St. Paul neighbors demand plan to "stabilize" Midway intersection in crisis
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Near St. Paul's Allianz Field, a sign on a boarded-up former CVS store asks drug users to cap and throw away their needles. Photo: Kyle Stokes/Axios
A new giant loon sculpture may be a promising sign for the future of St. Paul's Midway neighborhood — but right now, residents say the intersection the artwork stands over is in an economic and public safety crisis.
Why it matters: Absent an intervention from the city, county and Metro Transit, many neighbors believe problems with crime, homelessness, drug use and vacant properties could undermine long-term plans to revitalize the corridor.
What's happening: The local neighborhood council, the Hamline Midway Coalition, will meet with authorities Thursday night to demand an emergency response to recent problems with crime, trash, graffiti and drug paraphernalia near the Snelling and University intersection.
- "Our neighbors want a compassionate response where we help people; we know we can't police our way out of this issue … We also need a comprehensive response," coalition organizer Justin Lewandowski told Axios.
Catch up quick: The violence following George Floyd's murder sped the displacement of businesses near Allianz Field, creating a vacuum of retail foot traffic at the intersection, City Council President Mitra Jalali told Axios.
- At the same time, the pandemic set back the United Village redevelopment project around the stadium. Other than the new sculpture and a playground, the lots are mostly empty today.
Zoom in: Hamline Midway Coalition leaders are demanding more aggressive city enforcement to force owners of the boarded-up former CVS store to maintain the property.
- They're also calling for more transit security and more street outreach to unhoused people from Ramsey County.
The other side: The city's Department of Safety & Inspections makes daily visits to the CVS and is pushing for new fencing and lighting "around the entire property, not just the building itself," a spokesperson told Axios.
- Metro Transit police have also stepped up patrols at stations including Snelling Avenue, "where we're having the greatest challenges," spokesperson Nikki Muehlhausen told Axios.
- Transit crime rates, while higher than pre-pandemic levels, have declined recently.
Yes, but: Jalali agreed that these agencies must "coordinate more closely to ensure that our neighborhood is getting what it needs and deserves."
The intrigue: She said the St. Paul City Council could soon grant officials power to levy more serious fines and increase the city's leverage against owners of vacant properties like the CVS.
Friction point: Lewandowski said many neighbors blame poor property management at a nearby supportive housing facility, Kimball Court, for compounding problems linked to homelessness and the opioid crisis.
- A spokesperson for its owner, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, told Axios they've been enacting short-term fixes and long-term plans to improve the site.
What we're watching: The group developing United Village, led by Minnesota United FC owner Bill McGuire, told Axios in a statement that the project "will be both a catalyst for improving the public realm and also supporting renewed vibrancy up and down Snelling and University."
- Though there has been some tension with neighbors, the coalition's demand letter does not lay blame with United Village's developers — and Jalali is optimistic the project is "turning a corner."
What's next: Site construction will begin before year's end, with "vertical construction" of a planned restaurant, office and hotel beginning next year, project adviser Mike Hahm told Axios.
- United Village will formally dedicate the loon sculpture on Thursday.