Summit-University Neighborhood News and Events

The Summit University neighborhood is ethnically and economically diverse—home to new arrivals from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; the Rondo neighborhood which served as the center of Saint Paul’s African-American community until the construction of I-94 in the 1960s; and historic and upscale Ramsey/Cathedral Hill area. 

The neighborhood is close to downtown, has great transit service and free-way access, and is very easy to walk and bike aroundWell preserved homes and buildings from the late 1800s abound in the neighborhood, with landmarks around every corner.  There are a number of retail areas in the district—Selby Avenue, with its shops, gathering spots, and destination dining is probably the most well-known. 

(Description from livemsp.org)

For detailed demographic information, see the neighborhood profile from Minnesota Compass.

Hmong Minnesotans celebrate first annual Hmong-American Day in St. Paul

By Elizabeth Thao, TC Daily Planet

More than 400 people gathered on May 12 for the first annual Hmong-American Day celebration in St. Paul. Among those in attendance: community leaders, politicians, distinguished guests, and veterans, as well as families and children. The celebration was hosted by Lao Family Community after the State of Minnesota officially proclaimed May 14 as Hmong American Day. The date was chosen because May 14, 1975 was the day that General Vang Pao fled Laos and made the United States—and Minnesota—the home to hundreds of thousands of Hmong.

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Soul of University: Walkability workshop focuses on St. Paul's Frogtown, Summit-University neighborhoods

By John Akre, TC Daily Planet

Placemaking Expert Dr. Katherine Loflin led a Walkability Workshop in St. Paul's Little Mekong neighborhood through a light drizzle on May 8.

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Community meeting focuses on curbing crime in St. Paul parking lot

By John Tanur Badgley, TC Daily Planet

A parking lot is usually a place where people come and go, but the parking lot at the corner of University Avenue and Grotto Street has recently become a hangout space for young people and a hotspot for crime, according to St. Paul police and community residents. The lot next to St. Paul Grocery at 712 University Avenue has seen nearly 100 reported calls according to a Saint Paul Police Department report for the specific address. [See PDFs of reports below.]

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CENTRAL CORRIDOR VOICES | How St. Paul's Boyd Park almost had a different name

By Virginia L. Martin, Saint Paul Almanac

Photo by Diego Vazquez Jr.

If the two men had been alive, there is little question who would have won the competition. Despite their deaths decades earlier, it was still surprising that a Black union organizer beat out a wealthy entrepreneur who had amassed a fortune, including owning a railroad with James J. Hill.

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St. Paul Challenge: "Love the House. Hate the Neighborhood"

By John Tanur Badgley, TC Daily Planet

The  recently developed duplex rental house by the Greater Frogtown Development Corps at the intersection of University Ave. and Grotto St. (Photo by Tanur Badgley)

Wearing an oversized winter coat with his hood up and gloveless hands in his pockets Tim Goss stood on the front porch of the newly renovated house he calls home – for now.

“I love the house. Hate the neighborhood.”

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