Recovery, Redevelopment & Renovation on Lake Street
The recovery & redevelopment of Lake Street won’t happen overnight, but with time, care, and purposeful investment - we can ensure a strong and resilient community for the future. From the River to the Lakes, Lake Street connects South Minneapolis and brings us all together.
Learn more below about recovery, redevelopment, and renovation projects happening on Lake Street.
Are we missing a project? Have a question about a redevelopment on Lake Street? Email us at info@visitlakestreet.com.
FEATURED LAKE STREET CORRIDOR PROJECTS
“Minneapolis and St. Paul sustained more than $500 million in damages in 2020, impacting many business owners who both invest in and sustain our region’s economy. Small business owners are committed to staying and rebuilding in their communities – but they can’t do it alone. Our organization is committed to playing a role in supporting small businesses and keeping property in local hands.”
Allison Sharkey, Lake Street Council, Executive Director
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF LAKE STREET LOOK LIKE?
The Lake Street Council is committed to the principles of equitable development. We believe Lake Street will and should always be a home for immigrant and minority-owned entrepreneurs, as well as a place where anyone can come to start a business, experience the vitality of life, and be embraced by a warm and welcoming community.
Our Predevelopment & Acquisition grants are an important first step toward building a more equitable Lake Street. These grants and forgivable loans incentivize community-driven redevelopment within the Lake Street area and support local entrepreneurship by giving individuals and businesses access to the resources that help build wealth.
With partners like NEOO Partners Inc., we plan to continue this work building a better Lake Street community for our business owners, customers, residents, and everyone in between.
Remove more about how you can support this recovery here.
LAKE STREET & CHICAGO AVE
The nearby Midtown Global Market and Chicago-Lake Transit center anchor this interaction that is home to thousands of residents, customers, and employees. With over 10 buildings destroyed or heavily damaged in the civil unrest, the redevelopment of these properties will take years. Recently, the Neighborhood Development Center acquired the northwest corner of this intersection and intends to build a commercial center there that may include affordable housing.
READ MORE:
Developer buys burned-out site at Chicago and Lake for redevelopment. Star Tribune.
U.S. Bank reveals targets for reopening Minneapolis branches damaged in riots. Star Tribune.
EAST LAKE
Locally known as Downtown Longfellow, this intersection is home to a diversity of essential and small businesses like Moon Palace Books and The Hub Co-op. As the former site of the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd precinct, this area received heavy damage during the civil unrest - including the total destruction of an iconic 1909 three-story brick building that housed the historic Town Talk Diner and El Nuevo Rodeo Mexican restaurant and nightclub.
Today organizations like Redesign Inc, a local nonprofit developer, and Pangea World Theater are breathing new life into one of Lake Street’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The redevelopment of these sites will focus on providing retail, performance arts, and incubator space for local entrepreneurs.
Read more:
A year after Floyd unrest, a Minneapolis neighborhood emerges from ashes. The Christian Science Monitor.
Rebuilding the 'downtown' of Longfellow is going to be a long haul. Star Tribune.
His Minneapolis Distillery Was Set on Fire. Helping Locals Start Businesses Is His New Calling. Bloomberg.
Breathing new life into 27th and Lake. Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.
Downtown Longfellow two years later. Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.
Group Aims to Rebuild Lake Street’s Coliseum Building After Uprising Fire. Minnesota Monthly.
U.S. Bank donates riot-damaged Minneapolis branch to nonprofit developer. Star Tribune.
LAKE STREET & NICOLLET Ave
With the brand new 35W-Lake Street Transit Hub recently finished, the Lake Street & Nicollet Ave intersection continues to be a central node for commuters and customers along the corridor. The future redevelopment of the former Kmart property by the City of Minneapolis will be an additional boost to this high-traffic and diverse section of Lake Street that includes a mix of dense residential and commercial activity. In addition, Wells Fargo has committed to rebuilding its destroyed property with a 200-plus unit residential building and a bank branch, developed in partnership with Project for Pride in Living. The project will include commercial condos, providing an opportunity for entrepreneurs to build family assets.
READ MORE:
Wells Fargo Taps PPL for Lake/Nicollet Redevelopment. Twin Cities Business Magazine.
Housing, new bank proposed at Wells Fargo site at Nicollet and Lake. Star Tribune.
Redevelopment plan for former Minneapolis Kmart site to begin early next year. Star Tribune.
Somali mall, Walgreens burned in Minneapolis riots set for $40M redevelopment. Star Tribune.
How a Lake Street shopping center is rebuilding after riots. Star Tribune.
Apartment building proposed on site of Lake Street arson. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal.
UPTOWN
Uptown is entering a period of growth and expansion, as new and exciting tenants like Arts & Rec Uptown prepare to launch an artist-designed mini golf and restaurant in Seven Points. Next door at Lake Street and Fremont Ave, a currently vacant lot is in the early stages of redevelopment into a mixed-use affordable housing building and a redevelopment at the south end of Seven Points will feature 270-unit housing and ground floor neighborhood market commercial space. Existing sites are also being reimagined, like the Uptown Theater relaunching as a concert venue with the ability to pull in larger acts while still maintaining its historic feel.
READ MORE:
Seven Points in Uptown Minneapolis adding mini-golf, Chase branch, coffee shop, restaurant. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal.
The Uptown Theatre’s Next Chapter. Twin Cities Business Magazine.
Apartments, grocery store pitched for Uptown Minneapolis block home to Seven Points. Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal.