Starting February 4, the Ward 8 Council Office of Elizabeth Glidden invites you to participate in a four-part series on “The Future of E. 38th Street,” focused on the corridor from Nicollet to Chicago.
Why this focus on East 38th Street? Change is happening, and we want to ensure neighbors are part of the conversation. Over the years, our residents have begun to reflect a more multicultural neighborhood, with new Latino and Somali residents in what has been a historically Black area of South Minneapolis. And while East 38th Street has been a quiet area with little development interest for some time, property owners are now exploring options for growth and change.
Most prominently, the Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church sold its property to the Seward Coop in 2014, with that store set to open in 2015. Other property owners are exploring development visions as well. One such business is Kente Circle, at 345 East 38th Street. Kente Circle’s owners Larry and Pam Tucker have purchased a neighboring vacant lot with hopes to grow their business and further invest in the neighborhood.
Discussion of the future of East 38th Street prompts reflection on the past. Historic African American-led organizations are still a major presence on East 38th Street, including Sabathani Community Center, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, and the Urban League’s Sharon Sayles Belton Center.
This area has been home to African American entrepreneurs, civic, community, and faith leaders, home builders and architects — all of whom have contributed to the Minneapolis we know today. Notable living Minneapolitans from this area include Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, artist Seitu Jones, and Met Council Member Gary Cunningham.
The East 38th Street corridor remains an integral site for entrepreneurs of color, from long-term investor Terek Propes, who owns a building and operates a business at 38th and Nicollet, to new owners at 38th and Portland who run a Somali-focused day care.
Members of the community are invited to:
• Participate in discovering development opportunities along East 38th Street.
• Connect to the stories, history, and people of our community.
• Build solutions, develop collective action, and determine the vision that benefits our community.
The full series of meetings is planned as follows:
History and storytelling
The East 38th Street community is rich with history. African American entrepreneurs, civic, community, and faith leaders, home builders and architects all contributed to the Minneapolis we know today. Join neighbors to elevate our history in the context of race and its impact on our community’s present and future.
Bring a memento such as a photo, ticket stub, or other item that reflects our neighborhood’s history to share in conversation.
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 6-8 pm
Location: St. Peter’s AME Church, 401 E. 41st Street
Development and opportunity along East 38th Street
Join property owners and neighbors to talk about our visions for development and growth. Featuring discussion of a senior housing concept at Sabathani Community Center, small business growth for Kente Circle at 38th and 4th Ave., and more.
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 6-8 pm
Location: Sabathani, 310 E. 38th St, 2nd Floor Banquet Center
Local, collective, and cooperative ownership
We will learn about local, collective and cooperative ownership models, discussing how these models might fit development opportunities in the East 38th Street area.
Date: Wednesday, April 1 (or 8), 6-8 pm
Location: St. Peter’s AME Church, 401 E. 41st Street
Join the conversation —
build our future together
How can we participate together — with government, business, neighbors and community organizations — in building our future? Refreshments provided. All voices welcome!
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 6-8 pm
Location: Sabathani, 310 E. 38th St, 2nd Floor Banquet Center
Corridor co-hosts:
Bryant Neighborhood Organization, Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, St. Peter’s AME Church, 38th and Chicago Business Association, Sabathani Community Center, Arts on Chicago, Ward 8 City Council Office, City of Minneapolis, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Legacy Advisory Committee, Sabathani Chapter of AARP #5203, Palestine Lodge #7.
We look forward to seeing you! Questions? Contact the Ward 8 City Council Office at 612-673-2208 or elizabeth.glidden@minneapolis mn.gov. Translation services are available.
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