What can we help you find?
Popular Search
academic calendar majors & minors tuition & scholarships student clubs
What can we help you find?
Popular Search
academic calendar majors & minors tuition & scholarships student clubs
people walking on campus

Neighborhood Relations

The Neighborhood Relations office at St. Thomas connects our neighbors with the university and connects St. Thomas with all of you.

Whether you're a homeowner, student-renter, landlord, small business owner or university faculty and staff: all of us aim to work for the common good in our neighborhood. St. Thomas is here to help facilitate that engagement.

Contact Us

Our favorite community-building practice is dialogue. Email neighbors@stthomas.edu with your comments, questions, ideas or concerns.

Stay Informed

Join our email list to receive ongoing updates and neighborhood news from St. Thomas.

Parking Information

Learn more about parking around campus.
NEIGHBORHOOD BRIEFING

Lee and Penny Anderson Arena

  • Project Overview
  • 2024 EAW Update
  • Construction Updates
  • Questions from Neighbors
  • Overview - Event Management Plan
  • Sustainability at St. Thomas

    • The Lee and Penny Anderson is now open!

    The university opened its doors to the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena on October 23, 2025, with men's and women's hockey. We appreciate all the support and feedback we recieved from the community. Our student-athletes and St. Thomas community are grateful for this state-of-the-art venue that will serve Tommies and our supports for years to come.

    2024 EAW Update

    A negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was issued by the City on September 26, 2023 (2023 Findings of Fact). An appeal of the negative declaration on the need for an EIS was filed in October 2023 with the Minnesota Court of Appeals. An opinion was issued by the Court of Appeals on July 8, 2024 (the COA Opinion), reversing and remanding the City’s negative declaration on the need for an EIS.

    The City, in coordination with UST, is providing a 2024 EAW Update to include the additional analysis noted in the COA Opinion: the Schoenecker Center and greenhouse gas emissions related to spectator vehicles.

    The EAW was published on October 8, 2024, which initiated the 30-day public comment period. Members of the public will have an opportunity to comment through November 7, 2024. Email your comments to the City of St. Paul at StThomasArena_EAW@ci.stpaul.mn.us

    Construction Updates

    Construction of the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena is currently underway.

    Questions from Neighbors

    Arena Conversations in the Community

    Over the past several months, the University of St. Thomas has continued to gather questions from neighbors about the development of the multipurpose Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. This list is intended to inform the public about the multipurpose arena and clarify any information that has been shared in the community.

    Read some of the questions and comments we have received, in addition to our responses, at the link below.

    Event Management Plan

    As we plan for the opening of the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, the University of St. Thomas is developing an Event Management Plan (EMP) with the City of St. Paul Traffic Engineering Department and the St. Paul Police Dept. This was a requirement of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) mitigation and noted in the Site Plan approval as an outstanding condition. The EMP will be finalized in the coming months.

    Sustainability at St. Thomas

    Principles of sustainability have been a key priority in the development of the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. As such, St. Thomas is mitigating potential environmental impacts associated with the arena's construction.

    Project Overview

    The Lee and Penny Anderson is now open!

    The university opened its doors to the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena on October 23, 2025, with men's and women's hockey. We appreciate all the support and feedback we recieved from the community. Our student-athletes and St. Thomas community are grateful for this state-of-the-art venue that will serve Tommies and our supports for years to come.

    2024 EAW Update

    2024 EAW Update

    A negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was issued by the City on September 26, 2023 (2023 Findings of Fact). An appeal of the negative declaration on the need for an EIS was filed in October 2023 with the Minnesota Court of Appeals. An opinion was issued by the Court of Appeals on July 8, 2024 (the COA Opinion), reversing and remanding the City’s negative declaration on the need for an EIS.

    The City, in coordination with UST, is providing a 2024 EAW Update to include the additional analysis noted in the COA Opinion: the Schoenecker Center and greenhouse gas emissions related to spectator vehicles.

