For years, residents of St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood have complained about a vacant CVS building on Snelling Avenue, citing issues with crime, decay, and disinvestment. On Tuesday, the city began the process of demolishing the empty pharmacy, which has become an eyesore and a symbol of neglect.
The building has taken a toll on neighbors, who say it’s made them feel unsafe and unwelcomed. The neighborhood has seen fewer people attend church services due to concerns about safety, and local organizations have spent time and money addressing the issue.
City officials recommended tearing down the building after a hearing attended by dozens of residents. The process is expected to take until early November, when the City Council will vote on the matter.
The vacant CVS has been a source of frustration for years, but neighbors are finally hopeful that its demolition will help revitalize the area. “Leaving an abandoned and neglected building at such a prominent intersection makes the neighborhood feel blighted,” one neighbor said.
Source: https://www.startribune.com/cvs-snelling-university-midway-st-paul-demolition/601483139