If the Minnesota Legislature fails to secure funding for a comprehensive renovation of the recently renamed Grand Casino Arena in downtown St. Paul next year, how likely is it that the local hockey team could relocate to a place like Bloomington?
“We’ve never considered moving, instead focusing on finding solutions,” stated Matt Majka, CEO of the Minnesota Wild, during a live event at the St. Paul Hotel. “St. Paul is our home. We are committed to this city and will make it work.”
Majka participated in a forum alongside St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and various city representatives, exploring the future of downtown St. Paul. Hosted by Fox 9 news anchor Randy Meier, the discussion highlighted that while downtown attracts large crowds during major events, it often struggles to draw visitors at other times.
“We’re currently excelling in hosting significant events,” remarked Carter, noting the challenge post-pandemic has been getting visitors to linger downtown after games or shows, or when no big events are occurring. “We’re like a ‘best kept secret’ city. We need to overcome our tendency to keep our successes quiet.”
Council President Rebecca Noecker concurred, saying, “Visitors often describe downtown St. Paul as ‘charming, historic, and walkable.’ You can see the highlights in just two hours, but we must incentivize people to take that stroll.”
Revitalizing Retail Spaces
Revitalizing street-level shops is crucial to restoring downtown energy, according to Richard Dobransky, president of Morrissey Hospitality. “We’re currently welcoming three cruise lines, and their passengers want to explore the area on foot but lack opportunities to spend their money,” he explained. “The return of street-level retail is essential.”
Future Vision for Downtown
Meier largely focused on a revitalization strategy from the Downtown Alliance, targeting the addition of 20,000 new residents, 20,000 new jobs, and a 20% increase in visitors while addressing public safety perceptions. Chris Hilger, CEO of Securian Financial, assured that employee safety concerns are being addressed.
Importance of Arena Renovation
Hilger and others agreed that renovating the 25-year-old arena is vital for downtown’s future. Last March, Carter and Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold requested nearly $400 million in state funding for a $769 million renovation, but later had to scale back their request. Majka noted they have streamlined the project to $450 million, with a revised funding approach.
“This adjusted proposal is less expensive than past stadiums, yet it’s crucial we restore these community assets,” Majka emphasized. He discussed the necessity for the arena to be modernized to meet current standards and improve visitor experience.
