All Things Considered

Demolishing Midway CVS is a step forward, St. Paul business owner says

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The CVS on the corner of Snelling and University avenues in St. Paul began demolition Wednesday. It had been vacant for several years.
Gretchen Brown | MPR News

On Wednesday, heavy equipment began demolishing a long vacant CVS building on the corner of University and Snelling avenues in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood.

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Wes Burdine owns The Black Hart, a bar down the street from the now-demolished CVS.
Gretchen Brown | MPR News

Midway has seen repeated attempts at revitalization over the past two decades. Despite the construction of a professional soccer stadium, much of the neighborhood’s commercial corridor remains blighted.

Wes Burdine owns The Black Hart, a queer soccer bar, just down the block from the CVS.

As the CVS comes down, MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with Burdine from his bar about what Burdine sees as a step forward amid all the unmet potential in the neighborhood, which is growing younger and more diverse.

Press the play button above to listen to their conversation.