Accomplishments

The West Summit Neighborhood Advisory Committee has had an active and productive first four years.  Accomplishments include the following (for details and other accomplishments, please refer to the WSNAC annual reports):

• McNeely Hall. WSNAC helped to form a construction management plan that minimized impact on the neighborhood and worked to clarify the building's absolute height (59 feet, including five corner parapets).
• Pedestrian management.The committee worked closely with St. Thomas to develop a plan to streamline pedestrian traffic across Summit Avenue, and contributed $15,000 to help cover the cost of the east block portion.
• Anderson Parking Facility design and traffic study. Prior to construction of a student center, the university is required replace the 400 parking spaces that will be lost as a result of the center’s location at the northeast corner of Summit and Cretin.  After careful review, St. Thomas chose to locate a parking ramp west of the Cretin and Grand intersection on the current tennis court site for a 5-level, 700-stall complex.  The Ryan Companies design includes one underground level, a 33-foot, roof level height, a Collegiate Gothic appearance faced with precast concrete and brick, and the installation of a Kasota stone and glass tower at the southeast corner of the ramp.  WSNAC was actively involved in reviewing and modifying the plan.  The committee gave its support to the ramp design and traffic management plan.  Construction has begun with an anticipated completion date of spring 2009.
• User Guide to Neighborhood Relations.  The Housing subcommittee published the User Guide to Neighborhood Relations in December 2005.  The pamphlet was revised in July 2007 to reflect the city’s new certificate of occupancy program related the inspection of single-family and duplex rental units.  The pamphlet was further revised and redesigned in July 2008.  A PDF copy of the pamphlet is posted on this site and a printed copy is now available to the public.
• Sitzmann Hall addition. After six months of careful review and discussion, negotiation and project re-design, WSNAC voted unanimously in September 2008 to support the university's application to the Heritage Preservation Commission of the Department of Planning and Economic Development to expand Sitzmann Hall, located at 2055.  Approval of the approximate 4000 square foot project carries several specific conditions, including no further on-site expansion.
• Student center planning. St. Thomas hopes to construct a new campus center as early as 2010-2011 on the northeast corner of Summit and Cretin. WSNAC committees continue to meet with the university and its architect on the center and will be involved in reviewing plans as project plans proceed.  The university cannot submit a plan to city before May 2009.  The project must undergo a mandatory environmental review.  WSNAC is paying particular attention to issues regarding building appearance, pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns and safety and parking accommodations.
• Housing buyback program. The university continues to make progress toward its obligation to complete the 30-rental-house purchase agreement stipulated by the 2004 CUP. Pursuant to paragraph 10 of the CUP, St. Thomas has converted ten (10) properties to non-student, owner-occupancy for residential use only.  The university is on track to complete the program as stipulated by the CUP.
• Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) agreement.  With WSNAC prompting, the city attorney drafted a “memorandum of understanding,” which fleshed out the agreement among WSNAC, the city and the university to conduct one comprehensive EAW in conjunction with the construction of UST’s athletics and recreation building and the student center.