“Snelling Commons” – A Snelling Avenue Bridge Green Space Project
Now that the Snelling Avenue bridge over I-94 has been redecked, we’ve seen a number of improvements designed to make walking safer and more pleasant, with more opportunities opening up to improve the route connecting the Hamline Midway and Union Park neighborhoods to the light rail and businesses north and south of the freeway. As part of our Better Bridges work, Friendly Streets has been partnering with the Union Park District Council, the District Councils Collaborative and the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation to continue working towards the ambitious community visions laid out in the DCC’s Snelling Avenue Pedestrian Demonstration Project. That project identified a strip of MnDOT-owned land northwest of the new bridge as one of several potential sites along Snelling that could be transformed into small public green space areas. Project partners have identified and connected with MnDOT’s Roadside Landscape Partnership program as a promising first step in reclaiming this space as a community asset. Now that redevelopment of the Bus Barn and RK Midway shopping area “superblock” across the street is underway with plans for a Minnesota United MLS Soccer Stadium, the area just north of the Snelling Bridge is surging with possibilities.
Friendly Streets implemented community engagement activities in 2015, including a gallery of images, survey, and a workshop in partnership with SPRC. The green space survey received more than 200 responses. Thanks to everyone who gave us your feedback!
Newly Published
Snelling Commons Preliminary Report
Snelling Design Recommendations by the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation Design Center
Workshop Photos and Results
Photos from Celebrate Snelling!
August 20th, 2015
Recommended Resources
Star Tribune: Officials unveil design of St. Paul soccer stadium
Related work: This project has also been informed by a Selby at Snelling partnership with the Union Park District council and Snelling Selby Area Business Association in response to the new Vintage on Selby / Whole Foods development project.