At Allianz Field, the burgeoning park area fronting the soccer stadium’s brew hall may soon enjoy relaxed rules around alcohol consumption during block party-style events.
The St. Paul City Council on Wednesday held a public hearing on creating an “entertainment district” for the future green space at Snelling and University avenues, which is dubbed the Great Lawn. No one testified against the ordinance proposal and a final vote is likely Jan. 22.
As a result of an agreement approved by the city council in late 2017, the site is privately owned, developed and maintained by property owner MUSC Holdings, LLC, with the expectation, according to the new ordinance, that it will become “a greenspace open to the public as a component of the city’s park system, as well as for use and enjoyment by the public in connection with events and activities at the stadium.”
Delaware North, the primary food and retail vendor, applied for an extension of the liquor service area on the Great Lawn where patrons can consume alcohol, which would also apply to an area across Shields Avenue.
In response, the city created the new entertainment district, which is otherwise bounded by Shields, the western side of North Asbury Street, Spruce Tree Avenue and the east side of Simpson Street.