Jake Spitzack
Staff Writer
Dirty and unsafe portions of the skyway system will now be cleaned up by the City but the cost of the work will fall on the building owner who failed to meet skyway standards. This change in city code, approved Dec. 13, is just one of the steps the city is taking to revive the elevated thoroughfares, which have been battling issues related to homelessness since many downtown workers began working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, building owners are expected to keep their part of the skyway clean and temperature-controlled, provide security through a live video camera or security personnel, and unlock their skyway doors at 6 a.m. and lock them at midnight.
“We’re [also] putting some dollars towards physical improvements related to crime prevention through environmental design,” said Angie Weise, director of the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections, at the city council meeting. “Folks who traverse the skyway, myself included, should see those taking place over the next couple months, which will be really fantastic to see. I think it’ll be very apparent because they’re in high traffic areas.”
A few of the improvements include additional video cameras and intercoms and signage stating that video cameras are in use. The recently approved city code amendment also puts a deadline on when building owners must provide the City with their annual safety plan for their segment of the skyway. Previously, they could do so at any time of the year but now they must submit their plan by March 31.
These improvements are being made possible through partnerships between the City and its police department, the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, Metropolitan Council, Metro Transit and building owners that are part of the skyway system. The City is also working with Ramsey County Workforce to employ people receiving services at Listening House, a daytime homeless shelter, to pick up litter throughout downtown, including in the skyway system. The Downtown Alliance employs street ambassadors through its St. Paul Downtown Improvement District to do this work but city staff believe that the more people there are in the skyways the safer they will be. Additionally, more St. Paul Police patrol the skyways in the wintertime.
Building owners who are complying with skyway standards “have frankly been sick and tired of keeping up their end of the bargain when connecting skyway systems are not kept up to the proper standards,” said Tina Gassman, president of the Building Owners and Management Association, at the council meeting. “Their frustrations have really come to a boiling point and they’re looking for any feasible solutions to help bring up the general standard and safety of the skyway.” Gassman’s group represents about 300 business owners in St. Paul, including 20 who are property owners along the skyway system.
The CapitolRiver Council’s Skyway Governance Advisory Committee recommended approval of the amendment prior to it going before the city council. The committee meets the fourth Friday of each month to discuss way to improve the skyway system. To report a problem or concern with a skyway, call 651-266-8989.