Introducing the Snelling University Alliance

Chad Kulas

Since spring 2024, the Midway Chamber has shared office space with the two closest district councils, the Hamline Midway Coalition and the Union Park District Council. Sharing an office has really helped us all work together and make new acquaintances that are helpful to our work.
In late 2024, we all had heard from businesses and other stakeholders near the Snelling-University intersection about concerns over public safety and fentanyl use. This led us to invite nearby businesses to meetings where we could air out grievances and consider how to make a better intersection. It was from these meetings the Snelling University Alliance was created.
The Snelling University Alliance (SUA) has four founding members: African Economic Development Solutions, Hamline Midway Coalition, Midway Chamber of Commerce, and Union Park District Council. SUA is described as “a collaborative community organization dedicated to the revitalization and enhancement of commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods near Snelling Ave and University Ave.” The mission is to “help make connections and work collaboratively to support the commercial and residential areas surround the intersection of Snelling and University” and the vision is to “create a vibrant and sustainable community through collective action.”
With the support of many other organizations and elected officials, the SUA was able to obtain a grant for vision planning and we have hired local company Platform. They will conduct the necessary work to help us better determine the needs of the community and the best ways to push our plans forward. The plan will begin with the formation of a Leadership Advisory Group comprised of community, elected and technical experts. This will be followed by a review of existing plans, community engagement and prioritizing short and long-term implementation. Platform comes with a strong background in similar work, including the Rice Larpenteur vision plan.
Why this intersection? Anyone who spends time in the Midway realizes its importance and visibility. At a recent United Village meeting, Dr. Bill McGuire said about 11 million cars travel along Snelling annually, with another 5 million on University. And similar to Rice and Larpenteur, this intersection is a dividing line of multiple jurisdictions. This can be an opportunity, but can also cause confusion on who should be doing what as there are three senate districts, three house districts, two city council wards, and two county commissioner districts. Not to mention a state-owned road, a county-owned road and transit lines on both Snelling and University managed by Met Transit.
In 2026, don’t be surprised if you hear more about our vision work and may even get a chance to participate in helping us shape our future. If you took the time to read this far, you must care about our neighborhood and I’d encourage you to share your thoughts. Thankfully we have a lot of caring neighbors who will help us build a stronger Midway.