The potential of St. Paul’s Midway soars

From the Pioneer Press - August 25, 2024

The Midway Chamber of Commerce aims to “build a stronger Midway” in the work we do and support. And from our offices at the corner of Snelling and University in St. Paul, in the famous green-tiled Spruce Tree Centre, we have a birds-eye view of our community.

Across the street, work is underway to install a 33-foot-tall, 88-foot-wide loon sculpture — “The Calling,” created by renowned international artist Andy Scott. The piece is impressive in every way, in stature, in materials, in significance, and yes, in location — the corner of University and Snelling anchoring the corner of the United Village Development and in many ways the gateway to the Midway. In June, PK’s place, a state-of-the-art universally accessible play area, was opened to the public. Also in June, music lovers enjoyed the two-day Breakaway Festival. All of this is happening just outside the acclaimed Allianz Field, which routinely hosts sellouts for the Minnesota United FC and in May welcomed the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team to its pitch.

On a daily basis when I leave my office, I can see signs of progress that are palpable and tangible. There are trucks, fences, equipment and workers. Looking past the construction activity, you can see people enjoying the stadium and new playground.

While all this is happening now, there is even more expected next year. The plans for a hotel parking ramp, office building, restaurant pavilion and the public infrastructure to support it have all been approved.

There is no adequate way to convey the excitement, hope and opportunity this all represents. Facilities and features that will transform this prominent intersection, attract and welcome visitors to the Midway. Commerce and hospitality will help connect the development to the surrounding neighborhoods, elevating the Midway as a great place to live, work and play. Business and employment opportunities will soon become available as these plans move from the drawing board to reality.

Oftentimes, we have heard people groan about the slow pace in which this work occurred. Do we all wish the site had been developed sooner? Of course. But a pandemic and other factors delayed progress (anyone who follows developments or even store openings knows of the number of delays a project can incur). Will the final project have exactly what every member of the community wants? We know that’s impossible, but the development team has listened to the concerns of the neighborhood and in my opinion found uses that can be enjoyed by neighbors and visitors alike.

As someone who has been around this neighborhood since the 1990s, I can say large portions of this property sat under-utilized as we all wondered what would happen with the “bus barn site.” Now that construction is underway, I’m calling for an end to that tired backward storyline. The construction for the United Village site is happening. Public spaces are opening this year. The first vertical construction is set to follow next year.

This is not a vision or proposal. This is happening. It is happening now.

Another important story is that of investment. Led by Dr. Bill McGuire, a group of largely local investors is infusing over $200 million of private capital to bring these projects to reality. This infusion, combined with the construction of Allianz, represents over a half a billion dollars of state-of-the-art facilities for the Midway. The scale of these investments is beyond the level that communities position themselves against other markets to attract and support. This investment is coming to the Midway.

Another important story is that of location. The United Village site has been historically blighted. It also was the center of civil unrest and major damage in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. It is industrially polluted and requires remediation. It sits prominently on a primary gateway to the Minnesota State Fair and on the Green Line LRT “mid-way” between the two downtowns. The location for this development is one that communities prioritize for revitalization, believing that success will have a catalytic impact beyond its immediate boundaries. The location for this development is the Midway.

Another important story is that of community. The United Village site sits on the border of the Hamline/Midway and Union Park neighborhoods. It is in the heart of the Midway commercial corridor, and many of the businesses are members of the organization that I have the privilege of leading. The community has high ambition and expectation for what this means to them. Although the overwhelming majority of investment has come from Dr. McGuire and the private sector, the community is committed as a stakeholder.

There is excitement about how the vitality generated will cascade down Snelling and University.

Occasionally, I get asked about what the future of the Midway will look like. Our neighborhood is always changing. In the nine years I have been at the Midway Chamber, we went from the new Green Line to the A-Line Bus Rapid Transit, Allianz Field, as well as several developments along and near University Avenue.

The future of the Midway is taking shape right before our eyes, and what we are seeing is so encouraging. The projects to date have been of the highest quality and represent great urban design. As a stakeholder and steward of the Midway, I have every reason to believe this progress will continue, and that what follows will be equally great. Join me in embracing both what is possible and what is actually happening right now. It is truly outstanding. The Midway deserves and will embrace this generational opportunity as we all make our community stronger.