Lisa Falk-Thompson, the project engineer for our “Prior/Goodrich RSVP” project, hosted the first public meeting about this project on Tuesday 11/15/11 at the Pilgrim Lutheran Church on Saint Clair. RSVP stands for the “Residential Street Vitality Program” in Saint Paul. It is the effort that puts real curbs and pavement on our neighborhood streets. Our RSVP project is being designed now (Fall 2011), will see construction begin in Spring 2012 (probably February), and should be completed by Fall 2012 (though a final pavement may await Spring 2013).
A number of utilities that run under the street will also be updated. Sewers will be checked, water mains will be replaced, gas lines will probably be updated, and electricity for street lighting will move underground to supply the new street lamps that are part of the project. Other utilities from the allies (cable, other electricity, phone) will not be moved under the street.
75% of the cost of RSVP is covered by the city and street improvement bonds, the other 25% is assessed to owners. Lisa expects the cost to owners will come in at about $60 per foot of street front property (a typical house has a 40 foot street front), but that cost may change before the assessment is made in Fall 2012.
We are starting a new “RSVP” section on this website to hold more details and contacts for our project.