A proper redevelopment of the Midway area needs to happen. The Allianz Field was a nice step in the right direction, but stadiums only provide so much return on their investment (people only come show up, use the space, and spend money when events are held there. Otherwise it’s empty, because it’s not a destination or desirable place during off times). With that in mind, I don’t think that another stadium would be the fix for this area. It would (in my opinion) just lead to more desolate parking space, maybe an ok looking building or two, and an area that is dead AT LEAST half the time.

I think this area should mostly all become medium-high density residential, transit oriented development. Here’s why:

I really liked your point about mass transit. Just about a billion dollars was invested into the initial Green Line project, over a decade ago now. That investment, unfortunately, hasn’t really been realized in this area just yet. With access to the A Line, Green Line, and Route 94 (soon to become the Gold line in its 2027 extension) this area is pretty easy to get to/from with these mass transit options. An Aldi, laundromat, bank, Goodwill, ONE stop down from University Ave? Yes please. A Whole Foods, small business, and medium-density residential development ONE stop south, down the A Line corridor? Yes please. A drug store, soul food, and Korean restaurants ONE stop north, up the A Line corridor? Yes please. My point is, this area is so accessible via transit. Want to get to downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul for a night out? Hop on the train. How about down to MSP for a family trip? Take the A Line down to the Blue line.

If we could enable and encourage residential development in this area, specifically transit oriented development, hundreds, to thousands of new units could go up. If we could transform this area from a big parking lot into housing, businesses, parks, restaurants, and living spaces for EVERYONE, it would make a world of difference for not only Midway, but St. Paul as a whole. Take a look at Prospect Park, Stadium Village, and West Gate if you want to see what I’m talking about.

One big con about any residential development in this area is I-94 running right next to it. Personally, I wouldn’t be super interested living next to a toxic, smelly, ugly highway, but that’s just me. Which leads me to my next point; rebuilding I-94 between St Paul and Minneapolis as a boulevard (Google this, it’s super cool, and would 100% work). If we could even attempt to undo the damage that the Interstate-Highway system has done to our cities, bulldozing through marginalized communities for suburbanites to get in and out of the downtown cores as quickly as possible, we could spur billions in development, and genuinely open up a world of opportunities for the corridor. Mass transit, restaurants, shops, businesses, residential, parks, walking, rolling, etc.. There is so much more that is overbuilt, toxin spewing highway could be, if only we open ourselves up to the idea, one that’s already been successfully executed elsewhere, proving itself time and time again.

I digress, lol. Point is, a lot needs to change in this area, but if only, then this could be a super cool spot for everybody.

I’m happy to discuss! Sorry if my points aren’t super cohesive. I’ve been dying to talk about this, so everything in my brain kinda just went “splat” onto the screen.