Hamline Hi-Rise
seniors lead the effort
by Tesha M. Christensen
If you live near 777 N. Hamline Ave., you have to take three
buses to get to the grocery store on University Ave. W.
Some senior residents of the Hamline Hi-Rise opt to drive
their power wheelchairs down the street instead, traveling 9 blocks south to
get to the shops along University.
Jerline Clark doesn’t think that’s safe. And she’s working to
do something about it.
Clark is pushing for a bus route down Hamline.
When the Green Line opened, Metro Transit added a route along
Lexington, she pointed out, using federal funds designated for the purpose of
moving people towards the lightrail line. Representatives with Metro Transit
have told Clark they won’t add a line along Hamline because there is one on
Lexington.
“We still can’t get to the lightrail,” remarked Clark, who
has been a resident at the Hamline Hi-Rise since 2005. Completed in 1976, 777
N. Hamline has 17 floors and 186 one-bedroom apartments. It is operated by the
St. Paul Public Housing Agency.
“They made the decision of where to put the buses without
asking the people in the neighborhood,” she added.
“There’s more need down Hamline than there is on Lexington.”
Over 250 people agree with her and signed a petition last
fall requesting a bus down Hamline.
In addition to asking fellow Hamline Hi-Rise residents to
sign, Clark and the Proud Hamline Senior Walkers went door-to-door in the
neighborhood asking for signatures.
“There are a lot of people from different walks of life that
want the bus,” remarked Darlene Jackson, a fellow Hi-Rise resident who helped
canvas the neighborhood. She pointed out that many Hamline University students
indicated they’d use a bus if there was one.
Emiily Samsel lives next door to the Hamline Hi-Rise and
regularly volunteers there with her church, The Third Way Community that meets
at Knox Presbyterian Church.
“It seems like a no-brainer to me,” said Samsel.
Right now, residents walk two blocks down to Minnehaha to
catch a bus. They take that over to Snelling where they have to switch buses.
That takes them only as far as University. Then they have to switch buses again
to find one to take them to Cub.
Imagine doing that as a senior and then hauling your grocery
bags back, switching buses several times again. Now factor in inclement weather
and icy roads.
“In the winter, it’s terrible,” added Jackson. “We’re got to
eat too. That’s where the grocery stores are.”
Samsel acknowledged that the residents could opt to use Metro
Mobility, but it isn’t predictable and it costs $3 or 4 a ride each way, she
said. For someone who has to get to a doctor’s appointment three times a week,
that adds up.
“Most seniors are pretty limited,” Samsel pointed out.
Some people opt to walk, but that can be tough too, pointed
out Samsel. “These sidewalks are trouble,” said Samsel. “I trip everytime and I
don’t have a disability.”
Because of the bumps and sidewalks that aren’t shoveled well,
the power wheelchairs use the smoother street surface.
Samsel believes that many residents would use a bus if it ran
down Hamline. “It’s good for everybody,” she stated.
As she’s talked to neighborhood residents, she has only heard
support for the initiative.
They aren’t asking for a private bus, stressed Clark. “We
just need it to be convenient,” she said.
Clark pointed out that they’re flexible about how often the
bus runs down Hamline. It could be every two hours or just mornings and
afternoons.
Last October, a community meeting was held at the Hamline Hi-Rise.
Clark plans to hold another within the next few months to garner more support
for the bus route.
She also urges residents to contact these people to show
their support:
- Met Council Representative Jon Commers 651-645-4664
- Metro Transit
General Manager Brian Lamb 612-349-7510
- St. Paul City Council Member Russ Stark 651-266-8640
- Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Charlie
Zelle 651-366-1899
For more information, contact Clark at
jerlineclark@hotmail.com.
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