The second open house presented more refined concepts and gave community members another chance to respond to design proposals. The consultant team then consolidated the ideas and feedback into a conceptual approach for the White Bear Avenue corridor. The White Bear Avenue Corridor Study seeks solutions that strengthen the businesses, institutions and residential neighborhoods of the corridor, improves the driving and walking experience along the avenue and enhances the physical appearance of the street. Vintage architectural style typical of much of White Bear Avenue's buildings. The Maplewood community Center - new construction along the avenue.
Commercial activity is a sign of a healthy street.
Pedestrian comfort needs to be addressed. Most commercial activity along the avenue focuses on the car and ignores the pedestrian realm. In St. Paul, the road reflects an earlier era, when traffic was lighter, lanes were narrower and the streetcar system was alive and well. The commercial nodes that are characteristic of this older section of White Bear Avenue generally grew up around the places where the streetcar lines intersected. The residential community surrounded the commercial nodes, including between nodes along White Bear Avenue.