United Village: what’s done, what’s ahead

Since the Allianz Field Major League Soccer stadium opens its doors in 2019, much has happened to the former Midway Center “superblock.” Much is yet to come.
Planning for redevelopment began almost decade ago, with St. Paul City Council approval of the 34.4-acre site’s master plan in 2016. Initial plans called for a very different-looking development, with high-rise retail-office buildings along Snelling Avenue and a “great lawn” extending all the way from the stadium to University Avenue. Office space alone would have accounted for about one million square feet of development.
A lot happened over time to delay and reshape those plans. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the development environment, especially for retail and office uses. What remained of Midway Center after stadium construction was destroyed by fire during the 2020 civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. High interest rates, construction costs and the city’s rent control regulations also came into play.
The stadium was joined last year by PK’s Playground on Pascal Street, and the loon statue at the southeast corner of University and Snelling avenues. The longtime McDonald’s restaurant was closed in late 2024 and torn down earlier this year.

So, what’s ahead?
Dr. Bill McGuire, Loons co-owner, is leading the development efforts. He outlined this year’s plans at an annual community update Feb. 20, 2025 at Allianz Field.
Passersby will see cranes and dirt flying in March or April. The first buildings to go up will be the two restaurants in a restaurant plaza. The plaza will be in south of the former McDonald’s location, and south of the future hotel.
McGuire gave a few details. He has operators for the restaurant, one of which would be more of a casual diner style and the other leaning toward finer dining. McGuire described the latter as a place with “Chianti wines in wicker baskets.” One restaurant is named PIKO; the other name hasn’t been announced.
The four-story office building will be southeast of the loon plaza and a planned one-acre park along University. The office building’s first floor will be occupied by what McGuire called an “exciting” new bakery/coffee roastery and restaurant. The upper three floors are office space, with about half spoken for.
The hotel and its attached parking ramp along University will be the largest and most prominent development. An operator has been signed. The first floor of the parking ramp will have a 4,000-square-foot community room space, looking over a small plaza area south of the hotel.

So, what’s next?
Details of the second phase of development are taking shape. One idea unveiled Feb. 20 is for a 3,500 to 4,000-square-foot music and entertainment venue near University and Pascal.
Other ideas include housing, possibly housing for neighborhood elders wishing to downsize and sell their single-homes and yet remain in the community.
McGuire also touched on what won’t be built at United Village. One discarded option is for a movie theater. Two theater companies were in contact about operations at United Village. Both have since gone out of business.
Other businesses that won’t be built are a grocery store and a liquor store, as both already exist in the Midway. During his presentation, McGuire made a pitch to support Cub and other neighborhood businesses.