Commercial development districts eyed for Snelling & University

When Allianz Field plans took shape more than a decade ago, one hoped-for effect was for an active hospitality community. Black Hart, Midway Saloon, Turf Club, Sports Bar and Ethiopian Restaurant and the stadium’s own Brew Hall are among places for fans to gather, along with new restaurants opening later this year. But could the potential for up to four new on-sale liquor licenses near Snelling and University avenues give the area an added boost?

A proposed commercial development district council won unanimous support Aug. 14, 2026, from the Saint Paul Planning Commission. The commission is recommending that the St. Paul City Council support creation of the district, stating that it is consistent with the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinances. No date for council action has been set.

The area would each be able to add one new on-sale license per quadrant. The area is zoned for various types of traditional neighborhoods development, which allows for mixed-use.

The proposed new district would have four quadrants centered on University and Snelling. The largest would include the entire 35-acre Allianz Field “superblock” bounded by Saint Anthony, Snelling and University avenues and Pascal Street. That area is being developed as United Village, with two restaurants, an office building, hotel and other planned development.

Other quadrants would be much smaller, typically extending to commercial alleys. The northeast corner quadrant would extend north to Edmund Avenue and west to Pascal. The northwest quadrant would extend west to Aldine Street and north to Thomas Avenue.

The southwest quadrant would extend west to Pierce Street and south along Snelling to an Allianz Field service drive.

Kady Dadlez, senior city planner, told the commission that the city’s Departments of Safety and Inspections and Planning and Economic Development work together on such requests. The current request came from the United Village and the owner of the Dilla sports bar.

“The intent of a commercial development district is to support economic development and commercial vitality,” Dadlez said.

The current proposal covers an area where there are already three on-sale liquor licenses: Turf Club, Midway Saloon, and Allianz Field license allowed under state law.

Dadlez said there are two current on-sale liquor licenses for restaurants: On’s Kitchen and Dilla. Dilla ownership seeks the change because some of the televised sports it offers patrons don’t end until well after midnight, Dadlez said. Closing at midnight is a deterrent to customers.

Commercial development districts were created under the city charter in the 1980s to set up entertainment districts and promote nightlife. The charter outlines several districts – downtown, Selby Avenue/Cathedral Hill, University Avenue and Dale Street, Energy Park, Hamline/University avenues, and the area near the former Amtrak Station on Pierce Butler Route.

Commercial development districts have been created to add liquor licenses. St. Paul has a cap of 215 on-sale liquor licenses citywide. The number varies by council ward. In some cases, business owners have waited for years to get a license.

The City Council in 2016 changed liquor ordinances to allow full-service restaurants to obtain on-sale liquor licenses outside of the cap. But that doesn’t help businesses wanting to offer liquor and not provide full food service.

A district centered on University and Snelling has been discussed since 2018, with some iterations extending much farther east and west.

The next step in the process is for the City Council to act. Typically, the council holds a hearing in the ward where the proposed commercial development district is located. With the proposed district in both Ward One and Four, how that would happen hasn’t been announced.