University Avenue

Sorry - I have none, but I look forward to reading other's.

Oh man, When I was a child, There wasn't any other good way to get to Minneapolis except University. It was always a delight to see the neighborhoods change and grow, die, and rebuild itself into something new each decade or so. Foods, Music, skin colors, languages, customs --everthything changed over and over. From the scandalous to the Sacred it was all there, the real lifeblood of this part of the urban Midwest.

I love University Avenue, too. I remember going to Gopher basketball games with my dad, all the way from Brooklyn Park to the U of M campus. We'd take 494 to University Avenue and head south. There were lots of stoplights along the way, but back then, there was no easy highway to get there... but it meant seeing how the houses changed in character as we got closer into the city and seeing the little mom 'n pop storefronts, bars, and restaurants that lined the avenue. Taking a leisurely route like University Ave. meant having more one-on-one time with my dad, which was fine by me!

When I started at the U, I had a job (for one quarter) at 1919 University (where the Purchasing department resided for the university). I'd catch a bus after my last class and head straight to 1919, and liked watching out the window on my way - and when I spied Porky's drive-in restaurant, I knew I'd reached my destination. Porky's wasn't open back then, but thankfully, someone renovated it and it's been in operation for years. I also love the Axe Man on University, and the funky vintage shops (go to Swank, folks, you'll love it!).

I like to read others. Thanks

I'm fond of University Avenue, Julia, since my first remembered excursion back in September, 1981--my Freshman year at the College of St. Catherine's.

It's always been a sign post for me, providing me with a homebase. When I lived in St. Paul, I could get anywhere as long as I had the directions starting at University Avenue.

I think my two most deeply ingrained memories are of people no longer living. I remember standing at the bus stop on University and Snelling in such bitter cold I stomped the soles of my cowboy boots all the way through. I was waiting for the last bus run around 1:00 in the morning. I found a payphone (no cells then) and called my sister who was asleep, hoping for a ride home. She told me, "C'est la vie, ma soeur" and went back to bed.

My other poignant memory is standing close to the intersection of Raymond and University in late October, 2002. It was dark and cold, but floodlights lit up thousands and thousands of flowers, posters, cards, all sorts of mementos left for Paul Wellstone and his planemates. How can any Minnesotan forget that?

I delivered newspapers along University Avenue at Lexington for most of the 1960's. I remember it in the dark of winter and the early morning light of summer. I recall its best and worst, from the couples strolling arm-in-arm into the Prom Ballroomm, to the Johns picking up hookers near Dale.

Mid 1980's. Johnnie's Bar. "Home of the home made sandwich". The first bar to serve Summit Pale Ale on tap. Right across the street from which was then the Summit Brewery.

Porky's on a Friday and Saturday night. That will go way once light rail comes in. That's why they are rebuilding in Nordeast Mpls. I bring my 12 year old son once or so a summer to Porky's and look at the cars. I love watching the hot rods go up and down University.

During the MSRA "Back to the Fifties" car show each summer, I love watching the cars come all the way down to my neighborhood in Highland Park, that won't happen with light rail plugging Snelling and University.

I worry about University Avenue with light rail coming. This "we gotta hurry up and build light rail down University while we can get the money no matter if the details aren't worked out" bugs me. Many business' will close during construction and never come back. They are not building enough stations on University. The bus stops alot now that's why people use it. The bus line down University is one of the highest used routes. People aren't gonna want to walk 6-8 blocks in 90F or -5F weather to get to the limited station. Driving to most stores will suck, I don't see them making it. The intersection of Snelling and Univ, the gateway to Rosedale and the stores north of University for people of Highland Park and Mac Groveland will become impossible. I plan on going the other way to Highway 5 to the Bloomington Richfield 494 strip for those stores I need to go to.

University Ave will lose most of it's charactor. University Ave will not serve the people of the neighborhood once light rail comes in.

I forgot Axman. My uncle Louie comes up from Iowa every year and has to go to Axman. Axman is great. Somehow you can't help but spend about 10 bucks on something that will sit in the garage and never get used.

Yes, JOHNNIE'S BAR! Oh wow, I'd forgotten about that wonderful little place. My friend Sarah and I discovered Summit pale ale there, and felt kind of cool knowing it was brewed across the street. We'd sit in an old wood booth and talk and drink for hours.

I agree -- there's no compelling need for light rail on University Avenue!

I take a different track on light rail. I just spent some time in Germany and France and traveled throughout those two countries on their trains and the subway in Paris. I loved it. It's so efficient and comfortable. The public transit system here in comparison to Europe's is a like a rotary dial to a satelite dish.

What I liked about their electric train is exactly that it didn't stop on every block. Our pudgy, well actually, obese society could use the exercise walking six to eight blocks to hop on the train.

The compelling need, imo, for light rail is its potential for efficiency and thereby its potential to decrease our reliance on highly polluting activities--a private vehicle.

And the other deal about ruining business is that it might happen the other way around. While walking from Avon to Lexington to catch the light rail, I might stop at the corner store to pick up a couple items. If I'm in my car, I woudn't be as likely to do that. If I only had to walk one block to the bus stop, I wouldn't even see that corner store.

But Susan, there IS a transportation system on University Avenue. It is called the 16A bus. It is just one of the many buses that run that route along with the 94A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

Why must we spend $500 million to replace rubber wheels with steel wheels? Could we not re-arrange the street to make green rubber-wheeled buses just as efficient and effective as steel wheeled one's.

Think of all the rubber-wheeled bus services we could provide with the $500 million.

In other words, I agree with Frick.