Saint Paul is making strategic investments in building vibrant places and spaces along the Green Line that strengthen community connections and economic development opportunities. This includes adding green space like parks, plazas and gardens to areas along the light rail line.
Green space improves the quality of life and livability of a community, and is necessary for the economic, social and environmental sustainability of a city. As transit changes the way people live and work along University Avenue, the city is committed to meeting the needs of the community and providing high-quality open space that enhances the sense of place for residents and visitors.
These projects are a part of the Trust for Public Land's collaborative effort to integrate new parks and green space into communities along the Green Line.
Dickerman Park
Donated to the city in 1909, Dickerman Park is a 2.4-acre parcel of land located along the north side of University Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Aldine Street. As a part of its effort to bring more vibrancy to the Green Line, Saint Paul will help fully realize the park’s original vision through the development of a practical design, including new walkways, plaza spaces, public art, and planting areas. The city is working with a design advisory committee to ensure that the public’s input is included in the final project design.
Dickerman Park Project Updates
Little Mekong Plaza
Little Mekong Plaza is a new, vibrant, privately owned public plaza that replaced an abandoned building on University Avenue near Western Avenue North. Incorporating Saint Paul’s principles of creating lively open spaces, the plaza hosts a variety of public events and serves as a gathering place for residents and visitors.
Located near Mai Village, Little Mekong Plaza will help establish an Asian cultural corridor in this neighborhood to reflect Hmong, Vietnamese, and other ethnic and immigrant communities that live and operate businesses in the area.
The Hmong American Partnership (HAP) owns Little Mekong Plaza. HAP coordinates programming and maintenance in cooperation with the Asian Economic Development Association and other community partners.
The City of Saint Paul provided technical assistance to the property owners as they worked through ordinances, design and review processes, and provided $300,000 in grant funding.
Media Coverage
Star Tribune - St. Paul building comes down to make way for Little Mekong Plaza - 4/20/16
Pioneer Press - Little Mekong Plaza expands with demolition of long-vacant meat shop - 4/18/16
Finance & Commerce - Green Line building to topple for new plaza - 4/22/16
Star Tribune - St. Paul's growing Little Mekong Night Market opens this weekend - 7/19/16
