Documenters report: ‘Adventure Park’ coming to Midway shopping area

MinnPost’s Twin Cities Documenters program trains and pays community members to take notes at local government meetings. Below are Documenter Matt Wells’ summary and observations from the St. Paul Planning Commission’s Aug. 28 meeting. You can find Matt’ full notes here, which include links to the agenda and audio recording.

Summary: 

• The commission approved a permit clearing the way for development of LuLuLand Adventure Park in the old Herberger’s on University Avenue, between Fairview and Pascal.
  • The 76,000-square-foot facility will feature trampolines, play areas, and other amusements. 
  • The building will also have rental spaces for a retail store and a restaurant. 

• The commission delayed a vote on “The Celia,” a proposed five-story apartment building at the corner of Mississippi River Boulevard and Highland Parkway.
  • During public comment, six speakers objected to the height of the building, saying its approval goes against current zoning rules for the area setting buildings’ maximum height at 35 feet. 
  • Commissioners agreed to delay the vote to give city staff time to answer questions. 

Observations and follow up questions: 

Accessibility: Did you face any challenges that made it harder to document the meeting or that may have made it difficult for others to attend?

• The meeting was moved to the basement and navigating was a little challenging given the construction going on down there, but city staff provided good direction to get everyone there.

Scene: About how many members of the public attended the meeting? If watching virtually, what was the livestream count (if applicable)? Was anyone protesting outside? 

• 22 (roughly 6 to testify against the Celia development, 4 from Paster Properties, 3 from the LuLuLand developer, 1 from the Union Park District Council, 6 city staff, Fred Melo, me).

Notable: Do you have any follow up questions or other observations to share?

• The Celia appeal, if granted, will probably come back with a request for a conditional use permit; if not granted, it looks like further litigation may come out.   The whole history is interesting and is worth looking into.

How to get involved:

When is the next meeting for this board/committee? Any upcoming public hearings? Online surveys? 

The commission next meets Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. A public hearing for the small area plan for Rondo is on the docket, as is a potential decision for The Celia.

Related: There’s finally hope for new life at the former home of St. Paul’s Hamm’s Brewery

More context:

Read Documenter Matt Wells’ full notes here, which include links to the agenda and audio recording. View our full database of notes here.

Want to become a Documenter? You can start by making an account here.

You can also follow Twin Cities Documenters on Facebook, Instagram or Bluesky.

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