Midway Demolition Marks New Chapter; City Eyes Corridor Changes
St Paul, MN – March 21, 2026 – A long-vacant Midway CVS is coming down, clearing a prominent corner as city leaders continue shaping redevelopment plans along University Avenue.
St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood is seeing a highly visible shift this week as crews demolish the long-abandoned CVS building at Snelling and University. The boarded-up structure, vacant for years, has stood on one of the area’s busiest corners — and its removal marks a turning point for the site.
Midway Eyesore Comes Down
Demolition began March 18, drawing attention from neighbors who have long described the building as an eyesore. The property sits along the Green Line and just blocks from Allianz Field, placing it at the center of a corridor many view as primed for reinvestment.
Because of its location and transit access, the site has frequently come up in community discussions about future development. While no final project has been announced, residents and local leaders have previously pointed to the area’s zoning and proximity to light rail as strong fits for mixed-use housing with ground-floor retail.
For now, the immediate impact is straightforward: the removal of a blighted, vacant structure that has lingered at a prominent intersection.
Momentum Along University Avenue
The CVS demolition follows other notable changes nearby, including the earlier removal of the former Kmart site. Together, these projects signal continued turnover along University Avenue — a corridor city officials have consistently encouraged for transit-oriented development.
With major parcels now cleared or in transition, the Hamline-Midway area appears poised for its next phase. The Green Line connection, walkability and proximity to major destinations continue to shape long-range planning conversations focused on housing growth and economic development.
Community Conversations Ahead
As spring construction season ramps up, residents can expect more visible activity across St. Paul. City leaders have emphasized revitalizing key commercial corridors while also balancing neighborhood concerns about traffic, density and small business access.
In the coming months, discussions are expected to intensify as property owners weigh redevelopment options and the city advances broader planning goals for the corridor.
For many Midway neighbors, this week’s demolition is less about what’s being removed and more about what could eventually rise in its place. A long-stagnant corner is finally in motion — and that alone represents a significant change for the neighborhood.
