Record of Decision for University of St. Thomas Multipurpose Arena Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
As the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU), the City of Saint Paul prepared an updated Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the University of St. Thomas Multipurpose Arena (Lee and Penny Anderson Arena at the University of St. Thomas). After accepting and analyzing public comments on the updated EAW that were submitted by November 7, 2024, the City produced a Record of Decision (Findings of Fact and Conclusions summary) of the EAW. The notice of document availability will be published in the EQB Monitor on December 17, 2024.
The City of Saint Paul has made a Negative Declaration and does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for this project.
The University of St. Thomas Multipurpose Arena is proposed to be located on an approximately 6-acre site located on the University of St. Thomas South Campus in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The proposed project will include a multi-purpose competition venue for the University’s hockey and basketball programs with capacity for approximately 4,000 to 5,500 spectators. The project is also expected to include practice facilities, coaching offices, locker rooms, and student athlete support services and will host other university events such as commencement ceremonies, academic convocations, speakers, career fairs, and other events for the university. The new facility will be designed to meet a LEED Silver rating. There are three campus buildings with adjacent surface parking lots on site that have been demolished. The updated EAW also evaluated the potential for impacts associated with the recently completed Schoenecker Center, the proposed Microgrid Research Center, and Saint Paul Seminary parking lot.
View the Record of Decision/Findings of Fact and Conclusions
On November 29, 2024, the City of Saint Paul requested an extension from the EQB of the decision period on the need for an EIS for an EAW completed for a multipurpose arena proposed by the University of St. Thomas. The EQB granted the extension on December 2, 2024.