[DEV] Live Minneapolis - Saint Paul

The Macalester (Mac) -Groveland neighborhood in western Saint Paul extends east from the Mississippi River to the Summit Hill neighborhood. The neighborhood is a rich mix of single family homes with corner stores and vibrant commercial corridors. The Summit Avenue Historic District, with grandiose mansions from the late 1800s, flanks the northern border of the neighborhood. In recent years Grand Avenue has developed into a nationally recognized commercial street, with a mixture of national retailers and local vendors. An abundance of colleges and universities, including the University of St. Thomas, Macalester College, and Saint Catherine University, have made this neighborhood their home. The influence of academia and college-life is felt throughout the neighborhood, offering residents an array of cultural, athletic, and musical opportunities. Scenic pedestrian and bicycle trails stretch throughout Mac-Groveland, in particular along the Mississippi riverfront and Hidden Falls Park at the end of Summit Avenue.

Boundaries and Zip Code

North: Summit Avenue
South: Randolph Avenue
East: Ayd Mill Road
West: Mississippi River Boulevard

Zipcode: 55105

History

Until the 1850s, the area now known as Macalester-Groveland was a part of Fort Snelling Military Base and was restricted from development. Many farms and orchards were established when the land was sold for development in 1854, but in the 1880s several developments occurred making the land much more profitable as urban settlements. First, the Short Line Railroad was built and connected St. Paul and Minneapolis. Shortly after, in 1884, Macalester College moved to its current location on Snelling Avenue. Lastly, in 1887 St. Paul began purchasing land along the Mississippi River as permanent public open space. Aided by the expansion of the streetcar system, a residential building boom occurred in the first two decades of the 20th Century, and by 1930 the neighborhood existed almost completely as it does today.

Housing Styles and Types

Single-family homes in Mac-Groveland neighborhood are designed in a variety of architectural styles found in Saint Paul between the 1880s and the 1920s, including Queen Anne, Craftsman Bungalows, Prairie, Colonial Revivals, and Tudor Revivals. Many pre-war apartment buildings can be found in the neighborhood as well. Sidewalks and trees line either side of the quieter residential streets. Alleys are common throughout the neighborhood with garages hidden behind homes.

Schools

Public Schools:

• Groveland Park Elementary
• Randolph Heights Elementary
• Ramsey Middle School

Charter Schools:

• Laura Jeffrey Academy (5-7)

Private Schools:

• St. Paul Seminary (Mississippi River Boulevard and Summit Avenue)
• University of St. Thomas (Mississippi River Boulevard and Summit Avenue)
• St. Mark’s Catholic Church School (k-8)
• Cretin-Derham Hall High School
• St. Catherine’s University, Highland Park Montessori School (1550 Summit Ave)

For more information on Minneapolis schools, visit Live MSP's Schools page.

Public Facilities

• Groveland Park (Prior Ave and St. Clair Ave)
• Mattocks Park (Macalester Street between James and Palace Aves)
• Edgecumbe Recreational Area (Jefferson Ave and Griggs St.)

Home Purchase/Home Improvement Incentives

For information about other incentive programs that may be available in this neighborhood, visit Live MSP’s Incentive Programs page.

Getting Involved

Mac Groveland is an engaged community with an active neighborhood council. Here is a link to the council’s calendar listing community events and regular committee meetings.

News

The E-Illuminator is a bi-weekly electronic newsletter of the Macalester-Groveland Community Council. To subscribe, contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Villager may also have news relating to the neighoborhood.

Neighborhood colleges also have newspapers:

• Macalester’s student newspaper: The Mac Weekly
• St. Thomas student paper: Tommie Media
• St. Catherine University student paper: The Wheel

Statistics

• Wilder Research Center Neighborhood Profiles—Includes trend information on neighborhood demographics, economics, and housing, taken from the most recent census data.

• Ramsey County’s Property Records and Revenue Department—Review Saint Paul property sales data by searching for or entering in a street name. You can find the most recent sales price for individual properties and current property tax information.

• St. Paul Crime Statistics—Crime maps, statistics, and reports compiled by the St. Paul Police Department. Check out Interpreting Crime Statistics to help you make sense of these resources.

Real Estate Listings

Search Realtor.com for listings. You can search for properties by either clicking on the map or entering the neighborhood name or zip code (noting that zip code boundaries span multiple neighborhoods) into the search bar.

OwnAHomeMN.org—Check here for listings of affordable homes sold by community developers. Note: not all neighborhoods have listings.

Contacts

Macalester Groveland Community Council
Afton Martens, Executive Director
320 South Griggs Street
Saint Paul, MN 55105
Office: 651-695-4000
Website: www.macgrove.org
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Grand Avenue Business Association
David Regan, Executive Director
867 Grand Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55015
Office: 651-699-0029
Website: www.grandave.com
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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