    The EAW was published on October 8, 2024, which initiated the 30-day public comment period. Members of the public will have an opportunity to comment through November 7, 2024. Email your comments to the City of St. Paul at StThomasArena_EAW@ci.stpaul.mn.us

    Construction Updates

    Construction Updates

    Construction of the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena is currently underway.

    Questions from Neighbors

    Questions from Neighbors

    Arena Conversations in the Community

    Over the past several months, the University of St. Thomas has continued to gather questions from neighbors about the development of the multipurpose Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. This list is intended to inform the public about the multipurpose arena and clarify any information that has been shared in the community.

    Read some of the questions and comments we have received, in addition to our responses, at the link below.

    Overview - Event Management Plan

    Event Management Plan

    As we plan for the opening of the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, the University of St. Thomas is developing an Event Management Plan (EMP) with the City of St. Paul Traffic Engineering Department and the St. Paul Police Dept. This was a requirement of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) mitigation and noted in the Site Plan approval as an outstanding condition. The EMP will be finalized in the coming months.

    Sustainability at St. Thomas

    Sustainability at St. Thomas

    Principles of sustainability have been a key priority in the development of the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. As such, St. Thomas is mitigating potential environmental impacts associated with the arena's construction.

    Upcoming Events Happening On Campus

    The Tommie Sports ticketing website lists all of the athletics events happening on campus each month.

    Review the calendar to learn when the neighborhood may see an increase in activity.

    Resources and Contacts

    Find campus and community contacts, resources and benefits available to neighbors of St. Thomas neighbors.

    Resources and Contacts

    Our Staff

    Jerome Benner Headshot

    Jerome Benner

    Jerome is the Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations for St. Thomas. He manages our relationships with neighbors and our partnerships in the community. Jerome will be your best resource for any questions or concerns related to activities happening on campus.

    Contact Us

    University News

    January 16, 2026

    In the News: Seth Ketron on AI-Driven Online Shopping Scams

    Seth Ketron, associate professor of marketing in the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas, was quoted by The Associated Press in an article examining how some online ads use artificial intelligence and fabricated backstories to pose as family-run small businesses. Ketron explained that increasingly realistic AI-generated images and emotional narratives make it easier… The post In the News: Seth Ketron on AI-Driven Online Shopping Scams appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

    • January 16, 2026

      In the News: Yohuru Williams on History and ICE Actions in Minnesota

      Dr. Yohuru Williams, distinguished university chair and professor of history, spoke to WCCO Radio host Vineeta Sawkar about recent events in the Twin Cities. They discuss historical comparisons to the actions of ICE agents in Minneapolis and to the community response. From the segment: Vineeta Sawkar: We hear how we’re living through history. But how can… The post In the News: Yohuru Williams on History and ICE Actions in Minnesota appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

    • January 14, 2026

      In the News: Lana Medina on the Importance of Media Literacy

      Assistant Professor Lana Medina, media literacy educator in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas, joined MPR News host Angela Davis to discuss how artificial intelligence, social media algorithms and rapid online sharing are making it increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. During the conversation, Medina explained how AI-generated… The post In the News: Lana Medina on the Importance of Media Literacy appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

    • January 14, 2026

      In the News: Yohuru Williams on ICE Raids and Rising Tensions in Minnesota

      Dr. Yohuru Williams, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, was quoted by The National in coverage examining escalating tensions following the fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman during an ICE operation. Williams said the administration’s immigration actions reflect a strategy of inflicting harm on targeted… The post In the News: Yohuru Williams on ICE Raids and Rising Tensions in Minnesota appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

    • January 13, 2026

      In the News: Tyler Schipper on the Cost of ICE Operations in Minnesota

      Tyler Schipper, associate professor of economics in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas, spoke with WCCO-TV to explain the costs associated with the large-scale U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation underway in Minnesota. Schipper provided context on federal spending levels, comparing the billions allocated for immigration enforcement to Minnesota’s… The post In the News: Tyler Schipper on the Cost of ICE Operations in Minnesota appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

    Also of Interest