The University of St. Thomas is set to construct a new Division I arena on campus for basketball and hockey. However, this has sparked concerns among some residents in the area regarding issues such as parking, traffic, and potential environmental impacts. As a result, there have been “Just Say No” signs placed in yards as a form of protest against the arena. One group of residents even took their concerns a step further by appealing the site plan approval with the City of St. Paul. This appeal has led to a pause in construction until the matter is resolved.
Don Waage, a spokesperson for the resident group Advocates for Responsible Development, stated that they would prefer the University to find a different site for the arena due to the numerous problems surrounding parking, greenhouse gas emissions, and traffic. In response, Jerome Benner, director of Neighborhood and University Relations for the University of St. Thomas, emphasized that they have collaborated with various city and state agencies on the plans, as well as held multiple listening sessions with neighbors to address their concerns. Benner also mentioned that shuttle services and pre-assigned parking will be utilized to alleviate traffic and parking issues, as most nights the 5,400-seat arena will not be full.
Despite the opposition from some residents, the University of St. Thomas intends to move forward with their plans and open the new arena in the fall of 2025. The goal is to have a facility that can accommodate basketball and hockey games at the Division I level, providing a space for both students and athletes to enjoy. While there are challenges to address