Apartments and retail planned at former CVS site

Watching that vacant CVS come down was a huge milestone, and now – not even a month later – we get to celebrate the potential spurred by that demolition.”

Molly Coleman

Market-rate apartments and street-level retail are eyed for the former CVS site at Snelling and University avenues, being redeveloped by 499 Snelling Realty Company.

City officials announced the property sale and development plans April 23, 2026. Dr. Bill McGuire will lead the development, adding to his efforts at the nearby United Village site.
The announcement is not only a boost for the area, but it also ends much speculation as to what will be built at the busy corner. During the years of debate over the vacant CVS, area residents have called for uses ranging from a community center to a grocery store.

The site is zoned for traditional neighborhoods four use, allowing mixed use and a building or buildings up to 75 feet in height. A building height of up to 90 feet could be allowed with a conditional use permit.

The development site is in Hamline-Midway, on its southern border with Union Park. District councils from both neighborhoods and the Midway Chamber of Commerce have worked together in recent months to address issues of crime and loitering at Snelling and University avenues. They are part of the Snelling & University Partners Workgroup, which also focuses on development.

Hamline Midway Coalition (HMC) and Union Park District Council members hope to see development plans and a timeline soon.

Hamline Midway Coalition Board President Dawn Einwalter said there is a desire to see some kind of new grocery store. The neighborhood lost its Cub supermarket almost a year ago.

“With its many specialty markets and nearby corporate stores, the Midway is not a food desert,” she said. “Responses from the community, however, reflect a strong interest in an additional grocery store combined with affordable housing in a way that takes advantage of the corner location, good pedestrian access, and nearby transit.”

‘WELCOME NEWS’
The former CVS building was torn down earlier this spring after sitting vacant since 2022. Its condition and activity around it generated hundreds of complaints. City officials grew frustrated with CVS, which had a longtime property lease, and the out-of-state property owner.

Ward Four Council Member Molly Coleman sponsored the resolution calling for CVS’s demolition. She is pleased that demolition and the sale of the property to McGuire are bringing new development.

“Watching that vacant CVS come down was a huge milestone, and now – not even a month later – we get to celebrate the potential spurred by that demolition,” said Coleman. “It is welcome news for the Midway that Dr. McGuire is continuing to invest and expand on the energy and excitement around what we all know should be the most vibrant, welcoming corner in Saint Paul.”

McGuire is lead owner of the MLS Minnesota Loons and is also leading development of the United Village site kitty-corner from what is now a vacant lot at 499 N. Snelling Ave. About $170 million in new development is underway at United Village including an office building, two-building restaurant pavilion, and a hotel with attached parking ramp. The office building and restaurants, as well as a large public flower garden, are set to open later this year. The hotel and parking ramp are to open in 2027.

Mayor Kaohly Her, who mentioned upcoming development in her April 20 State of the City address, praised the plans in a statement. “This is a remarkable example of how, with hard work and clear collaboration by private and public actors, we can make immediate and positive strides forward for our city,” said Her. “I continue to be grateful to Dr. McGuire for his investment in the future of the Midway and Saint Paul, and look forward to seeing a new, beautiful building that reflect the neighborhood and the exciting future for University Avenue.”

“This project will build on the historical importance of the Midway area and add to the vitality, excitement, and opportunity present in this diverse and important neighborhood,” said McGuire in a statement. “We will work to ensure that the new building adds to and appropriately reflects the important history of the neighborhood and the dynamic future for those who live, work, and visit the area – and that it helps promote further investment of all types in the community.”

The Saint Paul Port Authority is involved in the development. “The Port Authority exists to put underutilized land back to work for Saint Paul, and this site is a prime opportunity to do just that,” said Saint Paul Port Authority President Todd Hurley. “We intend to relocate the utilities on the site to prepare it for redevelopment, playing a targeted but meaningful role in advancing investment and vitality at this key intersection. We hope to proceed toward negotiating a development agreement in the next few months following all necessary approvals from our board.”