect individual designs, rather than the generic styles often seen in today’s housing.
Summit Avenue is protected as a historic stretch of land. It is one of the longest strips of Victorian residencies within the U.S. Thus, the houses that line Summit Avenue are registered under the U.S. Department of the Interior and are to be preserved for this reason. Sadly, this neighborhood is being threatened by the very institution that benefits from its unique atmosphere.
Besides their historical value, these beautiful houses are homes to many. Those who live along Summit Avenue value their homes and appreciate the one-of-a-kind characteristics and atmosphere they possess.
Since St. Paul has passed laws to deter any institution from constructing at the risk of destruction to these houses, it seems rather odd that St. Thomas is currently planning to do away with several of them.
Among Summit Avenue residents, very few are currently vocal in their concern for the preservation of their neighborhood. However, a small yet, outspoken group of residents tries hard to stay involved in safeguarding the meaningful beauty that Summit Avenue possesses.
Mrs. Helen Murphy, who lives in one of these houses, is among the few who articulate the rights and concerns of Summit Avenue residents, in addition to caring for the environmental conservation of the neighborhood.
She says, “People care, I’ve heard their concerns, they just don’t express it.” One day, however, if St. Thomas comes knocking on their door, informing them they are going to need to find a new place to live, they may wish they had. However, by then it may be too late.
Murphy is on the board of directors of the Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association (SARPA). The organization was founded by Mayor George Latimer in 1986. The group’s purpose is summed up in its name: SARPA is concerned with safeguarding the vicinity of Summit Avenue.
Murphy has seen St. Thomas step over construction regulations before. She has tried to express the need for environmental awareness as well as the protection of her neighborhood for the past 16 years since she joined SARPA.
For instance, the State of Minnesota requires an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), that prohibits hasty construction in order to determine the environmental impact of the building project. An EIS is an analysis that looks at the impact of construction on the environment; before an institution can begin building the negative consequences such as increased traffic, pollution, and noise must be measured and taken into account.
St. Thomas ignored this regulation, petitioning the City of St. Paul to allow them to turn in a less vigorous environmental assessment. Furthermore, continual pressure from St. Thomas made SARPA step down, allowing the University to proceed unhindered by the usual parameters.
Those involved in the neighborhood organization know the history that is behind this unique neighborhood and the laws that have been set in place to protect it. They understand the purpose of restrictions on building and development in this area and therefore try to ensure that these policies are followed.
SARPA does more than oversee the legal trespasses made upon Summit Avenue, it also tends to agricultural care, such as the propagation and nourishing of gardens in the neighborhood.
Yet, currently the main object of concern for this group is St. Thomas’ plans for expansion onto Summit Avenue at the expense of doing away with six to twelve historical houses, meant to be protected under St. Paul legislation.
How does St. Thomas get away with pursuing such plans? Murphy puts it quite simply, “Because they are big.” They have the capital to undermine established laws, take away people’s homes, and overlook the negative consequences of their extension into the Summit Avenue neighborhood.
SARPA has been pushed aside before by St. Thomas and has witnessed the University’s ability to use its wealth to get what it wants, regardless of legal issues or the consequences it may have on others.
The question posed by Murphy is, “Where will they stop?” Further, if a university such as St. Thomas is going to trample laws and overlook the affects its actions have on its neighbors—who hurt at its benefit—who is to say this will not happen again somewhere else? Murphy said that it would not surprise her if Macalester College sees St. Thomas’ successful expansion and decides to try to expand its own campus onto Summit Avenue.
St. Thomas seems to be setting a precedent that says that if you can manipulate your way around the laws and quiet those who protest your actions, then do it. If a university is benefiting, that’s all that matters. But is St. Thomas’ desire to expand important enough to tear down lovely houses that add to its attractive atmosphere? To overlook the rights and needs of its neighbors? To destroy what is to be preserved for its historical value in order to build a new complex, even when alternatives have been offered?
SARPA sees the value of education and realizes that the University may need to expand, yet Summit Avenue is not the only real estate available.
Former St. Paul Mayor, Sen. Norm Coleman, offered St. Thomas locations in downtown St. Paul, where they could expand. Another option would be to expand by adding onto their existing Minneapolis campus.
Yet, if neither of these alternatives appealed to St. Thomas, it could still consider appealing to the Summit Avenue residents by respecting their property and acknowledging the laws set in place to protect their neighborhood.
Besides the fact that these houses are to be preserved under legal policies, why would St. Thomas wish to take away from the homes that create the attractive atmosphere surrounding the campus?
Murphy and other residents along Summit Avenue would like to know how and why St. Thomas pursues that which is both unauthorized and disrespectful to historical preservation, the environment, and St. Paul residents. Their bending of the laws is not only insolent, but is setting a precedent for any neighborhood with a big institution nearby.
Watch out if you live near a prestigious university, because St. Thomas is sending the message that it is acceptable for such institutions to override your rights as a resident in the name of higher education.