The letterhead said “Riverview Corridor” and carried an authentic-looking logo of a train or bus in motion. The contact information provided the phone number to the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority.

But the written announcement was an April Fools’ Day hoax of elaborate proportions: “Since the West Seventh route has proven unworkable, the Corridor will now be known as the Grandview Corridor and will make its way from downtown to the west along St. Paul’s iconic Grand Avenue.”

Ramsey County officials studying a potential bus or rail route from downtown St. Paul to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport say they have no intention of rerouting their plans down Grand Avenue, and they’re calling a flier announcing a Grand Avenue route a misleading April Fools’ prank.

The flier, which has appeared on Facebook and was even posted to the announcement board of one or more secure condominium buildings, announces a “public engagement opportunity” at 5 p.m. April 1 at Mitchell-Hamline School of Law on Summit Avenue.

Andrew Rorvig, president of the Summit-Hill Association/District 16 Planning Council, said Tuesday that an unknown number of residents attempted to attend the fake meeting, and complaints to the district council have been steady.

“We had gotten quite a few calls, or emails and communications, and we put out some notices this afternoon on our social media just to let people know it was not accurate,” said Rorvig, noting that residents are still miffed about an aborted plan to install city parking meters along Grand Avenue. “After our run-in with parking meters, people are a little on edge about surprises coming from the city.”

Rorvig added: “I worry that this may be another example of certain groups trying to pit Main Street businesses and historic preservation against transit options.”

At RiverviewCorridor.com, county planners have posted their own notice setting the record straight: “There was not a meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 1 and the information in the flyer was false.” Related Articles St. Paul council approves mayor’s basic-income project for poor families

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It goes on to say: “It has come to our attention that some neighbors acted on the information and attempted to attend the falsely advertised public meeting. The Riverview Corridor Transit Study team has gone to great lengths to seek meaningful public participation in our work to improve transit connections in St. Paul. We value the time people choose to contribute to this work and take your ideas and concerns very seriously. We seek to be respectful of your time.”

The ongoing Riverview Corridor Transit Study is examining potential bus and rail routes both on and near West Seventh Street, as well as a five-mile rail spur owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway. More public meetings are planned this summer.